Born to walk???

[MollieMoLeo]

I've just finished W4R2 and I'm feeling terribly frustrated.

I am not, nor have I ever been, a runner. Until exactly 4 weeks ago when I downloaded the application, I wasn't even interested in being a runner. I had just determined that it wasn't in the cards for me. My workouts are generally reserved for walking my two dogs...and that's it. So, I figured the idea of getting a really good workout in WHILE letting the boys come along wasn't half bad. Worth a shot, right?

My husband has always been able to run, but he'd been out of it for awhile and he is doing the program along with me. The problem with that is...it's pretty easy for him. He's the kind of person that can sit on the couch for months and then decide one day to run a mile. So, I know he's appeasing me by keeping on pace with the program. It's very sweet -- and also ultra-annoying. In addition, I'm sure to nobody's suprise, he's also naturally thin. He's pretty infuriating to have around.

Anyway, after the first run of Week 4, I cried. Yes...actual tears came out of my eyes over a workout. Not because I was so proud of myself for finishing, but because I thought I might pass away during the 5-minute runs. It's awfully sweet when Mildred (I think I've appropriately named the perky phone lady) tells me it's okay to slow down, but when strolling senior citizens are in danger of passing me during my jog, I think I can safely say I'm going as slow as I possibly can while still "running." At least I'm keeping up appearances with my arm placement and bouncy step.

So, with Week 5 looming...and the recent realization that in exactly 9 days I'm expected to be able to run a full 20 minutes without stopping...well, I just want to quit now! Is something magical going to happen to my pathetic body before next Thursday? Will I transform in 3 workouts into a person capable of such a feat?

Was I right all along? Was I just not meant for running???

[benjohn]

I think quite a few people that are now running happily weren't born for it. I'm sure I wasn't. There's a joke about a patient talking to their doctor about the exercise they do.. The doctor is amazed to hear that they run. "You don't have the body of a runner" says the doctor. "That's why I run" says the patient.

How did you feel with your runs in week three? If the last ran in week three was still tough, then take a step back and run week three a few more times. Just touch on week three and then press "Run". Stay in week three for as long as you like – until you're happy with it. It's not a race or a competition to get through the program!

If week three was seeming okay in the last run, then continue with week four for now, but don't feel you need to move on at the end of the week (and you're still allowed to do some more of week three, if you like). You can keep on running week four until you're ready to move on to week five.

I think I probably ought to have Get Running ask everyone if they are happy to move on to the next week, or would like to hold back a while.

I hope that helps, and I hope you won't give in – you're doing great! I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

[violabird]

Sounds like you are being very hard on yourself!

You've done brilliantly to get this far, I know I've had moments when I thought it was impossible too, I remember just a few weeks ago finding the first of the 3 minute runs unbelievably hard. I'm not far ahead of you having done W5R2 today, but I am doing week 5 for the second time after I crashed out of the 20 minute run at 9 minutes with a dodgy ankle. This time round it was so much easier than the first time, when I thought I'd die running 8 minutes! Plus I sped up compared to the first time, when I was running so slow I was practically walking. I'm still terrified of the 20 minute run though, but will give it my best shot on Friday!

I also have a husband who is following the program and was at the same stage as me, plus another friend who was only a day or two behind, and I found it so difficult to give up for the week's rest I knew I needed to avoid serious injury to my ankle, just because my pride wouldn't let me. The enforced break and repeat of a week has made me realise that there is no shame in taking your own time to do things in though, and it's amazing the difference doing this week a second time has made to my confidence.

Incidentally, my husband didn't feel he could manage the 20 minutes at the end of week 5, so altered the program to suit himself. I believe he did W5R1, W5R2, W5R2 again, W6R1, W6R2, W5R3, and then back to start W6 and continue as per the program.

Keep up the good work, you're doing just great!

[MollieMoLeo]

Thanks so much for the encouraging notes! I will tackle W7R3 tomorrow...and I'm still going!

I am still waiting for the "ah-ha" moment where I realize that I enjoy running. I'm still battling through each workout. And, I haven't lost any weight, most likely because I'm RAVENOUS with the runs!

I'm also still going REALLY slow, but you know what? Thanks to the program, I have run a mile for the first time in my whole life! That includes childhood...I used to have my parents keep me out of school on the Presidential Fitness Testing days. And now I'm running more than a mile (but probably not by much...again...REALLY slow).

So, I'm keeping it up. I am going to see how I feel after the full program. Who knows? Maybe THEN I'll start to feel like a runner!