So, I'm currently on Week 8 of the Couch to 5K training plan and so I only have this week and then I'll be in Week 9. Yikes. Can't believe I'm nearly a graduate to be honest and that I haven't either given up or stopped.
I've found it harder going from 25 minutes to 28 minutes with no rest in between that's for sure. I'm still plodding on but it's definitely getting harder instead of easier at the moment!
Couch to 5K Week 7
In Week 7 of the Couch to 5K training plan there are the same three runs throughout, all lasting for 25 minutes non stop.
Which seems a step up when previously I'd been running for incriments of between 5/8/10 minutes with walking in between and the last workout in Week 6 of the Couch to 5K training plan is a run of 25 minutes.
Run 1
Warm up 5 minutes
Run 25 minutes
Cool down 5 minutes
Run 2
Warm up 5 minutes
Run 25 minutes
Cool down 5 minutes
Run 3
Warm up 5 minutes
Run 25 minutes
Cool down 5 minutes
These workouts are designed to enable you to run for longer, not necessarily faster. In Week 8 of the Couch to 5K training plan, the running time goes up to 28 minutes.
That might just be 3 extra minutes, but let me tell you it can feel SO MUCH longer when you're already running!
How I'm Feeling After Week 7 of Couch to 5k
Well, it's been a week guys. It's BEEN A WEEK! I injured my ankle before my first run of Week 8 of the Couch to 5K training plan so I wasn't sure I'd be able to actually, you know, RUN!
Also, I was beginning to feel that I wasn't running properly or fast enough. It's hard when you're doing it all by yourself with no-one to tell you how to really run!
It was definitely beginning to feel tough as everything was just beginning to feel difficult instead of fun or even, easy. It felt like I was struggling every time I went out - there was just no enjoyment there for me anymore.
But the odd thing was, however difficult I was finding each run, I never once considered giving up. I just felt I've come this far no way am I giving up all that I've gained. I'll just have to find something to help me get through these longer runs.
Actually, despite damaging my ankle I managed to get through all runs without pain so I guess there's really no giving up for anything now!
I still can't believe that I've come this far, or continued with it for so long now. I'm still unsure of how I'm supposed to run alone once I've finished Week 9 of the Couch to 5K training plan! I mean, how do you, actually do it? How do you time yourself properly? So many questions!
Going from Week 6 of the Couch to 5K training plan, where I was still able to walk in between my runs (for the first two runs anyway) to running non-stop for 25 minutes was quite the leap! I'm not sure my body was totally up for it to be honest.
But here we are, almost at the end of Week 8 of the Couch to 5K training plan and I'm able to comfortably (only very recently though!) run for 28 minutes non stop so..!
I'm sure I'll get better with time, at least I HOPE I do! So many unknowns when it's just me out there doing this all by myself with no-one to tell me what I'm doing right or wrong!
But I suppose the very fact I'm still here is something to be proud of.
My Thoughts Going Into Week 8 of the Couch to 5K
(As I write this, I have already done runs 1 and 2 of Week 8 of the Couch to 5K training plan)
I go into the penultimate week with some trepidation, but also some hope that I'll be able to make it through the other side and start Week 9 of the Couch to 5K training plan successfully, without anything hindering me too much! (Fingers crossed for an injury free week!)
Week 8 of the Couch to 5K training plan consists of three runs, each lasting 28 minutes. That slight three minute increase may not sound like much, but when you've been huffing and puffing your way around for 25, I can definitely feel it!
I think I need to work on my pacing for the coming weeks, as running too fast doesn't really get me anywhere! (Well I mean, it DOES, but it's not good for me to run faster than I'm able to at the moment). I have to wait and see how I fair on 28 minutes and then 30 minutes first!
I'm trying to think positively about heading into Week 8 of the Couch to 5K and take some time to reflect on the journey I've been on so far and how far I've come with my running.
Week 1 of the Couch to 5K training plan seems so long ago now, but it got me to where I am today, so for that I have to be thankful and be proud of the progress I've been able to make in such a short space of time.
Also, fingers crossed for better weather to run in!
Love, Sarah xoxoxo
