Week3 done - Not looking forward to week 4! - Couch to 5K

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Week3 done - Not looking forward to week 4!

anand12 profile image
10 Replies

Completed week 3 this morning :)

I had a sneak peak at week 4 and it basically goes from 9 minutes of running for the past 2 weeks to like 16 minutes. This kinda worries me and my calf muscles are in pain from just 3 minutes, how am I to manage like two 5 minute runs?

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anand12 profile image
anand12
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10 Replies
Beek profile image
BeekGraduate

You will! Trust Laura that she has built you up to it! I don't look too far ahead because it can scare you off but the build up has been gradual and it's like so many tell you on here - start nice and slow. Slow and steady and you WILL manage it! The secret is you've got to get your positive head on. Good Luck

ek1982 profile image
ek1982

I had the same thing. I thought i'd downloaded the wrong week when she told me what we'd be doing in week four. I know others have said it before, but it really is a mental thing. I didn't do any running and was petrified of week four but it's amazing that you've suddenly done it, and realised 'hey, I did it, I could do it!'.

Don't let your brain tell you you can't do it, as your legs can :-)

Good luck and well done for getting to this point!

MacNab profile image
MacNab

I agree with the others, you CAN do it! Best not to think about it too much, just go out there and do as Laura tells you. Good luck!

Jany profile image
Jany

You run a total of 16 mins in week 4 because the walking intervals are greatly reduced. So, in weeks 1-3, if you ran 3 minutes, you walked for 3 minutes to recover. In week 4, you're halving your recovery time. Now, this SOUNDS scary but it really isn't. You will have gained so much fitness in the last few weeks and you don't need a full 3 minutes to recover. Did you find towards the end of week 3 that for the last 90 seconds or so of your recovery walk that you were just breathing normally? That's because you'd already recovered. I was worried too but just focus on the improvement you're making. You can definitely do it! : ) X

anand12 profile image
anand12 in reply toJany

my recovery walks have improved yes but thats only half the battle lol. Getting oven my leg pains is the second half. The funny thing is my leg pains generally die down by the time I have finished my breakfast so its just the pain while running I need to get over. I guess a lot of it is a mental thing.

in reply toJany

That's helped me a lot, week 4 next week...

anand12 profile image
anand12

Thank you all for the encouragement :)

I normally begin my week on Friday after a 2 day rest between weeks. I think I will begin week 4 a day early on Thursday, I cannot wait to see how I get along :D

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate

Don't worry about Week 4. I know a 5 minute run seems like a lot, especially as you grow used to the whole discipline of running, but grit your teeth and keep going until Laura says so AND YOU WILL FEEL BRILLIANT!!!!!!!

I did.

And I'm now on Week 8.

Go for it!

bikergirl profile image
bikergirlGraduate

you can do it ! honestly, I know it seems a big jump, but the programme is so well designed, that you are so ready for it.... you just don't know you are until after you have done the run. :-)

Just take your time, no need to rush it, you'll be fine :-)

Nick_Buddha_12 profile image
Nick_Buddha_12Graduate

I have just completed W4R1 you will surprise yourself I did !!!! :-)

don't let fear stop you achieving your goals

I look forward to you week 4 reports

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