Has anyone struggled with week 5 run 3? I tried, but could only run (slowly) for 10 min then had to walk for a bit.

[rayagirl]

If I am struggling at this stage, does it mean I will never be able to run for 30 min non stop? Thank you everyone for your support, I very much appreciate it

[greenlegs Graduate]

You will get there! Maybe you need to go even slower (always possible to run slower than walking!), but mostly it comes down to believing it's possible. One thing well worth knowing though, is that the first 5-10 minutes are pretty much always the hardest, even on much longer runs, and even when you've been running for a while. So you have already done the really hard bit! If you can do that bit, you will definitely be able to run for 30 minutes in a few weeks' time.

If you walked for a bit and then ran again, which it sounds as though maybe you did, you'd very likely actually find it easier overall to just keep going, especially if you start out slower. At least, that's what most people find when they go on to the week 6 runs, which have a walk break in them - weird but true!

Loads of people find this the toughest run of the programme (after week 1 run 1) because it is hard mentally - but it is possible!

[rayagirl in reply to greenlegs]

Thanks so much greenlegs, your words mean a lot. I kept hearing people say to trust the program and when you get to the 20 min. run, it will just happen...... but when it didn't happen I got a little discouraged. So thanks again and I will try it a little slower. I may have started out to quickly, so by the time I reached 10 min. I was already pretty tired. I'm thinking of signing up for a 5k race in October...... I should be ready by then, right? lol

[greenlegs Graduate]

5k in October will be just fine - and you'll look back to now and laugh!

[rayagirl in reply to greenlegs]

Ha, I sure hope so. lol

[GoogleMe Graduate]

If you can walk, you can run - maybe not even as fast as you could walk but you can keep running. Sometimes it is worth going slower sooner (after all, we're not thinking about pace at the moment, all we're focused on is keeping running) and taking smaller steps is also helpful. I've run almost on the spot in extremis.

[rayagirl in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks, it's good to hear how others have accomplished this. I see that you are a graduate... congrats. How is your speed now? You are right, I shouldn't be too focused on speed right now as long as I keep running. Thanks so much for your feedback

[Goatskin]

I'm at the same point as you, having just done W5R3. I'm taking everything very slowly, and have done this run twice - both times I didn't know how I was going to manage running for the full 20 mins and could have happily given up within the first 5 minutes. But I kept going and managed it! (Still not sure how though). I slow down when I feel like I cant keep going, and within a couple of minutes I'll feel better again. I never go very fast throughout the whole thing, but so long as I keep going I don't mind. I'm sure you can do it! Good luck!

[rayagirl in reply to Goatskin]

It really is reassuring to hear how others are getting along. Good for you for running the whole 20 mins that's awesome I will try to slow right down next time when I get tired, and keep running. Everyone here is so supportive, I really appreciate all of the input. Thanks Goatskin, good luck to you as well.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Hi I floundered a bit on this run. I still have it to complete but I've taken a step back and even though I am still In Training I have tried it a couple of times now and not dinnished so I am just redoing week four and five. With me its a mental thing. As soon as I start the 20 min run my brain goes into panic so I am working on the principal. I need more confidence and redoing wk 4 and 5 should help. I refuse to give up and know it will be even sweeter when I get there. We all will get there I have faith. Rfcx

[rayagirl in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Yes it certainly is a mental block when you are focused on a whole 20 minutes non stop. Maybe try and break it up. If you run outside, you could run for 10 min. in one direction(halfway done) then turn around and go back. Good for you for not giving up, I won't give up either. We've got this

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

A way round it (which worked for me) is to convince yourself that you are just doing ten minutes at the beginning. Then, very sneakily, you do an extra minute on the end. And then another one... and then it seems a waste to stop... The thing with panic is to not let it get the upper hand, and just keep going, even if it is really slowly and you feel as though you will collapse - it's 'just' (I know) an adrenalin surge, and adrenalin surges are designed for fight or flight - so go with the flight bit, and run! You'll get there - good luck! Week 5 run 3 is the most 'mental' of the whole programme.

[Goatskin]

I think breaking it up is a good idea, rayagirl. Just reading that post has made me realise I do that, although I break it up into 5 minutes, which is convenient as Laura pipes up at these points. I also like sticking to 5 minutes because its a duration I've already run with Laura, so if I've done 5 minutes before I can do it again, even if there are four of them back to back. Similarly to greenlegs, I keep telling myself I just have to do the next 5 mintues and before you know it you're on the last 5 mintues and it would be such a shame to stop now.

[rayagirl in reply to Goatskin]

That's a good idea. I like the sound of 5min times four, somehow it doesn't seem as long. I am supposed to do that run today, however I am getting the house and yard ready for a party, so it may have to wait until tomorrow. I will let you all know how it goes. Thanks again everyone

[Ellie57]

I do think the mind plays horrid tricks on us. Every one of my runs start with an uphill section so the beginning is always really hard. However, once I get to the top of the hill, I know it's going to get much easier. This uphill bit has been there since Week 1 when I thought I was going to die!! The only time I failed a run was on holiday at week 4 on completely flat terrain. Instead of the horrid bit being out of the way early on, my mind concentrated on the length of the run instead. I failed. And felt miserable. There is no logical reasoning behind this!!