Week 5 seems a huge step up from week 4 and then run1 of week 6 drops back down again...why is this?

[soupdragon3]

[annasee Graduate]

Dunno really - a mental challenge? To prove you can run longer? I know most of us have stressed about it, then got through, after a few repeat attempts sometimes. Maybe it's to teach you the importance of pace. If you go too fast you won't make the 20 mins. Then the shorter runs are back to building up fitness and speed again? As I say, I have no idea really, I just did it and was glad to go back to shorter runs the next week

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It was a mystery to me, but don't worry about it. It works.

[notbad Graduate]

It's standard for training plans (10k, half marathon) to build weekly and drop back a bit every fourth week, or at least the ones I've come across, I believe it's to protect against injury - so I guess it's a variation of that. The 20 minute run is quite a jump, but it seems to work for most of us.

[Hidden]

The programme is designed around using interval training to help boost things like speed, endurance, etc. I use the long runs to help me build endurance, and the shorter ones to help push me on speed.