Week 4??!

[kutch70]

Just completed w3r3 this week and wasn't that easy.....Listened to beginning of wk 4 and seriously? Running for 5 minutes?? I don't think that's possible. Total minutes running going up from 9 to 16! Did anyone else find this difficult? The thought of it is really scaring me.

[deekay64 Graduate]

Hiya

I'm sure you've heard this a million times here already but I know when I was at that stage I felt the same as you.

It is totally 'do-able'. Maybe not the first time you try it but then you may surprise yourself. The C25K plan really does work. There comes a point where the runs get longer and breaks shorter and you think 'no way!' then a couple of runs later you find you've done it and the feeling is amazing.

All I would say is give it a go. One of the hardest battles will be the mental one, putting one foot in front of the other and breathing in and out is easy in comparison.

Keep going... there is no time limit and the lift that it gives you when you succeed is amazing

Well done so far

[Cheery_runner61 Graduate]

I felt the same as you, and now I look back and can't quite believe that I can run for 35 mins without stopping!

Try not to think about it too much, just listen to the podcast and do what you can manage. You'll be amazed at what you're capable of. Just think back to week one, you've already come a long way from not running at all! The programme is designed to build up gradually. And remember, some runs are better than others, even once you've graduated (and you WILL!). Every run is worthwhile because we're keeping active, so don't worry too much - just stick with it and you'll soon get there. Good luck.

[greenstar]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's scared! Just done W3R2 and am trying not to think about next week!

[Natalie01 Graduate]

You can do it but take it really slowly, then you'll be fine. I'm running for 35 minutes now and have only just cracked 4k, i felt the same as you at this stage and that was only a couple of months ago. Good luck and keep posting!

[lemondoodle]

To be honest, you'll probably feel like this at the start of every new week, and then somehow find yourself doing fine, lol.

It is amazing how this programme enables you to step up to the next stage. And if you do struggle, repeating a week is fine.

I bet if you look back at week one you'll catch yourself thinking how easy peasy it would be now.

[Hidden]

Me too!! W4R1 tomorrow and I'm feeling a bit daunted at the thought of it. Mind over matter eh? Perhaps we'll surprise ourselves All the best!

[Mooski1305 in reply to Hidden]

hi, i have done w4 r1 today...i felt just like you.i wasnt even sure about doing it but did it anyway. it was actually ok..and now i feel sooo proud of myself! looking forward to run 2 on Saturday!

[Mum2run Graduate]

I'm literally just back in the house from completing W4R1. It was tough, but I huffed and puffed my way through it. The first 5 mins run was very hard, but the 2nd one in the program went quicker.

I am totally new to all this, have creaky joints but I did it! Think positive - take it slowly and hopefully your run will go well for you.

I can't imagine next week having to run non-stop for 20mins. That sounds like torture and impossible but I will just take one run at a time and see how it goes.

Good luck!

[kutch70 Graduate]

Thanks to everyone for their kind words. Bottled out this morning, excused as my daughter went away on resi trip and I wanted to spend as much time as poss with her. But I'm definitely going to give it a go tomorrow. Like you all say, got to try, and then maybe try again!!

[waletta Graduate in reply to kutch70]

Try to distract yourself as you run because waiting for laura to say your 5 mins is done can be hard. Compose a blog for us whilst you run. You can do this-Laura says you can & look how many of us she's trained.

[kutch70 Graduate in reply to waletta]

Thanks, I did it!!!!! Instead of concentrating on time going down I tried to work out where I would have to run to in the allotted times. I was pretty much right each time and it gave me something to aim for. Will do the same route on Thurs. Last minute of the 2nd 5 minutes was more a crawl than a jog, but I did it! Really surprised myself x So happy, can only get easier in runs 2 and 3??!

[carerof Graduate in reply to kutch70]

well done!!!! i am doing my first run of week 4 this evening after work and i have been worried about the time increase too, you have inspired me to just get on with it and see what happens, i expect i will 'crawl' like yourself at some stage!!!!! lol

[kutch70 Graduate in reply to carerof]

good luck, if I can do it anyone can xxx

[waletta Graduate in reply to kutch70]

Well done. Wouldn't worry about the crawling bit - in a few weeks time you'll look back & smile. Does feel great. I did the guess (it was just a guess with me) where you'll be in 5 mins & it was quite fun & surprising. Well done again.

[Hidden]

It's possible! t's all in the mind and you can run for 5 minutes, its a mental challenge more than anything.

Take is slow, relax and enjoy it. It's bitesize chunks of running.

I've been bottling it for ages, now I'm at Week 8, run 2 and the end is nigh!

Keep posting for lots of encouragement from the folks on this forum. They're brilliant. I wouldn't have got this far without them.

[Jajsh]

Well done! I have just struggled with the 5 min run - I did the first 5 ok, but after the walk I couldn't get going again for the second 5 min. I did 2.5 mins of it. But I will try again tomorrow

[I_will Graduate]

I'm in exactly the same place as you, and yes, the thought of 5 mins while I was running three this morning wasn't helping! (Not a very sensible time to start thinking about it).

But then I think that last week the 90 sec run felt hard but this week it's now easy, so just trusting the same will happen. My state of mind is key it seems!

[I_will Graduate]

Sorry! Just realised that you posted that 3 months ago and now I see you are a graduate which is greatly encouraging me!

[kutch70 Graduate in reply to I_will]

No worries, you will do it! Its been said over and over, but I never believed I would be able to run. Now I do 5K 3 times a week and have just started looking at the bridge to 10K plan. Believe! It still knocks me sideways that I can do it each time I go out, 1 minute was difficult back in January!!

[Sazbang in reply to kutch70]

well done! Im starting week 1 run 1 tonight and im scared at even that! X

[kutch70 Graduate in reply to Sazbang]

go for it! The plan is excellent and really does work xx Don't look too far ahead, just concentrate on where you are, and don't worry if you have to repeat weeks. Week 6 took me about 3 weeks before I was happy to move on!

[karlotta Graduate]

You'll be fine! I was rather daunted at the prospect but I just finished the third run of week 4 today and got on pretty well. Just take it slow and steady and don't knock yourself out on the first 3 min run. Once you've done the first 5min you'll be motoring!