Started week 5 again this morning after nagging from my daughter.

[Sewflakes]

I started week 5 fine last week but when it got to the 3rd run and Laura said today your going to run for 20 mins I just knew I couldn't do it, I turned the pod cast off after running for about 3 mins, I did several shorter runs until I had done my 30 mins. I don't see how you can go from doing 3 x 5 mins to 2 x 8 mins then 20 mins it seems to much of a jump to me. I was wondering how many people give up at week 5?

[kermit81 Graduate]

I am starting week 5 this week. I know its going to be tough but I am developing a trust in the program.

Each week so far I have thought the next week was too much of an increase and each week I have managed it.

I think that half of the battle is mental, if you let yourself think you cant do it you are far likelier to give up and fail. You can do it, trust your body and take it slow. It will probably take a lot of determination and teeth gritting but you can do it.

The worst that can happen is that you give it everything you have and come up short (in which case you just need to recover and try again till you get there) but surely this is better than letting yourself give up without trying?

I look forward to seeing you post of your success

[AmberC Graduate]

Trust in the plan, I too had my doubts about stepping up to 20minutes of running, but I did complete that run, and had such a tremendous buzz afterwards. Give it another go and see how you get on, many of us have had to repeat weeks.....indeed I repeated week 6 about three times before I was able to move on. But I got there in the end and tomorrow I start week 9. Don't be disheartened, think how far you have already come and how much better you feel. Good luck, you can do it.

[AnnieW55]

It is a big jump but not too big it's built into the programme. I think week 5 highlights the fact that running is as much a mental process as it is physical. It could be that you experienced a 'bad' run just at a crucial moment in your running. Don't give up, chalk it up to experience a think positively about run 3. If possible I would choose another route, or slight variation, even run it in reverse as that is the kind of thing that got me over these humps in the programme. Good Luck. You CAN do it, just don't over think and ruuuuun :-).

[paul2014 Graduate]

Hi and I'm glad you are giving it another go. A lot of people do comment on the jump to 20 minutes, I did myself ;o) Just redo the previous run and try building up the time running until you feel upto the task of attempting the 20 minute run. If you are like me then you may be building it up to be worse than it actuall is, I do the same before most runs ;o) Stick with it, build up the time you spend running, then go for it. Good luck.

[spoonierunning Graduate]

Trust in the plan, it might seem like a jump but the plan works it really is possible. Most of the battle is mental you have to believe in yourself. If you don't feel ready them repeat runs 1 and 2 and try again, but don't start with the attitude you can't do it cause then you likely won't do it, think to yourself I can do it, and you will.

[Sewflakes]

Thanks for your support everyone. I've been going to the gym for years now and haven't noticed any improvement in my fitness. The couch 2 5k was recormended by a work colleague and it does at least give you a focus, my daughter has just started it with a friend after hearing me talking about it which is why she said I should at least give it a go. I'll try repeating this week, hopefully I will get there.

[kermit81 Graduate in reply to Sewflakes]

Thats the spirit, never give up and you will eventually get there.

I also spent years going to the gym with no improvement in fitness or in the 19st I weighed. just done W5R1 last night and am fitter than I have been in a long time (maybe ever) and am a stone lighter already.

I have every faith in you to succeed

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

The plan is trustworthy, but we all come at week five at different mental levels. I for one was at the bottom of the class for believing I could do it. It took me ages to conquer it. But the one thing I know is the day I did, I didn't go out feeling any fitter than the other attempts, I went out determined, every time i wanted to quit I slowed down and I did it. To this day, it is still my most inspiring run. You will do it, have faith in yourself, you've done the homework.

[Vixchile Graduate]

Like everyone says you can do it and just trust Laura, it's a tough one but you will get through it. If you need more than one go to do it then so be it but just don't give up on it. It is a mind over matter and we all believe you can do it. Let us know how you get on.

[frannyfran Graduate]

You will do it.

First, think of a reward. Some treat you desperately want.

Then, go for your next attempt. When your head tells you you can't do it, just think of that lovely reward and how much you want it.... Keep telling yourself "I want that treat, I want that treat....." and keep running. Very slowly..., slower than that, but keep putting one foot in front of the other. And after Laura tells you Well done, you have run 20 minutes, and you have done your walk then go and get your treat! You will have earned it!!!

We will all be with you in spirit!

[grannyjudes Graduate]

I can only say frannyfran is right, go slow, then even slower and slower again. Slow is good very good, speed comes later, good luck

[helenbones Graduate]

I'll echo the go slow bit - I too was really doubtful I could do the 20 min run - big jump from what I had been doing etc etc

but I did it - very slow and sure- but I did it ! (overweight, 50something, never run before, on week 7) Do just try it - no dishonour if you don't make it - but you will probably surprise yourself

good luck - am rooting for you1

[achydunlin]

I had two attempts at week 5 run 3 - the first time I tried it, I gave up after 5 minutes - the thought of 20 minutes just seemed impossible. I almost gave up. Then I read some of the posts on here. Trust your body. Keep going, slow but steady. Even if you're barely shuffling along - you will do it. When I did mine I was jogging slower than my daughter's walking speed (she walked some of the laps around the park with me). The feeling of achievement when I'd done it has far outweighed any of my other runs - even my first 5k.

[Sewflakes]

Thanks for all your support, I'm also over weight and 50+ but I completed week 5 on Friday and did the first run of week 6 this morning. I really gave myself a good talking to and said how good it would feel once I could say I had done it. I also thought of some people I know that would have prefered to be at the gym and couldn't be due to health reasons. I've been through cancer so I know what that is like. I knew I could do the first 5 mins, then I said lets see if I can get to 10, then 15, OK you only have 5 mins left, you can do this and I did!! Treated myself to a new dress on Saturday as a reward! I'm away for 5 days this week and wont have access to a gym so I'm not sure how I will fit it in but I'm going to give it a try!

[Lavender1962 Graduate]

Congratulations Sewflakes! You must feel a sense of accomplishment. Enjoy your new dress. You deserve it.