I completed W5R1 tonight with the normal amount of puffing and panting for the 3 x 5 minute runs. I think I will be Ok with the 8 min run in Run 2, but I'm getting a bit nervous about the jump to 20mins for Run 3 which should be this Friday.
Can't say I don't welcome the walking breaks and it does make a run feel like 3 separate runs... but the jump to 20mins maybe something I will struggle with.
Anybody else had similar concerns about the jump from the 8mins in Run2 to 20mins???
Advice more than welcomed!!
Written by
AndyD
Graduate
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14 Replies
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Oh yes ! It has terrified lots of people, me included (sleepless nights even !), but the programme is geared to prepare you for the longer runs and if you have managed the runs before you should be fine. Just start off slowly, carry on slowly and you WILL be able to run for 20 minutes, sounds mad but it really is possible...Good luck.
I agree with Andy it was scary for me too but this is what you have been working up to. Same advice just take it steady it's about finishing and not speed. When you've finished which I'm sure you will , you will feel fantastic.
I remember feeling very anxious about it. But, if you've followed the programme to that point, you will be ready - you may not believe it but you will be. And the feeling you'll get once you've done it will be immense! I'm almost jealous, cos it's still my favourite part of the programme - I've never felt so elated as when I did that first 20 minute run - I'm delighted literally every time I do a run, but the absolute joy and disbelief after W5R3 stays with me.
Go for it, we all felt the same .... I was very unsure I could do it - but Laura trained me well!! The grin on my face after running 20 mins was enormous, I felt epic! You CAN do it xx
Concentrate on jogging slowly and keep breathing steadily... that is what got me through it, and by the time you are over halfway through you will want to keep going
I have actually started to try not checking the time (although I did today!) and it seems to help a little as I just keep going rather than be waiting for my walk to start!
As I just posted on another thread, you CAN do this! You are capable of more than you realise and you will do it! If you are struggling then just keep slowing down, even if you feel like you can walk faster! Good luck.
Concentrate on jogging slowly and keep breathing steadily... that is what got me through it, and by the time you are over halfway through you will want to keep going
I have actually started to try not checking the time (although I did today!) and it seems to help a little as I just keep going rather than be waiting for my walk to start!
As I just posted on another thread, you CAN do this! You are capable of more than you realise and you will do it! If you are struggling then just keep slowing down, even if you feel like you can walk faster! Good luck.
I remember what a gulf it seemed - from 8 minutes to 20 - how could anybody achieve that? This forum is full of posts from people. who like yourself, think it is something to worry about,
Don't worry, Laura says you can do it and you CAN. Just concentrate on breathing, keep your speed down and you'll be fine. Plus - the feeling of achievement - wait and see!
Thanks for all the advice and motivation I think that this will be a bit of milestone once completed and then it will just be a case of adding a few minutes onto each run until I get to 30mins... woo hoo
Concerns!!! I thought it was a mis-print and had to double check - madness I thought - it was all going so well and sensibly up to here and now they are going to spoil it all with this riduiculous idea of running constantly for twenty minutes - I couldn't do that when I was 16 let alone now...
So I just ran it and it was fine.
Just pace yourself - take it real slow and then a bit slower - you can always throw in a bit of speed into the last few minutes but the important thing is to run solidly for twenty minutes. Speed is not important here - it's more important to build strength into the muscles and develop stamina. And the only real barrier now is yourself telling you that you can't do it. This is the run in which psychology comes into play. Believe you can and you will... You can do it - there are no excuses
Hi Andy,just done my 1st run of week5 well done on yours like you have thought about run 3 . i am still going with Laura she has got me this far ,maybe i did something too
i am going to just go out and give it my best shot
Well done Rob... knew you could do it!! Yes, sticking with Laura at a slow pace and will try to forget about the time. Going to take a new route which will hopefully keep my focus elsewhere. I know that we have "running" so far in the plan... but to me this 20min session is a real run!
Thanks Andy am with you there, we will be "real" runners doing 20 mins I am still pinching myself I have got this far good luck with R2+3 Andy you can do it
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well done on yours 
The ‘notorious’ W5R3 done! 😊
W5R1 Done!!
W5R3 done it!!!
W5R3 done and dusted!
W5R3 DONE!!! If I can, anyone can! 
