Newbie alert

[ddmm]

Hi. My first post on here. Im about to enter week 5 tomorrow and am feeling petrified hence my first post I know worrying isn't helping at all and I know I will survive (breaking into song in my head...) but its a mammoth week ahead.

[Sophster]

I did my first week 5 run yesterday and it was way easier than I thought so I'm sure it'll be the same for you! Mind you I'm still petrified about my second week 5 run tomorrow!

[mbardon Graduate]

Am right there with you. Have done the 1st of the week 5 runs yesterday in snow shower, but well worth it. The 3rd run for me is a breaker as I am going to do my local ParkRun on Saturday and try to stay the distance and run for as long as I can for that. At least with ParkRun its a pace against yourself rather than a sprint for the finish so set a goal yourself and see if you can pace it well. I run the same 5km route each time and know that for each run where the next lamppost or building to reach is, so its a matter of getting into that frame of mind, and running to where your last spot in the 3 run on the Week5 Run 1 gets you and try your best to get to that mark. I don't know if I will make the distance, but I want to at least give it my all and see how I fair. Let us know how you get on.

[Steve_L Graduate]

If you got through the first 4 weeks ok, you'll be surprised how easily you navigate week 5!

[Runon Graduate]

Week 5 is what all the training so far has been for. On paper it's probably the scariest week of the lot especially as you get that jump to 20mins of non-stop running - as a result week five is the one when many people start to post on the forum in fear and trepidation - and I was one of those. So be aware that without really realising it you are now physically prepared for this - it's the mental side you have to sort out - the fact is you can do it - thousands have blazed the path before you - c25k really works and you can really do this - it's all in the mind - just take a nice easy pace and trust in Laura - she will guide you through. Set out knowing you will succeed and you will succeed. Go for it, beat it and by the end of the week you will have done more than just survive

[Hidden]

Yep, my first post was about Week 5 Run 3 - we all think we can't do it, but we all can! Just take it really slowly and keep going. You'll be fine. Good luck

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Hello and welcome ddmm and well done for getting this far, and without posting too!

You've done the previous weeks, the programme has prepared you for week 5 and so you are ready for it. Just take it very slowly and then slower still, try to enjoy it ( isn't that what it's all about?) and think about what you're going to say in your post afterwards telling us you've done all the week 5 runs and you're ready for week 6!

[helcl Graduate]

go slow, slow down a bit more, then slower still, and it will be fine. Just dont worry about how fast you are going at this stage, but spend the time telling yourself you are ready, you can do this, and guess what! you can do this. No evil gremlin in your head can take away the fact you have got to week 5. Mentally you may feel you are not ready, but physically you are, so tell your mental self to go take a hike (a 20 minute hike will be perfect)

Then come back on here and tell us how you got on

[Hidden]

don't worry about the runs ahead, everyone worries about run 3 , just take each one as it comes and you will be just fine

[no-excuse Graduate]

Don't fear it, you will be fine. Its just 4 lots of 5 mins without the teeny breaks. Take it really steady and let us all know how you get on x

[aliboo70]

You'll be fine, its surprising how the time goes, & once you get half way, your mind says "no way can i give up now!" just stay positive, you'll be amazed and feel great afterwards, it really is a milestone run Its not easy but you CAN do it

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Yep....everyone gets that feeling in week 5! I was nervous about the first 20 minute run, it was on my mind all week....but you can do it, you really really can! Just follow the plan and go sloooooooow!! Go do it!!!!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

W5r3 is all in the mind. You have trained hard doing intervals up to now, but this is slightly different, and easier than it looks. Remember, unless something really hurts or you really can't breath, then carry on Let us know how it feels when you finish !

[Snufflegruff Graduate]

Hi DDMM. Just over week ago I did my first post on here in exactly the same position. I guess week 5 is the one where it all gets a bit serious. A week on I've done all week 5 runs, including the dreaded run 3. If I can do it (53, overweight, cr*p knees) then pretty much anyone can. The program does work and by now you should be getting fairly fit. In a weeks time you'll feel fantastic. There's something really special about doing a "proper" run - i.e. no walking in between, and getting to the end of that 20th minute is magic. Just aim at that, be positive and enjoy the runs.

Good luck

Andy

[Coddfish Graduate]

My first post was also when I was approaching w5. It seems a big step but the biggest challenge is the mental one. Take it slow, break it into small sections, try to keep your mind busy with something other than the run. Once you have achieved it you will feel great.

[PrincessStef Graduate]

Don't worry, Trust the programme. Go slow. You can do it. I felt the same about it. I didn't sleep the night before doing week 5 run 3. I would usually leave my third run until a Saturday morning but did this run on a Friday night so that I could get it out of the way . But guess what. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Treat it as 4 x 5min runs and you know you can do that. You will feel fantastic when you finish. I shouted I was that excited.

[ddmm]

I did wk5r1 today and it was ok. Had to shout at myself a few times to keep moving but I didnt stop however much I wanted to lol. Doesnt bode well for the longer wk5r2 tomorrow

My wk5r3 wont be until monday so I ll have the whole weekend to panic my theory is I ll either be able to do the 20 mins or I won't. Its as simple as that. I'm probably not going to die. Or lose a leg. Or go blind. So it's really not as big a deal as I'm making it. If I do it, fab. If I don't, I'll keep trying until I do. Simples.

[ddmm]

And thanks to everyone for your advice and kind words. I laughed at the thought of lurkers to the forum all posting around the wk5 panic lol. Im normal

[ddmm]

Well wk5r2 completed. I can run for 8 mins straight now. Still cant see how I'll magically be able to do 20 next time but hey ho who am I to question the logic of the plan? I just turn up and do it. And (apart from wk1r1) all has gone as promised by the plan. So I really have no reason to doubt it or not trust it! Bring on wk5r3 !