W5R3 beckons..: This morning at the cheery time... - Couch to 5K

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W5R3 beckons..

Kel_mac profile image
Kel_macGraduate
13 Replies

This morning at the cheery time of 4.45am I was up and managed to knock over W5R2. I was a bit nervous going from that 5min to 8min run but managed to do it. Felt a bit knackered by the end but once I did the cool down, I was feeling awesome. Not bad considering was my birthday and I may have overindulged in cake (see attached!!).

I know I will need to push through and do the whole 20 minutes on that next run and that my body will struggle but what I'm trying to do, is mentally psych myself up to get it done. Am thinking of making myself a kick arse playlist on Spotify to get me through. Has anyone else gone to any lengths/changes to tackle that mental speed bump of W5R3?

Happy running!

Cheers, Kel x

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Kel_mac profile image
Kel_mac
Graduate
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13 Replies
Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate

Mmmmmm cake!

Can't really give you advice on what I have done because I haven'r reached W5 yet. With that said try to turn that "speed bump" into a positive by considering all of the folks who have posted here in the last week or so bout having conquered W5R3. It is fairly safe to assume that they had their doubts too but ultimately trusted themselves and the program.

Best of luck.

Kel_mac profile image
Kel_macGraduate in reply to Dunder2004

Thanks Dunder! I think I'll do that.. I'll give everyone's posts about the same run a good read-over and hopefully make sure I'm in the best headspace before I have a go at it. All I can do is give it my best shot, I guess! And lay off the cake... it's at home and I've had my piece and not having any more! :) :)

mandap profile image
mandapGraduate

Well done on what you have achieved so far! I'm sure your enthusiasm and positivity will help you through the next run, just pace yourself. I'm not quite sure how I got through it as I lost Laura during that run. The app paused at about 11mins and I only realised I'd done it as runkeeper told me. It is a great feeling to complete that run, good luck.

Buffy007 profile image
Buffy007Graduate

Well done and Happy Birthday - no tips but you're right, it is a mental thing so you're more than half way there with the right attitude anyway - and the rest, trust Laura, she knows you're ready. This programme is amazing - takes people places they never thought possible. Look forward to reading your success post.

fredl profile image
fredlGraduate

Happy birthday! Good job on both the run and not having too much cake! ;)

runner56 profile image
runner56Graduate

Yes 20 mins looks like an incredible jump but (and this is a secret that you must keep to yourself) Laura has been toying with us. These interval runs have been designed to ensure we can do a single distance run easier than we ever thought possible. All that stopping and starting pays off!!

I have recently returned from illness and have revisited c25k to get back up to fitness and will do 5/3 tomorrow with you!! We can and will do this :)

Good luck

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate

That cake looks awesome! Happy birthday :) as for the next run....I was anxious and thought about it all week leading up to it. Run slow....then slower.....that's they key. Do your stretches beforehand and don't over think it. I felt like Rocky when I got home and burst into tears haha! ITo the run that helps you believe you are a runner, so enjoy!

operation2015 profile image
operation2015Graduate

I was proper nervy before w5r3 aswell but the most useful piece of advice i received was from walkerjusty, who replied to my thread at the time saying that she changed her route slightly so that she wasnt necessarily running in a circle, but running for 10 minutes and then turned around and retraced her steps so that she knew exactly how far she had to come back.. i remember doing this and it deffoo worked x

Caroline69 profile image
Caroline69Graduate

Well done , you have got the right enthusiastic & positive attitude! I remember feeling really anxious , but like it's been said Laura has had this planned all along!! It really works, just listen to Laura and do exactly as she says! You will amaze yourself and feel awesomely epic when you complete it! Remember, slooooow..... ( Yep, I was really emotional too; remember your Kleenex!!)

Happy running Kel-Mac 😉

Maturelady profile image
MatureladyGraduate

It is amazing when you do wk5 run3 it is mind over matter and YOU CAN DO IT. Trust Laura. Keep us informed.

JuliaM72 profile image
JuliaM72Graduate

Hi Kel I done the Wk5R3 last week and as has been said it's all part of the programme. It does work and the feeling when you finish is great. Only advice I would give would be to make sure you do plenty of stretches before hand to limber up as I felt it in my calves when I was running. Other than that it was all fine. Just stay steady and don't go too quickly its about finishing not how fast, I think that comes later on in the program. Good luck with your run you'll be fine.

Jase44 profile image
Jase44Graduate

Kel just do it we know you can girl mind over matter from here on in. And you get a lovely message if you do do it. Go girl and smash it to bits :) J

Kel_mac profile image
Kel_macGraduate

Thanks all. Your messages of support are crazy good!! This time tomorrow I will have had a good hard crack at the 20 mins and I'm going to make sure that today I concentrate on getting that good mental spot to be in, use the foam roller (gently) tonight to get the muscles happy, eat a really good tea and make sure I've got my best motivational playlist sorted! You guys are just the greatest... thank you! Run on, you crazy kids x

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