Word of warning: WK6 R1 was surprisingly difficult!

[Vicxzy]

Maybe I was too cocky after running 20 mins solid in wk5 R3 thinking that wk6 R1 would be easy.

Maybe I didn't mentally prepare myself like I had been doing because it's only 5:8:5 but oh my word I struggled with W6 R1 today!

[RD001 Graduate]

Not just me then! I felt like that on Monday. Especially in the middle 8 minutes. I wondered if it was because I'd psyched myself up for the big weekend run. Anyway well done for getting through it. Ive just managed w6r2 and already concerned about now never having a walking break!!

[Vicxzy Graduate in reply to RD001]

It makes me feel better that it's not just me then! Well done to you too we can do it! 😎

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Well done for getting through it.

W6R1 and W6R2 were the toughest runs in the program for me too.

I can't say that I know why but I don't think it was complacency as you describe. My best guess is that you are already at the stage where the walks are now more of a hindrance because they knock you out of a running rhythm.

[cFinn]

Interesting, I was thinking after my wk4.3 run tonight that the walking intervals are actually making it harder now. I'm getting to the end of the runs now and feel like I could probably keep going as i'm into a good stride.

I used to look forward to the walk intervals but now not so much. Maybe i'm becoming a runner lol.

[Anaverageman Graduate]

Its commonly said... Strange isn't it?

[Vicxzy Graduate]

Never thought of that possibly is why!

[OldNed Graduate]

Wk 6 is notoriously difficult, possibly because it doesn't have the build up of Wk 5, and also because of the walking breaks which begin to feel 'wrong'

[Anaverageman Graduate in reply to OldNed]

naaah I cant say walking breaks are EVER ' wrong' !!

[Laineydglm Graduate]

I found it really hard too! I was surprised, so much harder than the 20 minutes!

[Anaverageman Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

See how many say wk 6 r 1!

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

I found W6r1 and 2 difficult as well - a bit ridiculous when you have already completed a 20 minute run, but it is a bit like being used to a break at 10.15 and then going into an exam that lasts 3 hrs - you don't miss the break because you know it is not happening, but if you know the walking break is coming then you seem to be gasping waiting for it! Didn't make sense to me that running 5.8.5 was harder than 20 minutes!

[TooSlow]

I'm mid week 6, with day 3 to do tomorrow (so, I've done all my walking <gulp>). I've also found this week by far the hardest. Up until now, I've almost been looking forward to my early morning runs, but w6d1 and w6d2 has changed all that!

25 minute run tomorrow morning, and I have no idea if I'll be able to make it after d1 and d2 (although I didn't find the 20 minute run in w5 too bad) - I live in quite a hilly area, so I've even re-planned my route tomorrow to give me less hills!

[Vicxzy Graduate in reply to TooSlow]

How did it go tooslow?

[TooSlow in reply to Vicxzy]

Really well actually! The first half was tough, but due to my route, that part was slightly uphill. The second half, the downhill bit, was much better, and although it was difficult, I felt I could have kept going a little longer at the end. With the warm up and warm down, I did just (like a meter or two) over 5k, so I'm really pleased with that!

Funny thing is that I cycle commute into work, and after getting home, having a shower and a brief relax, and getting changed into my cycling stuff, I did my fastest cycle into work, so I think the run really got me buzzing!

Have you done your w6d2 yet?

[Vicxzy Graduate]

That's fantastic well done you! Yes just posted about it 😢