Week 4 Run 1 - I conquered it and it feels good! - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 4 Run 1 - I conquered it and it feels good!

7 Replies

It is true what they say in that the fear of something is always greater than the thing itself. I went with trepidation out for my W4 R1 and surprised myself by doing it from start to finish. I had a coastal headwind bashing me for the first half but could take pleasure in it being behind me on the way back. Yay! At the end of my run during the warm down walk the heavens opening and it felt bloody brilliant to have the rain pour down on me. A rain cool down! For any of you nervous about week Four let me tell you it is a step up but it's a step up that you can do and one that Laura has prepared you for. I followed her advice about the hedge which she quotes in week three and as such I kept a steady pace. Interestingly I always seem to find the start of the runs harder but as I get nearer the later segments it all seems a bit easier and I find my stride. The second three and five minute runs felt easier than the first ones. Strange. Anyone know why that is?

7 Replies

There is a very good scientific reason why the first part of a run is so hard....but I can't remember what it is...sorry ! So if you can just get over that first 15 mins it DOES get easier. In my experience once you know that's what's going to happen you just have to push on through to the latter part of the run so the longer and further the run the higher the proportion of enjoyable running, if that makes sense ?

in reply to

Makes total sense! Thank you

smurf1303 profile image
smurf1303Graduate

Well done, week 4 is my challenge on Friday. Glad to hear it's doable!

sjr21 profile image
sjr21

I agree :-) Completed w4r1 last night in the rain and it felt good to get through it. Maybe this isn't so impossible after all!

redcat123 profile image
redcat123

I did my W4R1 this morning. I debated about running week 3 again but I thought, no you can do it and I did ! I feel so proud of myself even though my calves are feeling it. Does anyone else have aching legs during their run - perhaps, it is about time I got some decent running shoes ?

in reply to redcat123

Well done you. I don't have any calf pain or achy legs whilst running so far. I did have gait analysis before I started though and proper trainers. Are you heel striking too much? Try and land on your mid foot. Also are you stretching well after each run? Good luck with it all. You're doing great. I am halfway through week 5 now.....the programme really does work. If I get in the right mindset and have belief in myself and relax then it's amazing what I can achieve doing thisx

Supermum3 profile image
Supermum3

Same here. I was worried about the runs in week 4 and wondered if I would cope. Having now completed two runs I am feeling very pleased with myself especially knowing that I am now running more than I am walking. Really enjoying this programme so far......has got me back into running after a long long break (work, kids tec.....) and feeling I am getting my fitness back. Keep on running!

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