I have tried 25 mins 4 times now and only completed it successfully once - which was the third one 
Thought I'd cracked it and feeling smug, would be able to do it this morning, but then it beat me... Again!! Grrr!
Advice please... Do I go back to do wk5r3 (20 mins) then run through week 6 again, (thinking maybe if I sneak up on it from behind) or continue trying to bag this 25 once and for all?
What would Laura do?
xxx
No, don't go back! You've done w5 successfully, just keep on with what you had a problem with, don't get annoyed, blank out those gremlins, think of something else, like getting to various points of your run, or how good running makes you feel when you complete it, it will come, you will not be beaten!😀
If you've run it once, then you've completed week 6. No point at this stage going back. You might think you are running slow but try to go even slower, and if you are using the podcast try a run with a watch and your own music instead (sorry Laura), as singing along in your head can distract you from how long you've been running. Think "I will run for one more song" then after that one "ok, I think I can go for one more" and so on. I'm sure you can crack this, physically you've done all the prep, it's just a matter of getting your head to play along 
Well done! You did it! ( even if you didn't do it on the next run!). I think everyone gets to a run they find difficult - for me it was wk 3 - just keep working at it and you'll get there- you certainly don't need to go back a week- onward and upward- happy running!
Thankyou
I'll assume that your 25minute run was W6r3, and you'll soon start W7, which is 3 identical runs of 25 minutes. You've already been able to accomplish the 25 minutes, and so your body is capable of the duration. It'll come down to defeating the gremlins who are playing with your mind.
Some suggestions - like Sandy says, you need to distract yourself whilst running. Try a new route... nice views or 'I wonder where this goes' and not 'this is where I ran out of energy last time'. Spot upcoming landmarks and run to those - once I get to that lamppost I'll do a quick status-check (if you are not bleeding, still breathing and haven't fainted, continue to the next lamppost). Whilst I strongly advocate listening to the C25K podcast, maybe some upbeat running music, or a 25minute audio book can distract you.
One final trick, after your warmup walk, do a very gentle 5-minute run. Once you've done your 5 minute run, start a timer for 20 minutes. When the '20minute' run finishes, you've run for 25 minutes.
"You can do this".
Thankyou for so many suggestions. I like the idea of an audio book. Also status checks. I hadn't thought of that but will definitely start doing this. I am so annoyed with myself because afterwards there is nothing really wrong. My breathing is ok. My legs hurt a bit. The main thing is I feel tired, but really, did I need to stop? It's definitely mental. I know it but I still do it!! So a status check is a good idea. Maybe just won't check my brain 
Like the guys above have said - you can do this! You've run it once so you know that you can.
It's just a case of avoiding the little triggers that make you feel you need to stop. A new route, or running your route in the reverse direction, might help but mostly you just need to convince yourself that if you ran it before then you can do it again!
Good luck - onward and upward!
Ugi
Lots of good advice above! You know this is now more of a mental challenge than a physical one so stick at it. It's only gentle increases from here to graduation , so take it slow and take your time. You'll get past this!
Thankyou. I feel like weeks 6 and 7 are such a big challenge. I am so looking forward to small increases.
Yep, completely agree. Once you get past week 5, so much of the battle is mental. Part of it is just having enough distractions to take your mind off the discomfort you're feeling. This could be music, landmarks, a new route, thinking about the weather, your day, what you're doing at the weekend, etc, etc. The rest is simply bloody-minded determination... keep telling yourself that you can do it and you will not stop/walk. Think of how great you'll feel afterwards! If you've done it before you know you are physically capable... perhaps try and recreate that run somehow - what time of the day did you do it? what did you eat/drink beforehand?
I'm always doing those little status checks: feet, calves, thighs, arms, shoulders, lungs. If nothing is screaming at me in pain then there's no reason to stop. I also go back over technique... mid-foot strike, look 30-odd feet ahead, lean forward slightly, steady rhythmical breaths. When it feels difficult I know that just around the corner I will either feel better or the run will be over.
I did W9R1 this morning and I've still not aborted a run yet. It can be done!!!
Well done! Wow week 9, so you have two runs left!! I really like how this forum allows people to share advice as they've gone through the whole process too. I will try to learn from your progress.
It's hard to recreate my successful run as it was weekend with my daughter so I can't do the same time or with her as she's at school... But I'll try to analyse what worked on that one to get me through the next.
There is a lot of good advice above, those pesky demons are a right pain, take your time and slow down, you are doing great.
Glen
Sciatica My Nemesis
W5 R3 - My Nemesis 
week 8 my Nemesis!!!!!! 
Preparing to face my nemesis 
Completed my first 25min run!!!!
