Nervous about tomorrow's run (week 5 run 3)! - Couch to 5K

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Nervous about tomorrow's run (week 5 run 3)!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate
35 Replies

So tomorrow I am doing week 5 day 3 which us the 20 minutes straight running. Jumps straight up from 8 mins to 20 mins. Really nervous! Anyone got tips & advice?

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Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983
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35 Replies

To be honest most of the posts that I've read about this run indicate that people found it easier than they thought, and in fact seem to really enjoy it (I certainly did !). So my advice is just go for it - you can do it. Keep a steady pace so you don't exhaust yourself, but I reckon you'll find it a lot better than you think.

Good luck :-)

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to

Thank you, I did it and it was much easier than I was expecting!

in reply to Abby1983

Well done :-) Onto week 6 now !

Nell90 profile image
Nell90Graduate

You will surprise yourself, the main thing is not to worry and keep telling yourself that you've been prepared for it and you can do it just like those of us who have gone through that step. I was worried that it seemed a big jump up in distance but the feeling when you've done it is fantastic (I felt quite emotional because I've never run in my life before - and I'm 48!). Relax and have a great run!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to Nell90

Well done on yours! I did it today and also felt quite emotional afterwards!

Nell90 profile image
Nell90Graduate in reply to Abby1983

great to hear it went ok - I think that run is a real break through. Not long until you're running 30 mins!! :)

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

You just did 2 X 8 minutes, so it is a few more minutes without a recovery run. All the runs u have done so far will make a 20 minute run possible. Just nice and steady and plod on, you can do it!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to JoolieB1

Thank you!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

My week 5 day 3 is on Wednesday, did Day 2 this morning... Know just how you feel... the jump from 8 mins to 20 seems huge! Let us know how you go on! Go for it!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks! I did it!

The hardest point was between 10-15 minutes. The last 5 minutes was initially tiring but then I had motivation in the final 2 minute countdown. At that point 2 people (a stranger and my friend Claudie) walked past me on the trail and gave some great encouragement, which really helped! Was also fun to meet up for a walk and talk with my friend Claire afterwards in the beautiful Lema Ranch (it was like a reward). Extra encouraging was to learn today that Claire started her running off 2 years ago by doing this same app!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Abby1983

Go you! Hope I manage it on Wednesday... well done!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

You'll be fine! You'll barely notice the first 10 mins and determination will make you do the next 10 mins! :)

AvatheGardener profile image
AvatheGardenerGraduate

Hi Abby.

I was really nervous about that W5R3, too, so entirely empathise with you :)

I posted to that effect on here and everyone was fantastically supportive- in fact I went out for the run in a way as a thank you to everyone- and I managed it and felt probably the proudest of all the C25K runs including W9R3 :)

I bet you can do it too!- it looks like a mountain but actually it is entirely do-able. You just have to take a leap of faith- believe in the programme, and back yourself. Go slower than a snail with a limp, and you are going to feel fantastic when it's done. I promise! :)

Be sure to post and let us know how you get on :)

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to AvatheGardener

Thank you! It felt great!

During the run, another woman (a stranger) on the trail stopped running and started walking. I kept running. It was so embarrassing because even though I was running and she was walking, I couldn't overtake her! Talk about running at a snail's pace!..........but I did it!!!!

Thanks for all your encouragement!

AvatheGardener profile image
AvatheGardenerGraduate in reply to Abby1983

Well done you- it's a fantastic achievement- how great do you feel now??!!! :) :) :) Enjoy that feeling!

LordOberon profile image
LordOberonGraduate

Take it nice and slow and see the results. Laura will help you through. Trust her!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to LordOberon

Yes, her voice has become my saviour in those flagging moments!!!!

Ugifer profile image
Ugifer

As everyone above has said - if you have got this far then you can do W5D3!

You ran 16 minutes for D2 and that little break in the middle is as disruptive as it is useful - you may well find this run _easier_ without the pause.

Don't be scared by the 20 min run, but do have the respect for it to take it as slowly as you can - you can always speed up in the last 5 mins if you are feeling fresh but if you start slowly then you will get there, which is the name of the game!

Good luck - let us know how you get on. I'll bet you'll be surprised how well you cope.

Ugi

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to Ugifer

Thanks. Yep, I was indeed surprised! The first 10 minutes zipped by. Between 10-15 mins was the hardest and then I had more motivation than ever for the last 5 mins!

Felt fantastic at the end and my recovery walk was so easy. Heart rate back to normal within 2 mins, but I completed the 5 mins cool-down walk, of course!

Ugifer profile image
Ugifer in reply to Abby1983

Great Stuff - well done!

It's all about pacing and confidence. If you can maintain those two things then the program has nothing to be scared of!

Keep it up!

Ugi

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

You've done all the hard work and training already. You're ready for it. Just keep it slow and you'll do just fine.

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to runswithdogs

Thank you!

rmnsuk profile image
rmnsukGraduate

I was very worried when I did w5r3, but like most people I completed it first time. One trick I used to keep the gremlins at bay was to tell myself that so long as my legs didn't hurt (aches don't count) and I could still breath there was no reason to stop.

W5r3 is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge.

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to rmnsuk

Totally agree with it being a mental challenge!

jedi_d profile image
jedi_d

I was in your position last week, I know it seems like a jump ........I just managed to do it today :-)

I tried to find a route where I wouldn't get disturbed by road crossings etc....

it was well worth the effort. all i can say is dont worry about it and give it your best shot :-)

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to jedi_d

Well done for completing it!

My regular route has a couple of slopes, so I stuck to the trail that's completely flat and runs next to the road, rather than in the ranch....less beautiful, but the flat trail gave me more confidence in my ability to complete the 20 minute run!

ridingstar profile image
ridingstarGraduate

Don't worry at all you are ready for it, trust Laura keep it slow and enjoy it ! I am actually quite jealous, it's one of the best runs on the program and the euphoria afterwards should be bottled, we could make a fortune !! Good luck ! :)

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to ridingstar

Yep! If I could bottle this feeling I have now having just completed it, I totally would!!!

tara-j profile image
tara-jGraduate

You'll be fine, as everyone says you are already running nearly that much with little breaks...and if you do need to repeat it you will still get there in end. Go really really slowly and enjoy it!!!

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to tara-j

Thank you!

Good luck! Just slow and steady. If it gets hard, just slow down. :-)

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to

Thanks for your encouragement!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Oh Well done Abby ! The feeling of achievement having completed that particular run is immense isnt it ?

That is a major milestone you have just overcome, be very proud of yourself ! :-) xxx

Abby1983 profile image
Abby1983Graduate in reply to poppypug

Thank you! :)

jabellik profile image
jabellikGraduate

I felt exactly the same and surprisingly it was not that hard. You can and will do it, trust me !

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