Newbie 😱: Hi there. I'm very new to running and... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate
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Hi there. I'm very new to running and have just completed Week 4 run 3 on Sunday and feeling quite nervous about week 5!!! Any tips??? 😨

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Lina_lou profile image
Lina_lou
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22 Replies
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Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Hello Lina, welcome and very well done for getting to week 5! That's fantastic!

You've got this far so keep doing what you've done. Take each run as it comes, run very, very slowly, stretch and take your rest days. Then come on here and tell us how you're doing.

I'm sure someone will be along who is at the same week and you can run (virtually) together! Good luck and enjoy.

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Thank you, advice noted πŸ‘πŸ˜

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

Wow, well done for finishing week 4, a real achievement. Tips for week 5? Take each run as it comes (don't think about run 3 until u need to), nice and slow and breathe slowly too (plenty of oxygen in the lungs). Tell your brain to shut up, of course u can do it!

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to JoolieB1

Thanks JoolieB1. I actually find myself counting my breathing now! Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow and the end of the week brings!!!

Ray801 profile image
Ray801Graduate

All of the above - my favourite is positive mental attitude If you think you can you, if you think you can't........ you get the idea.

It does not matter how slowly you go just listen to Laura and keep going.

All the very best, looking forward to reading your next update.

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to Ray801

Fab!! thanks....yes definitely PMA!!! 😁

nhs2015 profile image
nhs2015Graduate

You obviously can do it so it will be a piece of cake. Tummy in, boobs out, breeze in, breeze out, beautiful. Be proud. Run slowly you will get the distance. Remember, you are a winner

Don't panic :-) Week 5 is actually one of those weeks that you will get a real buzz from. By the end of the week you'll be so amazed and proud at what you've achieved so far - and you can do it !

Stella1001 profile image
Stella1001Graduate

Believe in Laura. She wouldn't ask you to do it if she didn't think you could achieve this! And you can! Take your time and just keep on going to the end. The worst bit of this whole 9 weeks is W1R1. Starting the programme is the hardest thing - at week 4 you have made HUGE progress. Keep on running!

AvatheGardener profile image
AvatheGardenerGraduate

All the above. W5 will make you proud and amazed when you complete it! Trust the programme, believe in yourself, push yourself a bit but go as slowly as you can. Remember- power in your legs, relax your shoulders, and have a happy head on :)

Breathe however it suits you to get enough oxygen in!

You can do it! :)

Qscout profile image
QscoutGraduate

As Nike says, Just Do it!

The program is designed for you to have done the training to get you past each stage. Don't worry about, enjoy it, you can do it.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Brilliant....well done....!

Try not to worry, just slow and steady, like everyone says... they don't call me the grey snail for nothing.:)

Keep listening to Laura, you'll do it... one front in front of the other. Go for it!

My first run Week 8 tomorrow!

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Thank you... Good luck for tomorrow 😁

Pinguette profile image
PinguetteGraduate

As the others have said, go really slowly on the 20 minute run and you'll manage just fine. I completed Week 5 last week and if I can do it, anyone can!! So go get 'em and let us know how you got on! :-)

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to Pinguette

Really? Well done on completing week 5, how did you find the 3rd day, Honestly?

Pinguette profile image
PinguetteGraduate in reply to Lina_lou

Honestly, I surprised myself by how well it went. I did run even slower than I normally do (speedy I ain't!!) and just concentrated on getting it done. I was somewhat worried I was almost too slow for it to count (I posted on this a few days ago) but everyone here assures me that speed doesn't matter at this point, it's just running for the 20 minutes that's important. Good luck! :-)

emmakit profile image
emmakit

Don't think about how long you've got left. The more time you spend thinking "Oh, I've got 10 minutes left I can't do that" or "I've only been going for 5 minutes?! It seems like so much longer" will just put you in the wrong mindset.

Focus on the music (if you run with music), and don't think about times or how far you've run just concentrate on finding and maintaining a good pace for the whole run. Look ahead as well, rather than down at your feet, or at the ground just in front of you.

If you're feeling tired, ease off a little, its best to complete the run, rather than run really fast wear yourself out really quick and not be able to complete the allotted run time.

I also find channeling anger into your runs really works, like obviously don't work yourself up, but I've weirdly found if I've had a bad day, my runs always seem to go better. Literally run the bad feelings away :)

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to emmakit

Good advice....I tend to think of all sorts and concentrate on breathing deeply and in rhythm too my feet!!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Hi Lina , I found breaking up the times in my head into small chunks worked for me .

Good Luck , just keep doing what you've been doing as it's working !

You can do this ! :-) xxx

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate

Thank you to you all for your great advice and motivational tips. W5R1 completed.... Looking forward to the next one on Thursday. I felt amazing afterwards too and didn't even get wobbly legs. This program has amazed me so far!!! πŸ™Œ xx

Qscout profile image
QscoutGraduate in reply to Lina_lou

Hate to say this but. . . .

I TOLD YOU SO!

Now you have rid yourselves of the evil mind weeevils, trust the program, you can do this. Looking forward to seeing you Wk9 Run 3 I've done it post.

Lina_lou profile image
Lina_louGraduate in reply to Qscout

Hahaha....Only just seen this message. W5r2 completed tonight...felt fab afterwards and even sqeezed in an extra minute on the end of the first 8mins as friends app had stopped working so had to use mine, really noticing a fast recovery after running now too. Roll on Sunday for the BIG one?! πŸ˜πŸƒ

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