Erm...I just ran for 20 mins without stopping... - Couch to 5K

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Erm...I just ran for 20 mins without stopping...

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate
31 Replies

...and it felt awesome!!! I honestly can't believe I managed it! I was feeling nervous about it since completing w5r2 and thought there's no way I could do it but I'd give it a good go - just goes to show how well this programme really does work. Don't get me wrong, I was more Snaily McSnailface than Usain Bolt but I didn't care - I managed to get to the end without stopping and that was the most important thing. I've found each week I've gone from thinking "hmm, really don't think I can do that"  to "wow, I can't believe I did that" and it's such a good feeling.  I even found myself singing along to one of Laura's songs, yes, I admit that's weird but it was actually a good distraction in the part I found the hardest (around the 8 minute mark).

To those who about to start w5r3, just go for it, the high you will feel at the end is just brilliant!

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louisella profile image
louisella
Graduate
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31 Replies
misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Well done!  Cue music.  "What a feeling"    ......tra la la 😊

Sarah-A profile image
Sarah-AGraduate

Well done! You're past the halfway point now - you can do this!

(I have to admit - I like to sing-a-long to song of the tunes too ;) !)

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toSarah-A

So glad it's not just me ;) !

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate

Frantically waving my pompoms for you in France - woot woot, well done you! I could even start dancing with Miss W and Sarah... that W5R3 feeling is just awesome. A hearty pat on the back, and onwards and trainer wards for the rest of the programme!

builtforcomfort profile image
builtforcomfortGraduate

Well done Snaily, 20 mins is a real landmark, bet you feel over the moon!

Shivani05 profile image
Shivani05Graduate

Snaily McSnailFace is the way to go with the programme! Congrats, this is a big run. Enjoy the feeling :)

Well done- that's brilliant to hear and gives me hope as I move towards week 5! Still struggling with running five mins at the mo! 

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply to

Thanks HilaryC - what week are you on? Honestly, if someone had said to me even last week that I'd be running for 20 mins non stop I'd never have believed them. Have confidence in both yourself and the programme, it really does work :)

in reply tolouisella

I'm on week 4 so dreading next week! But you give me confidence. I think it's mind games now!

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply to

It's definitely more psychological in week 5, physically the plan has been preparing you for it so if you've got that far you'll be absolutely fine :) Even though I'd been nervous beforehand, when I actually set off I felt surprisingly confident that I could it - it's definitely mind over matter! 

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

Also waving pompoms for you in France, keeping MyFamilias company :)

Well done, it is a wonderful feeling isn' it :)   I finished C25K back in Nov 2014 and I still remember the elation of that first 20min run.  You are so right, it is an incredible program, this C25K.

I so wish I'd done something like C25K when I was at school :)   at 52 years, better late than never :)

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toZev1963

I'm definitely liking all the pom pom action today - thank you! I realised when I'd finished running that I hadn't run for that long since I left school (over 20 years ago). And yes better late than never, I can't wait to get my graduate badge too! 

pete_be_healthy profile image
pete_be_healthy

I'd did the same run this morning and must admit I'd been dreading it as well. But as you say, it's all a distant memory now and it really wasn't that bad at all. Yes at about 12 minutes I was starting to do I could finish, but made it through. It's great. 

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply topete_be_healthy

It's such a good feeling isn't it - it's weird as around 8 min I felt like I was struggling but by the end when Laura said to slow to a walk I felt like I could go for another minute or so

pete_be_healthy profile image
pete_be_healthy

I don't listen to Laura as I run at the gym so get my timings etc from the app. Part of my post graduation running will be to move it outside. 

LouCollier profile image
LouCollier

Thank you Louisella, your post is just what I needed after last nights W5 R2.

I huge well done :-)

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toLouCollier

Thank you :) how did yours go?

LouCollier profile image
LouCollier in reply tolouisella

really not good - I managed it but I really didn't enjoy it and didn't get that fab feeling after either.  I'm not sure it it was because W5R1 went so well that I wasn't worried about doing the 8 mins which is a first as I always think 'yes I can do it then oh no I won't be able to do the next one' - whilst still running I might add!

Maybe my body is just fighting a bug or something.

I'm actually out of sink with my weeks so I'm due to do the 20 mins on monday or tuesday - after reading your post I think I will give it my best shot and just see what happens, I was all for re-doing the last run again (although why I'm thinking like this I have no idea as I actually did the last run - I think maybe I am just very scared of the 20 mins I'm preparing myself to fail, who knows!)

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toLouCollier

If you managed w5r2 without stopping then I would say go for it with the next one (providing you don't have a bug and are poorly of course). I think we put so much pressure on ourselves that the build up can become quite daunting. I know exactly what you mean though as from the minute I finished w5r2 I was telling myself that w5r3 would be first session that I wouldn't be able to complete without stopping - this was right up until I woke up yesterday morning, gave myself a good talking and thought - at the end of the day, if I don't do it first time round, what does it actually matter, I'll just give it another go. If you find you do have to stop, try not to see it as failure as it's not - the biggest thing is you're out there giving it a go. And don't worry about going too slow - my main thought was I wanted to hit the 20min mark - I didn't care how fast or slow I was going as long as I got to the end. I did go slower than previous runs so didn't get as far but honestly it really doesn't matter - it's just about building up stamina bit by bit. I know it's easy to say but try not to beat yourself up about it before you've even tried it - if you feel yourself going down that route, stop and give yourself a good talking to and tell yourself you've got this far and you can do it! 

Good luck and kepp us posted on how it went :) x

LouCollier profile image
LouCollier in reply tolouisella

wow, thank you - you really have made me feel better.  I will give it my best shot and if I don't manage I will keep trying but I plan on getting it done and out the way!

thank you xx

Toomy profile image
Toomy in reply toLouCollier

I'm starting w5r1 tomorrow, have been absolutely dreading r3, but after lots of encouragement from others on here and reading these comments, I'm going to slow it down and crack this.  I'm loving running and don't want to stop now, so will keep going - wish I'd done it years ago😊

LouCollier profile image
LouCollier in reply toToomy

slow and steady is the way to go and just keep thinking how you will feel when you have done.

You can do, you are totally ready - good luck xx

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toToomy

Definitely slow and steady - really don't think about how fast you think you need to go as you'll just tire yourself out, I just thought more about the time goal and I've said on previous posts, Snaily McSnailface got me through! I found the build up to be much worse than the actual run itself - it's just us putting uneccessary pressure on ourselves, crazy isnt it :) Good luck! 

Toomy profile image
Toomy in reply tolouisella

Hi, thank you yes you're right.  Silly to feel pressured, almost as though I'll be letting Laura down 😂- how daft is that?! Anyway today I did r1 of w5, taken on board all the supportive comments, slowed it all down and did it!  So pleased, so I'm on track- hopefully-thanks everyone 👍

Scoobydavid profile image
ScoobydavidGraduate

Fantastic!

Well done :)

Toomy profile image
Toomy

Thanks....big day is Saturday, I'll let you all know.  Did w5r2 today, near the end had a great grin plastered on my face so pleased 😃

CentralPark profile image
CentralParkGraduate

Wahoooo!  Well done you!!!  Can I just ask (complete technophobe here) what's 'Laura's music'....? :)

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toCentralPark

Hi , if you listen to the podcast (rather than using the app) you get a lady called Laura giving you hints and tips (and motivation) in between music being played. The songs are quite cheesy but set the pace depending on whether you're running or walking at the time :) 

CentralPark profile image
CentralParkGraduate

Aha ok now I understand that...mind you...when people talk about podcasts...hummmm now that involved downloading (or is it uploading?) and being a bit technical..it took me a week to get the thing on my phone (not an iphone) in first place..will have a looksee at the pod bit....thanks muchly, x

louisella profile image
louisellaGraduate in reply toCentralPark

:) try this link, you should be able to download them to an android phone

nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Couch-to...

The app is good as it allows you to listen to your own music whereas with the podcasts, it's their own music but you do get more tips. I'm on week 7 so am trying alternating between the two depending on how feel before I set off xx

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