Hi, I've most completed week 4 -I can't believe I've got this far, at 46 I've never, ever liked running, but now can't think of much else!
I've just read week 5 and feel like passing out with fear at run 3. Anyone any advice on how it went from experience?
Thank you😉
It goes just fine... just go with it and you will do it. Think about how far you have come and how that looked impossible! 
We are the same age!! And I know exactly how you feel, I had nightmares before doing that bad boy. I never ever thought I would... but I did, and now I will be running my second marathon on Sunday....💃
hi, I'm 41 and on wk 8 r2 next, I felt exactly the same, never thought I could enjoy running and when I started this wk 5 r3 was a terrifying prospect, but have faith in the programme and take your time, I shocked myself by managing it and have never looked back, I actually found wk6 r1 a bit harder but just knowing you have done 20 mins helps to mentally get yourself through the next longer runs. Good luck with the run, not that you will need it!
We've all felt the same. You have no idea how you will manage it...but somehow you do! Good luck!
Hi Toomy, as Oldfloss says, just go with it and you will be absolutely fine. Take it nice and slow and you will get there, we all had the same concerns, but this amazing plan really does work. Good luck to you! 😀
All your training over the past weeks has prepared you for this! The programme is very well thought out and leads you gently up to W5R3 where you suddenly find you can run! The feeling afterwards is amazing - you'll find out soon!
There are hundreds of graduates who like u feared week 5 but we got through it! Don't worry about run 2 or 3, just think about run 1, that is enough to think about. If needed, slow right down on your runs, there is no speed medal, slowing down may help you to do it. Breathe deeply and slowly even on the warm up walk, relax and plod, repeat. Tell people u r doing your run so that will help u to keep going and not give up. If you have followed the programme, u can do this. Let us know, we are all cheering u on. Julie
Do not fear Toomy!
I won't repeat the excellent advice and encouragement that everyone has given you. But I will copy and paste this that I posted in response to a similar post.
Substitute "W5R3" for "marathon" and you'll understand the point I'm making.
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Did you know that when you train for a marathon (I haven't), you actually never run the full distance until the race (26.2 miles) itself? The longest training run will probably be around 20 miles - the principle being that all the training, from short runs at the start to doing say 3x 18 mile runs a week, is enough to help you run a single 26 miles when the time comes.
Imagine running for 20 miles (maximum) in training and then expect to run 6 miles (10k!) extra on the day of the race? But the same logic and science applies.
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The program works.
Get out there and JFDI
Good luck!
Not that you need it
John
It goes fine! The trick I learned in week 5 is to go in saying "I'm going to run for x minutes" today instead of "how will I run for x minutes today". Half this programme is a mental battle, so if you take care of that before you even start running and go in positive you'll do great. Good luck!
Hi i did w5r3 this morning and like you i wasn't looking forward to it but it wasn't nowhere near as bad as i thought it would be i'm sure you'll be fine i found for me it was more of a mental challenge than a physical one good luck with it.
Steve
I remember doing w5r3 in the Summer sun, which made it extra tough for me, although at the moment in the UK it shouldn't be much of a problem, just make sure your drinking enough water and warm up properly beforehand.. and don't worry about it! My wife starts w5 today.. she's 61! Good luck!😊
W5R3
Week 5 fear
W5R3
W5R3 - the fear became real
W5R3 next!
