W4R2 this morning and after finding W4R1 very difficult was pleasantly surprised by this one - the last 5 minute run was a bit of a struggle because my legs were getting tired, but my breathing was generally okay throughout and I felt more within my capabilities than I did before. Yay!
However, this is making me nervous about W5 (don't look ahead, I hear you cry!) - every week I seem to have followed the (natural) pattern of finding the week gets easier as I settle into it, so the fact that it increases every day from week 5 scares me quite a bit!
Is it just me with this fear?! Tell me I'm normal and panicking too much, please...
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abigettinghealthy
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Not just you with this fear, when I was doing the plan I would look at the next run and think OMG how am I going to do that.
This probably won't help but
DON'T PANIC! DON'T PANIC! DONT PANIC MR MAINWARING!
The plan is tried, tested and proven to work. That said it does push you, and you may need to fight off a few gremlins.
When you look at week 5 compared to week 4, the length of time running doesn't increase, it is the walking that reduces, and this does so gradually which is why there are three different runs.
The running time is only 16 mins, just with fewer longer breaks.
You can do it, you have been training over weeks 1-4 for this. You can do week 5. and you will look back and wonder what you were worried about.
Just don't look at W5R3, even if you do DON'T PANIC you have done the training and can do it!
That's true - I hadn't broken it down in terms of numbers and realised that actually the first two days are no more running time than this week... I will use that knowledge to spur myself on and live in denial of W5R3 for now!
I looked through each & every run after my first c25k run. I was horrified
It looked like some crazy torture timetable. I did the final wk5 run today- I guarantee you that it's only a small step up from what you've already achieved.
Just take the runs one at a time. If I can do it, so can you.
I think many of us have had the same thoughts that you are having. W5 does seem like a big jump in effort when you're viewing it from W4. Just remember that you are already running for 16 minutes - it's just that the time is chopped up into "blobs" of running. You have already built up most of the endurance you need - by the time you reach the end of W5 you will be ready. Honestly!
I'm approaching week 5 like this - the first run is five minute runs which you can already do. The second run is basically the same amount of time running just in different blocks and the third is only an extra four minutes - considering you've already stepped up from running 9 minutes in week 3 to 16 minutes in week 4, it should be easy!
This is what I've been telling myself anyway. I'll let you know if I'm still feeling the same if I make it to the end of week 5!!
You can do it! We can celebrate the end of our first 'big run' in the same week!
No. I'm with you on this, except even in the same week i wonder if I can repeat it. I think everyone is getting nervous as it notches up a gear but they are right we seem to be doing it (allowing for injuries and life in general). I can't actually believe how much more energy I have in general. You can do it 🤗
I agree on the more energy thing - I got up the (many) stairs to my office today and realised that I'm barely out of breath any more, whereas before I would avoid taking the stairs unless absolutely necessary because it just made me feel so out of breath!
It stills feels alien to me that I can run at all, having spent all of school avoiding it wherever possible, so I think it's a mental block as much as anything... Just need to keep reminding myself that I can do it!
Absolutely! And the stair thing I find I'm doing more to 'test' myself. Even parking further away from shop etc all the things they tell you to do to add extra activity. I am even starting to think I might do a 'run' in public through streets etc one day!!
don't wait for the gremlins to make an appearance before you think of a plan to defeat them. Any run can be tough also after graduation. Just have something in your back pocket. Some idea of how you will silence them if they come. I find it is best to actively occupy your mind with something which is not running. If you are busy thinking of something concrete it means their voicrs can't be heard so they drift off.
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Week Six going well
Week 4 done
Week 4 run advice 
Week 4 completed !!
Week 4 to week 7 - still going!
