just completed the above run and really enjoyed it I am 54 and can not remember (if ever) I have run 8 minutes before. Kept to the advice of slow and steady and breezed through it. A bit puzzled about the next run how did it jump 12 minutes in one go. How do you beat the mind games that says its too long
W5r2 this just gets better: just completed the... - Couch to 5K
W5r2 this just gets better
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You're doing great. You've done (8x2) 16 mins today. Next step is 20 mins. It's only 4 lots of 60 seconds extra. You can definitely do it. Don't overthink it- slow & steady wins the race.
![melly4012 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/791b7d2327896fd702851062c270bb54_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Because there are 2 runs of 8 minutes It's only 4 minutes extra in total. It is a big jump, don't get me wrong, but considering you've already stepped up from running 9 minutes total in week 3 to 16 minutes in week 4, it's very do-able!
![Bundoodle profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/5a66eefa673f16c7cefb1f37ae7e435d_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Don't overthink it. Just go out with curiosity and put one foot in front of the other. Bet you can do it!
Don't let the mind games beat you. You can do it and if you're in any doubt just read the post after you from Miller2 the feeling is incredible. Just don't overdo the celebratory hugs and things because you need to keep those for graduation.
![Dunder2004 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/145d3324d3e616391e12837355872809_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Well done.
For the next one, I can only advise you to trust the program. Many thousands of us have looked at W5R3 with dread and horror only to be pleasantly surprised that it's bark is much worse than it's bite.
Just take it slow and steady and I am sure you will be fine.
All the best.
![poppypug profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/6a41166ed781e4b2294d1bf1cd1d8120_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Well done Ian ! Oh yes W5 R3 - very much a mental challenge this one . All the previous runs have laid the foundations for this one , it is tough but perfectly do -able .
Dig deep , you have got it in you to do this . Just keep doing what you've been doing , keep calm and breathe slowly .
Slow , steady, believe .....,
Good Luck ! xxx
Congratulations. Sounds like you really got into that run. Going to follow yours and others example and slow for this week when I get there.👏🏼
I did W5R3 tonight. It was tough but do-able. I never thought in a million years I'd manage it but I did. Follow everyone's advice like I did. Slow and steady, and believe you can do it. The sense of achievement afterwards is immense. I'm still grinning 5 hours later.
The programme is designed in a way that ensures that your body is ready for this when you have completed the previous runs. So trust Laura, go slow especially when you start the run, and You Can Do This!
![Oldfloss profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/105fc46b2ead0530d0e1540d94760674_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
As these folks say, as we always, always, say...slow and steady is the way! It does work!
Kick those pesky mind gremlins out or just ignore them, they hate that!
Okay?
So..." Pride in how far you have come and total confidence in how far you can go "!
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You just don'-t go there! This girl CAN!
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I know , you read it and think, this must be a mistake! Just remember it is at least 50% in your mind. Go out with the attitude that you can and will do it.
I actually found it easier - during the interval runs I seemed to be continually waiting for the end whereas during the twenty minute run (in the early stages) the end is so far away that it's not worth bothering about - once you get to half way then you know you can run for ten minutes and it's just a case of doing it again.
PS - if you want a rough guide as to how long you have left then the run last for eight songs on the podcast - they are around 2 and a half minutes each
I'm 57 and did week 5 run 3 on Thursday - you can do this no bother