Week 8, Run 1...the end is nigh...

[CentralPark]

Eeeks can't believe I'm onto week 8 and that the elusive 5km is soooooo very close...and so is my 'real' run in the 'real' Central Park. I know I was supposed to be 28 minutes but with a headphones malfunction I actually did 30 - and hit my longest distance too, 4.1 kms! Have to admit I was shattered by the end of those 30 minutes but the 'high' lasted for hours Question though - why are the first 5 minutes so tough - they're still so tough I often think I'm just not going to manage this, then I get past them and it's ok......anyone else feel like this?

[Katie204 Graduate]

Well done, CentralPark! It sounds as if you're on course to ace the 'real' Central Park run.

I know what you mean about feeling shattered - I still struggle through runs and feel wiped at the end, but 5 minutes later I feel fine!

[CentralPark Graduate in reply to Katie204]

Thanks Katie204 I've really got to do this thing!

[sparky66 Graduate]

Yes..every run..especially last one..I just thought...awch move heavy legs!!!

Wow a run in central Park..how awesome that will be

Good luck

[CentralPark Graduate in reply to sparky66]

Thanks sparky66....it seems I'm not alone in this first 5 mins thing...going to check out some of the posts on it....

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done! Getting closer, very exciting. Keep it steady... the Week 9 runs are 30 mins... you don't need to run 5K remember...so go at a pace that suits you

Lots of posts on the first five minutes.. or even first ten... check them out.. lots of good scientific reasons for it! : I contributed to a post somewhere, as my husband gave me the those reasons! It took a looooooong time

[CentralPark Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss...gonna check them out now

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

It is common to find the first 5 minutes "difficult" - a way around this and do away with the thought/feeling that it is spoiling your workout - is to do a gentle 5 minute jog after your 5 minute warm up walk BEFORE you start the running workout. Personally, I now think that the 5 minute warmup walk at the beginning of each C25K session is insufficient, especially as you proceed through the latter stages of C25K. Bit like going to parkrun - we really need to do a bit of a warmup ( 10 minutes slow jog?) , before we line up