Really??

[pollyp1]

Every time my brain has a spare minute or two this evening it goes 'Really? 20 minutes? This Friday?? You're having a laugh!!'

[Slinkyminky Graduate]

Haha mine was like that too before I actually did it and you know what? You so can do this!!! Everything you've done up to now is preparing for the 20 minute run. You will feel so fantastic afterwards too!

Take it nice and slow and steady, first 5 mins are the hardest, once you get to 10 you'll be in a rythym and you will be saying to yourself I CAN DI THIS AND IM GOING TO FLIPPIN WELL DO IT!!

Good Luck for Friday and look forward to seeing your post x

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Slinkyminky]

Thanks. That's more or less what I figured - I definitely feel as if I stop just as I'm getting into my rhythm at the mo, it just feels like such a big jump from 8 mins (and I haven't even done that yet, it's tomorrow!). I shall report back and am looking forward to poppypug's Friday frolic (or whatever it is she calls it!) x

[John_W Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

W4 was 3x 16 minutes of running with a few breaks

W5R1 was 15 minutes with 2 little breaks

W5R2 is 16 minutes with 1 little break.

W5R3 is 20 minutes, no breaks

So to answer the title of your post....

Yes, really!

You'll be absolutely fine

[melly4012 Graduate]

You can and you will!!!!!!

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

On Saturday your brain will be going "Really, did you seriously run for 20 minutes? No way!" And your answer will be "No bother at all. Come on Week 6 Day 1 - I have heard all about you and your gremlins! I beat week 5 and I will beat you too!"

[yatesco Graduate]

So, week 5 run 3 is coming up :-).

Don't worry, we all worry, but most of us realise it is actually far more a mental than physical battle.

Look at it this way, you have followed a plan that has gotten THOUSANDS (tens of Ks?) of people through and that plan which you have followed says YOU are ready for it. Take confidence in that if nothing else.

However, it is a big leap, so make sure you have some suitable music (nothing too fast), take a nice big breath, relax into it, start slowly and KNOW you can and will do it.

So, in that spirit, congratulations on completing your 20 minute run! Hey, you are a runner!

[PippiRuns]

My very first post was before that run. I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to do it and reached out for encouragement and advice in this forum. And I got it. You can go back an read the comments if you like, but to sum the advice up 1) your body is ready, it is a mental struggle, tell yourself that you can do this 2) go slowly 3) divide the run into smaller parts (Laura tells you how long you've got left) and just keep your eye on the next 5 minutes knowing you can do it. 4) did I mention - go slowly!

You'll be just fine!

[Monkey25 Graduate]

Can you do it? YES you can.!! This was the first run I did outside and boy was i anxious, I took on board everyone's advice and went at a snail pace, i was fine, as am sure you will be.☺

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Thanks for all the positive, supportive responses - you guys rock! Time to wrestle myself (mentally) into my wet weather gear for run 2!

[Feelingsilly]

You'll nail it! You'll be so psyched up about it the adrenaline will be flowing and you will be buzzing all day afterwards! Keep us posted 😀

[pollyp1 Graduate]

After run 2 I have a mental plan and I'm looking forward to it!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

But you'll be the one laughing when you've done it. Good luck!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to it now but glad for a day off tomorrow...

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Scary one that, I remember it well. Just focus on how you're going to feel when you've cracked it, go SLOW!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks. I must admit I struggle with SLOOOWWWW but I've decided to think of the middleish 5 mins as a slow run rather than a fast walk and really that's what I did yesterday. I've been mentally rehearsing - apparently that's good for you (ps: I have very similar hair and a very similar hair picture!).