That last 5 minutes...: So I'm making my way... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,112 members159,473 posts

That last 5 minutes...

Catey1978 profile image
Catey1978Graduate
7 Replies

So I'm making my way nicely through week 7 for the most part, but for some reason when I hit the 20 minute mark it all goes a bit downhill, and not in a good way. That last five minutes is almost defeating me every time, my breathing seems to suddenly be all over the place and even though my body feels fine really, my brain is yelling at me to stop. Now so far I've managed to ignore it and make it to the end but I would welcome any suggestions around breathing or, well, basically anything that works for this last five minutes :) I'd love to get it sorted before moving onto week 8 and adding even more minutes on.

Written by
Catey1978 profile image
Catey1978
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
Natasha-H profile image
Natasha-HGraduate

I'm at the same stage as you, just want to wish you good luck.

Catey1978 profile image
Catey1978Graduate in reply toNatasha-H

Thank you Natasha-H, good luck to you too! I can't wait to graduate, so excited about how far I've come, its amazing isn't it! :)

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

Those are mean and nasty gremlins, ambushing you near the end like that. Can you change your route, so you don't get to the same point and think (consciously or subconsciously) 'this is where I struggle'...

Other things that work for me:

Body check. How do my legs feel? Not hurting? OK, that's fine, can keep going. What about my arms? Still moving? Ok, keep on. Breathing? Yup, still doing that (even if not quite as controlled as I might like!). Still alive then! So why don't I think I can do this? Just my brain. And it's not involved in running, so it doesn't get a vote!

Counting breaths. I do this all the time. Sometimes I count to 10, or 30, or 50. I know how many breaths I do in 5 mins at my normal running pace, so sometimes I aim for that target and just concentrate on the counting. Sometimes I do lots of mental maths - 5, that's 3% of the last five mins. Oh, nearly at 10 now, and that'll be 1/15th done. I can make it to 15, that's 10% etc. etc.

And sometimes I go through everything I can think of to distract myself from the running, or to get through another few seconds. Doing all of these takes a few more minutes, and that's often enough...

After all that... enjoy the running! ;)

Catey1978 profile image
Catey1978Graduate in reply toRainbowC

That's great advice, thank you. Body checks tell me it's only my brain doing the complaining. I'll definitely try the maths to keep my brain busy, sounds like a good plan :)

Natasha-H profile image
Natasha-HGraduate

Onto week 8, the only thing that's got me this far is thinking that stopping isn't an option!! I can only stop when the time's up...no other choices:) being stubborn helps:)))

dddd4 profile image
dddd4Graduate

I think RainbowC is right. It's the gremlins getting to you when you are tired and maths tricks sound like a good idea. I keep varying my route a little, that helps me.

melly4012 profile image
melly4012Graduate

You've heard it so many times before but when I reached those points towards the end of the run when the gremlins were telling me to stop I would slow down more with the thinking that if I would slow down for a minute, if I still needed to stop after a minute, I would slow down a bit more, etc etc. I would also just pick a spot ahead and think, 'well I'll just get to the bench and then I'll stop' then I'd get to the bench and think 'well I'll just carry on to the next lamp post' etc, etc. If I'd done the run before I knew I could physically do it so there was no excuses!

Well done for getting so far. Graduation day will be here before you know it!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Week 5 COMPLETED !

Wow, i just run for 20 minutes !!! how did that happen ??? Thank you Laura, you said i could do it...
Instructor57 profile image
Graduate

Week 5 run 3 completed

Just completed week 5 run 3 and came to the realisation that running 20 minutes may be the longest...
davidy233 profile image

Week 5 completed

At 6am a lone figure made his way to the park, nervous, ready to run for twenty minutes for the...
alcopop profile image
Graduate

Week 5, Run 1 - can't believe I just typed that

Easy! Ok, not that easy. Knee is fine by the way. Two days of watching the olympics has bored...
stevecramp profile image

8.29 minutes for 1K

Got a window of opportunity this morning for a quick run. Happy and here I am, bragging ! Daisy, my...
nhs2015 profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.