W5 - is this the make or break week? - Couch to 5K

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W5 - is this the make or break week?

simonHumph profile image
simonHumphGraduate
20 Replies

Just finished W5R1, in the pouring rain (how's that for commitment?) It was hard :( but I didn't stop and I'm feeling proud but the demands seem to ramp up this week. Will it be make or break?

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simonHumph profile image
simonHumph
Graduate
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20 Replies
Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

Nope, neither 'make' nor 'break' - anyone who goes out the door to do a stage in the rain is already a Runner IMHO :)

Take a week to do a week or take a month to do a week. :) It is about building up stamina and the '9 weeks' and '5k' are thrown out the window by the vast majority of people here. You do it slow and steady and consistently and you get to Graduation, I promise :) Well done on your W5R1 :)

Titch121 profile image
Titch121

Hi I've just completed run 2 of week 5 and basically having seen what the requirements of run 3 are I've posted a similar question.

I was ready to retire gracefully when I first saw it.

simonHumph profile image
simonHumphGraduate in reply toTitch121

I'm trying to put what comes ahead out of my mind!

NeverSayNoToJeffing profile image
NeverSayNoToJeffingGraduate in reply toTitch121

Don't retire just adapt the programme to suit you if necessary. 🐢 👣🏃

Vanessa291 profile image
Vanessa291Graduate

It'll be a 'make' run. You can smash that run, as long as you take it nice and s.l.o.w. Let us know how it goes. 😀

lozzi23 profile image
lozzi23Graduate

No it won't be make or break, you will do it and you'll be so surprised and chuffed with yourself, I was anyway!! You can do it, look forward to hearing how you get on 😃 X

dingdongthewitch profile image
dingdongthewitchGraduate

I did W5R2 last night and thought to myself 'yup, I'm going to graduate'. Something clicked last night, my technique felt comfortable and I didn't feel like I was going to die there and then so run 3 tomorrow and a bit aprehensive so keep going simonHumph, I felt like I had turned a corner last nigh.

simonHumph profile image
simonHumphGraduate in reply todingdongthewitch

Now. you've got me worried ... technique??

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate in reply tosimonHumph

That'd be one foot in front of the other simonHumph - don't panic :)

dingdongthewitch profile image
dingdongthewitchGraduate in reply tosimonHumph

Maybe technique was the wrong word but I just feel more coordinated, more human less flailing octopus.

RunningGeek profile image
RunningGeekGraduate in reply todingdongthewitch

I've found on the first 2 runs of W5 that I finally found a rhythm which has helped enormously. There seems to be several of us who are at W5R3 time & feeling apprehensive. I am due to run tomorrow too. Happy running everyone :-)

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

Well done! So it started raining while you was out? although hard, it feels refreshing as it starts raining, yes?

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate

Well I did w5r3 this morning before it got too hot - thanks for asking RunningGeek, it went OK. Yes I thought I was going to die at (more than) one point but I thought 'what exactly is the problem here?' I'm breathing OK, legs are fine, feet fine, I'd just rather be walking. So I just got on with the run and I never thought I'd ever say that I ran for 20 minutes! The programme works, so good luck to everyone else on week 5 at present.

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate

I'd like to add that I was very anxious just before starting this morning and did a lot of faffing with my shoes and laces.......

dingdongthewitch profile image
dingdongthewitchGraduate in reply toJoy57

I do that too, I seem to have turned lace tying into an unhealthy ritual. I am off out on W5R3 in about an hour but my left knee is really sore, just bought a support for it.

simonHumph profile image
simonHumphGraduate

Just done W5R2, home in one piece but boy the last minute was tough. I had to shout at myself to keep going - thankfully no-one around so I shouted all the louder. Never was Laura's dulcet tones so welcome than when she said "That's it. it's time to slow down". Sorry, Laura. I didn't slow down, I did an emergency stop! I daren't look at W5R3 ahead of schedule, I'm sure she's going to be digging in the knife in ....

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Well done simonHumph ! Don't worry, weve all shouted at ourselves to keep going , whatever gets you through the run , its okay :-)

Week5 Run 3 is a toughie, but do-able. All the previous runs have laid the foundations for this one, just keep doing what you've been doing so far. Theres lots of posts about it if you want to do a search .

Good Luck ! :-) xxx

simonHumph profile image
simonHumphGraduate in reply topoppypug

Thanks poppypug

simonHumph profile image
simonHumphGraduate

Made it! W5R3 completed earlier tonight. I'd been dreading it since W5R2 convinced if I struggled with 8 mins that 20 would be a bridge too far. But ... I completed it, no ambulance needed to be called and I only had to shout at Laura (and myself) twice towards the end. I was a bit put off as I passed another runner just leaving his house fiddling with his watch. he sprinted past me (did I hear him snigger??), I turned the same corner as he did but he was nowhere to be seen ... a vision of my future perchance?

Anyway, this is to say thanks to those who have posted encouragement as half way round I was thinking of all those words of support and I told myself I can't let you guys down - so thanks all.

Am I looking forward to week 6? Ummm, jury currently sitting out on that one!

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

Well done. Well done!!! It's a great feeling isn't it? On to week 6 - Go you! :)

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