Week 5 run 3 done!

[keirah]

Well I've been dreading it since I started but today was the day. I took everyone's advice and set off nice and slow and it was fine! I actually found it easier than the two eight min runs. I controlled my breathing and had plenty in the tank at the end - in fact, I increased my speed for the last two mins and probably could've gone on for another five.

In a way, I think all the dread was a good thing because it was nowhere near as bad as I'd expected it to be.

On Saturday, I'm doing a British Heart Foundation 5K, and I think it might actually be possible to run the whole thing, albeit very slowly.

My message to anyone approaching this run is that you CAN do it! I weight 17 stone and I'm a smoker, so if I can do it then anyone can!

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Super. Well done.

As you say, you are now finding the straight running to be easier than the run/walk intervals so don't be at all disheartened if you find week 6 to be tough. By consensus it is the hardest week of the program for, I think, exactly that reason.

Good luck with your 5K and don't be afraid to take a walking break(s) if you need it.

[Carolinemcd Graduate]

I also found it to be easier than the intervals so tonight's W6R1 is going to be strange. Well done!

[Hidden]

Well done you! and good luck for your BHF 5k. 😀😀

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Wow, well done, nice and slow - the way to go! If you do the same on your 5k, it should be fine. Being relaxed is totally the right thing too, when I went to a running club, they told me to relax my shoulders because it opens up the lungs to promote better breathing. This works for me, I even let my arms dangle down and relax my shoulders and breathe deeply and slowly for a few paces on a run. I find it helps me and gives me a boost too. I also relax my legs including the ankles, calves and knees too. Let us know how it goes, all the very best

[keirah in reply to JoolieB1]

Thanks for the tip - I'll try that! My ankle was getting a bit stiff about half way through today so I tried to make it a bit more floppy for a minute and it seemed to relieve the pain. I'm sure I looked bizarre though haha

[JoolieB1 Graduate in reply to keirah]

I had stiff knees, I blame Laura because she told me to run so that if someone was on the other side of a hedge, they wouldn't see me bouncing! This means I don't really bend them much as I run and on a long run, they get stiff. I sometimes flex them mid run to get them moving. I also find flex and strength exercises on running rest days have almost entirely avoided any problems, maybe you could do some for your ankles

[Worldsend Graduate]

Well done keep going

[McFitty Graduate]

Lovely post. Good luck for Saturday!😊