Week 5 Run 3

[julie1807]

I think that there is too much of a big jump between runs 2 and 3 of week 5 and going from 8 minutes to 20 minutes is too much! How did other people get on with it?

[Greg_M Graduate]

I think that was pretty much a universal feeling from what I can tell. Personally the anticipation was worse than the reality. Not easy but achievable, slow down a bit and trust the programme, don't go off like a bat out of hell!

I suspect it is a deliberate ploy thrown in to take you out of your comfort zone. The week before got me, the 2 x 8 minute runs where I had even stopped checking what was coming up and I wasn't expecting it...didn't finish either :[

After that I started to prepare again and went into wk5 r3 slightly nervous but got there and boy the feeling of achievement! 20 whole minutes I was grinning for days! I even felt slightly cheated when it went back to intervals!

Have you done it yet or just anticipating? You don't say.

[julie1807 in reply to Greg_M]

Thanks for that! No havent done the run yet, did the 8 minute run on Monday but developed heel pain during and after which I have still got. Will try the 8 minute again tonight as I dont feel ready for the 20 minute, but not sure I am going to get very far as I think my heel is going to play up from the start unfortunately

[blueboots Graduate]

I thought the same until I did it. Like Greg, I was grinning for ages afterwards. There wasn't much in the way of speed involved but that's not important just take it slow and you'll get there. Good luck and keep going, Laura does seem to speak just as you really need the encouragement to carry on.

[julie1807]

Thanks, will keep trying even if I need to stay on week 5 run 2 for a while!

[Greg_M Graduate]

The achievement is going 20 mins not the speed, you can deal with that much later. crank it down a notch or two you'll be fine.

[AliB1 Graduate]

Julie I am a bit aphrensive about r3 too. Did r2 today and the second 8 minute run wasn't as bad as the first. Will be giving r3 a go Saturday morning & will let you know how I get on. My problem is don't think I can go much slower (without going backwards) to try and help get round.

[julie1807]

Yes I think I will just slow down a bit, although I think I am going pretty slow anyway, although I seem to have energy spurts and surprise myself sometimes!

[Hidden]

It's not a competition so just go out and do as Laura asks. Worst case is that even if you have to have more than one try to get to this stage you will get there

run 3 is hard but when you finish the feeling is sooooo good.

I got so buzzed by the feeling that I ran an extra few minutes (downhill) to home. Be careful doing that running downhill is hard - I hurt my knee and couldn't run for a few weeks.

I think Laura explains that the run is more of a mental than physical challenge. Just take it at a comfortable pace. Most everyone finishes this ok and you probably will too.

For a run of that length you'll get chance to think about the pace and slow down or speed up as you feel your way through it but don't go mad in the first 5 mins.

Next week don't be too worried if the short runs are uncomfortable sometimes it can be like that.

Good luck, come back and tell us how you got on.

[casdix Graduate]

I didn't think it was possible, but trusted the programme and my body like Laura suggested and they were spot on! Like everyone else I was grinning like a cheshire cat when it was time to walk again - even shed a little tear :-).

[PatButcher Graduate]

I also thought it was a big jump but did it and it was actually fine, Infact I found it easier than the interval running, you may surprise yourself

[Greg_M Graduate]

Awesome!

Keep repeating "I am a runner!"

It feels good

[debbzi Graduate]

Thanks to everyone here who posted that it seems more daunting than it is. I was tempted to just go for run 2 again but decided after the advice to do run 3 - and finished it. After my cooldown, I ran up the stairs from my local park - which I used to struggle to walk up as a pre C25K smoker. Like everyone else, the achievement made me feel amazing.

[jane29]

I am doing W5 r2 tomorrow and not looking forward to r3 but after reading all the comments I think I'll feel better about it. I get a buzz every time I finish a run and can't believe I got this far!

[ClearlyAM Graduate]

Just wanted to add my tuppenceworth! I did Wk5r3 on Tuesday morning - I was properly worried as it seemed such a big step. BUT like everyone else says - you are ready - you are fit enough - within a minute of running I thought "I can't do this" but kept running anyway - next thing I knew was Laura telling me I'd run for 5 mins.. and i just kept going! I was so happy at the end - didn't feel like stopping (though I did) - I am very slow running (have an app on my phone and boyfriend delights in telling me I run slower than he can walk) - but I did it!

Looking forward to Wk6 r1 tomorrow - hoping with intervals I can start increasing speed!

Well done Julie! I hope your run goes great!