Week6: I am in a major trough. Hope someone can... - Couch to 5K

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Week6

glyn1209 profile image
7 Replies

I am in a major trough. Hope someone can help!

It's taken me a while to get further than week 6. I get really tired and puffed out. Running and walking was fine but 25 minutes of running non stop is such a big leap that I haven't been able to make.

Any advice?

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glyn1209
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7 Replies
KLHg profile image
KLHgGraduate

Week 6 is a nightmare!! I felt so bad it was nasty. I repeated a few of the runs several times until I cracked it. I realised that a bad run was still better than sitting on the couch. So it may take longer than 9 weeks- so what? no one is judging. Get out there and keep going. You will do itxx

glyn1209 profile image
glyn1209 in reply toKLHg

Week6 is a nightmare. It's just so different to week 5.

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Sounds like your stamina is flagging. Are you starting nice and slowly. Break the run into five minute sections...you can do 5 mins, maybe change your route.

Are you drinking plenty of water on your rest days. Your muscles will work much better if you are properly hydrated.

You have done W5 R3 so know you can keep going for a long run.

It won't hurt to start at the beginning of Wk 6 and build up to R3 again as this should work. The first part of any run is the toughest part. Dig deep, take some long deep breaths and push through the 8 min mark and it should all start to become more relaxed.

Go you...keep on it.😊

Don't over think it. I did w7 r1 today and was so close to just stopping but I didn't because I trust this programme, I know I can do it and why stop to then just feel crap about it. Even a mega slow shuffle is running. So don't think about the whole run just jog and set yourself little targets, the next lamppost, end of the hedge etc and before you know it the toxic ten minutes will have gone and then you might as well just keep on because you're almost halfway! It's all mental man! 🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️

glyn1209 profile image
glyn1209 in reply to

Thanks

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

Totally agree with the mental part. Try and start off slower than Slow McSlow and if necessary cheat your brain. Try doing week 6 run 2 (I think that's 2 x 10 mins) and try and keep going through the walk break. It is definitely more mind over matter once you hit this stage. It really, really is doable though. Don't give up! Good luck😊😊😊

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappGraduate

Week 6 is an absolute s*@house of a week. It really does catch us all out. Its harder than W5, but looks so much easier on paper. It can knock you confidence right out.

You have already run for 20 minutes, so it is not beyond you. As others have said, pace yourself so you have enough left in the tank, speed is overrated, and keep yourself hydrated.

Other than that the challenge is purely mental. Here is where those doubts we call Gremlins like to make an appearance. The first 10 minutes of any run tend to be hardest mentally. Every time I run, my mind will try to tell me I can't - at least once, if not more.

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