W5R1 complete. Dreading R3.

[Debosk]

Did week 5 run 1 today and it didn't go badly. First 5 mins felt quite easy, the second and third not too bad. I am quite up for 2 x 8 minute runs but 20 minutes??? How have other people found it?

[DawnRun]

Don't worry about it. Easier said than done though isn't it?. The two 8 minute runs are good preparation for it. If you can run for eight minutes (and if you can run for 5, then you can run for 8), you can run for twenty as long as you take your time. I did this run the day after another run I think, and that's a big no no of course. Looking back I find it the best achievement of the whole thing. Because when you have done it you will discover with gradual increases that you can effectively run for much longer periods. Most people say this is a state of mind part of the course, just focus on your steps and try not to even look at the clock. It will go fast when you get into a steady rhythm.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

To tell you the truth, none of the tens of thousands of graduates of NHS C25K ever completed W5R3, they just skipped it and went onto W6R1, which is back to walking breaks...........

Is that what you want to hear? It is a challenge, but you will do it just like all the rest of the plan. To prepare, stand in front of a mirror contorting your face as extremely as possible. Do this for ten minutes on each of three days before R3, just to get your face used to the widest grin that you will ever have, for about a week after the event.

Start slow, stay slow, smile and believe in yourself. There is nothing to fear.

Do a search on the forum for W5R3 and you will see that it is possible.

[Lulu_xx]

I've done it today. Slow slow slow but steady just believe that the programme has set you up ready for it. The goal is to continually run so it's a first challenge of what we are aiming to do. You can do it just breathe and enjoy the feeling afterwards x

[SueKen Graduate]

Believe in yourself and go for it. - you will be ready 🙂