W5R2 and 3 - will I really be able to step up that much when W5R1 felt like my absolute limit??!!

[foreverendeavour]

I've just done W5R1 and weirdly found the last 5 min session 'easier' than the first, (maybe it was a tiny bit down hill?) but all 3 sessions I felt I couldn't go another step! Have looked ahead to what's coming the rest of this week and cannot believe I will be able to do it. 2 lots of 8 minutes for r2 then 20 without a walk for r3??!!

[Gillma Graduate]

You will. Go slow!

[foreverendeavour in reply to Gillma]

Thank you ☺ I will

[Jewel84 Graduate]

I nearly repeated WK4 because I couldn't believe I could run for 5 and 8 minutes. But managed R2 today with no real difficulties. Still wary of R3 later in the week though!! 😳 you'll manage R2. It's really not as bad as you think it's going to be

[foreverendeavour in reply to Jewel84]

Thank you so much! It's so encouraging to know it's not just me and that it is in fact achievable when it seems quite impossible! It's very exciting at the same time as daunting.

[foreverendeavour in reply to Jewel84]

And good luck, let me know how it goes! 😊

[Fishypieface Graduate]

We need to Trust the programme and our body ... it's all been subtly getting us ready for this moment. I didn't believe it either after a dodgy run 2 in week 5, I thought never am I going to do this! I always feel like I've only just managed to scrape through each week. But it really does work. Each run is different and it feels like there is no pattern but something is definitely going on 'behind the scenes'!! I say this but have week 6 run 2 tomorrow and am still crossing my fingers I will make it 😂. Can't quite believe that I am actually doing this and running. I think we are all waiting for a fall, but the way it's been worked out makes it all achievable. Good luck

[Tracey5kOneDay Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

You sound just like me! I did w6r2 today and after the awful w6r1 it was a breeze. Still challenging but so much better. Lots of luck for tomorrow! The last of the interval runs - it's getting serious now but we have got this far, we have got this!

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to Tracey5kOneDay]

Thank you and well done! Good to know we are not alone isn't it?! I am finding it the whole process a real mix of emotions and I am amazed that I have stuck at it this far and actually look forward to each run now. All a bit weird for me as I've always hated most exercise but am loving it (so far!!). Never though I would say that!

[foreverendeavour in reply to Fishypieface]

It is amazing to have strangers out there doing and feeling the same and all helping each other along. Yes I look forward to the runs too which is so bizarre when they are so difficult! I guess it's those endorphins people talk of, they do exist! And the amazing sense of achievement over pain!!

[foreverendeavour in reply to Tracey5kOneDay]

Oh well done you! You're a huge inspiration, thank you so much for your encouragement that I can do this! So want to get there but it's so difficult I can't believe I can! How DO so many people find running so easy and make it look so easy??!!

[Jonka]

I am at the same place today and really hope I can do the step up to 8 mins. It beat me last time about a year ago. Good luck.

[foreverendeavour in reply to Jonka]

You will do it! We will BOTH do it!!! Let us know how it was!

[Jonka in reply to foreverendeavour]

Have you done the second run? I am going to do it today. ☹️

[foreverendeavour in reply to Jonka]

Doing it today also! Had an extra day's rest cos yesterday my legs weren't up to it (I ride horses as well so they don't always feel completely rested). Have warmed up and stretched and I WILL COMPLETE IT!! And so will you! Come on let's go, slow and steady, it's just 8 minutes - not 8 hours - just a measly 8 minutes to gain a massive reward, that's how I look at it.

[Jonka in reply to foreverendeavour]

Great pep talk. I am tired after a hard gym session yesterday but need to rest tomorrow so today it has to be. Will let you know how it goes. Good luck.

[foreverendeavour in reply to Jonka]

Hard gym session??? You're supposed to rest!! Your body has to have time to make the adjustments it needs to do so it can increase it's output, ie run 8 mind instead of 5! I'm no expert but surely if it's having to expend energy in a hard gym session it won't be able to do that. ?Have your rest days, you must, you really must!

[Jonka in reply to foreverendeavour]

I the bag! The gym session worked my upper body so no cardio or much leg muscle effort. Listened to the Archers while I ran, sure it helped. Run 3 scheduled for Monday, what about you. 😄😄😄

[Rignold in reply to foreverendeavour]

Rest days are rest from running, not rest from activity. Doing resistance work in the gym is a great thng to do on 'non running' days. As is spinning, swimming, rock climbing, rowing, calisthenics etc etc.

[foreverendeavour in reply to Rignold]

Ah sorry people for my dodgy opinion! Thank you for the guidance. Jonka yes R2 in the bag and wasn't too bad! I just imagined I was having to do the 20 mins that is looming terrifyingly, and it made 8 seem achievable! I'm doing my 20 tomorrow... !!

[Sarahb18 Graduate]

You will do it , trust the programme!

I also felt like this and once I got settled into the longer runs it became easier . I'm on w9 and cannot believe I've got this far ,it really does work.

Slow and steady and you will be fine 😊

Good luck 😉

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Yes you will W5 is to me, three versions of the same distance. A gradual increase into a run with no intervals. The programme and the consistent dedication you have given it over the last month or so has brought you to where you are physically capable.

This run is a watermark for many as it is the first time they realise they can actually do this. The fact is you couldn't run for 20 mins, possibly ever in your life, but you have put your all into a programme which has allowed you to achieve this.

A tub-thumping post later please, when you have completed, to inspire others who are feeling like you, that it is possible.

[foreverendeavour in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you so much for your huge encouragement, yes running is totally new to me and I well remember battling to do 60 seconds not very long ago, it is incredible to be progressing like this which is what makes it unbelievable that my heavy unwilling legs will in fact achieve it. And achieve it I will!!

[Running-girl Graduate]

Go for it! Totally trust the programme and you will amaze yourself. You are stronger than you can imagine!

[Hidden]

I just got back from w5 r2 and managed the 8 mins runs reasonably ok! Can't quite believe it - haven't run since hating being 'forced' to run at school (a very long time ago) and a few half-hearted treadmill sessions (still a long time ago) - so am feeling pretty pleased with myself! You can do it!!

[Windmill10 Graduate]

I know how you feel! I've just completed W5 R1 today and was relieved for the 'walk' sections. I'm very dubious about the 20 minute run coming for R3!! Good luck to all who are completing it this week!

[Fatpuffin Graduate]

I'm in the same place and feeling just the same about the longer runs... 5 mins at a time was quite enough today thank you! But I have made it so far from where I started and I am trusting I will be able to do it when the time comes...

[foreverendeavour in reply to Fatpuffin]

Yes exactly! It says we can do it, so do it we will! Good luck!

[KimLoulou Graduate]

I felt the same. It's weird but you will I never thought I could. Take your time it's not a race.