So, fellow c25k peeps, you know the drill... Week 1 is 3 runs following the same pattern. Week 2 is 3 runs following the same pattern.... this nice, comfortable routine works just fine... and this carries on for a few more runs. Excellent. I know where I'm at and my feet are also happy with this arrangement. And then it happens.....
You hit week 5 and boom! Routine goes out the window. I completed W5 R1 on Thursday and it went well. Great stuff. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get out again until this morning. I knew it was going to be hard work but I consoled myself with the fact I'd already done run 1 so despite it being a few days, I knew I could do this.
So, on I go pressing the play button on the app and it was at this point I decided that it's a good job Michael Johnson doesn't join me in person for the runs because after what he said to me about todays run and what he expected of me he'd have got a slap. I was working at a rate of about 20 wtf's per minute by the time he'd finished his introduction.
I did not expect run 2 to be any different to run 1. I won't spoil it for those who haven't done it yet but in week 5 they mix it up a bit.
The good news is that despite my initial shock of what was expected of me on today's run, I smashed it. I was really pleased with myself and I'm now officially well over halfway in the programme. Go me!!
In all seriousness though, although I'm only on week 5 I never, ever, ever thought I'd be running for these amount of times. I hope to carry on improving through the weeks too obviously. The time taken from week 1 until today isn't that great really and yet the difference in my stamina and fitness is immense. I've seen many people on here say you should trust in the programme and it's so true. I'm really glad I didn't go down the expensive gym route when I was looking into doing some exercise. This is way better.
Happy Monday fellow runners. Have a good week
Written by
snack_shack
Graduate
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You live and learn. You never know when the ability to cope with the unexpected will come in handy. W5 does throw a few surprises but also some of the biggest milestones of the programme.
Never giving up has been such an empowering thing. I remember ianoda truffe when you did to someone that all your have is tired legs and that's not goin to kill anybody I agree so long as I can get the breathing right which normally by 7 mins is steady then the tired legs and caves can get tired if they want I'm not giving up. Just started week 8 and coped with 28 mins fine. Slow but fine
Very well done. I am also impressed that you haven't been peeking at future runs; by far the best way imho. I kept scaring myself to death by looking at what I had to do next! As you found out, there was no need to panic. The programme prepares you for the next run.
Snack shack - so you and Mr Smooth not going Smooth then? W5 and I love your new measure for running - the WTF count. It's an absolute brilliant measure of effort. I agree with IannodaTruffe W5 is a game changer. Glad you smashed it, brilliant post really made me laugh.
Ha ha....that's why I don't have Sarah Millican talking me through it...I like her & wouldn't want to despise her whenever I hear her voice!!!! Very well done on your progress...I am, at the moment repeating week 4 and cannot imagine myself moving on to week 5 but who'd have thought I'd have moved on to week 2 from week 1 when I thought everybody I passed during the cool down walk could see my lungs??!!! But, here I am...and there you are...doing fantastic....keep them trainers busy!!!!
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Can I keep Micheal Johnson? 
Thanks Michael! I couldn't have done it without you!
Bit the bullet and headed out for my first ever 10k! 
Saw the sunrise and had a fall
I came out as a runner at work - no one laughed !
