wk6 newbie: I've just discovered this forum and... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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wk6 newbie

unlikelyrunner profile image
unlikelyrunnerGraduate
13 Replies

I've just discovered this forum and am so relieved to discover that others found week 6 run 1 hard. I skipped out of the door this morning after the euphoria of completing week 5 last week. I thought today would be relatively easy but my legs felt like lead all the way round. I was pleased to get it in the bag, but I didn't get my usual high at the end because I couldn't understand why it felt so hard.

Is it just one of those things? Or is there something about this run that makes it harder than it seems?

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unlikelyrunner profile image
unlikelyrunner
Graduate
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13 Replies
MichaelH070862 profile image
MichaelH070862Graduate

I think you found it hard because you expected it to be easy after the last run of week 5 but week 6 does catch most people out but you did it so on to the next one and your graduation is in sight.

in reply to MichaelH070862

MOK is so right, I think W5 R3 is such a major milestone, then you seem physically to go backwards... and then you're back to intervals. It's a real head messer, but it brings you back to building stamina again. Stay the course you're doing brilliantly.

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappGraduate

Nobody likes W6. It seems harder simply because we expect it to be easier than the last one. For us novice runners we look at the time of each individual run, rather than the whole session.

W6R1 is a longer session than W5R3, meaning you are moving further and for longer. But because they are shorter individual runs we think 'that'll be easy'.

Even experienced runners use interval training, as it allows you to build stamina really well. The constant walking/ running is really building your endurance. It is not just the running parts - that's just the bit that gets us puffing and our heart rate up - the walking is gradually building stamina and endurance too.

So you should be proud of yourself because you are now pushing to the nest stage.

Qscout profile image
QscoutGraduate

Welcome to the wk6 smack in the face with a shovel!

This is the sneaky side of the programme it builds you up til you are feeling pumped and you think yay wk 5 nailed, over half way there this running lark isnt as bad as I thought cruise to graduation . . . .

SMACK

OOh where did that come from.

Wk6R1 is a real leveller. But in all honesty get through wk6 and wks 7-9 are a piece of Cake.

Yes I said the C word!!!!

unlikelyrunner profile image
unlikelyrunnerGraduate

Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement. How brilliant to find a community of people out there who give their time to motivate others. Qscout I particularly enjoyed the smack in the face! Onwards and upwards...

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

I'm being bolshy today and will say in a small voice "I quite liked week 6". I enjoyed the intervals and did not look forward to the relentless non-stop runs at the end of the programme. But I think I'm the exception!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny

Do you know JaySeeSkinny ..I just checked my post for week 6.. ( and so did I...shhhhh )

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Always knew we were exceptional Oldfloss 😎

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny

Running sisters..🙂

MichaelH070862 profile image
MichaelH070862Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

Me to don't know what people disliked about it

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to MichaelH070862

..and brother x

MichaelH070862 profile image
MichaelH070862Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

Why thank you partner

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

It is designed to upset you :)

No... it isn't really... it is just part of all the different disciplines within our running..lots of folk suffer with this run..it is just different.

All you need to focus on, is that you are ready for it and you will do it :) Enjoy the strangeness of it :)

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