week 5 struggle

[Kaylou22]

Hi!

I am now on week 5 and finding the increase in running a struggle, has anyone else had the same issues?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hey W5 is a real milestone Week, and it mixes up the timings and your expectations. But if you have done all the other weeks I promise you then you can do this one. Take it one run at a time, one set of mini runs at a time. And if it's too tough and is hurting you, then take time to do some walking. There are no C25K police, no one is saying you must do a Week in a calendar week. The one thing I and many others know is this is the week when all of a sudden you feel you've moved on quite substantially. And that move gives you such a sense of achievement, it's worth digging in for. But never at the cost of pain of course.

Please trust in your preparation, you have got this far and you will get through this week. Good luck with it and btw the R3 grin is one of the widest and longest lasting you will carry!

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

Hi, I'm starting week 5 on Thursday, trust yourself and trust jancanrun and all the amazing people on here. We can do this. 😁

[Millsie-J Graduate]

You are doing great, half way there already!

Slow down, choose a flat route, hydrate well the day before each run, enjoy!

You CAN do this, we will all be cheering you on along the way 💪🏻

[rolysmate Graduate]

Think it would be easier to ask who didn't find it a struggle hehe

However having said that the programme is designed to push you week by week but in achievable steps, so it is very doable and you will be fine

Take it slow and steady and you'll get there

Suppose the question to ask is who was scared of week 5 BUT did it.

Me for one!

[Whatsapp Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

I was nervous of every new week They were all uncharted territory for me.. However, I have to say I absolutely loved W5. For the first time you will feel that you are really running. And you can do it, because weeks 1-4 build your stamina and endurance so well. Each week is a step-up and a challenge, but none more than the week before.

You are stronger and fitter now than you were a month ago. You've got this!!

[Qscout Graduate]

Hi Kaylou,

First of all well done on the plan so far. For me this was a good time to look back on your progress.

Don't focus too much on how tough feels now. Think back to wk1 and how tough it felt then, and how much more running you are doing now.

The programme doesn't get any easier, but you are working much harder and running much longer, but probably feeling about the same.

The other factor is that it is couch to 5k so if you had a basic level of fitness you could probably cope with the first few weeks and are now feeling the "benefit" of the programme whereby if you were truly off the couch then wk1 would have bitten.

Trust the plan, take it run at a time, take it steady and you can do this, we have all been there, wk5 and 6 are big pivotal weeks in the programme.

Good Luck and don't forget to ell us how you get on.

[Kaylou22]

I only found this forum today, and wished I had found it a month ago! Thank you all for your words of encouragement, I will keep going, and will keep you all updated on my progress.

I am going away on holiday at the weekend and I've already found out that there is a gym on the campsite, so I will be hitting the treadmill whilst away (this is something I would never of entertained 6 weeks ago!)

Thank you all again! xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Oh, so many before you... and those to follow too

So.... slow down.... relax.... know that you can do it...all you need to do is go with the run... take it as steadily as you like...

Let those running legs which have grown stronger with every single run so far, take you forward...

" You don't need to go fast, you just need to go"

We are right there with you

[Rockette]

You can do this . Just take it steady before you know it you will have ticked its week off your list

[Rockette]

This that should read

[Kaylou22]

Last Thursday I tried week 5 day 1 and couldn't complete it, so re-did it on Saturday and smashed it! On Tuesday I tried to do day 2, got really upset with myself as I just could not complete it (that's when I found this forum!) Went out again today with all of your advise going around my head and with a friend who has already completed C25K and I managed to complete it! Was a struggle, but I kept going, steady! I feel amazing, but nervous about day 3, but I now know that if I could not do it on the first attempt I will be able to do, just got to have faith!