W5R3 solo

[kitt66]

So yesterday I finally reached W5R3 - running non-stop for 20 minutes. This run has been looming for me for the last few weeks - basically ever since I succeeded in running for 5 minutes. I wasn't scared by it, which surprises me actually, it was more that I was excited to do it. I spent the day before thinking about how I was about to run for a whole 20 minutes. I guess my faith in this programme is now total. As part of my preperation I even put together a playlist of songs I loved that would cheer me as I went.

However, when it was time I hit a snag. The C25K app wouldn't open. I rebooted my device a couple of times, but no, Jo wasn't going to talk me through this run. So I had a choice to defer until later or go for a run without encouragement. I decided that not only was I going to run for longer than ever I was going to do it 'solo'. Thanks to my playlist I knew what song would herald me closing in on 20 minutes of running so didn't have to worry about clock watching throughout. The warm up walk was soon done and then I set off for my run. I'd planned to go a little slower than usual and it worked, as at the end of the first 10 minutes I still felt OK. After that I knew I was on the home stretch and even though before today I'd never run for more than 8 minutes I just kept going realising with every passing minute I was reaching a new personal achievement. Then, finally as Oliver's Army rang out in my ears I hit 20 minutes. Yes, I was glad to slow down then and don't know if I could have gone much longer but I am so thrilled. I did it. 20 minutes without once stopping or slowing to a walk.

Now there's still plenty to do regarding speed and pushing out the time by another 10 minutes over the next 4 weeks but in just over a month I've gone from someone who could barely run for a minute to someone who can not only run for 20 minutes but do that and then not collapse instantly in a heap.

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

Congratulations! And doing it with no prompts either!

I'm a 'song runner' as well. I know roughly I have been going by how many songs have played.

So now you have done 20 minutes you can pat yourself on the back and know you are past the halfway marker.

As for plenty to do regarding speed...that's simple. Just slow it down and keep it nice and steady. As you say yourself, at the end of the 20 minutes you had managed it but not sure if you could have carried on. So now you will be increasing the run time maybe just slow it down a bit so you dont use it all up in the first 20 minutes.

But well done you!

[CB27LJ10]

Fantastic! well done you. Keep going and happy running! 😉🏃🏃🏅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you..move on, knowing you can do this and are ready for each and very run. Keep it slow and keep it steady.

[rolysmate Graduate]

whoop whoop, well done and loving the confidence

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

My cool down music for the entirety of C25k was Shipbuilding, which is almost exactly 5 mins long..........aaahh those were the days. It still pops up on my shuffled playlist of all my favourite music.

I am glad that there are still some runners who look forward excitedly to the next challenge, as I did.

You are doing great, showing initiative and well on target for graduation.

Keep running, keep smiling.