First post here: just ran for 20 minutes \o/

[Little-Dumpling]

I have just completed week 5 run 3 and managed to cover 3,070 metres in 20 minutes.

What a challenge! As Michael Johnson says in the app, it's as much of a mental challenge as a physical one.

I'm middle aged and I've not run since I was a child. The biggest surprise is how, after some very difficult early weeks, my heart, lungs and legs have quickly got up to being quite fit.

What's been much harder and of far greater concern is taking care to run heel first without letting my toes twist out. Also, to make sure not do anything silly like tripping or falling into little potholes or off kerbstones.

Insoles and concentration are my running watchwords. I'm very overweight (1.85m, 116kg) and I'm at a high risk of injury so having to be ridiculously careful with my legs. They're still working though, on to week 6!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

That is fantastic, well done you 👏 i started 8 weeks ago and not run or anything before. I'm age 56! This programme works, slow and steady wins the race. Warning for week 6 though didn't like going back to intervals 😉

[TJMazz Graduate]

Fantastic. I did that run today. Great feeling. Good luck with Week 6 😀

[GeorgiosA Graduate]

Well done you! It's amazing, being able to run for 20 minutes after a few weeks, isn't it?

Best of luck with the rest of the programme, keep it up!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the best forum in the universe for new runners.

W5R3 is a great milestone on your journey and one you should be very proud of.

You are no doubt following the advice on the app to land heel first. If you do not do this naturally, please do not follow this advice. Landing on your heels, especially if you are overweight, is going to jar your knees considerably. The majority opinion in the running world is that landing either midfoot or forefoot is preferable to heelstrike. Quite why this advice is still on the app is a mystery to most of us, along with the advice about breathing, which although not incorrect, is problematic for many and can be discounted at this stage of your running career.

After the elation of your last run, be cautious about W6R1, it is tricksy, so show due respect and take it nice and slow.

Keep us posted with your progress.

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

Well done a great achievement! Enjoy week 6.

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Well done lm carrying too much weight too but you can do this mind over matter Oldfloss always in my other ear slowly does it 👍🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done..take the great advice from IannodaTruffe