To repeat or not to repeat?: Yesterday i did run... - Couch to 5K

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To repeat or not to repeat?

β€’43 Replies

Yesterday i did run 1 of wk 5 but really struggled because of not feeling well with a cold.i felt like i really dragged myself around & although i didnt stop at any point i didnt feel as though i nailed it or benefitted from it as such.so next time i run should i repeat it as i dont honestly think i will be able to progress...your thoughts please good people 😊 xx

43 Replies
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ChrisAllen1 profile image
ChrisAllen1Graduate

I don't think you need to repeat, you dug deep and got through it. Even though it may not feel like it you will have benefited as each run builds stamina. I would say move on to the next run. Well done on getting through it when not feeling great.

β€’ in reply toChrisAllen1

Thankyou 😊 not quite sure how i am going to manage 8 minutes when i could barely do 5 πŸ€” deeper digging πŸ˜‰

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate

Chris said it all right there :)

β€’ in reply toMikeJones68

I just have no idea how i am going to manage 8 minutes when i could barely manage 5 yesterday πŸ˜•

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduateβ€’ in reply to

To be honest I found those two 8 minute runs hard work. For some reason the 20 minute run in run 3 was easier!!

β€’ in reply toMikeJones68

Hmmm...i reckon i am going to really struggle.so far i have felt pretty confident each week...which is weird because i am not usually a confident person in general.but this week is a bit scary & i think that its messing with my mojo a bit πŸ˜•

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduateβ€’ in reply to

I was dreading the 20 minute run, but as I say it was easier than the 2 lots of 8. Something to do with pushing through the "toxic 10" so I'm told.

β€’ in reply toMikeJones68

I'll take your word for it πŸ˜‰

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduateβ€’ in reply to

OK, but don't slap me if you find you don't agree!

Zandy21 profile image
Zandy21

It's totally up to you. I had this experience a couple of times around week 4 and 5 and the advice I got was "If you finish it, you've finished it" I took it on board and had a go at the next run and didn't have any problems with it. If I had I would have repeated that one.

I say have a go at week 5 r 2 and if you struggle with it, then repeat it. At the end of the day, there's no damage either way. I just found that being disheartened outweighed my need to have a polished run every time.

β€’ in reply toZandy21

Thankyou...that makes sense 😊

MickGJ profile image
MickGJGraduate

My advice would be to carry on and do R2. The fact that you did the first run at all means it will be working its magic on you today.

I did R2 yesterday. I didn't really feel any different or see how or why I could make the leap to two 8 minute runs, so the only way to find out was to go out and try, And it turned out I could.

If it helps I listen to slow music to stop myself going too fast. I started off with Charles Aznavour and crossed the line with Glenn Campbell.

β€’ in reply toMickGJ

Thats how i feel!!!i guess i will just have to stop thinking about it & just do it 😊 no fast tunes on my playlist either πŸ˜‰

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduateβ€’ in reply to

Chariots of Fire by Vangelis :)

Shelby1973 profile image
Shelby1973Graduate

Hiya Claire I’d just move on to the next run πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ Ure doing great x

β€’ in reply toShelby1973

Thanks very much 😊

Go for R2, everytime I moved up a week the first run felt more difficult and less enjoyable.

I did W7R1 last night and it was the first time I didn't feel like I slightly out of my depth starting a new week. .

β€’ in reply to

Yes thats how i feel...maybe this week feels more tricky because it is much more of a challenge than previous weeks

β€’ in reply to

You're gonna love R3 then lol. Just pace yourself. I've taken on board some very good advice on this forum - forget speed and distance, just focus on the time. As long as you are running when you should be, no matter how fast, then you are completing the program.

β€’ in reply to

Yes i guess so...dreading run 3!!!

β€’ in reply to

Don't dread it at all - it's a beautiful challenge.................. I was exactly the same and it was fine, just slowed myself down and it was OK. Honestly!!

β€’ in reply to

Ok...i'll take your word for it...watch this space haha 😁

β€’ in reply to

You'll be good. Just watch out for W6R1 - it's a cowbag!

β€’ in reply to

Oh god...thanks for the warning!!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply to

You do not need a warning... if you follow the programme, and take it steadily...you are ready for every single run:)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply to

It is just another run.... slow and steady and you are ready for it.

Anthie profile image
AnthieGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Don't fret about it: go slow and focus on finding some steady pace and steady breathing: relax!! Also, don't forget you don't have to run every other day if you feel very tired: 2 days in-between runs can do wonders for your body to recover, especially if you're battling with a cold. I couldn't run for a week and felt really comfortable on the 30 mns runs when I picked up. Even if I understand that being at a turning point in the programme, you may feel you're going to lose what stamina you've been building up. But I don't think so: by now your body has retained some memory of your previous run and is adjusting itself to the runs. So go for it but slow and steady!

β€’ in reply toAnthie

Thats good to know thankyou 😊

MickGJ profile image
MickGJGraduateβ€’ in reply to

I was dreading R3...now I'm looking back on it. So R2 really does prepare you for it.

To paraphrase Withnail and I: "I fear we have entered the arena of the well".

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

I agree with Anthie Claire, pushing yourself when your body is struggling with a cold isn't a good idea. I know you are keen to keep up with the program, but if your body is craving rest then you should listen to it. You have done R1 of Wk5 so maybe take an extra rest day or two before R2. You will have more energy and be able to tackle those 8 mins better.

Believe in the program, you will be ready for these runs, when you are feeling a bit more chipper. 😊xxx

β€’ in reply toBluebirdrunner

It wont be until.saturday or sunday so got a bit more time to rest.thankyou 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Feel better... that is the main thing... and repeating one run will not hinder you... but may help :)

β€’ in reply toOldfloss

Thats how i feel 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Then do it.... just take the run again when you feel strong...as Bluebirdrunner says, we need to listen to our bodies... they are our best guides and our best friends:) xxxx

β€’ in reply toOldfloss

Thats great advice thankyou x

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

Well done you didn’t stop and still finished even with a cold! 🀧😊

β€’ in reply toBridget007

It was a chore though x

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduateβ€’ in reply to

The next one will be better! Xx

β€’ in reply toBridget007

Fingers crossed πŸ˜‰

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Firstly... feel better.... running under par is a huge mistake!

I would say, repeat.... when you feel on top form again... take it gently, as a sort of, come back run... and then move on ... able to build on what you have done:)

β€’ in reply toOldfloss

Thankyou very much 😊

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate

I had this a few times where I thought about repeating. I always set out to not repeat but also knew that if, when I actually came down to it, I was really struggling, I could always then lapse into a repeat if that makes sense? Only had to do it once I think in the end.

Hope your cold feels better. Sweating will help you get over it, but don't over do it!

β€’ in reply toVictoriaRuns

Thankyou...hoping it will disappear very soon.clearly the wrong time of year to be doing this haha πŸ€£πŸ˜‚

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