W5R3!!!: Tonight completed W5R2 and found it not... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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W5R3!!!

Shelleybroughton profile image

Tonight completed W5R2 and found it not too bad but just had a sneak peek at W5R3 and can truthfully say I am not looking forward to run day!!

A 20 minute run is an awful big jump from two 8 minute runs with 5 minute walk in between!

Advice please??!!

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Shelleybroughton profile image
Shelleybroughton
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16 Replies
Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate

It's not as big a jump as you are expecting, trust me. The programme has been building your stamina by stealth so you CAN do this. Trust me. 😀

My advice? Keep doing what you are doing. Running. Start out real slow, run at a steady pace and you will do it. Believe you can do it, because you will. And the sense of achievement when you do it is amazing. It was my favourite run of the whole C25K.

Sadie-runs x

Shelleybroughton profile image
Shelleybroughton

Thanks Sadie I know I have it in me somewhere 😀 If you believe you can you can 💪🏻

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

You just said it in your question......you ran and brisk walked for 21 minutes in W5R2...........the next workout is 20 minutes, so in fact shorter.

Go slow, believe in yourself and the plan and practice grinning broadly.

You can do this, so no fear please.

If you don't believe me do a search for W5R3 and you will see all the doubting posts like yours and all the gleeful posts from the same runners who found it was not as hard as they anticipated.

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

I can only endorse what Sadie-runs has already said. Trust the program. It works. Everyone who has gone before is going to be a little bit jealous because it's a great feeling you get after doing that 20 minute run for the first time.

Wantorun2013 profile image
Wantorun2013Graduate

You can do it its mind over matter we all thought that when we were there but just do what you have been doing slow and steady one foot in front of the other you will be amazing👍😄🏃‍♀️

ChrisAllen1 profile image
ChrisAllen1Graduate

This is how I did it, find 4 songs you love each about 5 mins long and run to them, ignore the commentary, first song will be easy, listen to the music and enjoy, second you can dig deeper, 3rd is the tough one , time to tough it out then come home for the last 5 as you know you have done it, I used first 4 songs of the Joshua Tree by U2. Good luck.

Nobbywatts profile image
NobbywattsGraduate in reply to ChrisAllen1

Brilliant tactic!

I thought the same as you, but I found it painless when I did it...even had a bit more in the tank and could have run further. You will do it 😊

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate

My advice is to find almost anybody on here with a graduate badge and chances are you will see a post of theirs similar to yours here, shortly followed by a 'OMG I did it' post. You are not the first to do this programme, it is tried and tested by thousands. You will do it, we promise

Nobbywatts profile image
NobbywattsGraduate

Hey, guess what? You can do it! Yes, you can. Your training thus far has got you ready for it and if - by any chance - it doesn't quite go as planned it doesn't matter ... just have another go on a different day. Simples.

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappGraduate

It is a challenge, but no more so than any other run. All your training has prepared you body well for this. The problem is you don't yet realise what you can do.

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate

I have W5R3 to do tomorrow so will give an update.

I have not been using the podcast system as I find music seems to interfere with getting into a zone or rhythm, and seems to make the time go more slowly for me (probably the opposite for most people?). I did endurance sport when a youngster (cycling - road racing and timetrials, and 1,000s of miles of training) so I think I still know how to zone-out and watch the ground flowing under me...Famous last words no doubt!

Gillma profile image
GillmaGraduate

We’ve all been there - good for you tackling this in the chilly dark weather. I think this was the run that made me fix my earbuds in place with a headband and work out how to work the radio iPlayer!

Shelleybroughton profile image
Shelleybroughton

Omg 😮 I did it but that last few minutes seemed to go on forever!!!

Chairmanoftheboards profile image
ChairmanoftheboardsGraduate in reply to Shelleybroughton

Fantastic , well done 👍 , i have my 20 min run on Friday ( looking forward apprehensively to it 😜 - # paradox )

Shelleybroughton profile image
Shelleybroughton in reply to Chairmanoftheboards

Good luck 🏃get past half way then tell yourself you have wasted your time if you give up after that!! That’s what kept me pushing on - oh plus I was hungry and wanted my tea!!!

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