Rebel, without really a clue what he’s doing - Couch to 5K

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Rebel, without really a clue what he’s doing

OlderThanDirt profile image
OlderThanDirtGraduate
14 Replies

So...im having conflicting thoughts and I was wondering if I was alone or if anyone has experience ?

I’m starting week 6 next week, and I’ve been looking at the runs and I don’t think I want to do them the way they are set out ...I see that run 3 is for 25 minutes, and having just done w5,r3 where i had to run for 20 minutes, I’d rather just run for 20 mins twice and then attempt 25 mins on the third. The thought of stop starting again or just running for 5 minutes or 8 and walking feels or seems a backward step??..now I’ve proven to myself I can run for 20 mins I’d rather build on that. Anyone else experienced this ?

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OlderThanDirt profile image
OlderThanDirt
Graduate
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14 Replies
GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

I thought that early on in the programme when I knew I could run more than 60 secs... but I do trust the programme... I'm sure It's there for a reason. Part of it for me is the discipline of doing it by the book, that way I know I'll get to the end triumphant. 👍😁

(I will admit to starting my runs a few secs early as soon as Sarah starts to say It's time to get ready for your next run... I'm already off 😂😂)

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Hi, Week 6 is there for a reason. Trust the program. Its your last week of intervals and is not as easy as it looks. The program is designed to build slowly and doing Wk6 R1 and R2 are part of this process...

Whats the hurry, your breathing and stamina will be helped enormously by Wk6...and then you have no more walk breaks...😊x

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

Why mess with a good thing? I'm sure there is a reason, and it's only two runs. I'd just follow the plan.

Also, I think it's a fallacy to think that running with walking is going backwards, perhaps this is why they include it. I enjoy run-walks quite often, and a lot of people do even marathons with that approach (see the Galloway method for example). It lets you go farther and nearly as fast as when you run the entire thing.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue

You are not the first to ask this question and I am sure that you will not be the last.

I don't know the science behind it, but it does work. I didn't feel it was a step backwards at all, just another step in the programme. And if you really don't like runs 1 and 2 then you will enjoy run 3 all the more.

And next week it is 3 x 25 minutes, so you don't have long to wait.

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

Stick with the plan. It's not a step back. It's actually longer spent running. If the plan got you running for 20 minutes why not trust it now?

Rignold profile image
Rignold

Yeah but no. Running science is more complicated than simple linear progression. Have a quick search of w6 r1 on here and see how many people got their asses handed to them on a plate by it. I certainly did.

The walking sections of a run/walk training routine are not actually 'a break'. You are not stopping and taking a rest.

FTDP, as they say.

Hi OTD, one of the things I'd say is that as someone who breezed through W5 R3 and fell on her bum totally for W6 R1, is that W6 seems backwards in some ways but it's a great consolidation week.

You'd be surprised how many people struggle with it, even though a lot of us felt that we could quite happily have moved onto W7 type timings. The forum did a survey ages ago and I am pretty sure W6 came out as the week most of us considered to be the worst one.

It's still all about building total run time, rather than just one single run effort.

You're not alone in feeling this way, I just don't know many folk on here who changed the plan.

ebcroquet profile image
ebcroquet

I’d agree with what others have said - and trust me those 3 mins of walking fly by 🏃‍♀️👟

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate

Trust the programme. It works.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

It's only a week in the programme. Two runs. You are setting yourself up for running for life. Stick with it, and you'll be fine.

Jude1963 profile image
Jude1963Graduate

This makes really interesting reading. I am about to start w6 r1 today (after putting it off last night) and I almost feel unmotivated because I was so thrilled to complete 20 minutes I feel like my work is done!

Jude1963 profile image
Jude1963Graduate in reply toJude1963

Update: I did w6 r1 this morning and it was the hardest run I’ve done so far. There’s obviously a reason it’s in the plan. I wouldn’t miss it out if I were you.

DebJogsOn profile image
DebJogsOnGraduate

The programme has got you this far and if you follow it through you'll make the end.

Wk6 might seem like a doddle after the highs of 20 minutes continous running - but honestly it wasn't for me and it does prepare you for the longer runs to come.

Wk 4-6 are the wonder weeks where you suddenly start realising what your body actually might be able to achieve - but it's all still new and better to progress slowly and surely than come a cropper.

It's only a week - two more runs with intervals - and then you get to do continuous runs for ever if you want. What's the rush?

Enjoy your last few weeks.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Hope it goes well for you, keep us updated.

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