Hi, I'm Mandy. I started the Couch to 5K a few weeks ago as I'm not getting any younger (44) and I want to get fitter. I've always been pretty active, getting out on walks in the hills etc when I've free time. However I don't get much free time and wanted to get my heart pumping a bit more.....and this certainly does the trick!
Anyway, I did run 1 of week 5 today, found it ok but I'm just wondering how people handled the big leap to 20 minutes running on run 3? Is it as bad as I'm imagining it will be haha?
Written by
Mand102
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Trust the programme,it in a way is telling you are ready, and it has prepared you for this run.👍
IannodaTruffe has shown figures many times that dispel that this is not a huge step up.👍
No fear only enjoyment.Slow & steady, getting your oxygen, kissing the ground.Believe it and believe in you.👍
You are going to love it.I was a doubter, paralysis of analysis,it is a myth,the programme is tried and tested.👍
The support and forum is second to none.🌟👏👏🏃♀️🌟
You are young and your body will always be youthful,and doing this programme is the best decision of your life and what you have already banked with all your active walking.👏👏🌟
The run,like a few others has got a name for itself. It has become a dragon...
Yes there are some very different weeks and ones that you need to be aware of but... any run follows the ones before... they are different, because the programme teaches us many disciplines, not just running
Just take it very steadily and slowly... land lightly.. I call it kissing the ground with your feet...it sounds odd but it helps
Keep it gentle... breathe steadily... if you are struggling, then slow down more... there is no such thing as too slow.
Welcome to the programme and keep posting please
Remember, " If you believe in dragons, then you must believe also that they can be beaten"!
Welcome to the forum. Your runs to w5r3 have been building to the longer run. It's not that much more than you've already achieved. Just take it slow and steady, you CAN do it 👍
Hello Mandy I felt the same way as you, it seems such a big jump from 8 minutes to 20 minutes running non stop. I’m a 64 year old chublet, couldn’t run for a bus five weeks ago! and have just completed run 3 today. Laura told me I could do it and I did! Take it slowly, relax don’t think about the time, I ran today imagining step by step making my salted caramel cheesecake, yum yum the time just flew by. You’ve got this, you’ll do it. Enjoy.😋
Hi Mandy. I am at exactly the same place as you. Did the programme a few years ago then got injured and didn’t run again but started 5 weeks ago. I am 63 so you have many years of youth on your side. I did run 3 wk 5 last night. No problem. It’s a case of believing in the programme. I took it a bit slower than the previous 2 runs but found I could actually have carried on for longer and it’s a fantastic feeling of achievement at the end. Go for it and good luck.
Hi Mandy and well done for joining the C25K journey! As with most things in life my advice would be: don't worry about the future. Complete W5 R2 then just approach R3 as any other run. Trust the programme and trust yourself. It sounds like you really want this and I've no doubt you will accomplish it. Tell us how you get on!
Hi. I completed Week 5 Run 3 on Sunday. I was aghast to find I was expected to run for 20 minutes but amazed to find it was fine. I was so pleased to have achieved it. You can do it, girl! I’m 69 and thinking of trying a park run in a few weeks.
I'm bowled over! You really are an inspiration!!! Congratulations!! Thanks for the positivity. I've discovered there's a park run 10 minutes walk away from where I live so I'm hoping to give it a go in a few weeks once I'm more confident
Hi Mandy. Everyone feels scared of the 20-minute run (or maybe it was just me! I'm 47 btw.). I really slowed my pace for that one as I knew I wouldn't get through it otherwise. But you know what? At about 15 minutes I thought 'Blimey - I'm actually doing it!' and I had finally found my pace. I needed that big 20-minute push to really wake me up to what pace is all about. Turns out mine's quite slow!
But I kept on going and finished that run first time. I had to re-run several of the later runs, some many times (some runs are easier than others, you will hear that a lot) and about 24 weeks after starting the 9-week programme I graduated.
Well done on taking this step. I promise you will love what it does for you.
Glad its not just me with the fear! You must have been over the moon to complete it. I'm already loving it, feeling healthier and like I'm achieving something good for me so if I manage this I'll be over the moon .
Thanks for the lovely welcome and all the positive vibes everyone. It's helped me feel more confident about what lies ahead. Fab to hear all the success stories ☺ Hopefully in the none too distant future I'll be updating with a success story of my own
I’m about to do the same run this Saturday-wk5run2 tonight. We’ll compare our feelings then shall we? I think that it’s all about the fear but do it anyway; in my case VERY SLOWLY😊 I have to say that so far the program has not let me down so trust it - trust yourself and trust your body- and have fun.
Good to know there's someone at exactly the same stage feeling the same way. I completed wk5run2 today. Was easier than I expected, probably because I'd misread the podcast and thought there was two 8 minute runs and a 5 minute one, when in fact it was just the two 8 minute runs!! Hope your run went ok?
I’m not a winter runner, so every spring I start this programme again. Each time, I fear the 20 minute run, but I know this plan works. In fact, most people report it is harder to return to the intermittent runs the following week. At this point it becomes a head game as much as legs. Good luck!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Woohoo! Started week 5!!!!
New to couch to 5k, just started run 1 week 2!
About to start week 5 - again
Just completed week 5
New here and up to week 5!
