W5R3 scared!

[Fb75]

I’ve completed up to w5r2, so far it’s challenging but doable. I’m petrified of the 20min run on Thurs. that’s such a big jump from 8 mins to 20!

Any tips?

[DoodleDee Graduate]

Good luck! I’m doing W5R3 tomorrow! 😀

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to DoodleDee]

Let me know how you get on! Good luck #yougotthis!!

[DoodleDee Graduate in reply to Fb75]

Will do and thank you.

[DoodleDee Graduate in reply to DoodleDee]

Just thought I’d let you I did it! It seemed to fly by! No need for you to be petrified! Just have faith in yourself & the programme. Start it with a positive mind not a ‘petrified’ negative one! You’ve got this! 👍🏃‍♀️👣 x

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to DoodleDee]

Great news! Well done!!!!

[DoodleDee Graduate in reply to Fb75]

Yayy! Well done you! 👏🏻

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to DoodleDee]

I’ve just posted my update. I did it too!

[woody1971 in reply to DoodleDee]

me Too

[DoodleDee Graduate in reply to woody1971]

Well done! 👍

[Sweet_givenchy Graduate]

Well done on getting to week 5, the jump is scary at first..but best to go slowly or steadily and pick up the later on in the run. You can do it.

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to Sweet_givenchy]

I go bloomin’ slow as it is 😂

[Sweet_givenchy Graduate in reply to Fb75]

Lol so do I..but you can increase when you have got to a good pace

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You did not just run 8 minutes on your last run.........you ran for 16 minutes, with five minutes of brisk walking (which uses almost as much energy as a gentle jog), total 21 minutes............the next run is shorter.

Please do not fear any run.......whatever you have heard, the admin team do not come round to your house to ritually humiliate you, should you not complete a run.............this is a training plan, not the Spanish Inquisition!!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5... may help.

You can do this.

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

🤣🤣🤣 no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Fb75]

Or the pointy cushions 😂

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you though. Helpful advice.

[Seasidepanda Graduate]

You have to have faith in the programme, so many of us are testament to the fact that it really does work, and you really can do it!!

So much of this is mind over matter, so don’t be scared or it will be harder- tell yourself you can, and I bet you will!!

Best of luck!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just another run... slow and steady and you are ready for it Anticipation not apprehension... believe you can do it... because.... you can

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

😀 The 20 minute run ended up being my favourite of the whole programme! I was nervous, but the high you get from doing it is phenomenal. And you will do it. Just take it really slow. Breathe, establish a rhythm and don’t allow yourself to stop. Enjoy. 😀 You Run. x

[Jen58 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I still have 4 more runs to do ,

I think the 20minute run will also be my favourite

For the reasons you have stated Sadie can run 😊

[Hidden]

You’ve done 16 minutes of running already and take a look at how may W6 posts there are, that will help settle your nerves I’m sure.

Do what you’ve done so far - take it nice and steady and remember there’s tons of us on here we’ve felt like you, done what you’re about to do and felt chuffed to bits when they achieved it. And you’re just about to join that part of the club.

You’ll e fine we promise - and you know if it doesn’t work out - you can have another bash. Most of us did not graduate in the 9 weeks, most of us did not do 5k in 9 weeks either.

But we all got through the programme and you will too. We promise!

Happy running and good luck next time out

[Razouski]

I was completely surprised when I did Week 5 Run 3, as like you I was all geared up to be petrified. I chose a really nice spot to run (Chalton Water Park just outside Manchester) so I had a lovely view of the lake and water birds to focus on, and I just relaxed into it and enjoyed the great outdoors. I was actually surprised when Laura told me I could stop running.

You've followed the programme so your body is ready for this, so just get your mind in a positive mindset and you can do this.

Good luck.

[Lillybeth30mins Graduate]

But trust the program - you are ready. Nice positive attitude and plenty of fluids the day before 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Liz x

[Fi0704]

Like you I was petrified of the 20 minute run but I followed everyone’s advice and went slow and steady. I almost cried with joy when I completed it, the feeling of achievement is incredible.

You’ll do it 😊

[Runninginsingapore in reply to Fi0704]

Same here! I was so proud of myself!

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to Fi0704]

Great to hear that!

[Simmo0020 Graduate]

I just done this run on Sunday it really isn’t as bad as you think. As long as you have completed the rest of the runs you CAN do this.

The biggest tip I have is to just set a comfortable pace and keep to it, don’t try to go to fast.

You got this 👊

[Nictwit Graduate]

You'll do it. It sounds ridiculous when you see it written down but truly the runs up until now have prepared your body for it.

[Clarab73 Graduate]

Just take it slow and steady. It is achievable and you know what you feel a million dollars when you do it for the first time. Good luck

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to Clarab73]

Thanks Clarab73

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

The 20 minute run is great as you get the chance to believe what your body has been telling you it is capable of!

Start off nice and slow then slow it down a bit more.

Choose 7 or 8 of your favourite songs to listen and sing along to and you wont even notice that you have just run 20 minutes.

Let your legs do the work and let your mind listen to the music.

[Madsimmo Graduate]

I totally understand how you feel as I did that run last Friday trust me (and the plan which has worked for you and will continue to work for you). You can do it and the feeling you get afterwards is incredible.

[AliMama]

Haha you sound like me last week before I did my 20 min run. But you know that you said the runs to date have been doable but challenging? Well the 20 min run turns out to be the same! It does seem like a huge leap though doesn't it and one I felt sure I wasn't ready for, but I managed.

Some wise old bird in here told me that first it's ok to stop before the 20 mins are up if you can't manage any further. You will definitely have run for longer than 8 mins and so even thatbwill be an achievement and progression. So take the pressure off by accepting it's ok not to do the full 29. If you do it's a bonus but if you accept you may not and it's ok to stop it's a huge weight off before you begin.

Also it's ok to run very slowly. I took a nice steady plod and found in the 20th minute I still had enough in the tank to really speed up and sprint for that last minute!

I found some really happy upbeat tunes really help too...have a good mix up uplifting bouncy tunes to keep you going.

Lastly relax. I had to literally tell myself to relax, drop my shoulders and relax my arms and hands. My anxiety about the run was presenting itself in tension which is best let go of. Drink plenty of water in your run up to the run and just go gently! Good luck! If I can do it you really can too

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to AliMama]

Great advice!

[Hidden]

I did mine yesterday and like you was very apprehensive about it as it seemed like a big jump but others are right. You think of the intermittent walks as a rest but in fact you are still exercising and the running is not that different from brisk walking so l found it much easier than l had anticipated and was surprised to feel l could have done longer. You will be fine!

[Queeny1969 Graduate]

Hi there

Don’t worry , I did it last night and it wasn’t as bad as it seems. Most of the battle is in your head before hand .... go for it you’ll smash it !!!

X

[VictoriaRuns Graduate]

The programme has prepared yourself for this. You have prepared yourself for this. This is common fear that most c25kers have (me included) so all I can say is I look forward to the inevitable, 'I DID IT!!' post =)

[Fb75 Graduate in reply to VictoriaRuns]

Watch this space!

[woody1971]

I did W5 R2 last night but sneakily put a minute extra on each run so actually did 18 mins running (slowly) with a 3 minute walk in preparation for tomorrows 20 mins. I feel fairly confident now. I actually felt worse for the 3 minutes walking in between the runs................odd, I know.