Week 5, run 3

[BB26]

I am at week 5 run 3 and was shocked to see the run time steeply increased from 8min to 20min - not confident I can do this at this relatively early stage - why such a hike in the running period? Is this to test you psychologically as well as physically?

[Amandana]

If you look at the total time you ran in the last run, it was 16 minutes, so this is only 4 extra minutes. Take it slow, take some deep breaths if you are struggling and tell your legs to just keep going. I don't think it's meant as a test at all. I think it's designed to pump things up because you are likely to be able to do it! Everything you've done so far has been to help you get to running for a longer chunk of time, so here is the first big one!

[BB26 in reply to Amandana]

Many thanks!

[Whatsapp Graduate]

As Amandana says the run time is actually one minute less, you just don't break for a walk in between. Keep a nice steady pace. You will find that your body is more efficient on these longer runs, as you body has a chance to get into a good rhythm.

Many fear W5R3 because its the first unbroken long run; but there is no need, this is what you have been building towards from day one.

[Amandana in reply to Whatsapp]

Oh thanks Whatsapp I must have been looking at the wrong run!

[Whatsapp Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Well no, you are right and I am wrong. The run time is longer,

but it was the overall time of W5R2 (including the walk interval) being longer than W5R3, which is what I was clumsily trying to point out.

[JennyH10 Graduate]

I’m not sure exactly why they do it this way but it definitely works and you’re definitely more ready for it than you realise. I do think it is to do with overcoming the psychological hurdle of preparing for no more walking breaks and then week 6 (which was my favourite week last time) gets you back to where you’d expect to be. Go with it and surprise yourself. Enjoy!

[KKThomas Graduate]

We all felt the same but it is ok and you can do it!

[Neverbeenarunner Graduate]

I was dreading That run today but I shocked myself that I actually did It! It was such a huge jump but it is possible. Just go for It!