W4 R3- WOW!!! (and a question for the pros)

[MamaHogg]

Right, stay with me on this one, it's going to be a long post, but i'm really hoping that (like me) someone will be trawling old posts looking for a bit of a boost and this might just help them. Please don't feel obliged to keep reading but there is a question at the end for those with more experience and i'd really appreciate your input. Feel free to scroll straight to the bottom...

So my last run was almost a complete disaster and I have to admit that I was really beginning to question my place on the program. My motivation and confidence in my ability to do it were at rock bottom. When i finished the last run, i was talking myself in to giving it a week, letting myself recover, then repeating wk 4... I knew deep down if I did that, it would be the end of my c25k journey.

By some miracle, yesterday I began to feel more motivated again. I spent every spare moment reading through everyone's (amazing) posts on this forum, detailing their journeys through this wonderful program and feeling more and more motivated to get back out there.

Woke up buzzing this morning (but still with anxiety about my ability) and got myself ready straight away. Hubby took the kids to school/nursery and I got straight out there.

I honestly think it was the best (and most rewarding) run I have had so far!!! I felt like I really took control back and realised that I really can do this!

Things I have learnt...

- if you feel like you are not managing but you can't possibly go an slower, YOU REALLY CAN GO SLOWER!

- going slower really does make ALL the difference

- when you feel like you want to do it the least, that is when you most need to go

- i really can do this!

A really epiphany happened when I read a comment on another post about 'slow jogging' with a really helpful video. Ill see if i can find a link and pop it in the comments below.

My question...

I had an (almost) successful wk4 r1, stopping briefly in the last 5 minutes when my route didn't quite work itself out, but i got going again very quickly and felt like i could have continued without stopping.

Wk4 r2 was a bit of a fail before i even started. My head just wasnt in it, but i managed to run all until the last 5 minutes, where I managed 2.5mins and had to walk the rest.

Today, wk4 r3, i completed all the runs with total control and energy to spare. It was hard but I didn't feel like i was ready to quit at any point.

So do i move on to next week? Or do I repeat and make sure it wasn't just a fluke? I normally just move straight on in these circumstances, but my crisis in confidence this week has made me question of i need to repeat?

Thanks guys for all your motivation and support!!

[MamaHogg]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

^^ not sure if that will work, but its the link to the thread with the video in the comments 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Confidence is the biggest reason for bad runs while going through the program. If you need more time and repeating the week will help then personally I would do the extra runs. It is your journey and you are only going to do this once so give yourself the best environment for you to complete it feeling the best most positive way you can.

Ps. Big fan of Niko niko slow jogging.

[MichaelH070862 Graduate]

Hi You should be able to move on to W5 runs with no problem but if you feel a little unsure then just do W4R3 and then move on to W5.

[MamaHogg]

Thanks guys, at the moment I am veering towards repeating r3 and then moving on, but i don't know if thats just cause I'm feeling a little underconfident. I guess i could always move on and come back if it's too much. Just trying to be realistic with myself 😊

[misswobble Graduate]

Move on. Next! 😃🏃‍♀️👍

Slow and steady 💪

Have fun!

[Hidden]

I'm dying to know how it went - update? I love the posts too, they really help with motivation. You know you're not the only one and it's fun to share other runners' journeys. Personally, I think I would repeat W4,R3 only just to make up for the dodgy start but no need to re-do the week. I'm W4,R2 which I plan tomorrow.

[MamaHogg in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sutsha, next run isn't due till saturday so i'll see hiw i feel then. I'll be running in different surroundings again too so not 100% sure whether i will repeat or move on yet.

Will let you all know how i get on xx

[Hidden]

Good luck! It's so good having the bell mid way isn't it, so wherever you go if in doubt you can simply turn around and go back the way you came. Sometimes I do wonder if I've missed it and spend a few concerned minutes before it finally chimes. Same with the warm up 5 minutes, because I'm getting fitter I'm further into my route before the first run and I often worry the app has dropped off. 😄 xx

[Jhill66 in reply to Hidden]

I do this too!

[Hidden]

I agree with everything you said about running- slowing down really does help. I’m about to do W4R2. When i had a wobble & wanted to repeat a week the advice to me (on here) was give it a go - like everyone says it’s your & only your journey no-one is judging you. Your run your way. If you can’t do it then go back & repeat runs from the previous week- but give it a go first. You’ve come this far & i bet you couldn’t imagine that when you first started on W1. You’re doing great. Good luck & keep us updated. X

[57jas60 Graduate]

I’ve just done w4r3 too. Although I can’t say I’m finding it easy I have managed all the runs so far. I do think confidence is a huge part of being a runner so I would suggest repeating r3. You now know you’re capable of doing it so can do it again. That will help your confidence to move on to w5 where all the runs are 5 mins. You don’t want those nagging doubts emerging and knocking your confidence again. Good luck!

[RobW73 Graduate]

Congratulations!

You are a superstar.

You said that every week was a challenge, but you have done them all so far.

I am not a pro, but I'd say keep going forward.

Besides, I don't think you'd want me overtaking you...?

[MamaHogg in reply to RobW73]

Haha we couldn't have that now could we?! 😂

I love this forum! My confidence in myself is so much higher after everyone's encouraging words!

I think I have decided that i'm going to move forward and give it a go... eeek! I'm actually quite excited to get out there and do it though so that is always a good sign 😊

[Hidden in reply to MamaHogg]

Excellent! Go for it. In the words of Iannodatruffe - what's the worse that can happen? You'll be great. You got this. Let us know how you get on. X

[Hidden]

Just done W4R2 - phew! It was hard tonight, probably because I haven't eaten much today and have averaged 6 hours sleep this week. The sleep deprivation alone can make my legs feel like lead. Regardless, I managed to squeeze every last drop of energy and motivation to complete all the runs plus a little extra at the end. Good luck for tomorrow, I'm sure it'll go well. Like others have said, the programme has brought you to this point, trust in the designers of the C25K and more importantly, trust in yourself. Look how far you've come. Xx

[MamaHogg in reply to Hidden]

Thank you and well done! You'll soon be moving to week 5 too xxx

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Move on!!!

[Jullaly Graduate]

You said it you managed wk4r3 in full control and energy to spare, brilliant. I say move on. I have dreadful confidence and I keep thinking I’m going to find out I’m a fraud or it’s just a fluke that I get through a run. So I have a motto that if I feel I didn’t complete a run for whatever reason I will repeat that one run if I complete it I will move on. As you said in a reply see how you are on the day