Stuck at week 5

[Lisha89]

Morning all!! Hope everyone's journeys are going well! I should be approaching the end of couchto5k now however after injury it has set me back so much, I ended week 4 and had to take some time off for my foot to recover, I have been getting back into it however I'm stuck on w5 r2 I have repeated it 3 times now as I just don't feel ready for the jump to 20 minutes straight, the 2x 8 minutes is still feeling so tough to get through. Any advice appreciated please!

[Passingthought]

Don't give up, run so slowly you think you are going backwards, find a 20 minute podcast or continuous music, keep your eyes on the horizon and trust that your body can do this. You can do it!

[Hidden]

Not sure why you are repeating? I found almost every run until week 7 was a challenge. But if it’s done, move on. Have faith in the programme and the progress you are making. You are ready for the next run. Definitely 😊👍🏃🏾‍♀️

[Saartjie Graduate]

Echo both of these. It's totally mind over matter on W5R3 so just do it...VERY SLOWLY! The programme pushes you and you think you're not ready, but you are even if you might not think so. X

[Deborahchick46 Graduate]

You will do it. Run slowly and enjoy the sunshine and scenery. Plan where you are going to run.

I was scared at first but I just kept going and to be honest the longer run I actually found easier than all the stop starting.

Find something to listen to and boom before you know it you have a 20 minute run under your belt 😁.

Good luck xx

[jubyduby Graduate]

It is daunting but you will amaze yourself I’m sure. I did it last week and couldn’t believe that I ran for 20 minutes (extremely slowly).

[RobW73 Graduate]

Hi Lisha,

I'm not qualified to give any advice, merely encouragement.

The programme takes non runners through gradually increasing runs, culminating in 30 minutes of running.

Your 20 minute run is on the plan. I would encourage you to plan to do it. Plan your route somewhere flat and promise yourself that you can switch to walking if it gets too hard. I think you'll find that if you keep taking it a minute at a time, you can get through it.

Good luck.

[RobW73 Graduate]

Hi Lisha,

I'm not qualified to give any advice, merely encouragement.

The programme takes non runners through gradually increasing runs, culminating in 30 minutes of running.

Your 20 minute run is on the plan. I would encourage you to plan to do it. Plan your route somewhere flat and promise yourself that you can switch to walking if it gets too hard. I think you'll find that if you keep taking it a minute at a time, you can get through it.

Good luck.

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Yep my understanding is only repeat a run if you don’t complete it. If you complete run 2 then move on to run 3. If run 3 is too hard and you don’t complete it then repeat THAT but you might be surprised when you try it going by what others have said.