W5R3 couldn’t complete: So looking for advice... - Couch to 5K

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W5R3 couldn’t complete

Puffed-out profile image
6 Replies

So looking for advice/opinions. I tried to do the dreaded 20 min run today (early before the heat set in) although I just couldn’t complete it, I ran for 15 mins and as I was just about to give up (had already done a 10 sec walk) Sarah told me I only had 5 mins left!! So I carried on running, but only managed a minute before I just had to stop. So I dragged my feet around the 5 minute walk down. Literally like dead weights, I could barley lift them

Anyways, I was wondering, do I do this run again… or the whole of week 5? I had to do run 2 twice to be able to complete it, and still struggled the very last minute of that both times I’ve heard about the famous ‘toxic 20’ but this run was a ‘toxic-all the way round’

I’m still pretty pleased I managed 16 minutes, although still a little disheartened I didn’t manage to complete the run

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Puffed-out
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6 Replies
GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Well you did 16 mins 👍 that's still progress.

Just have your usual day off then try r3 again. Make sure your pace is one you can maintain. The heat is a real issue so do slow down.

Above all else, you did 16 mins, well done! 👍😉

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Slow down and repeat the run you did not complete, as advised in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do it, if you pace yourself.

Tartiflette profile image
TartifletteGraduate

The heat is so draining, even if you're running at a cooler time. Keep well hydrated and slow down your pace perhaps? Good luck with the re-run, you'll smash it 💪🏼

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

Give yourself a two day break, keep hydrated and do it again. But slow down!! You'll get there. We all do :-)

mamasmurff profile image
mamasmurff

I have to admit that the very first 20 min run I did I found very hard, as everyone has said before pace is the key even if you go slower than you normally would to start with and then at the half way or even 5 min left point dig deep and see if you can speed up sounds silly but it's not a race it's more endurance running for 20 mins keep going I know you can do it

Puffed-out profile image
Puffed-out

Thanks everyone, I’ll try that run again then. I did think I was going pretty slow already, but when I’ve looked back at my pace, I could probably go a bit slower still. The heat definitely doesn’t help, even going out early, it’s still so warm. I’ll try and up my water intake too today before trying again tomorrow or Saturday (I’m not too great at keeping hydrated so that could have some impact)

Thanks again!

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