Week 5 Run 3 Just Completed - how does the body adjust so quickly

[Glasshotel]

Hi there,

Having just completed W5R3 I was surprised at how effortless it felt. Given the length of the run you need to take it slowly and steadily but it was much easier than expected. This time last week W4R3 was finished with a 5 minute run that felt like it went on forever and was only wheezingly completed through gritted teeth. So my question is how come we Couch to 5k folk can make such a seemingly big leap in a short space of time? At the time W1 seemed more of an effort than W5R3 just felt. At the start of the run today Laura said to trust the process, that is fine; but I would also like to understand the physiology behind it.

[southlundon Graduate]

I'm afraid I don't have an answer but I'll follow your post to see if someone else does!

[SandieF Graduate]

The answer is seemples.

It’s magic! 🤷‍♀️

😂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It is down to progressive overload............ keep pushing the boundaries, very gently and the body adapts to the demands made of it. I covered it briefly in this post healthunlocked.com/couchto5... but if you want the lowdown on running physiology I would recommend The Runner's Body by Ross Tucker and Jonathan Dugas, which goes a bit deeper while remaining readable and comprehensible.

Push it too far and of course, it breaks. Which is why a good tried and tested training plan is a good idea.

Keep going, you are doing great.

[thefutureliz Graduate]

I've been wondering the same!! Really want to understand how our physiology adapts to endure longer times/distances.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You just get stronger.. the more you run, the leg muscles strengthen and build... if you are doing your rest day exercise too, that should be helping stamina... so that what seemed impossible is now relatively easy:).

PS

And what IannodaTruffe said too x