W5R2 felt good but how do you go from this to 20 mins?

I've really enjoyed the first two runs of Week 5! It's been great to be off the road and running round a beautiful pond surrounded by trees, and it helps to know how long it takes me to get round (roughly 4 mins). But a full 20 minutes without a break still looks daunting....

[ArthurJG Graduate]

If you look back through the forum you will find many similar posts, followed by the same people posting ‘yes! I did it!’ two days later. It’s a challenge, but an achievable one. You’ve just run 16 minutes out of 21. Basically you are going to replace a 5 minute fast walk with a 4 minute slow run. You can do that! Remember it’s about duration not speed: if it’s getting difficult slow down, then slow down some more, just don’t stop. It’s a significant moment in the programme, especially psychologically, but physically it’s not as big a step as it looks on paper. If you’ve followed the programme you are physically ready for this so tell those mental gremlins where to go

[Hidden in reply to ArthurJG]

Thanks so much for this encouragement.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

I reckon “daunting” is just about in the right half of the words you need. Keep away from “terrified” and friends.

It’s a big run, no two ways about it. But it is here in the programme because you are ready for it.

You will need to run slowly. You will need to be prepared for mental gremlins that might spring up and try to halt you and drag you back to the safety of the couch.

But you can do it. And you can enjoy it, if you let yourself - it’s a lovely run and the first landmark since run 1 of week 1.

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks ever so much. The encouragement really does help.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Many of us would never have got to the end without this place. Use it as much as you can and we will all help you through.

[Mellyc83 Graduate]

I felt like this last week but it did work. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. You’ll do great!

[Hidden]

Thanks Mellyc83. I feel more confident hearing of other people's experiences. Good luck with the running. How are you finding Week6?

[PumpKim Graduate]

It's definitely psychological not physical. I've done c25k before and graduated then stopped (boo) and even though I know for a fact the programme works, I still had the same apprehension yesterday when I was about to do w5r3. I battled the gremlins and got through it fine, still feeling like there was more in me at the end... I may have directed an expletive at Laura when she told me I'd been running for 5 minutes but after that I settled into it and overall it was good.

You'll be fab. Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to PumpKim]

Thanks PumpKim and well done!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This might help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do this if you believe you can............you certainly won't if you believe you can't.

[Hidden]

Thanks IannodaTruffe, that was helpful.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

You will do it Deborah! Remember when you started? That might have been daunting too. It certainly was for me. But you’ve done everything you need to get there and you’ll do great! Go real sloooooow! Speed is not required and you’ll continue to be amazed by what you can do! Best wishes for the next run! You csn do it! ❤️

[Hidden]

Thank you. You do inspire me!

[Gar27 Graduate]

I'm in the same position now, just completed W5R2. I was nervous about this one, especially at the beginning - I always find the first few minutes scary. But it panned out like every other, I finished without any great struggle.

And next is the dreaded 20 minutes! I've decided not to dwell on it, rather put my faith in the program - it hasn't let me down yet.

[Malarie69]

I totally agree it’s a big jump but it’s tough but I did it today and if I can do it you can do I kept it slow Good luck x

[Hidden]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I read your post just before I went for my run - and did it!