Having read a lot on here about the trickery and devilment of W6R1 I cautiously approached this run with the respect it appeared to deserve.
Well, I did it but it but it felt like a slog. Now I’m curious to know why it appears to be easier (albeit slightly) to run for 20 minutes without stopping than it is to do shorter runs with walking breaks. Hoping someone can enlighten me! 🤞🏻
It’s purely psychological... you just got used to being ready for the next run... you just got to no intervals, run 20. 5 is easy, nice long rest (walk) now it’s only 8 and the tendency would be to attack that 8, you’re over half way, you’re full of confidence, you just did 5, there’s only 5 left... then another break, but if you went too fast the walk is now difficult, the muscles cool, that last 5 run bites you on the ass, may even become impossible on that day. It’s all about discipline and doing what you’re told. Any future running plan worth it’s salt includes recovery runs, you have to go slow.
You beat it... great job.
You’re bang on I think! I need to remember the 🐌!
Many people like when they get to the non stop runs rather than the intervals, in run 3 of week 5 there is a 20 minute run, but the first two runs of week 6, run 1 and 2, it's back to interval walks between the runs, not until run 3 of week 6 which is 25 minutes and thereafter it 's all non-stop runs which by now most runners have got used to. Like you I approached that run of week 6 with caution and respect, I just took the running slowly with the interval walks and because of that, the 20 or so minutes passed without any problems.
I have no idea but i too struggled w6r1-2!! This forum was my only push to continue. I despaired slightly!
So the continuous running was SO much easier after that.
Maybe cos you dont focus on minutes? You pace yourself better!?
I'm going to only slightly disagree with UnfitNoMore in that I don't think it's 100% psychological - I think it's partly to do with the toxic 10? If you run more than 10 minutes (on average) your body gets to the stage where it's upped your heart rate and your respiration rate to cope with the extra demand, and you continue running feeling a bit easier. By week 5 your body is becoming fit enough to cope. Now ... you get to W6R1, you're supposed to be doing a brisk walk in your intervals which would apparently mean your heartrate doesn't go down during those walks a lot ... but I bet it still sort of lets your body think "oh we're done now" and then doesn't "settle in" like it does on the longer runs.
Of course, I might be totally wrong, I just feel like that's how I feel...? maybe. Oh - and it is a long workout in total, longer than any other. And for sure it's massively psychological 
Basically weeks 5 and 6 are magic and make you like long continuous running
I think you’re onto something... does anyone in the plan keep walking that fast? I’m aware that I haven’t in the last 1/2 walks early on, I feel it in my calf muscles in the last interval.
You need to run slow and walk fast more on this run than any other, factoring in toxic 10 and time left to run. It’d be easier 13 & 5 on the runs, no doubt.
I know as a former runner when I looked at the plan it stood out and it gave me a little fear, then I smiled, it’s a huge test for sure. Now, I’m a week away so I’d best read this thread next week 😂
for sure a massive part is just thinking "hey i ran 20 minutes, surely 'just' 5 is easy now" and you go off a bit fast! I reckon I've read it on here anyway that the toxic 10 plays a part in making w6 seem harder, that lack of settling in. There's no way I came up with it myself 
And I'm sure you'll be fine
I gotta take week 5 out... but after this thread I’m really desperate to smash week 6! Thanks
Yet to experience the toxic 10... I never used to run for that long 😂
The physiological effects that you describe makes sense to me. Maybe it’s those effects coupled with the psychological of “its only 5 minutes” and running a bit faster than normal that makes it harder?
Well done on completing W6R1. See how you get on with W6R2 next. I found that was a right bugger but maybe because I was going up a slight gradient. Can feel it in my calves this morning!
I'm still dreading these longer runs though. 25 minutes? I know it shouldn't be much more difficult than last week's 20 minutes but I've still got the willies about it.
Is 25 minutes your next run? I think you’ll be alright doing it as you don’t seem to have had much trouble with other runs. I will be cheering you on! 👏🏻
Thanks! I've got my route planned so know roughly where I should be finishing. Will update you tomorrow (or Saturday if the gremlins get me in the morning).
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