W5R3 - did that just happen???

[Rooster678]

Well I never, who would have thought this lady, two stone overweight with no running experience would be able to run 20 minutes straight!

Out at 6.10am I walked out shivering with the wind blowing hard into me. Shall I just go back to bed and do it tomorrow? It's too bloody windy! No! Get on with it, stop being such a wuss!

The first five minutes were tough but before I knew it I had got to 10 minutes which means half way. One more step means I have less than 50% to go. The last ten minutes were completely bearable and I didn't feel I had to struggle. Keeping the mantra going in my head... slow down if you need to and breathe. It worked for me, this programme is working for me, your supportive comments are working for me!

I FLIPPING DID IT!!!!

I've seen some very professional looking runners cross over my route quite regularly since I started the programme, 2 ladies and 2 men. This morning as I finished the 20 minutes I flung my arms in the air and shouted yes!!! Real Rocky style! Didn't know they were coming up behind me, they all passed me by and said "Well done". One of the ladies gave me a pat on the arm as she passed and nodded at me in approval. I was beaming. I did it, I really did it and it thanks to this programme and to all the encouraging people on here, thank you so much, I still don't believe it. Bring on week 6.

[sHAYM4N Graduate]

Hah brilliant! Amazing feeling isnt it? I was floating on air all day when I managed that run a couple of years back! Back at W3R1 now, so just hope I can do it again, but reading posts like this defo help to inspire. Keep it up!

[Rooster678 in reply to sHAYM4N]

Thank you, I'm sure if you've done it once you will do it again. Good luck with your runs 😊

[SailingGirl]

Well done you! I did my last run of week 5 yesterday. Also surprised by my progress. Now 17lbs plus lighter!!

[Rooster678 in reply to SailingGirl]

That's amazing. I hope I lose a bit of this weight, 17 pounds would have made such a difference to your running. Good luck 😊

[Ex-NonRunner19 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done! W5R3 is the best ever, a continuous 20min run seems almost Olympian standard when you start out at W1. I and many others found W6 to be a bit of a 🐷 but your body is ready for it, just believe in yourself. 👍🏻

[Rooster678 in reply to Ex-NonRunner19]

Yes, I definitely couldn't believe it when I came home. The full 30 minute run is now feeling completely possible. I hope that week 6 doesn't throw me off 😊

[Auden Graduate in reply to Rooster678]

Very well done!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Yes! Great job. Sounds like your confidence just grew with that too! You’re over half way in time, and you’re two thirds of the way in terms of length of run. No fear now, keep it slow and steady through the last intervals... you’re gonna take all the steps up in your stride now. You got this.

[Rooster678 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you, I feel more confident for the week 9 runs now. I'm still quite slow but better than stop starting I suppose.☺

[Idorun]

Brilliant well done I’m only on wk1 run 2 and not fully believing yet that I will get to your stage but easing your post gives me hope! Well done you!

[Rooster678 in reply to Idorun]

You will get there. My joke to others is that I could barely run across the road let alone now having run 20 minutes. It's quite unbelievable how this programme works. Control your pace and your breathing, good luck 😊

[redfaceandsweaty]

Very well done to you! I just completed the run too. When I realised there wouldn't be a recovery walk, I definitely felt concerned but the barriers seem more psychological than physical at this point. We just have to pace ourselves and focus on the road ahead! Bring on week 6.

[Rooster678 in reply to redfaceandsweaty]

Well done to you too. Yes, it really is mind over matter, I had to give myself a good talking to several times over the 20 minutes but got through it. Good luck for week 6😊

[Craftysue66 Graduate]

Great stuff. Keep going and stick to the programme - don't be tempted to skip a run, as I was till I sought advice here, because it seemed easy or you may come unstuck. Just enjoy each success

[Rooster678 in reply to Craftysue66]

Thank you, I'm pleased with my progress so far but will definitely stick to the programme. ☺

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done...out there and doing it.. and taking it slowly and steadily Bravo!!!

Onward to the next week.. trust the plan ans KNOW you will do it!

[Rooster678 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. I'm so pleased with my progress. Bring on week 6! 😊

[RC13 Graduate]

Fantastic to hear you did R3! Well done YOU 😁I was out at the same time as you this morning and managed to complete it too. It's a great feeling getting to the end isn't it? Bring on week 6!!!!

[Rooster678 in reply to RC13]

So pleased you did it too, well done!!!! Let's get week 6!!

[Lissy24 Graduate]

It's a wonderful feeling. And primarily down to your inner strength and fortitude. FAB ☺

[Rooster678 in reply to Lissy24]

Thank you, it felt so good, I really feel like I achieved something and it's definitely a case of mind over matter ☺

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate]

Ah that is brilliant! Well done you!

[Rooster678 in reply to SubterraneanAlien]

Thank you 😊

[GlassA Graduate]

Congratulations...I also completed W5R3 today and feel the same

[Rooster678 in reply to GlassA]

Well done GlassA that's great! Feels amazing doesn't it?

[Triolette Graduate]

Wow, that's wonderful and congratulations!

[Rooster678 in reply to Triolette]

Thank you 😊

[Jell6 Graduate]

I did smile reading this, well flipping done 😊

[Rooster678 in reply to Jell6]

Thank you, I'm still beaming about it 24 hours later! ☺

[Bonsaiboy]

Well done you. I'm 52 wouldn't consider this as a weight losing aim more a 'do something before you cant. I'm about to start week 4 tonight and not looking forward to just 5mins. 20 mins seems a world away.

[Rooster678 in reply to Bonsaiboy]

Believe me you will get there, I thought 90 seconds was impossible. Just hope I haven't peaked 😄

[Sausagedog90]

Wow! You’re incredible!

[Rooster678 in reply to Sausagedog90]

Thank you 😊

[jeffers74]

Well done you, I hope to have that Ricky moment too when I get to the end of week 4, run 1 was really hard, but I know it gets a little better with every run, good luck with the rest of your journey 😀

[Dragonflies Graduate]

Well done! Experienced exactly the same, disbelief and elation all rolled into one, just over a week ago. Now we are proper runners!