Yay! W5R3 completed.....finally!!

[Schmeeley71]

I had my first attempt in August and tried a few more times over the following couple of months (having run for considerably longer, but with short walking breaks in between), but I just couldn't get past the mental block of running for 20 minutes solid.

Yesterday I took part in my first Park Run....I couldn't get a time as I hadn't printed out my bar code, but I didn't care. I just wanted to see what it was all about, having only run on my own or with my PT previously.

I had run nearly 4.3K (with short walking breaks) on my own so I knew I could possibly get round. I set off at the back of the pack with the attitude "do your own thing and don't worry about anyone else". The course is two and a bit laps around a nature park, on gravel paths and relatively flat.

I set off at a nice steady pace and kept it up, checking the time at 17 mins.....I was pleasantly surprised that I had run all that time without stopping....realising I was near to breaking the mental barrier I had in my head I promised myself I was going to clear the 20 minute mark. I managed to complete the first and a bit lap in 21.25 minutes! At that time I have to say I was pretty shattered and knew I wouldn't enjoy the second lap so called it a day.

I haven't managed to run for a few weeks due to one thing or another and now I'm finding the motivation to run in the dark and cold evenings non-existent at the moment. So I have found a running group to join once a week and my local ParkRun, so I know I can slowly complete the remainder of C25K over the next few weeks.

If you're having trouble with W5R3 keep persevering, it's work the the feeling of accomplishment in the end!

[Tartancat Graduate]

Well done! It took me 5 attempts to crack W5R3, but what a feeling when it was done. The rest is easy after that - you know you've got this!

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Thank you. I'm stubborn like that...I hate to be beaten when I know it's up to me to do it.

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to Schmeeley71]

Same!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great run... and good to stop for injury risk reasons... maybe walking lap two (but I’d have stopped too with no barcode.)

Hopefully you had the usually huge support level from the marshals and other runners... and you could be back to do your 25 next week!

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

To be honest I didn't have any interaction with marshalls or runners. Not that I was worried, but I will be going back.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Schmeeley71]

Maybe they were cold 😂

[Schmeeley71 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

It was most probably me....I was just concentrating on myself. But tbh I felt like the new kid a school....and was a little shy. Maybe it will improve when I have been a few times. I did notice quite a few people talking to each other, which was nice.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Schmeeley71]

Well, next time you’re not the new kid!

When I’m marshalling I clap and cheer everyone, don’t care if they’re in the run or not... get some amusing reactions from people out just to walk the dog 😂

[BeckySharp1]

brilliant. sounds like you most definitely will get over the mental block and finish the programme. all going in the right direction and thats what matters