Defeated by W5R3...gutted!

[Dazeydog]

Could do 10 minutes but not 20...drat!

Another try tomorrow...I won't let it beat me, but, boy, this is a toughie. W6R1will feel like a real let up..when I get there..

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

W6R1 catches out more people than any other single run in the programme..........be warned.

Well done on your progress, but if you are struggling with a run, do yourself a favour and slow it right down, as described in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for your support, but I really can't run any slower, IannodaTruffe, walkers overtake me I promise!! I just had a bad day at the office I think, it was cold and windy and although I walked briskly as instructed, I guess I wasn't actually really warmed up. Different day tomorrow, I'll get there eventually..

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Dazeydog]

You can always go slower.

[Schmeeley71 Graduate]

It took me a month to conquer W5R3! I ended up breaking it down into two 10 min runs with first a 4 min walking interval, then a 3 min, 2 min and finally 1 min. I got there in the end! Good luck, you are not alone. ;D

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to Schmeeley71]

Now that is a good idea! Thank you...

[jiggles7 Graduate]

Tomorrow is another day. Maybe it just wasn’t your day to run? Chin up you’ll get it next time 😀

[purplewalker Graduate]

But you got to give it a try so be proud and keep going until you get there. I’m about to start W4 when my injuries let me.

[sHAYM4N Graduate]

Be proud you ran for the 10! It just wasn't meant to be today. Brush yourself down and give it a fresh shot after a rest day or two. I'm sure you will smash it just take it slow and steady (Can't believe I got here before Old Floss to say that one!) As mentioned don't underestimate week 6 either, may look easier on paper but it is a tricky one too sometimes. Keep it slow and feel the flow! Good luck and well done 👍

[sHAYM4N Graduate]

Oh how did you feel at the point at where you stopped? Muscles breathing, energy? Sometimes narrowing it down a bit can help prepare you more for the next one too.

[glentoran99 Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

Mental gremlins.. body more than capable if plan complete to date! Practice run!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Out of curiosity, how did you find W5R2 with it 2x 8 min runs? As you mention, W5R3 is completely mental. Look closely at the preceding runs and you'll see that you ran for 16 mins in each Week 4 session, 15 mins W5R1 and 16 mins W5R2 - all with breaks of course, but he CUMULATIVE effect of the 14 sessions you've done up to W5R3 actually PHYSICALLY prepare you for it. That's one of my mantras for C25K - every run you've done so far prepares you for the next one (regardless of what it is).

Your body is ready. JFDI.

Good luck!

John

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to John_W]

I find I can run for a long time using shorter intervals, longer than 30 mins even, if I need to. My legs ached, which they've not done before. However it was cold and windy in North Norfolk on Saturday, and the track had a long, slow incline..( it's a myth that Norfolk is flat!) so I guess I wasn't as warmed up as I perhaps could have been because of the windchill... I'll try again tomorrow in better conditions I hope..

I'll let you all know how I get on, the support on this forum is superb!

[Liz5K Graduate in reply to Dazeydog]

Good luck for tomorrow! No reason why you can’t do a longer warm up. I always do about 5 mins then turn the app on and do another 5.

[SJMY]

I’ve just done this today at my 4th attempt!! A little slower then usual but maybe that’s what helped??!! Keep going you’ll get there...

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to SJMY]

Thank you, and we'll see if I can do it in four....

[Purple-fl]

I did a different route for this run, it was all less familiar and something else to think about. So just kept running. Well done on getting this far. Next time

[Tartancat Graduate]

It took me 5 attempts to get through W5R3. On the 5th attempt I told myself I could walk for 20 minutes, so just run at walking pace. And that made it easy - the first run ever where I felt I could have kept going.

Learn from my mistakes - there is no such thing as too slow!

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

That's a good idea, I'll tell my brain I'm walking and my legs I'm running!

[Mercmancouchto5k Graduate]

Try to look at it like an examination - a driving test or a GCSE exam. Who gets 100% in all subjects? So you did 17 runs on a row with 100% and now you got 50% on the last one "I can do 10 minutes but not 20 minutes". Any way you look at it, you still have a A* average.

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to Mercmancouchto5k]

That's a very positive attitude, I'm working on it!

[emct64 Graduate]

Different days feel different. I know you’ll bag this on the second go. It’s not easy- it’s not meant to be easy. But your training and willpower can conquer. When I struggle, I say “ one more minute”. Then again “ one more minute “. Try it. Good luck

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to emct64]

Yes, I'm not feeling too downhearted, just frustrated! Here's to tomorrow, and " one more minute" !

[emct64 Graduate in reply to Dazeydog]

How did it go?

[Dazeydog Graduate in reply to emct64]

How kind of you to ask! It went well. I counted the songs on the podcast instead of the minutes, the smaller number seemed more achievable!

I'm now plodding, fairly literally, through W6, I did the second run this morning..

I have a rather sore calf muscle but I'm resting and icing as I type, but it's not serious, I'm sure. Just a gentle reminder of my increasing age...

I've never run for so long in my life. I sprinted as a kid, so running for 20 minutes is a very foreign concept.

Thank you for your support.

[emct64 Graduate in reply to Dazeydog]

You’re welcome! I said goodbye to W7 this morning, found today’s tough but the other two were ok, Good idea about the songs, I just keep Eye of the Tiger in constant until it’s over.

Enjoy your weekend

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

That’s the spirit... you’ll get it soon, relax and believe.

[LostRunner Graduate]

Just seen that you’ve conquered it! Well done! I’m using songs as my markers too!