Moving on to W2: I’ve done four runs this week... - Couch to 5K

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Moving on to W2

Pollyanna24 profile image
Pollyanna24Graduate
11 Replies

I’ve done four runs this week if W1.

I’m scared to move on to week 2. How do I decide if I’m ready? I don’t want to push too hard and then just give up.

9 weeks just doesn’t like long enough to get my fitness up. I initially planned on doing each week twice, so it’d take 18 weeks, but not sure.

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Pollyanna24 profile image
Pollyanna24
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11 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Take it slow and take it steady.. relax..don't push too hard at all. You can do the runs if you just take it gently:)

Why four runs this week though?

Pollyanna24 profile image
Pollyanna24Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

I did Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And then just felt like doing on today, haha.

Is that not recommended? I’ll probably only do three next week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Pollyanna24

No...it is fine.. as long as you leave a day for rest in between...but if you feel you are worried about moving on, then stick to three runs each week :) I run Sunday, Tuesday and Friday :)

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

It’s a surprisingly effective plan when it comes to ramping your fitness level up.

Well done so far. Now, what’s the worst that can happen if you try week 2? You’re doing 60 second runs, it asks for 90... is it bad if you only manage 75? No, it’s progress.

I was sceptical of the plan at first, but I decided to only repeat runs I didn’t complete. I was told from an early age that if I found something impossible that meant it was time to work. So if I couldn’t do the 20 minute run when it came I’d do 15, maybe next time 16, then 17... but I knew that if I just kept trying I’d do it. That’s all this takes, the mental strength to not quit... then you win, guaranteed!

Slow and steady into each run and you’ll have a good chance of completing each one. Trust the plan to sort you out physically for the next, and then all you have to worry about is the mental side, keeping the pace down and sometimes digging deep to get to the end.

You can do this!

emct64 profile image
emct64Graduate

I felt exactly like you, am just about to start W8. I do think this plan is well thought out. If you do as it suggests, the next week is a step up, but a manageable step. Have faith in the plan and in yourself. W1 is not easy, it sounds as if you are ready to move in

Pollyanna24 profile image
Pollyanna24Graduate in reply to emct64

Thanks. I think I will give W2 a go and as someone said, if I only manage 75 seconds, then it’s still a step up from W1.

steviej99 profile image
steviej99Graduate

No need to repeat Pollyanna unless you've failed to complete a run. Each run and each week prepares you for the next. The plan is brilliant and it works. So if you successfully completed week 2 just move on. Just go slow and steady. You MUST take at least 1 days rest if not more. The rest days are as important as the run days and are when your muscles repair and get stronger. Enjoy your journey on the plan!!

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate

Short version: if you've done the three runs in week 1, aren't injured or ill and have taken at least one rest day between runs, you are ready for week 2. It's not complicated :)

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Well done Pollyanna24 ...please don’t be scared...move on to week 2, you might get a pleasant surprise! If you don’t quite manage a run then bag the stamina & distance, call it a practice & try it again....no-one says it has to be done in 9 weeks...do it in your own time, but most of all, enjoy it...no pressure ok? X

Nottooold profile image
NottoooldGraduate

You can do it! I am 65 and I have NEVER run during my life, anyway I did it and now I am ready for W4 (a bit scared like you😉)

Bloodhound1 profile image
Bloodhound1

Can’t agree more with the replies. The key word is SLOW. I am on W8 and when I did W1 I found the 60secs a incredible problem - if I had died it wouldn’t have surprised me. But hear I am running for 28 minutes and enjoying it. Go for it slow and steady really does work

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