Week 5, run (drumroll) 3!!!

[ktsok]

So today was the day for the much talked about week 5 run 3. I will admit I have thought about this run quite a bit over the past week - I may even have dreamed about it on one occasion, legs whirring under the duvet like a hound chasing a rabbit.

Well, fellow runners - I did it! I can honestly say that if you had asked me five weeks ago if this was possible in such a short time, I would have said no, particularly after the struggles of those one minute runs in week one.

There were moments when I tuned out a bit on this run, the music seemed to fade away and I was caught up in the motion of my arms swinging and my feet padding on the ground. I remember thinking ‘wow, I can do this, I can run for 20 minutes, which means I can run for 30 minutes, wow, wow’. Then there were tougher moments, particularly at the 6-8 minute mark and in the last 90 seconds, when I thought I am definitely NOT ready for 30 minutes! So I wouldn’t say I ‘smashed it’ or ‘cruised it’ (not that I really say that anyway), but I DID do it. And not only that, but I ran almost exactly 3km, give or take ten metres, at a very consistent pace. Finally, I am pacing myself and not getting broken by going out too fast.

Just great. Thanks guys 😊

[E27M14 Graduate]

Thank you for posting this. I’m doing this run later today and am a little bit scared that I won’t be able to do it, but also excited because maybe I can!

Well done. 🏃‍♀️

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

It is exciting E! I am excited. I am excited for you! (Oops, endorphins kicking in lol) 😂

Just take it slow and steady and the time just seems to flow by... I had to dig deep a couple of times and tell myself to keep going, but that passed... I even smiled at one point, which was unthinkable before!

Good luck E, I’m cheering you on and look forward to reading your post 🙂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great running. It’s normal to feel it about 5-10 minutes in, so your 6-8 is right in that range, they call it the toxic 10 and your body is gearing up to keep you running after the initial shock that you’re making it run. Nice pace, and yeah, you can do that 30, you can do anything, soon you will be there, you’re already doing what was impossible a month ago. Enjoy week 6, slow and steady.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UNM! 😀

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great , that run is dreaded by everyone I think, then when you do it the feeling is great good for you on to wk6

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy. I was consciously trying not to dread it after reading the post by IannodaTruffe - in fact, I visualised myself running for 20 minutes last night and managed to convince myself I was looking forward to it this morning!

5:3 looks too big a leap in those early weeks, but my faith in the program is now complete. 😀

[HBdude]

That's great, well done!

I don't think I could process running for 20 mins yet, lol

[ktsok Graduate in reply to HBdude]

Cheers dude! Yes, I couldn’t process 5 minutes, let alone 8, or 20, when I started. It’s like alchemy 😊

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

It is amazing! I'll graduate tomorrow - when I started early/mid November I was bright red and panting from the 1 minute runs. Now I'm running for 30! For me the trick has been to keep a steady slow (ish) pace and keep changing my running mix.

It is absolutely amazing the progress you make, and I am really one of those - if I can do it, anyone can - people. I'll graduate on my 53rd birthday, but I'd become very unfit and a few stone heavier than I'd like, and this is having a huge impact on my general health and wellbeing.

I was stunned that I could do the 20 minute run, and enjoy it! So keep going! Alchemy indeed!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Aw that’s great to hear, Disco! Good luck with your graduation fun - I am imagining you breaking out in some casual John Travolta moves as you complete it! 😆

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I am so there! I should add staying alive to the end of my mix!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Ooh ooh ooh ooohhhhh....

[Wimborne]

Whoop whoop. Way to go ktsok. 👏👏👏👏🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🌟🌟🌟🌟. No stopping you now. I see that running bug has taken hold. 😄

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimborne! The bug definitely buzzed a few times on this run, haven’t quite ditched the slug yet 🤪

[strollguy Graduate]

Well done! 👏 that is encouraging as I plan to follow you in doing this on Saturday - did R2 this morning. 😊

[ktsok Graduate in reply to strollguy]

Well done on run 2 strollguy. You’ll be fine - I’m almost envious you have run 3 to look forward to lol. It’s a milestone run, I haven’t even looked at how the program pans out beyond week 5!

Keep... on... strolling... 🤪