Week 3

[S1h2e]

Just completes my 1st run of week 3 and my god it was hard! Didn't expect it to be so difficult and feel really downhearted about it 😔 yes I completed and slowed my pace to do so, I feel so cheesed off it was so hard though!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Hmmm... but you did it! It was tough, you were tougher... that’s great. It’ll get easier again over time... all we are doing here is beating the runs and building fitness and conditioning, and you did that. Be proud of yourself... just look at you now, running intervals are triple of that they were just over a week ago!

[S1h2e in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Should I carry on or go back to week 2? Feel like it shouldn't have been so hard....

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to S1h2e]

Carry on... you completed it. Sometimes we just get a run that sucks... we can think we are all prepared well but it’s tough... and if we can’t find a reason then that’s just the way it is... next run is generally smoother. Of course the step up was one reason today was harder, but it built strength and fitness for the next one. Personally I’d only repeat a run I didn’t complete... we don’t have to finish with some in the tank, sometimes we finish on empty, all that matters is finishing it fully.

[S1h2e in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I'll keep going at it... Thank you! X

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to S1h2e]

If you need to, slow down... slower running is better for this as you’ll see in the link IannodaTruffe put in his reply.

[S1h2e in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yh I did see that. I did slow down but maybe I need to be less harsh on myself and slow down further!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to S1h2e]

Yeah, no need to be harsh on yourself at all... we don’t start this journey as runners, but we all seem to think we are instantly athletes! Go easy on yourself and just get to 30 minutes... pace and distance come much later if that’s what you want... of you can just run comfortably forever and be fitter and healthier with a longer life expectancy... those last three are the most important things you’ll get from running.

[ReggieBear]

Respect for achieving

I'm on Wk5R3 and genuinely feel fantastic. It's your choice at what pace you run. Speed will happen when you want it to. You're in charge. Well done on what you've achieved #Respect

[S1h2e in reply to ReggieBear]

Should I carry on or go back to week 2? Feel like it shouldn't have been so hard....

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which explains the recommended easy conversational pace you should be running at.

Enjoy your journey.

[Lousylungs]

I found it really hard today too. The cold did not help. But look on the bright side we got out there and did it. Yay us 🙌🏃‍♀️👏

[S1h2e in reply to Lousylungs]

Should I carry on or go back to week 2? Feel like it shouldn't have been so hard....

[ktsok Graduate in reply to S1h2e]

Carry on. Just slow down. You may feel you are going slow but you have a slow slow pace, and even a slower slow pace in you (check out the YouTube slow jogging tutorial). When you extend the distances you need to slow your pace down - it’s logical, but somehow we think we can just run further at the same pace... it takes time to build up the stamina. Once that’s there, the pace can creep up again. You are doing great - apart from being way too hard on yourself 🙂

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

You did it & Tay is to be applauded especially in this cold weather. Don’t be down hearted - You Ran Today!!! Well done & KBO!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Hi! congratulations on getting to week 3! Of course it's hard, it's the first time you are doing that run but you did it so that's great. And you'll be able to do it again twice in the programme. I'm sure it will get easier next time. You can do it!

[S1h2e in reply to Couchpotato2]

I'm very good at being harsh on myself and not focusing on the positive! I did actually do it!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to S1h2e]

I have the same problem! I felt the same after run3 of week 2, I just felt really bad. BUT I'd done it so no reason to feel down. I think it's what people say, some runs feel great, some don't and the game is not to let the ones that don't feel great get to you. You got out and did it or even tried it. You did! Pat on the back and a nice relaxing evening. It's a great thing you are doing

[Dubdog]

Oooh nooo try not to feel like that you did it !!! That’s what matters - I’ve just finished W2 R3 and half way through W2R1 I thought I can’t do this - but I have !!!! Just don’t give up I’m expecting I’ll have to double up on some weeks but I’m doing more than I was 2 weeks ago and so are you !!! Just keep on keeping on !!! 😃

[Tiptopcat]

Congrats on getting out there and doing it! I completed the same run this morning. The first 3 minutes were great but that last one - I had to slow down too. I didn't feel bad because I didn't stop running, just slowed down so that I could finish. And I did. And you did too.

Well done!

[micey2 Graduate]

I’ve found some runs really hard and others of that same length much less so, mindset and who knows what else seem to play into it. You’ve beaten it and done it so well done you, don’t let it put you off, think how far you’ve come from week one and keep at it