What's that coming over the hill? Oh no, it's ... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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What's that coming over the hill? Oh no, it's week 5 run 3. Eeek!

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate
14 Replies

Well after a metaphorical bump in the road (i.e. me re-doing week 3 because I fell off the C25K wagon briefly last month) I completed week 4, run 3 earlier this morning. Other than a slight stitch in the final 5 minute run I felt great. In fact I still feel great now, can't quite believe how much I'm running. However... after looking on the app and having a future peek at what the next week had instore for me like I always do on a Friday, run 3 of week 5 scares me silly - a full 20 mins non stop, eeek! Any tips on how to overcome this fear as I'm predicting my procrastination will make an unwanted appearance after run 2 of week 5. Thanks in advance for any advice, any, please!

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Mowax profile image
Mowax
Graduate
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14 Replies
RachelHG profile image
RachelHG

Hello, I did this run last night! Had some terrible runs along the way but the 20 min was actually okay! You just need to believe in the system. As long as you manage week 5 run 2 then you can do the 20 mins. Head up you are stronger than you think :)

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate in reply to RachelHG

Thanks RachelHG yeah I'm hoping the jump up on run 2 is the one that makes me believe. Thanks for the encouragement.

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate

I struggled most of the way through this - hey, it took me nine weeks just to conquer week 1 - and I have to say that the moment that Sanjeev said I could stop running in 5:3 was my best and most emotional moment in the whole programme - even more so than graduation, because it was the moment when “I can’t” became “I just did”. Don’t let it scare you. You’ll almost certainly nail it first time, but don’t go out stressed and thinking “I must do this”. Just relax and see what you can do. If you don’t make it to the end, note where you got to and beat that the following time. Repeat as necessary until you smash it. You can do this 😀

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate in reply to ButtercupKid

Love that advice ButtercupKid , thanks so much. I can imagine having that same moment with Laura next week too. Just me having a little tear in the park with my headphones on, I can see it now :) Thanks again.

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate in reply to Mowax

Visualisation is a really helpful technique sometimes ! Stick with it - you’ll nail it !

56Pack profile image
56Pack

I also completed the 20 minutes last night... The worst part was having to stop twice to redo my shoelaces.... You have already put the miles in....so your body can do it... Its just your mind doubting your ability. Go really slowly and if you feel ok near the end you can always up the pace. I didn't plan my route very well and finished off with a really steep hill.... but I finished just like I'm sure you can.... Good luck!

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate in reply to 56Pack

Great advice 56Pack think I need to start planning my route now after reading that. These 3-5 min spurts have allowed me to get back to my house with a similar route each week, not sure where and how far I'll run if I'm going non stop for 20 mins! Thanks very much

56Pack profile image
56Pack in reply to Mowax

Truthfully the loose shoelaces were much worse than the hill... So don't stress about the route. You can nail this

Anna675 profile image
Anna675Graduate in reply to Mowax

I found when I did W5R3 I actually ran less distance in 20 mins then in the run/walk intervals previously. This was due to following the fantastic advice on here when I had a bit of a wobble about running for 20 mins, which was to slow down, and if you still struggle slow down some more. This is about running for 20 mins, it doesn’t matter how fast or far you go. And you’ve just completed W4R3 which had you running for 16 mins in total! You’ve got this!! Just believe in the plan. 🏃‍♂️

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate in reply to Anna675

Thanks Anna675 yeah when Laura said today I'd been running for 16 mins I did think wow what a leap from where I was week one, it's just the 20 mins non stop that has me wobbling. Thanks for that advice though, I will take my time. LOVE this forum, so much positivity on here!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

This might put it into perspective healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do this.

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

What a brilliant post IannodaTruffe , feeling more confident than ever now. Thanks very much

Brace38 profile image
Brace38

Can totally relate to this I’m Wk 4 run 2 and the thought of next week ekkkkkkkk! It’s all in the mind though oh and my aching ankles! How did it go?

Mowax profile image
MowaxGraduate

Hi Brace38 I feel your fear! I had it too, but as I said here healthunlocked.com/couchto5... the plan really does work. The first 5 mins felt longer than any run I'd done in the programme but then all of a sudden I was at 20 mins. BTW I've completed week 6, run 2 this morning and I've got a 25 min run ahead of me on Fri to complete week 6. 2 weeks ago I probably would have cried at that thought, instead I'm thinking "I can actually do this" - and you can too. Good luck, not that you need it, everything you've done so far is leading up to that week 5 run 3, you've got this!

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