Week 5

[JEN_90]

Started on week 5 and noticed that over this week it jumps from 8minute runs to a full 20mins. It seems a rather big jump I'm going to give it my best but wondered if anyone had any advice.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Slow down and slow down again 👌🏽you’ll be fine 👍🏽

[Crimped Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Exactly this!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Trust the program, many people are terrified of that run but once they run it they are so very proud of themselves, good luck, you can do it.

[RainhamRunner]

Pick a really flat route, or aim to run down hill as much as possible, don’t make it too challenging that it may cause you to stop, and just plod on , you’ll manage it. Save the more up and down routes for later when you’re a bit fitter. Good luck

[MarkyD Graduate]

Sure. Search this forum for “W5r3” and you’ll find posts similar to yours, with concerns. There are an equal number of posts saying “I’ve done W5r3 and it was OK”.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This post puts it into perspective healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do this.

[JEN_90 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, that's a great post.

[triumphbabe Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Brilliant post IannodaTruffe! Week 5 run 3 was my favourite of the whole programme. The sense of achievement was amazing. By comparison, my graduation run was a bit of an anticlimax. Believe in the programme Jen90, it really does work. Happy running

[DellBoy8100 Graduate]

Like others have said trust the program! I thought the same but actually the total running time doesn't change that much. Try to keep your pace slow and steady. You will do it!

[Nvrrunb449er]

Don’t look at the time but just concentrate on running style and stamina, and enjoy! Put on podcast or music to keep you going.

I too didn’t think I could do it but last night ran week 6 run 3 which was 25 minutes.

You can do it! Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[Pianism Graduate]

Good luck with it, Jen. For me, W5R3 was an amazing run. It didn't particularly challenge me physically (and I was one of those who had never so much as run for a bus my whole adult life), but getting my brain to believe I could do it was a different matter. Once it was done, I knew the rest of the programme was definitely doable for me. You are ready for this!

[Fitatfifty50 Graduate]

Just finished week 5 and yes you will do it. Have faith in yourself and the plan. Good luck ☘️

[PurpleFlamingo2 Graduate]

It worried me too but I did it. It's surprising how this programme kind of sucks you in and you achieve far more than you ever thought you could! I've never run before this (apart from very reluctantly at school), I'm 4 stone overweight, I just turned 55 and this morning I'll be doing week 9 run 3 and graduating the programme 😀 If I can do this, so can you!! Good luck!

[Tcheuki Graduate]

Dont think a out it too much. Best advice I've been given is "dont let your head get in the way" Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Get yourself a good playlist so you are not clock watching. You're ready for this and you can do it!

[Runners Graduate]

It was my favourite run of the whole program in the end. Trust the program and keep it slow

[Dbon Graduate]

Just find your pace, keep it slow. Keep light on your feet. Find a nice flat running route! You’ll be fine! Let us know how you get on.

[Rociodfr Graduate]

Just remember you did 8 min last time and after 10 min your body says, oh, I´m comfortable now! After the 10th min, all you have to do is keep going, I´m sure you´ll make it.

[Gempal]

I’ve got that run today, just don’t think I can do it either. But saying that I’ve said that all along when the running time goes up!

Good Luck with your run!!

[JEN_90 in reply to Gempal]

How did you get on with the run? I'm doing it today.

[Gempal in reply to JEN_90]

Fine. It’s not as bad as you think. I found the first 10 mins struggle but once I got past that it was a steady flow. Manage your breathing and just keep going. You’ll do it!!!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[ThermoWoman]

Hello I thought the same 😳 and was meant to do that run on Friday but went down with nasty cold. So yesterday I was in the park working out what to do for best. Do I start W5 all over again or just go for it. So I started to jog slowly and thought see how I feel after 5 mins, if I can’t do it then stop. I got to 5 mins felt good carried on, got to 10 and carried on, got to 15 and thought yes! And I did it! Freezing and very windy conditions but I did it. My advice is go with positive thoughts that you can do it. If you get tired then go back to walking and get into a nice steady rhythm- good luck if I can do it aged 59, with creaky knees then you can 😊

[JEN_90 in reply to ThermoWoman]

Well done 😄

[Skip-and-jump Graduate]

I would agree with all other posts. I didn't think I was going to be able to do it, but if you have followed the programme you will be fine and you will feel great afterwards - trust me, I'm now on W7 and loving it 🏃. Keep it slow and steady. Good luck 👍

[Hidden]

I also saw it and thought it was a ridiculously large jump, and although it doesn’t seem like very helpful advice you really just have to give it your best shot. You will surprise yourself at just how capable you are of running for that long. I found making a playlist of songs about 4 mins long helped as I could keep track of how much longer there was to go. Also thinking of it as only 5 songs made it seem much smaller time!

Best of luck!

[Organipete1]

It really is the point where it becomes about the mind rather than fitness. I never thought I could do it, but like everyone else said it’s the best feeling when you do.

[Connie1972 Graduate]

Jen! You can do it! Good luck, keep us posted on how your run went!

[JEN_90]

Thanks for all your kind words of support. I took it all on board and went slow with a positive mindset. I was shocked just how quickly the time went by but very happy that it didn't seem too much. I think I need to work on my breathing.

[Noo1]

Hi Jen yes I saw that this morning when I started week 5 - just going to do as it says and not freak out. It’s much easier sticking to a plan isn’t it? Go for it!