Hi - I’ve not found first few weeks as bad as I expected but felt like this week is quite a jump and feeling bit anxious about whether I will have the mental and physical stamina to complete it.
Was a real fight with my brain to get through first 5 min run - partly cos of a painful stitch. No question really - just wondered if anyone else at same stage who wanted to trade moral support.
I am encouraged by fact I completed it ( even if painfully slow) as I really didn’t think I could.
Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and I would recommend the link to mental approach.
You can do this.
Enjoy your journey.
Thanks very much - some very useful info there!
Well done. Doing my w4r1 later too. I’m terrified but determined. It seems like quite a leap from last week, but then w3 was a leap from w2. The words that stick with me from others’ comments are relax, slow down, hydrate and stretch. Hopefully we’ll both be congratulating ourselves on w4r3 later in the week. 👍
Hope it goes well - think the stitch may have been cos I hadn’t drunk enough today. Laura’s breathing tips really helped tho and was a great feeling when done!
I did it too! 😁
Woo hoo - Congratulations! Now for the nice smug tired feeling 
A couple of tips - plenty of fluids on run days and rest days. And as the durations increased I slowed my running right down. Your brisk walk can be faster than your run. At about week 6 someone posted the Japanese slow jogging movement video on youtube, it’s a low impact running technique designed to prevent injury. This turned everything around for me. I still run this way and love it!
I do find it hard to keep the pace down - feels more natural to run bit faster but I can’t sustain it.
Watch the film because it gives you specific techniques that make you slow down! You can work on speed later, but if you’re struggling now, you’re also at risk of injury (it’s your body telling you to slow down). And your speed is probably being set by your brisk walk - but that’s a killer as a novice runner. Embrace your 🐌 - don’t risk an injury that will stop you from running!
Where’s the link please? I would love to see it, thanks!
When ever I try and link it it never seems to work! Just search youtube - ‘Japanese slow jogging movement’ and you’ll see a 5 (+) min film with a 70 yo Japanese chap & a woman talking, translating & explaining it all.
Well done Bb! I did W4R2 this morning which I found harder than the first run of W4 - I’m sure it will get better! It does feel like a big jump from W3 doesn’t it but everyone else has managed it so I’m sure we can too! Keep posting and good luck with your next 2 runs!
I was hoping the second one would be easier because I knew it was possible! Will worry about that on Wednesday and enjoy my running rest for now Just have to have faith in the system I guess.
😁
Do you remember the great feeling you have when you complete a run, well remember that . It should keep you going 😊
Week 4 run 1 done 
Week 4 run 1 done!
Week 4 run 1
Week 4 run 1 Done!!
Week 4 Run 1 done!!
