weeks 3/4/5 progression: Does anyone know what... - Couch to 5K

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weeks 3/4/5 progression

Projectorcat profile image
5 Replies

Does anyone know what the thinking is concerning weeks 3, 4 &5?

Week 3: total 9 mins running

week 4: total 16 mins running

week 5: total 15 minutes running

Why the big jump from week 3 to 4 and then backing off in week 5? I'm a bit apprehensive of the week 4 increase which is coming up for me.

Thanks.

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Projectorcat profile image
Projectorcat
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5 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

If you take run 3s instead of run 1s it’s 9, 16, 20 which I guess would make more sense to you. Week 5 and 6 runs are all different.

It’s about removing the walking more than it is about increasing the running. Brisk walking and conversational pace running are pretty much the same effort level, but of course have a different physical action... both have you’re heart rate up and both have you able to speak in full sentences, but by the definition I saw on the BBC for active 10 walking, not able to sing... so the heart rates aren’t much different.

Projectorcat profile image
Projectorcat in reply to UnfitNoMore

Ah yes, I get lulled into a false sense of security in week 5 run 1 and then hit with the big one later! I'm hoping Michael Johnson's commanding dark brown voice will get me through it!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Projectorcat

You’ll be fine... if you look at the total workout lengths they don’t change much... and W5R3 is shorter than those that come before... keep the pace down and you’ll be just fine, and you’ll feel so good when MJ tells you it’s done.

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

Week 3 is a "rest" week. It is the shortest of all the weeks, and has 9 minutes of running, just like week 2.

Week 4 has a couple of runs at 5 minutes (and 2 at 3 minutes), whilst the transition week 5 starts at 3 runs at 5 minutes and ends up at one 20 minute run with no walking. But that is all in the future.

As you transition to week 4, you've already proven that you can run for 3 minutes. Week 4 will have you run for 5 minutes. You can do that, just slow down, don't stop running and ignore the gremlin in your head. If you can run for 3 minutes, then you can run for 5 minutes.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the plan forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This post about Week 5 might put things in perspective healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

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