Should I be able to run 20 minutes straight by the end of week 5? Did anyone else see this as a bit too big of a jump?

[Fatcat2002]

Hi! I'm now on week 5 and just completed run 1. I found it wasn't too much of a challenge with the 3 five minute runs but according to the app I should be running for 20 minutes straight in less than a week from now! I've been trusting the process and hoping it works but is this even possible! 😂

[Julia187 Graduate]

Keep trusting in the process you will be running for 20 minutes, the program is working on your strength and stamina 😊

[purplewalker Graduate]

Yes it is possible as loads on here will testify having had the same misgivings. Trust the programme and take it slow! You’ll be amazed!

[SAF1999 Graduate]

Hi Fatcat2002.

Yes I had similar reservations about the 20min non stop in w5r3 but managed it reasonably comfortably last night. I think the key to it, as Laura keeps reminding us, is to maintain a ‘light jog’ pace throughout. Speed will follow once stamina has been built up

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Many people see it as a big jump. It’s 20 from 8 right? Wrong... it’s 20 from 2 8s... and 20 from 16 wouldn’t seem big would it? 2 8s are harder to run than a 16! That’s just the running bit... what about that other 5 minutes? Brisk walking is also cardio so... run 2 was 21 minutes of cardio... run 3 is 20... where did that big jump just go?

It’s all in the mind... keep the pace down and you can do this.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Great advice - I start W5 next and really appreciate this way of thinking about it. Seeing it broken down like that helps. Thank you 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Relax and read this healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do this.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Yes.

Yes, but everyone achieves it.

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

I can't give any advice as I'm nowhere near that far yet but look how far you have come up till now. Could you have imagined running what you are doing now at the start of your journey? Have faith in yourself, you are awesome and I think you will surprise yourself. I look forward to hearing of your success. Good luck, I'm rooting for you 😁

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Yes it is possible you've done all the practice trust the plan you can do this😊😊

[Saltdog Graduate]

I thought Week 5, Run 3 was a mistake on the app. Probably the main reason I ended up on this forum actually. I can honestly say though, I think for me, it was the most inspiring run of the whole program! I went in to it thinking that there was no way I could do the jump but was as happy as a pig in the proverbial when I achieved it. After that, the longer runs are just an incremental increase every few days. Week 5, Run 3 seemed like a proper 'achievement'. Good luck with it.