I did w5 r2 this morning. I found the 8 minutes hard but did it and was quite pleased with myself. I have looked at w5 r3 and my heart sank. I don't think I can do a 20 min run. It seems such a huge leap. I'm not sure if I should just go for it but I feel like I'm setting myself up to fail. Wondering if I should do w5 r2 a couple more times before moving on.
Any suggestions welcome.
I would say just go for it. Trust the programme. I felt exactly the same as you. I was horrified when I saw the 20 minute run and was sure I wouldn't be able to do it, feeling that it was just too big a step. Especially after the two 8 minute runs which I found tough going. But I did it and it felt like such an achievement. Keep it slow and just keep going. Often when I run I tell myself to just keep going because before I know it, I find a rhythm and I feel so, so glad that I stuck at it through those tough minutes. Keep us posted, looking forward to hearing how it goes. 💪
Thanks for the confidence boost.
Also, check out Bluemoon1958's latest post... 😁
I would say just go for it too.
Many including myself were surprised to be able to complete mount WK5amanjaR3o with such a jump from 8 to 20 minutes.
Think of it differently and on W5 R2 you ran 18 minutes with a couple of walks in between.
Slow and steady and you will hopefully get past what I perceive as a mental rather than physical step up challenge.
We all feel like that, I think and then we do it and feel amazed! 😂 Trust the programme and give it a go.
Don't worry Scram, DaleyLama reply is spot on. Trust the plan, every run and every week prepares you for the next. There's no such thing as fail on here, of you don't finish it, so what, it's just another practise run and you'll be stronger next time. It doesn't really matter how long it takes you to complete the plan as long as you keep going. Anyway you will smash it, keep it slow and steady. If you think you're going slow then go slower! Good luck and enjoy the running. Looking forward to reading your post after you have done it!
If you’ve completed a run you’re ready to move on! You can of course repeat if you want, but if you’ve been progressing you are ready for this! Trust the plan - it works! You can slow right down if you need to, but you’ll be fine! You really will!!
I’d agree with everything above, but look at it another way. You are burning valuable energy worrying about if you can complete W5R3, the sooner you attempt it, the sooner you will know and relax. I think everyone here approaches that first longer run with a little trepidation, that is only natural. But consider what will happen if you don’t hit 20 minutes. You will almost undoubtedly have run for longer than you ever have before, and once you know, you can either attempt it again a little slower or re-run the whole week and keep going till you do achieve it. 4 weeks ago you didn’t believe you could run for 3 minutes or 5 minutes, now you have done 2 lots of 8 minutes. Good luck and trust the plan.
"Don't think I can do it" don't think... just do! 👍😁
W5R3 is a very very special run. Don't deprive yourself of the chance to show what you really CAN do and I can assure you, you really can! If it helps bear in mind that the brain gives up when only 40% of your energy has been used so there's always more in the tank than we think!
It is not a huge leap at all.
Read this breakdown of W5 healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
You can do this.
As above. The program works. It'll be over before you know it.
well done getting this far, its not easy but you have stuck with it. Dont repeat a run you achieved just go for the next goal initially- you may surprise yourself and if not , then you could repeat the previous run🤔 Just remember the basics- water, slow pace🐢, rest day👍 go for it scram
I am right behind you- week5run2 sunday, we can do this😊🏃♀️
Thanks for the encouragement. Hope I didn't scare the life out of you as you have w5 r3 to do!
Here’s a thing to think about: a lot of experienced runners talk about a thing called “toxic ten”. That is the fact that for many people, it takes about ten minutes to really settle into a running pace. After that, apparently, your body changes its inner functioning to accommodate the demands being made on it. So by moving into steady running without the early break, you’re actually working with your body to help get that change going. Wouldn’t want to miss that, would you? 😳 And remember - no need to run fast! Good luck from the tortoise 🐢!
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