How hard should the jump between weeks feel?

[Thingy0303]

Completed week 2. Managed it just about but the thought of running in bursts of 3min (been doing 90 sec) feels impossible. I expect to push myself, especially as I have been a professional couch potato, but how hard should it seem?

[Debston Graduate]

I was pleasantly surprised when I did the first run of Week 3, if I remember rightly. Give it a go, if you really feel like it is too much then that is fine, just try again until you get there. There is no such thing as a failed run, any run you do is building your stamina and hopefully your confidence too. It took me a while before I actually believed in the programme but it really does work! ☺

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Just take the runs slowly, trust the program, I remember I also was a bit concerned about the jump from 90 to 180 seconds, 3 minutes, perhaps do that 3 minutes run a little slower than you have been running recently.

[backintime Graduate]

I think I have worried about every week jump on the programme and have managed to run them all, have faith in yourself and the programme, you can do it! If you want to run a previous week again, that's fine too, but I would try it, you'd be surprised at what you can do

[robew88636 Graduate]

Every jump would feel like an obstacle at first but if you give it a go, you would find that all the runs are perfectly doable. Instead of stopping, do the runs at a slow pace. The program is designed to help you get fitter and better and not to torment you 😅

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are assuming it will seem like a huge increase in demand, so how would you feel if I told you that Week 3 has the shortest workouts in the plan and that you run for exactly the same duration as in Week 2.

Have you read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which explains pacing?

I would recommend that you follow the link in the guide to the post about mental approach........so much of your problem is mental inertia.

I believe you can do this..........but do you?

You can do this.

Enjoy your journey.

[TuxCatLady Graduate]

I remember being horrified when I looked ahead and realised the next week I had to run for 3 whole minutes! Like you, it seemed absolutely impossible. But if you've got through the first couple of weeks, you can do this. Just take it really slow. In a few weeks you're going to look back and be amazed by how far you have come! Good luck!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Between week one and week 2... and week 2 and week 3... yeah, it feels tough. The running interval length goes up 50 and 100%. We are ready for it, but we don’t know that at the time, so mentally I think they’re tough steps up. Believe in yourself and you’ll do it.

A lot of this is mental... if there’s no sharp/sudden pains you’re good to finish the run, but it takes some mental strength to actually do that. The voices in our head are all too happy to tell us we can’t do it. If we believe that we will fail, that faith is always rewarded... but the opposite is true 99% of the time too. You can run 3 minutes... relax before you run, go slow and steady, and believe in yourself. When it gets tough... smile... it actually helps! Enjoy week 3

[Bookbizlady Graduate]

It's not really bursts of running, just jogging and walking fast! You're not racing anyone 😀. Trust the process and you'll amaze yourself 😉