Wait, do I continue yet?

[Vordus]

Just finished W1R3, and this time I've finally managed to finish all the running intervals without stopping and giving up (er, as in slowing down early during any of the segments, rather than physically stopping and opting to nip down the pub instead). The question now is, does this mean I've completed week one, or do I need to succeed two more times in order to continue onto week 2?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and is full of tips.

Each of the three workouts each week needs to be fully completed before moving on.

It is a training plan building your stamina and strength, not a tick box exercise.

Enjoy your journey

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Hi Vordus, welcome and well done for starting the programme. Ian is thenvoice of wisdom on this, complete it 3 times and move on. There is no point in rushing it, everything you run is helping build you as a runner.

Keep posting on this forum as you’ll get loads of support

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

As long as you’re running, slow is fine. We all find it hard work. Because each week is building up your body is working really hard. It’s not a problem to repeat runs whenever you need to, it all helps. It took me 11 weeks to complete the 9 week program. Good luck! 👍

[backintime Graduate]

When you say you slowed down early, do you mean you completed all the running segments, even if you had to slow down you were still running ? If yes then I would count a session as complete, if not I would repeat.

[Thickthighs Graduate]

You definitely completed week one well done! Try running slower next time from the beginning then you’ll find you’ll manage your intervals easier, best advice I’ve ever had 😊

[GoogleMe Graduate]

'Slowing down' early is unclear. If you walked before you were told to stop during a run segment, then that particular session is not complete.

But it only needs to be a running *motion* - the speed is irrelevant and might even have been slower than your walk.

Took me somewhere between 12 and 18 outings to work up to 3 completed 'Week 1' sessions. (But every other outing after that was completed at the first attempt, progress is not linear)

[Hidden]

I'd suggest doing what you feel comfortable with. It's not a competition. I'm on W1R6 and not progressing to W2 until my knees are stronger 😊

[LeeU Graduate]

As people have said, it's not a competition and only you can decide if you feel like you have completed the runs for any given week.

Week 2 is an extra 30 seconds per run but there is an extra 30 seconds recovery time also.

Slow and steady, don't try to break any land speed or distance records just yet, focus on steady breathing and try to keep moving, it may be that you are trying to go too fast and are tiring yourself out, as already mentioned too, any speed with a running motion is ok.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You've completed wk1 now move on to wk2 good luck 😊