Hi I'm new! Week 5 Run 3..: So I feel like I've... - Couch to 5K

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Hi I'm new! Week 5 Run 3..

Eclecticpanda profile image
7 Replies

So I feel like I've been making really good progress and actually got to the point where I look forward to each run... until I got to week 5 run 3.

I'm not sure if it was because I was a bit hungover or if it was just a mental thing (8 minutes to 20 minutes seems like a big jump?) But I just could not do it. I got to 10 mins before I gave up.

Anyway, I feel like it's knocked my confidence a bit and not really sure where to go from here. Week 6 run 1 looks doable but I may have hit my wall in terms of nonstop running.

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Eclecticpanda profile image
Eclecticpanda
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7 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Welcome.

You ran 10 minutes straight... when did you last do that, if ever? I’d say that’s a victory... certainly a milestone.

The 8 was 2 8s... so that’s 16... and the brisk walk break, that made 21... so you can do 20. It’s a mental challenge... slow and steady pace, especially in the first half... if you think you’re running too slowly, you can slow down some more for sure.

Hangovers are basically dehydration... dehydration, whatever the cause, is gonna make a run tough. Muscles use a lot of water when they work and you sweat more out too. Life presents us with occasions where many of us drink, that’s ok... it may be better to schedule your runs accordingly, and take an extra rest day to rehydrate and also catch up on sleep... alcohol may make us sleep longer, but less of it is deep sleep. I tend not to drink alcohol the day before I run, and that glass of wine/beer/cider/g&t/Prosecco etc tastes so good after a run that I always have at least one more 🤣. Aim to drink 2-3 litres of water a day, and sip it throughout the whole day. This should make your legs feel lighter and stronger.

Celebrate what you did there... 10 minutes non stop is more than most people can run. As for you hitting a wall... well, it only exists if you build it. We all have those walls... but with good conversational paces running it moves ahead of us as fast as we approach it.

Look at what you did today in a different way, compare it to a few weeks ago:

You decided it was run day... that’s a victory

You laced up those shoes... victory 2

You went to your start line... 3-0

You crossed it.. 4-0

You ran your longest non stop run so far 5-0

Ok, it didn’t turn out to be the run you wanted it to be... 5-1

The run made you fitter 6-1

It made you stronger 7-1

It made you a better runner 8-1

I dunno how much you like watching sport, but if my team win 8-1 I’m pretty happy! Relax, nothing was lost and everything was gained... the 20 minute run is still there, and you’ll kick its butt at some point, maybe next run, maybe next week... it doesn’t matter.

Go easy on yourself and celebrate the victories.

Therunningjoke profile image
TherunningjokeGraduate

Everything said above. Will just add, I panicked about that 20 min run too and thought it was a mad jump. But I could do it and so can you! 💪🏼 The hangover probably didn’t help either. Go for it again after some rest and let us know how it goes! 😊

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

I think many of us looked at w5r3 and thought What ? Never ! No way ! I know I did. I thought they were barmy.

But, it is doable, even very doable, in the right conditions. Ie, not dehydrated, not too tired, and believing in yourself or the programme.

Trust me, if I can do it, you can.

Slow and steady, As long as you're actually running, you can go as slow as you need, even if it's slower than a brisk walk, we're building stamina, not winning races.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

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

You might find this breakdown of Week 5 useful too healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

There is no big jump........you can do this.

Enjoy your journey

Sarah1c profile image
Sarah1cGraduate

I was the same but with w6 re and ended up doing one of my worst runs. I was a bit ill with a chest cough but mostly it was mind over matter. It took me 3 attempts to finally do it but I did it and now feel great again. Look at how far you have come, you've got this! Push through, you'll be surprised how ready you are (when your not hungover) 😜

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate

Don’t panic. You’re doing great, and you can do this. Next time you’re out, don’t get all tense about the run. Repeat 5:3 but relax. Aim to beat ten minutes. You know you can run 16 minutes in a half hour period, so beating 10 should be easy enough. Keep pushing on for as many minutes as you can, and if you don’t conquer the run, note where you are and walk the rest. The following time, aim to beat that, and repeat as necessary until you beat it. This is a normal process, allowing your body to adjust to new demands: it’s why the app comes with a repeat function. Just remember the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for ! Take it slow and steady, and we’re all right here cheering you on x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Read the link from IannodaTruffe and move on with confidence... You can do this.. all you need to do is believe it:)

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