W5R3

[LeeU]

So this morning started out much the same as any other morning, with a few exceptions, please keep in mind this is my second run through C25K after 18 months+ of not being able to run.

I can't remember much about what happened before I got on the treadmill but as the run started off I was nervous, was I ready, I knew I weighed more than I did the last time around due to being in a very dark place and comfort eating (mainly chocolate 'car food' when leaving shops, watching TV with Mrs LeeU, etc).

As I plodded on through the run my breathing was under control, heart rate climbing slowly up to Max on my Garmin.

I then started to panic, my feet were all over the place, my breathing all messed up, heart rate climbing; stumbling, tipping, world going black.

It was at this point I woke up, 5:45am, 15 minutes ahead of my usual run day wake up (no alarm clock needed, body wakes me up, usually). I wouldn't say it was a dream, more of a nightmare (I don't subscribe to the new term of night-terrors, sorry). One thing that was still true from the dream, I was heavier this time around by at least a stone!

So, I followed the usual routine, my mind drifting back to the still very vivid wake up call, I was a little worried if I'm honest, I don't normally dream much, if at all so my thoughts going back to this was quite discomforting.

I got ready, shorts on, trainers, HRM and running t-shirt, refilled my water bottle and headed to the treadmill.

I started the podcast and off we went, I remember last time, 16 minutes in and I was struggling, I'd started off too fast thinking I could hold that, I was wrong and it was very hard work.

I started slower than normal, pacing myself for the long haul.

Next thing I know Laura is telling me 5 minutes has gone, super, smashing, great as Jim Bowen would say.

I plodded on, my mind watchful of the dream, my breathing under control and my steadily rising heart rate.

10 minutes gone, 15 minutes gone, breathing steady, heartrate steady.

Two minutes remaining, heart rate steady, breathing steady, grin spreading across my face (again).

And then it was all over, no stumbling, no gasping for air and no tumbling into blackness just a big grin and that all over happy felling, I could quite happily use a phrase from Deadpool but it's a family friendly forum so I won't.

In short, W5R3 and Week 5 DONE, bring on week 6!

Sorry if the above post upset anyone, it is an accurate portrayal of my morning so far.

[Katiepops Graduate]

Doesn’t upset me! Well done you. What a great start to your day, overcoming your fears AND completing 5:3. Most people can only manage one of those things in a week. Good luck with W6, you know the drill having done it before. And seriously don’t worry about the weight thing, it’ll all come together, just takes time.

Anyway, put a smile on your face, you’ve done something amazing before breakfast! 😊🏃‍♂️

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Katiepops]

Thanks, the weight thing I don't really worry about if I'm honest, I'm running again (even if it's a slow jog, I'm a work in progress), the rest of it will sort itself out.

It may be the second time I've done that run but the grin is still there, couldn't stop it if I tried but saying that, I grin like a loon after every run anyway.

[Kertesz]

Amazing!! Well done you... sometimes overcoming our mind is tougher than overcoming our body!! X

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

That is the whole point of W5R3 in my opinion, break the barrier and the rest of the program falls at your feet so to speak.

[backintime Graduate]

Smashed it ! Well done.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K. Onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1 but be careful about that run as it catches out some people with the interval walks and runs after the non stop 20 minutes of W5R3 which you have just ran. 😊 🏃

[LeeU Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

First time around I hated W6R1 and R2 for this very reason, I'm happy plodding on during the later longer runs, the last couple of interval runs did seem to through me with my breathing BUT I shall persevere and complete them, even if I end up crawling.

I actually intend to use them as faster runs, the shorter times of R1 are perfect for a .5 or 1kph increase over normal.

Thanks for the reminder though, it's appreciated.