C25K week 5

[Optimistic0]

Hi! I’ve just completed week 5 and found the last run, mentally difficult...but surprised myself that physically I could do it! But I’m not sure whether to repeat this week or to continue to week 6? I don’t want to not be able to do it? I’m running on a treadmill and have done so, this far and am thinking it might help me mentally continue and not be bored...but embarrassed to go outside (as up until now I’ve never run before)?

[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, don't worry about not running outside, people will not notice you running, for week 6 and beyond until you graduate do your runs in your local park.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You've done really well getting to wk5 , why not try running outside it's great I do all my runs outdoors and nobody even notices . Good luck 😊

[backintime Graduate]

If you completed it I wouldn't repeat it (but that's just me). You know you can do it now. I only repeated runs I didn't complete

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great job... that run is a real milestone.

Ok... you’re fearing not being able to do week 6, I get that... but as you surprised yourself on the 20 minute run, surely you also feared that? How is week 6 different? There are mental challenges throughout this plan... you just beat the biggest of them. Personally I’d only repeat a run I didn’t fully complete... and there’s nothing lost if you don’t complete the next one, it will still be there and the run you did will make you stronger for next time. Find me an experienced runner who has completed every run they every did and I’d said you’ve found me someone with memory issues!

As for coming outside... yeah, I get the boredom, I can’t do more than 5 minutes on a treadmill... but running outside is subtly different and could take a few runs to get used to. If you do switch to the great outdoors now, keep that in mind and don’t be disheartened if you struggle. Personally I’d finish the plan first, but it’s your call. Nothing to be embarrassed about either... the public are either too engrossed in their Facebook or pretty encouraging. Sure there’s the odd idiot out there, but I’m far more intimidated in the gym to be honest.

You’re doing great... slow and steady into week 6 and you got this.

[Optimistic0 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate them. I think as I’ve started C25K on a treadmill, I’ll finish that way and my next challenge will be the out doors! You’re probably right, everyone to engrossed on their phones... I hope 🙈😅 Thank you!

[JaoJao]

Well done on completing this run! It’s a great milestone in the programme. Continue on, don’t repeat if you did it, even if you found it difficult, you did it x

There is a good faq post on beating the negativity, have a read.

[AJ31]

Well done, I'm also on week 5 but just did run2 and your post has made me feel hopeful.

I was just thinking how out of reach 20mins were to me until I read that you felt that same but completed it.

I think you summed it up perfectly it's a mental challenge

Good luck on your next run, I'm also a treadmill runner but not brave enough to venture out until I improve a little more as I'm very slow

[Optimistic0 in reply to AJ31]

Lovely to hear that it isn’t just me and well done on getting to week 5. I hope your second run has gone well?

I think as I’ve started on a treadmill, I’ll complete it on a treadmill and my next challenge will be going outside!

I’ve completed my first run from week, so I’m chuffed! Never in a million years did I think I would be able to do it. When I’m on the treadmill I keep thinking of how I feel at the end of my run and I’m absolutely elated and that gives me motivation for my next run! Enjoy 😊

[Debston Graduate]

Woohoo, 20 minutes non stop running, well done you! I've never run on a treadmill because I am scared of falling off! I always run outside and I can honestly say I've never had any unkind comments, only positive ones - though most people don't even seem to notice me as I jog past. Why don't you give it a go - plan a nice route at a local park or beauty spot. I love running in the woods because it's quiet and shady and makes me feel "at one with nature", if that doesn't sound too naff! There's always something interesting to see - squirrels and birds, new flowers blooming (lots of bluebells a few weeks ago), and, just once, a deer which stared at me before running off scared of the middle-aged lady in lycra!

[cashmere52]

Hi well done !

I also did this run yesterday, in my local park. Totally surprised myself too. I have repeated many runs along the way especially when I haven't run 3 times in a week but this time I'm going straight to Wk6! I'd say def try outside if you have a nice park or area nearby and turn up the music. Good luck.

[Dawnie50]

Hiya, well done for getting this far, I did w5 r3 last wednesday and omg it was really really hard for me but..... somehow id managed to do the full 20 minutes, Saturday i did w6 r1 and had to stop for 30 seconds on the last run but then i did an extra 30 seconds when the podcast finished so in my mind i completed it. I WILL NOT BE BEATEN !!! As for going outside i am 5ft and i go as slooooooow as i can go, in fact i go so slow that i am jogging as fast as some people are actually walking, now thats embarrasing ! ha ha ...... but i don't care anymore, i have gotten over my embarrassment and just think to myself when people look at me that i am doing myself a whole lotta good by actually doing this. Good luck for the next run.

[Lifluf]

Well you're already quite a proficient runner if you've done 5 weeks so no need for embarrassment. Personally i think outside is definitely the place to be.

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Well done! You are doing so well. Go outside. That way, you can distract yourself by looking at people’s gardens and the countryside. You’ll be too busy to worry about what people may be thinking. 😊

[Optimistic0]

Thank you for all kind words and advice, I’ve really appreciated them and taken your comments onboard. I’m pleased to report I’ve progressed to week 6!! Can’t quite believe it! I’m going away the weekend and plan on taking my trainers to finish this week! Your comments really encouraged me to continue and hopefully next few weeks I’ll venture outside 😬😅☺️

[backintime Graduate in reply to Optimistic0]

Hi I completed on treadmill (asthma from pollen) and have started to venture outside.

It's totally doable, but different.

I started by doing 500m, than 1k, this week 3k. Find a flattish route for your first few times, it can be quite demoralising to hit a hill in the first few minutes.

Is your treadmill on a slight incline already ? Mine is at 1.5. If not I would start upping it a bit just to counteract the "outside" effect.

Good luck

[Comfortnotspeed]

Well done W5!!! 💪🏃🏼‍♀️