W5R3 Fear

[Windy73]

Hi, I ran W5R1 on Sunday, I feel like run 2 is going to be very hard and run 3 near impossible- it seems a massive jump to run from 8 minutes to 20 minutes! I have copd and asthma overlap as well as carrying about 3 stone overweight. My Vo2 is going down which is also disheartening 🙁. Help!!!

[Teemack]

It does seem like a mistake when you first see that leap. The thing is, if you've done all of the runs up to that point, you will do it. Just take it easy, keep your breathing easy and think of how great you'll feel when it's finished

[Windy73 Graduate in reply to Teemack]

Thank you Teemack, yes I know I’ll be over the moon if I can do it- just wish I had more air to help me along.

[Doddery123 Graduate in reply to Windy73]

Go slower for more air. Or move down the mountain! 😉 If you are short of breath you are going too fast! I am over taken by walkers. But I know in a few weeks or months my jogging will be faster than walking!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

There is no massive jump.......it is all explained here healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Relax and enjoy it.

You can do this.

[Oddity]

Oh that vo2 thing... Mine went down too I was so annoyed! To be honest I don't really understand it but I know I'm fitter than I was because I can run for longer than I ever thought possible. It does seem like a massive leap but you have prepared for it so prepare to amaze yourself. Enjoy it. You can do it.

[backintime Graduate]

Read the link in IannodaTruffe's reply. Many of us had problems mentally upon reading "20 mins", I remember emailing my friend to tell her there must be some mistake lol.

BUT, the programme has prepared you for it, take it slow and steady, and you'll amaze yourself

[Captainblackwell]

I am just in front of you completed run 3 on Sunday it’s nit easy but not impossible had fancy ideas about upping the pace but after 10 mins changed my mind literally you need to plod on concentrate on breathing correctly and do not fixate on the clock the pace will come later but frankly I am not bothered -you will crack it!

[PeterBrash]

I had exactly the same fear and wrote a similar post. I was told it was the most frequently asked question on here. You can do it!

I wouldn’t worry about the VO2 max score if it’s coming from a watch. I’ve been doing some longer runs at slower pace recently and mine has fallen by seven points. The watch was saying I’ve gone from the top 35% for my age to the bottom half. It’s not true, I know I’m getting fitter, I’m sure you are too.

Take it nice and easy, keep breathing and enjoy the feeling when you run for twenty minutes!

[Jell6 Graduate]

Ahhh, don't worry about the techie stuff, just concentrate on the run, nice and slow🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌, your breathing will find its form, just as your legs will.

You will do this run, and be thrilled. 20 minutes is actually not your longest workout to date, so you will be ready for it.

Week 6 is sneaky, because you think it's going to be easier than it is. Just embrace the inner snail.

Make sure you are well hydrated the day before. 😊

[HuwC Graduate]

I found that run was more in my head than physical. If you’ve followed the program trust that you are fit enough for the twenty. Several thousand people have successfully gone through this so there is no reason why you can’t.

[Blackcat66 Graduate]

Well done for what you have accomplished already. Remember W1R1 and how hard 60 seconds felt to run? The programme trains you physically to be able to do W5R3, but this run is all about the mental challenge. Once you have got over the mental hurdle, your attitude will change, and although the rest of the runs may be hard, you will know that you can do them. Good luck for R3 - you've come so far and will feel amazing when you have done it!

[Hidden]

I know exactly how you feel. At that point I actually looked for a programme to do if I found C25K too hard. I never needed it

Just take it slowly and look forward to how amazing you will feel when you’ve done it.

[mrsfaize Graduate]

Try not to worry about it and just give it a go. I’ve just come in from W5R2 thinking how the hell am I going to manage 8 mins when I can just about scrape 5. Dare I say it, it was ok and I didn’t stop! I’m sure it’s more of a mental challenge rather than physical. The trick for me is to go slow, very slow. I’m going to try R3 20 mins and if I don’t complete it I’ll just repeat until I do. Good luck!

[Onestep12]

Just take it really slow, I changed my route and music to distract my mind, to see new things, tried not to think about the time, we can always do more than we think we can x

[Debbi229]

I just did it yesterday and it wasn’t bad at all!! I’m 51 and 50lb over weight. Slow slow slow! I’ve learned that putting a pod cast on helps me. Music makes me wanna go fast lol! But a good pod cast I can really focus on keeps me from looking at my watch. You can do it!