Am absolutely amazed that I managed to do this 20 minute run today. Previously I've been puffing and panting my way through the incremental runs and never thought that I could keep going today - but I did and I feel such a sense of achievement having never run any distance before!
What helped I think was listening to the radio today - I found that listening to some interesting discussion kept my mind off how much longer I had to run; also in some strange way the fact that I knew that I just had to keep going rather than thinking 'Is Laura going to tell me to stop soon' just made me carry on.
Just interested to know what the science is behind the big jump from 5 or 8 minutes to a full-on 20 minute?
Written by
Squiddlywoos
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Excellent progress!! Whatever the science it certainly works doesn’t it!
Such a good idea to listen to the radio...may give that a go next time!
You actually ran 16 mins last run with fast walk in between. That’s how I got through 5:3 by reminding myself it’s only 4 mins more running! Well done you must be on cloud 9 😁
Yes, very much so. I have never run before this programme - am not built for speed (think weeble cross hobbit) but so far I’ve been able to complete everything without issue - tough at times but absolutely do-able. Well chuffed!!
The science behind the program is, I think, based on the fact that your body is an excellent machine and will change fitness levels, etc, depending what is being asked of it.
In week 1, it gets you used to doing the 1 minute runs, which to most of us was a shock for the body (and head too when we realised how unfit we are!).
Week 2 onwards builds on that, requesting more from your body, which it will give providing it is able to.
Week 5 run 3 is, again in my opinion, a psychological test as the program prepares your body for the running but you need to break the negativity and beat away the gremlins in our heads telling us we can't do this, it's too long to run, etc, etc, etc.
Once we are through this mental block the rest of the program just builds further on what you have already achieved, I'm not saying the longer runs are hard, they can be BUT you KNOW you can do this after week 5 has finished.
As Annieapple says, you ran for 16 minutes previously, true, you had a 5 minute walk in the middle but your body doesn't really care, only your head does.
There is a great video on YouTube, Are we born to run by Christopher McDougall, I suggest you watch it, very interesting theory.
Thanks Lee will do. I guess the thinking is that the 20min run dumps you in the deep end and challenges you and if you are able to do it (which hopefully you do) what comes next builds on that without the negative thoughts. After all what we’re aiming for is 30 mins and I’m not that far off now! Incidentally I thought it was interesting that for the first time Laura told you when there was only 2 mins to go and I kept on running waiting for her to say the usual 60 seconds left....but she said I’d finished....I was almost disappointed!!!
I’ve also discovered listening to podcasts on the radio! I alternate between a (usually radio 4) podcast one run, then some tunes from my playlist the next.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
It’s done ✅ the dreaded w5r3!!
W5R3
The dreaded W5R3 done!
The long dreaded W5R3 
W5R3
