Why does the programme have such huge jumps in running time?

[Piaffesal]

I am due to start w4 on Thursday alongside my 11 year old twins who are (slightly begrudgingly) doing the programme with me... I've looked at the weeks to come and am really shocked with the huge leaps from week to week - right now even going from 3 mins to 5 mins running seems like it's going to be almost impossible...

Is there a theory behind the big jumps? I can't believe we can do a 20min run so soon... We will keep at it but it just seems a huge ask. I wondered if anyone can demystify it for me to reassure all of us...

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

You will manage. Have faith.

[backintime Graduate]

You can do it...there is a demystifying thread but I can't cut and paste with my phone on this forum.

Rest assured, the programme will make you ready, just trust it and yourself

[Raspberrycheesecake Graduate]

You and I are at the same level, today is my first run for week 4 and I just can’t see myself running two 5 minute sessions!! We will see, I keep tell the person in my head we can do it so time will tell!

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Raspberrycheesecake]

Good luck! I’ll be out there at about 5pm tonight!🙈

[Raspberrycheesecake Graduate in reply to Piaffesal]

How did you go? I’ve done day 1 and felt it went well, day 2 I struggled on the last 5minutes! I’ve scared myself looking at week 7, but as Jo Whiley tells me I need a mantra which at the moment is ‘trust in the programme!!’ Haha

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Look at the overall moving time, not just the running intervals, unless of course you can do a brisk walk without expending any effort. The early weeks shuffle the intervals to enable you to increase overall running duration in easy stages.

Trust the plan..........do not overthink itself. Don't look for difficulty.

This post may help with mental approach healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

In respect of Week 5, this post was written to put it all into perspective. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do this..........you just have to believe it.

[Brooko Graduate]

Just finished week 4 and I can’t tell you why but I feel more comfortable running than I did at the start. I suspect it’s because the program sets you up to find your happy running speed. So this week if you need it slow down just don’t stop. If you need to build up confidence do the first two runs super slow then build in the second half. I suspect that if you go slow enough you could run for quite a while. Use wk 4 to prove it to yourself.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Yes there's theory and it's been proven time and time again.

Don't look too far ahead just do each run as it comes. It will get you there and when you do complete W5R3 you are going to feel like you have just won Gold at the Olympics. It's the best feeling ever, don't rob yourself of that by worrying too much now. 👍🏻😁

[Vicjo Graduate]

I don’t know the science behind it but it works! I felt the same ( see my past posts) but it will happen!

I’m also running with my child - a 6ft 14 yr old! I think that’s harder than the distance to be covered!

[Piaffesal Graduate in reply to Vicjo]

😂