The big, bad, scary W5D3 (warning: long post)

[shrinkingjaz]

Let me preface by saying this:

To anyone reading this or any of my posts who is scared to start running or is terrified of week 5 day 3, I don't want to make this sound like a picnic. It's not.

While I've not had many issues with the program this time around, keep in mind that it has taken me about eight or nine YEARS to get to this point.

If I can do it, you can do it. Trust me on this one. Trust me.

If you only knew the struggles I've had with imposter syndrome, body image, weight, health, fitness, running, motivation and discipline... it's been hectic. It's been really hectic.

It's taken me a really long time to get to where I am now. And I still have a long way to go! I'm still learning every day. And loving it.

So. To anyone reading this: in five weeks, you can run 20 minutes. It might sound crazy. But you can.

Isn't that all sorts of incredible? 😊

++++++++++++++++++

I have attempted this program, God, maybe six times since about 2010. And it was always, always, this 20 minute run in week 5 that got to me mentally. I could never do it (not that I ever tried!) and would end up quitting or maybe repeating week 4 again and again. And then stopping altogether.

I've really got my health in order the last two years. My confidence has increased tenfold, which led to me just going out the door one morning earlier this year and I just... ran.

I ran for 20 minutes.

What what what.

So, in some ways, I feel like this round of the program has led to this point. Maybe it was that I already knew I could do it, but this run was easily the most enjoyable so far.

As always, the first few minutes was a bit yuck. But I got into my rhythm and settled in.

The podcast I listen to has all three runs in the one podcast for this week, with different notifications for each day. And, while I did fight it, I did find myself going, "okay, so if week 2 has just started their second run, that means we are eight plus five minutes into the run, so I have seven minutes to go, which means I'm about two thirds there, so I have to run about half of what I've already done".

But.

It wasn't because I was hating it and I wanted it to end already and was trying to psych myself up to finish. It was more just something to keep my mind occupied with some maths. I'll sneak in some mental maths any time that I can, ha.

I almost forgot I was running. Which sounds crazy. But there you go. When I was told I had finished, I was surprised. But proud.

And I'm still super proud as I sip my routine post-run mug of tea.

I did it, guys. I actually did it. I won't ever have to listen to the same podcast again. I can actually move onto week 6. This mental block that I've had for the better part of a decade is finally gone. Gooooone.

Wow.

Happy running 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Yes! Kicked that block to the kerb! Well done, you made it to the other side and boy does it feel great!! Be proud, tell absolutely everyone because you are past the milestone now and really and truly on your way!!! 👌🏻👍🏻😁

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you!! I need to get better at being proud of my accomplishments!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to shrinkingjaz]

Yes you do! It's a common trait. I made a point of printing out my certificate, I also made myself other certificates for reaching other goals which can be a fun, creative job too.

Say it out loud too, Well done me, I'm proud of us! with a big smile. (I use "us" as I see my brain and body as a team) 👍🏻😁

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Sometimes doing something the long way round is the only thing that works and it did for you. You should be so pleased and proud of yourself. Well done you 😊😊😊

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Slow and steady! Thank you!

[Sook2 Graduate]

Excellent!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Sook2]

Thank you!

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Congratulations now while you have that good feeling move onto the next run with pride

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Into week 6! I'm very excited

[Spike75 Graduate]

YIPPAH!!!! So pleased for you!!!! Enjoy that tea!!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Spike75]

Thank you! It was a very good cup of tea haha

[Granspeed Graduate]

Yippee! You did it! You knew you could and you DID IT! 🎉🎉🎉 And I love that you’ll never have to listen to that particular podcast again. 🤣🤣 Very well done you. Congratulations. 👏🏼👏🏼

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Oh, believe me, I NEVER want to listen to it again 😂 I have been listening to it for years, time for something new!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Wow you smashed that run, well done you. Good to be proud of yourself

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you so much!

[Fatgirlslim19 Graduate]

Shrinkingjaz, you are a LEGEND.

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Fatgirlslim19]

Oh, wow, that's so kind of you to say! I'm just little old me but I am on a high today, that's for sure. Thank you so much

[Fatgirlslim19 Graduate in reply to shrinkingjaz]

Keep on keeping on 👍🏃

[AliHC Graduate]

Wow! You Are Awesome! Well Done! ❤️ Keep up the good work!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to AliHC]

Thank you!

[NorwegianWood Graduate]

One step closer to the self you love! Great work!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to NorwegianWood]

Thanks so much! Learning to love myself has been a long and involved process but I am getting there

[Lynne1916 Graduate]

Ha ha - mental arithmetic - I actually do the same and find it amusing how difficult it is. I guess the body is trying to sort everything else - lungs, heart, muscles etc. Poor brain gets the residue. Times tables are a good one and you can get with the cadence too. Good luck with week six - take it easy as it is a tough one

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Lynne1916]

True! The maths does take longer to do when I'm running but I suppose it makes sense.

I'll be sure to take week 6 easy 😊

[PrairieGirl71 Graduate]

I am actually feeling a wee bit emotional for you! What a fantastic achievement and I am so happy for you that you stuck with it. It IS amazing. And life changing.

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to PrairieGirl71]

That's so nice of you!

[Sybilw Graduate]

This program is as much about brain training as run training. You have to go out knowing you can do it AND YOU DID!!!! Massive congratulations. You’ve taken a bit longer but it’s a bit like having kids - you long for the time they hit milestones but in the grand scheme of things you never remember the details. Well done.

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

Mind over body, it's so weird just how mental this whole thing is!

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to shrinkingjaz]

It’s magic!

[caralbarry]

I love this post! So delighted for you and thank you for sharing your journey with us. Inspiring to say the least. I’m just starting week 7 and am still amazed that I am actually running!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to caralbarry]

Week 7 is an incredible achievement, well done!

[sigasiga Graduate]

Brilliant, well done! It's not just the physical running, you've overcome some demons as well. Enjoy the rest of the programme - happy running!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to sigasiga]

Thank you!

[Alast]

Well done you! Not just for conquering the run, but for achieving everything else too. An extra well done for not giving up and letting the damned thing beat you!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Alast]

Thank you!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

What a lovely post shrinkingjaz! I’m so pleased for you! It’s taken you a while but you’ve finally got there. And having done it once, you now know you have it in you to do it again! And again. And again. Happy running!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thank you so much!

[2flatfeet Graduate]

That is just brilliant👏👏👏👏 Bet your mug of tea has never tasted so good! Isn’t it just incredible what you can do! 👍 Now go forth and grin for the rest of the day - you’ve more than earned the right to do so! 😁👍👟👟

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to 2flatfeet]

Thank you very much! I was on a high for the rest of the day

[2flatfeet Graduate in reply to shrinkingjaz]

👍

[Maisiecat1 Graduate]

Oh my god. Your post made me cry. I'm so proud of your achievement and at the same time so disappointed with myself. I was suppose to start week 4 this week and it just never happened. Just kept putting it off and now I feel like a failure. Reading your post had motivated me to get my gear on find my running shoes and off I go. Let's hope its a good run.

Well done you. 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Maisiecat1]

Good luck, you can do it!

[Maisiecat1 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you. I was wondering whether I should re do week 3 or try week 4, well I went for it and completed run 1week 4 and I didn't struggle. 😁😅

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Maisiecat1]

Of course not! The programme won't let you down! You're doing great 👍🏻😘

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Maisiecat1]

Oh, no, no, no! Don't cry!

I think one of the problems I have with C25K is that it makes you feel like a failure for not completing a session, or walking when you should have run.

Don't beat yourself up over it. Be kind to yourself! You matter most of all

[ASuzy]

Inspirational! I've been doing C25K for 6 months now, with a lots of the same internal monologue it sounds like you have. What I am loving about the process is every now and then, my body manages to do something that I was convinced it couldn't. My own body is teaching me to trust it.

Keep going Shrinkingjaz, you're killing it and will continue to do so!

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to ASuzy]

It really is all about trusting your body! Thank you very much, and hope that you continue to smash your C25K goals

[Ssasqueen]

Love it - well done you ! I did week four a few times before I attempted W5R3. I wanted to be certain I could do it before I tried as I felt if I had to give up that would be it and I’d not run again. Daft really I could have just tried again. Anyway when I eventually did it I too was euphoric. I think it remains the run I’m most proud of. I think running has made me mentally stronger. My self discipline is better and maybe my resilience is improving. The next runs are tough too but W5R3 shows you can do anything

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Ssasqueen]

Well done YOU! I'm so happy that you got through the mental hurdle and could get through the 20 minute run. It's such an incredible achievement!

We're unstoppable. It certainly feels that way! 💪