The myth of W5R3! (or "a C25K chart/graph") - Couch to 5K

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The myth of W5R3! (or "a C25K chart/graph")

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate
16 Replies

You thought W5R3 was the biggie? Think again. Week 4 was the biggest increase in the programme as shown in the graph I've put together. And Week 6 is quite big as well... but y'all focus on that dreaded W5R3 dontcha? :-)

How to read this graph: Take Run #15 (see x-axis) - your beloved W5R3. You can see that the Cumulative Running time (right hand side y-axis) after you've done W5R3 is 177 minutes, while the left-hand-side y-axis shows the infamous 20 minute running time.

I think this nicely illustrates how Weeks 1-3 are the foundation weeks or a 'road' leading up to the 'bridge' of Weeks 4-6 that get you to the remaining road of Weeks 7-9 (the home straight).

So by the time you come to our beloved W5R3, you have 157 mins of running under your belt - over 2.5 hrs to prepare you for your lovely 20 mins!

Yours in data heaven,

John :-)

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John_W profile image
John_W
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16 Replies
LeeU profile image
LeeUGraduate

The main issue with W5 R3 is that, as you know, people only see the 20 minutes part, they don't understand that their body doesn't understand the concept of time, it doesn't know, or really care, that you're running for 5, 10 or 20 minutes, it only understands the extra strain put on it and the program prepares the body for this.

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate in reply to LeeU

Indeed! As one of various C25K mantras ... "Your body is ready, but your mind is not".

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Enxo check out W6... see, there is method in the madness 👍🏻😁

Beautiful graph, thanks John_W 😊

Enxo profile image
EnxoGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Ummmh...let's run it and see!

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply to Enxo

👍🏻😁

Wenderwoo profile image
WenderwooGraduate

Oooer, I love a good graph!

shrinkingjaz profile image
shrinkingjazGraduate

I adore this post. Thank you.

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate in reply to shrinkingjaz

Thank you. You're very welcome 😎👌💪🤟👊

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Tangogolf - have a look at my graph above. You can see that the increase from Week 3 to Week 4 was actually bigger than Week 4 to 5. You've laid the foundations ... now time to reap the reward!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Brilliant John_W ...that is just what some of our c25k'ers need to see...I have seen a couple of w5r3 worriers this morning...and this just proves it...it's just another run...and it's what the programme is preparing you for the whole time!! Great stuff

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Happymel - have a look at my post above :-)

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Alast see my post above :-)

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Comfortnotspeed you might like this one too :-)

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Chattycatt have a look and read of my post above. Hope it helps!

Joanney69 profile image
Joanney69Graduate

I love this graph 📊 😍

Preparing to start week 5 tomorrow 😊

Thank you 👍

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

Have updated the graph :-)

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