Hey I’m new here and not sure if people have asked this lots of times but I’m on week 5 and my next run is run number three and I’m so worried about doing a full 20 minutes and I don’t want it to affect me as much as it is! I’m putting off doing it. Has anyone attempted this and been unsuccessful and if so what did you do? Any tips please? Apart from not looking a the runs in advance ha
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Well I can’t believe it🏃🏼♀️I did it! Whoop I’m honestly gobsmaked to think I could do that! Thank you so much everyone feedback it really did help and also made me think stop stressing about it and do it!
It wasn’t easy and I did have to reduce my pace a few times but that’s fine as I didn’t stop running 👍🏼😊😱
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Mrs2hats
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I'm on week 3, so I'm aware that it's there in my future. People tell me to trust the programme and that it's more a mental barrier than a physical one. Hope you'll share how your successful run went. 😊
I completed my W5R3 today, I honestly thought I will not be able to do it and because of 20 min run I was afraid and even skipped a day But, Finally, I told myself, that my target is not do 20min but to undertstand how much I can. And I was able to do 20 min, and its all in the mind.. I am sure you will be able to do it
Congratulations to you IWillRun85 on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K, you trusted the program and so should Mrs2hats, just take the run slow and steady and like IwillRun85 you will be very proud of yourself after you have completed it.
Onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1 but be careful about that run as it catches out some people with the interval walks and runs after the non stop 20 minutes of W5R3.
W6R1 was very difficult....... I dehydrated and exhausted myself which I never imagined would happen to me after 20 min run...... 😤 But, I completed it 😃
In respect of W5R3, you are making a classic mistake in only looking at the running intervals in your workouts........that run is the shortest workout since W3........it is all explained here. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
I didn't think I would be able to do it, but I did - it's much more of a mental battle than a physical one 😁 the plan has prepared you for the next run 🏃, take it slow and steady & don't forget to come back and let us know how you get on 😊 🏃 👍
Hi Mrs2hats ....you are in really good company, do you know why? Because most of us have all felt exactly the same as you do so you have come to the right place for some reassurance...gosh, I was dreading that run, I made the mistake of looking through the weeks ahead so I was dreading it for about 3 weeks, by the time it came around I was completely convinced I couldn’t do it...and I didn’t...I was so disappointed in myself...Looking back I started too fast and I had giant gremlins in my head telling me I couldn’t do it....my advice to you is to start the run slower than slow so you don’t burn out like I did...I am sure you will be fine, have a read through some people older posts and you will see you’re not alone dreading this run but if you have done all of the runs from week 1 the programme has prepared you for this run so you should do it with no problem...let us know how you get on 😉
Thank you so much I am worried that it’s a mental block now but if I don’t do it the first time at least I know that I can try again and all the info on here has been great 👍🏼 I just need to pace myself, thank you for your advice!
Hello, this is my next run on Thursday. I did week 5 run 2 today and although I completed it I found the last few minutes a struggle. In comparison I absolutely loved run 1 of this week and it was my favourite of the whole journey so far! I am just going to trust the programme, take it slow and try my best. Good luck 👍🏻
Thank you, I have found the last one a struggle but I think it does make a difference as I do outside and treadmill depending on the weather and time etc...let me know how you find it?
Well done to you on reaching week 7 👍🏼 I will try and trust the program but it seems such a big jump! I’m sure I will be fine, fingers crossed and good luck with your remaining weeks
The key to this run is positive mental attitude! Approach it with an "I can and I will" mantra and you will do it!
Please don't talk yourself out of it before it starts. You have done brilliantly to get as far as this run so do not go putting yourself in a tizzy and undo all the amazing work you have done so far.
Trust the plan and trust yourself. Enjoy the run and the sense of achievement when you finish. 😊🏃♀️
Thank you for reminding me to think positive as it is so much easier to think negative and I know that does impact on my run so you are right! I can do this and I will do this!
I completed the 20 minute run yesterday. This was my second try and actually it was easier than I thought it would bd. I know they say it in the podcast but it is all in the mind. Keep positive. Good luck
That pesky run 5 is a complete mental challenge, one of which you are more than capable of completing you have been working up to this point with all your previous runs have some faith in yourself. Pace yourself take it easy and you'll smash 😃👍
I did this run on Monday and I felt exactly the same way as you - so much so that I cried when I finished it. As others have said - trust the program! It is definitely more mental than physical. Just keep your pace gentle and don’t go too fast - it’s not a race. I bet you didn’t think you could run 10mins yet you’ve done that!!! I’d say good luck but you don’t need it. You can do this and you’ll feel so proud of yourself once you have. Trust the program xxxx
It’s been a long time since I ran last, and then 15 minutes in one go was my max on the treadmill however I could do longer outside I just need to trust in the programme and get some good music on the go I think thank you for the advice
I felt the same but it definitely is all in the mind. The programme works! I was an overweight non runner when I started and now I am an overweight runner about to start week 8! 🤣
You can definitely do it! Just take it steady, I found first 10 mins harder than last 10 mins so just keep going, feels so so good when you have done it!
Thank you I am the same overweight but was quite fit until I did my back in so I thought this would be a good one to try and do something I have never done before and get my fitness back hopefully,
well done you on reaching this far you have nearly nailed it👍🏼
You've done all the preparation in your previous runs so you are ready for this one - you just need to get out there and do it! Let us know when you've done it 🏃🏃🏃
Some great advice from all of the above posters. Like you, I was also dreading that particular run a few weeks back, thinking how can I be expected to run for such a long time.
I would like to emphasise though the importance of setting out slowly .......and just keep going slow and steady.
What I have found is that he programme prepares our body perfectly for the next run, we have to prepare our head.
This run for me gave me massive confidence in programme working, and in my own ability.
That’s great advice thank you, I do have a habit of not being able to pace myself so this will be something I will take on board. Sounds like you are doing great yourself so well done to you too
Don’t worry, I felt exactly the same. But, I did it. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I’d built it up to be in my head. It is all in your head. If you’ve done the other runs up to here, you can do it. If I did it anyone can do it. All the runs are hard and they have to push you, otherwise you’ll never progress. Just don’t give up, keep running even if it’s dead slow, keep going. At the end it suggests doing Wk5 Run3 again before moving on to week 6. I did that and so I’ve done it twice, I would recommend that too. My next run is Wk6 Run2 , so I’m no expert, just following the plan. Good Luck and go for it!
I didn’t realise it recommends that you do it twice so that’s good to know thank you for the advice I honestly feel so much better after reading these posts
Your post was very timely! I too was due to do run 3 of week 5 today and like you had been dreading it! I normally check through the posts with my morning cuppa and had already started coming up with the reasons why today was not in fact ‘the day’.
However having read your post I thought that if (when!) I went out and couldn’t pull it off then I would be able to post a reply to you that no run is ‘unsuccessful’ - it’s simply a practice run that you needed at this point in your c25kjourney. I just did not see how running for 8 minutes could possibly step up successfully to a 20 mins non stop run.
I had no many reasons not to go, all of which run through my head on an increasingly loud playlist:
‘My calves are really tight - I haven’t drunk enough water yesterday and I must be dehydrated’
‘My favourite sports bra is in the wash, I have to wear the one I don’t like’
‘It might rain’
‘I can’t run for 20 minutes, I struggled with 8 minutes last time’
‘ I don’t know whether to wear long or short sleeves. Ooh what about a hat? Or will I be too hot?’
All this is before I’ve even got out of the door. Once out, there are a whole new bunch of voices :
‘My legs hurt........and my hips........and my feet’
‘ I think I’m holding my body too rigidly ......and I don’t think I’m breathing correctly’
‘ I’m not using my arms properly’
‘Oh no there a dog walker.......and the bus,,,,,,,, and a car coming the opposite way’
‘ I should have brought water with me’
‘ Laura you’re not giving me enough encouragement’
I’m sure you get the picture 🤣
I started, thinking I’ll try to get to 5 mins. Then I thought I should be able to do 8 mins as I’ve done that before. Then Laura was telling me I’d done 10 mins ( I like her again now 🤣). Having got halfway through I’m thinking I’ll try and do a bit more because I don’t really want to do this run again and i know the the next one (wk 6, run1) has some walking breaks ( don’t worry, I’ve read the warnings about this one, guaranteed I’ll be worried about it when the time comes. But for now it seems the better option!)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m finding it hard work but something inside me is keeping me at it. I think it’s because as this point even walking would feel hard so I may as well run (Japanese styleee obvs). And then Laura is telling me I’ve run for 18 mins (bloody love that woman😍). And then I’d done it!
Anyway Mrs2hats, my advice to you for Week 5, Run 3 (from a total non-runner who is getting through this by just giving it a go) is to.......
1. give it a go 👍
2, accept there is no such thing as an unsuccessful run. The ones that don’t work out are much needed practice runs and to my mind more useful than the ones that feel easier, because they prove you have the determination to meet challenges head on.
All the best and I look forward to hearing how you got on, but most importantly all I really want to hear is that you gave it a go xxx
I absolutely love this post as all of those excuses have popped into my head at some point or another but I have done them all so far so I can only try. And well done to you for getting this far also it’s a great achievement and these posts have certainly inspired me so much that I’m actually looking forward to it now! 😊
It will be OK, I and most others thought the same, but some how you just do it. I am struggling with the next step up which is the 25 minute run, I am hoping it will get easier, done it twice now, hoping tonight and the fourth time I will feel happier about it
im no expert...but have just somehow managed to complete week 6. Get some good tunes in your ears, take it slowly, and you might just surprise yourself. Good luck I look forward to hearing how you get on.
First of all stop worrying, you’ll be fine. Take it nice and slow. You’re not in a race, just do as the app tells you and when you’ve finished. Give yourself a very big pat on the back. All the best x
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But, Finally, I told myself, that my target is not do 20min but to undertstand how much I can. And I was able to do 20 min, and its all in the mind.. I am sure you will be able to do it 
Week 5 Run 3
WooHoo Wk 5 Run 3 done!!!
Week 5 run 3 
Week 5 Run 3...
Week 5 run 3 :-) 
