For all the strain I went through on W5R2, I was apprehensive about this one - I'd been warned by friends on this community. I avoided finding out what it was until MJ announced it as I started my brisk 5 minute warm up walk. I shall not say, suffice to say, I was doubtful. But once I set off on the 'first' run, newly armed with the knowledge about why my legs felt shattered after the first 5 minutes or so (thanks to Wenderwoo for sharing this (healthunlocked.com/couchto5..., I settled in.
This is definitely one to win over those mind demons. I would say to myself over and over, 'relax, slow down, remember why you're doing this, look ahead, relax, relax, relax, don't panic, breathe, keep running'.
The home straight was a slight incline, with a pretty strong head in my face - depressing. Then the drizzle came, and I was a long way off where I wanted to be, but i reminded myself that was exactly where I should be. I had to put the head down a few times,to push myself, mentally, physically.
I saw that I was going to reach the end of the home straight ( long straight road) which it crossed by a busy main road at the end - As i got slowly closer, I thought, I can't get there minutes before the end, and be forced to stop! I wasn't going to turn back, and there was no other route to take, so I circled a couple of parked cars a few times to add to help ensure that I finished before I reached the busy junction. What must have passers by have thought, I didn't care, and that's another little win by the way! I used to worry about what I looked like running, now, it never enters my mind now.
Looking forward to the recovery day. Looking forward to W6R1C25K!
Written by
Roadrunner65
Graduate
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Great news, well done. I smiled a couple of times whilst reading this; I recognise the thoughts you describe, but I actually laughed when you said about running around the cars! I totally empathise, as I had a similar thing on the route I used for my final weeks. I would try to time it that I started the cool down walk before I hit the potential stop junction, but mistimed it a couple of times and had to double back, and then back again.
Well done on this benchmark run, and beware the next one as it can catch some people out, so take it slowly 👍😁
Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, my mind boggles on what your reaction and what you said to yourself when Michael told you that today's run was 20 minutes😀😂🤣, even now when I do that run for a little practice with Laura, when she says 20 minutes, I still shudder a bit, so for someone who has not looked ahead, it's a bit of a shock.
Once again congratulations, 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 which you have just ran 🏃🏾 😊
A brilliant post and a brilliant result, well done you for just trusting the programme and not looking ahead to see what's coming. Like others, I did chuckle at the thought of you running around cars to kill time, but good thinking. (I never know how far I'm going to go but it doesn't matter for me, I just set off from home and then turn around just after the half way bell and head back). Thanks for such a positive post too, this is the next run I have to do and it's so reassuring to read another success story. Enjoy your well earned rest day(s), I bet you're chuffed to bits?
Indeed I am. Legs are feeling it a bit today, expected but not as bad as expected. Good luck with the next run. You've come this far, and like me, you owe it yourself to press on. This is a great programme, with great community and great support eh?
Well done Roadrunner65 , you’ve shown real determination and will power by keeping going..and it’s good to have a mantra to keep those positive thoughts right where they should be
Don't mean to worry, but to quote a cliché, if I can do it, anyone can. Just takes that little bit more will power to keep the mind demons at bay. If you have that, you're away!
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W5R3: A milestone
W1R2 was easier than I expected...
C25K and 5x50 - so much more than I expected !
Week 6 Run 2
W7R1: All I was missing was a glow stick! 
