Holy moly, that was one crazy run!! I was dreading it slightly because it was such a jump from 8 minutes of running to 20!! The first five minutes in I thought I wasn't going to be able to make it, and I could feel my legs starting to hurt. So, I slowed WAY down, as in if I was running any slower I would have been going backwards. Then, I heard the "You are halfway" voice, and I thought "Oh, I can do this!" I started to get antsy around the 14 minute mark, and I started checking my phone every couple of minutes to see if I was almost done. When I hit 20 I kept going!! I was able to run an additional 15 minutes!! My legs felt like they were going to fall off, but I had done it!! It really makes me realize how mental running is, it's not nearly as physically difficult as it is mentally difficult! I kept saying to myself that my brain would feel tired long before my legs would, so I KEPT GOING!! I wish I could bottle this feeling because I feel like a million dollars!
W5D3!! Holy moly!!: Holy moly, that was one... - Couch to 5K
W5D3!! Holy moly!!
Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K, not sure if it was wise running on for another 15 minutes, 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 35 minute run you have just ran. 😊 🏃🏾
Thanks. For sure, I think since I won't be running for the next four days I wanted to keep going, but I will be sure to pace myself.
Huge well done you...but ( there is always a but)..do stick to the time set for the run. You are doing brilliantly.. don't jeopardise that 
Thanks. Yeah, I will pace myself. I think I got too excited getting past the twenty minute mark.
Good for you! I always found it helped to break the run down into small sections - so, just to the end of the road, then just to the traffic lights etc. Trying to visualise the whole run at once was too daunting.
As has already been said, don't get carried away with your success and risk injury. Your doing brilliantly 👏
Thanks, yeah. I will definitely pace myself. Sometimes I get too excited and keep going. I know running the 5k will take time.
Well done but please don't keep spreading the myth that it is a huge jump from 8 minutes to twenty when in fact it is the shortest workout since W3.
I'm sorry. I meant for myself it seemed like a big step not for others.
Poor post from an Administrator.
Run 3 of weeks 5 and weeks 6 are the largest jump in minutes and % of the programme. A perfectly reasonable position to take, their own experience and not a myth.
If you disagree, why not open the discussion rather than shoot down?
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
An opinion piece by you lauded as fact? The arrogance.
We've all been through it. The continuous running is the challenge on this programme and my point still stands in that respect. The fact the combined walk and run is 1 or more minutes more in my view is not comparable. But as I said, why not discuss different experiences and views rather than undermining? You've said "don't spread the myth".
I still found it the most challenging segment. You can't tell me different. That's not negative, that's a fact. The positive is listening to people like TheLastOfUs saying, "but you can do it and it feels greats.
Stop lecturing, start administrating.
AmenBreak it's the totality of the week that counts - that builds the fitness, not the length of any individual running segment during the course of the program.
W4R3 = 9 mins
W5R1 = 15 mins (increase of 75%)
W5R2 = 16 mins
W5R3 = 20 mins (increase of 25% on 16 mins)
Yes, W5R3 is seen as big stepping stone for many but understanding why/how it's achieveable is a worthwhile exercise IMO.
Have a look here:
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
and seen a bit more clearly here:
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
I do see your point John, all the numbers are true in both of our points and you're right about stamina. But I'm not "wrong" and it's not a "myth" that runs 3 in w5 and w6 are the biggest leaps in terms of continuous from the previous run. I know what you're getting at, if you look at it a different way you've already climbed a bigger hurdle, and it's a good message.
But Ionnada's reply is very belittling and frankly arrogant. TheLastOfUs apologised because Ionnada shot them down. But saying "please don't spread a myth" , like being told off at school, is a lot more negative than saying "well done! But when you think about it, you've already passed a bigger hurdle... So double congrats!"
AmenBreak
Week 4 is actually the biggest increase in the program:
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
and seen a bit more clearly here:
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Have you got a run-to-run graph, rather that week-to-week?
And for continuous rather not including brisk walking?
Not sure why another thinks it's a myth that run 3 in week 5 is a big jump. It is. I felt exactly the same so don't let his lecture downplay your achievement.
You sharing your experience on here will encourage others.
Also a fan of TheLastOfUs.
Many here will understandably follow the app and see 20 mins at the end of the W5 and get spooked. But there's no need for that if you (1) look at what you've done to that point (2) understand how a fitness program like this works (3) look at the totality of the program and (4) understand that the program is essentially a mental test, not a physical one.
I try to point these things out to many who post about W5R3 with the aim of reassuring them.
Bottom line: W5R3 is a mental test (the biggest aside from W1R1) .
As I repeat to folk on here: the body is ready but the mind maybe isn't.
A perfectly valid point John. And I agree. Maybe we can settle on, W5R3 is likely the largest mental test (except, as you say, W1R1).
Exactly - thank you for listening
Final note re: 'myth'. Beginners understandably think it's a big (biggest?) *physical* test of the program. In that sense, it's a myth, because, as we've established, it isn't.
Agree to disagree on that one John. Running constantly without brisk walk intervals to allow oxygen debt to be recuperated in muscles or even to get your breath back seems like it could be more of physical strain than having 3 runs of say 7 mins with 60 sec brisk walk intervals (despite more moving time)?
But I'm not a sports scientist so happy for you to share any science around this.
Didn't see Kipchoge take a walking break last October 
The point is that it's the accumulated fitness of 157 minutes of running time (never mind the extra time on your feet with all the walking) that gives you enough stamina to safely complete the 20 minute run.
Bear in mind that on the way to running continuous for 30 minutes 3 times in a week, you *have* to start running continuously at some point in the program before that. You don't need to be a sports scientist to work out that if you set a target of 3x 30 mins in 9 weeks from a base of 'couch' then ... walk/run/walk/run needs to transition at some stage and somewhere in the middle I'd suggest.
Thank you for sticking up for those of us who think it’s a big jump!
You are absolutely right in what you say... saying it's a myth makes those of us who are a little nervous about the jump feel there is something wrong with us for feeling that way. Our bodies have been prepared so the link showing us that is very helpful but it is the mental shift of having no walking break that makes it feel like a big jump
It is a big jump. The biggest in my view (likely more mental) but the plan has prepped you. Your body is ready, go for it! Someone else's suggestion of shorter markers (the next post, the next turn etc) if you're on the road is a good one for that mental challenge.
Hi Workingathome - see my replies above
Cheers
John
Well done! I felt the exact same as you with this run! Running is definitely mentally challenging, so it's great you have that mindset!
I also found it daunting seeing a 20 minute run at that point as I hadn't ran past 8 minutes until then, but it's good to remember that it is a shorter run in total and when you find your pace it becomes fun!
Congratulations on coming this far 😃
Congratulations! I'm doing this one tomorrow and also dreading it!
Not in terms of continuous running which is the challenge in my view.
Why tell people they're wrong in what they felt as a challenge?
Open the discussion, don't shoot down. A one line response, you're an adult, expand, discuss, explain.
Congratulations 💪 onwards and upwards x
Hidden congratulations! And especially on getting your pace absolutely spot on, because one of my various tips to beginners is - aim to finish every session feeling like you carry on.
However... please be very careful not to get carried away. You won't realise it now, but that extra 15 mins could actually be damaging. Just stick to the program for now and see how you go.
Easy tiger.
Well done u! Keep going!😀
Awesome job buddy, well done. 👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Pace yourself and keep on keeping on!✨✨✨✨
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