Wk 5 here I come!

[Fatbags1]

Well I just finished Wk 4. Can't believe I've done it and now looking forward to Wk 5. I have taken a look at what's expected, but a tiny bit of me thinks I may be able to manage it (well certainly the the first 2 runs). This programme has changed my mindset and I am being to be more positive about what I can achieve. I love to read other people's posts and the positive feedback and support everyone gives each other. Wish me luck for my first Wk 5 run.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Of course you will do it. ........look how far you have come already.

This breakdown of W5 may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Relax and enjoy it.

[Woodkin Graduate]

Hi Fatbags1, I have just finished Week 4 as well, good luck for week 5. My next run is Sunday, I'm intrigued to see how it goes!

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Do let me know how you get on. I've been running in a large secure dog field where I can let my dog off for a run without fear of meeting anyone. More importantly where nobody can see me either! Good luck for Sunday.

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Hi, how are you doing? Just back from W5 run1. Quite pleased, when we first did 5 mins last week I only just made it! Slowing down a bit has helped.

On to run 2 on Tuesday....

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Well done. I managed it too. It's weird how I've gone from being completely pole axed after running that 1 minute in week 1 to this 5 minute and admittedly being puffed out, but doing it quite well. How you feeling about the 8 minute runs on run 2. I shall be interested to hear how you get on as I'm not getting another run until Thursday.

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

TBH, a bit concerned, but I'm trying to trust the programme ... I'll let you know!

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

👍

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Hi Fatbags1, I have just done W5R2 - earlier in the day than usual because I looked at the weather forecast and thought I would avoid the rain if I could! It is definitely do-able, I just went slowly with an interesting podcast.

Only slight issue was that I covered more ground that I thought I would so I had to go in a loop to take the right amount of time. I'm basically on the pavement, carefully chosen to avoid hills.

The next one will be a challenge, but I will look out another podcast and try to believe Iannoda when he says it's all possible!

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

That's great to hear. Well done. I have a feeling I may be running in the rain on Thursday. When do you do run 3? Did changing the time you ran have any impact on your run do you think? Sorry, looks like loads of questions - just interested.

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Will probably do run 3 on Thursday but Friday is my "reserve day" in case the weather is bad. I don't want to make it harder than I have to - that can wait until I finish the program!

In terms of impact on my run - it's hard to get used to enjoying the journey rather than just waiting for it to finish.

I think the main thing I have changed is that I'm really trying to take the advice to make sure I run slow enough so I can say a whole sentence, not just gasp a word. So from time to time I will check on myself by saying something random. Fortunately, with social distancing, noone is close enough to hear!!!!

The thing that I find hardest is calf muscle pain - I need to work out what to do about that.

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Just done run 2. Managed ok. Looking forward to hearing how you get on with run 3. Does seem a pretty big jump but I will try it. Good luck you!

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Well, mind over matter, but I did it! I don't think I was going any faster than a pedestrian, and minutes 14-18 were pretty hard, but I got there! Good luck with yours! Now a rest until Sunday....

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

That is brilliant! Well done. I shall be channeling your positivity when I do mine on Sunday. Brilliant. 👏👏👍

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Well. I did it. Feel very pleased and a bit smug! Really had no idea I could run for 20 minutes without stopping! Thanks for your positivity. How are you doing?

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Think I did just reply to you but not sure! How are you getting on?

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Hi again! Well done! 20 mins is pretty amazing given where we were 5 weeks ago!

I have just done W6R1. Still keeping up with the programme, not sure about 25 minutes at the end of this week but will give it a go. I have told a few people I'm doing it now so I can't stop!

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Hi Fatbags, how's it going? Hope you are managing ok!

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Hi. Did wk 8 run 2 and all was well. Then got a really nasty tummy bug which knocked me for six for about 4 days and in fact not really over it yet. So I haven't been running for a week. Can't see me getting back to it for another day or two. Thinking I may do a 20 minute run first, then 25 then start Wk 8 again. Really disappointing as I'd hoped to have completed by now. Anyway, that's life I suppose! Thank you for your interest. How's it all going for you? I see you've graduated. Congratulations.

[Woodkin Graduate in reply to Fatbags1]

Poor you, you certainly wouldn't want to be out with a tummy bug. Hope you manage to get back to it soon. I finished yesterday, very pleased! Though I have done something to my right knee and can hardly put any weight on it today. My son has just shown me how to use Strava and get alerts every half kilometer so I think I will try to use that to get to 5K. I think I'm just under 4K at the moment!

Let me know how you do.

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Thanks. Will do.

[wrenage1]

Well done! Keep being positive, W5 will give you the biggest sense of achievement in the program so far- I’ve just completed W5R3 and I’m feeling invincible!

You will definitely manage it- trust that you will, it’s more mind over matter and so worth it once you’ve done it!

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to wrenage1]

Thank you. I'm up for it! (At the moment!)😁

[ashnotes]

Well done. I'm glad you didn't give up. This programme is amazing. I personally feel a lot of change in me.

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to ashnotes]

Agreed. I am almost starting to look forward to the run and what I can achieve now. Good stuff.

[Woodkin Graduate]

How are you doing? Hope you are well and keeping going!

[Fatbags1 Graduate in reply to Woodkin]

Morning Thanks for touching base. I've just this minute come in from Wk7 run1. Not quite sure how I'm feeling really. There's still a sense that I can't believe I can run for 25mins but at the moment I am finding it difficult. I'm pretty determined and something inside won't let me give up, but it is hard. Someone on this forum said it wasn't a tick box exercise so take it at your own pace so I may complete wk 7 and repeat it a couple of times to gain stamina - but I just don't know. How are you doing? Keeping going?

[Woodkin Graduate]

I know what you mean. I have done W7R2 now so I have managed the 25 minutes 3 times now, though sometimes it does seem to go on forever- especially just after halfway through! I just keep trying to put one foot in front of the other, and tell myself I can do it. I am listening to podcasts and trying to go a slightly different route each time. Not exactly sure I am enjoying it much but I really want to finish it!

[Dreambird Graduate]

Lots of luck for week 5 - I’ve just completed it and yes it’s daunting but yes you can absolutely do it. Follow the programme, positive thoughts- you will do this 🏃🏼‍♀️🤩🎉