Need courage for week 4

[AnnabelLondon]

I am doing an American version so it may be slightly different to the NHS one. I am v overweight and v unfit. Started c25k five weeks ago. Have repeated day 2 of weeks 2 and 3 three times and had 14 runs altogether and now feel I should move on to week four. Week four day 1 involved running for four mins twice though (as well as a three min first and last run) and I am not sure I have this in me yet. Three mins I can just about do. Four mins seems insurmountable. I know that three mins would have been the same a few weeks ago, but leap from three to four seems bigger. Advice? I will try it this evening.

[Saladays Graduate]

You are doing really well - keep going! My advice will be the same as everyone else's on this forum - go slow. Go slow and then slow down!! I am using the NHS couch to 5 K which is nothing short of miraculous in how it builds you in to a (whisper it!) runner from nothing. Trust in your program and well done!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Run (JOG!) slower than your "3 minute" pace and 4 minutes will be very manageable.

[AnnabelLondon in reply to John_W]

My three min pace so slow I am not sure that there is a slower!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

How do you physically feel at the end of 3 mins? What makes you feel an extra 60 seconds in insurmountable?

[AnnabelLondon]

Sorry I missed your reply, and actually I managed it and it was ok! I was so very very slow though that I almost went backwards... I am def going to repeat the session though before I go onto the one where I am running for five mins

[Nicky_F Graduate in reply to AnnabelLondon]

Well done! Very happy for you that you managed it AND that you’ve said it was ok! Don’t worry about how slow you think you’re going, you’re moving and off the couch, which is the main thing. Speed isn’t a consideration at this stage, that’s something that can come much later. Keep doing what you’re doing and good luck with the programme 😊