How can I run 20 mins

[Emilyhuggy]

Bit concerned tomorrow I’m on week 5 run three which is a 20 min run!! Wtf

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Just remember everything you have done so far has got you to that point, you can do it 🙂

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

It’s more of a psychological barrier than anything - I felt the same but if you read through the posts in here you will see that lots of us feel / felt like this. The programme has got you this far and you will do it- and you’ll be buzzing afterwards! Good luck- enjoy- and let us know how it goes!

[Issywhizz Graduate]

Yeh let us know how you go. You’ll smash it! Just think how far you’ve come already, it’s all built you up to this point. Good luck 💪🏻🏃‍♀️

[Millertime83 Graduate]

I just did mine and it was pushing past the you can’t do this to yes I can! Put some feel good music on and sing along as you go, the minutes slip past very quickly and you will enjoy it.

You can do this 🏃🏼‍♀️

[Patbry57]

You can do it. It's definitely a mental thing. I am on week 5 and decided that I wouldnt think about the time I would just keep going for as long as I could. It seemed such a big jump to run for 20 mins . I only stopped once briefly for about a minute but was still pleased with my progress. When I started this programme I had never run always hated it. Now I am actually enjoying it! I am going to repeat week5 run 3 until I feel ready to move on to week 6. So give it a go and don't think about it to much you will be surprised at how far you have come. GOOD LUCK

[Cass746 Graduate]

Ibw8a the same but completed this on friday... I can't say I ran it but I 100% jogged it for 20 mins, I also had runkeeper running in the background with 5 minute updates so I knew how I was doing and kept just putting one foot in front if the other, I really wanted to stop but then only have 4 mins left to go which gave me a boost and then I did it.

I also promised myself if I didn't complete it it was still an improvement and I would just keep on repeating the week until I could.

Trust the programme and good luck xx

[John_W Graduate in reply to Cass746]

Jogging is the way to do it - not 'running'.

Well done!

[Cass746 Graduate in reply to John_W]

thank you!

[Emilyhuggy Graduate]

Thanks, everyone. I'm planning on going out this evening so will update u later, fingers crossed, as I want to do this. Mind over matter

[John_W Graduate in reply to Emilyhuggy]

just take it nice and easy - you;lll be fine. You've run 157 minutes during the 13 runs so far. That's over 2.5 hours. The body is more than ready for it. It's a mental challenge!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Slow down and slow down again 😃

[MrsCDN Graduate]

You will smash it. The programme really works. A year ago I was about to start my C25K journey, I had been quite poorly and needed a challenge. I’d never run before and gas been horrified by the thought, so goodness know why I took such a notion. We 5 is a scary thought. But it’s a huge breakthrough, and such a great feeling. Just remember slow and steady. I now run regularly, not fast but can run 5k, it still takes me about 45 minutes, but I’m blaming the hills. If you’d said to me this time last year I’d be running and enjoying it, well.... I’m sure you can imagine the reaction. Good luck, enjoy.

[JJtheGr8one Graduate]

I did mine yesterday and was shocked I managed it. Didn't like first 6 minutes. Then found things were good but last 7 minutes I had the mental battle. Pushed through. A couple of times i thought my breathing and legs werent good so i just slowed down even more (was already super slow!). I was clockwatching last 4 minutes but I Was so excited knowing how close I was. A slow jog all the way to some steady music helped me. I was most impressed with recovery. Definitely built stamina. Good luck. Don't underestimate your progress and how far the programme has got you. I'm amazed how 14 runs gets us to this milestone. You'll smash it!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

In respect of W5 this may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Katep27]

Hi,

I have just completed this run this morning, I was horrified when I saw what I had to do but honestly it wasn't as bad I thought it would be was so happy once I finished.

I made sure I had some really good music on something upbeat and it was good fun.

Good luck, will be nice to hear how you get on.

😀

[Wean]

I am on the same run today .. I m trying to tell myself I can... start the self talk and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Good luck for later x

[Nickray47 Graduate]

Hi - I just completed this run last week. I was fearful I wouldn’t manage it as well. For me it was all about speed made sure I was running pretty slowly when I started to get tired which seemed to make all the difference to get to the 20 minutes. Wish you all the luck you can definitely do it

[Magellan Graduate]

Best of luck, but you need less luck than you might expect. The plan has been gearing you up for this. To most of us it seems an implausibly hard step up between W4R3 and just a week later W5R3 but the chap who designed the programme knew what he was doing. It’s COUCH to 5k, he knew the people doing it would be people who needed to build up from a low base, and this is how to do it. You are ready.

Last time you ran you did 16minutes of running with just a little break in the middle. Twenty minutes isn’t much more. Start slow and you’ll be fine.

Come back and let us know how it went!

[Sybilw Graduate]

Remember we ALL thought that too and proved that in fact we could. It’s a minor miracle!! 😆 Just think positive as it’s only your head that will hold you back now. Good luck

[Comfortnotspeed]

Go slow and take it in chunks. You’re ready for this, I promise 😊

[Lakerunner]

I dreaded it too but (as they tell you when you start) it’s a mental challenge, not a physical one. Physically you will find you can do it, I promise!

And you’ll feel AMAZING when it’s over!

[MrPMrP]

Hi, you can do it... Have faith and don't think too much .....avoid too much upwards slope towards the end ...let us know how it went -)