What has happened.

[Hft500]

Week 6, run 1, made it this far with no real drama ,then w6, I couldn't complete the warm up let alone run,what has happened to me any advice,tips , ideas, will be gratefully received.thanks ,

[Bickie85]

This one has caught soooo many of us out!! We do the 20min run and think ‘yeah, this is easy now!’ But then you go back to intervals and I really struggled! I think, for me at least, it was a mental thing. Being over confident and not keeping my speed in check. I found week 6 the toughest of them all if I’m honest. (I’ve just moved on to week 7r2). Just remember to keep your pace in check, are you breathing into your tummy and not into your chest? Can you speak whilst running? If not slow down. Speed will come naturally in time as your muscles build up. Good luck with your next run! You can do it!! Xx

[Hft500 in reply to Bickie85]

Thanks for your positive advice, going to do it again tonight.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Hft500]

I´d be very wary about trying again, if your energy levels were so low that you couldn´t complete the 5 minute warm-up walk ....

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Just for clarification... you were unable to complete the 5 minute brisk walk before you began jogging, yes?

[Hft500 in reply to John_W]

That's correct , it was like I had already completed my run not just started . there really was nothing left.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Hft500]

If you didn´t have enough energy to complete a 5 minute brisk walk, then I´d be seeing your GP to be honest. Either that or you need to look at what factors might have made you so tired. That is very unusual. I´m assuming you had a day rest, slept well, eaten and drank normally ?

[Placitasgirl Graduate]

As Bickie has said his run catches many, if not most people out. I absolutely hated it, it really felt light I had taken a massive step backwards.

I agree that much of it is psychological... we've just had the elation of running for 20 minutes non stop and then struggle with a change of tack and that's it, we're hopeless, helpless and will never complete the program.

Push on though; having recently graduated I now recognise how smart the program is and how it prepares you perfectly to reach the 5k/30min goal.

This really was the worst run of the whole 9 weeks for me; after this it really does get easier (in my experience).

Good luck with your remaining weeks!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Placitasgirl]

The poster was unable to complete the warm-up walk, let alone start the run.

[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.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

Enjoy your journey.