W5R3 - Scary as hell!

[RufustheRed]

So, this morning I attempted a 20 minute run with no walking. I listened to all of Laura's intro and set off for my 5-minute warmup walk. Before I knew it, the warmup was over, this is it 20 minutes without a breather! I have never been able to do this before in my life, not when I was in my teens so how can I do it in my 40s? So I started - "here we go for 20 minutes", I told myself and then immediately told myself off, that was not helping. I plodded away around my local park and, sure enough, Laura tells me I have been running for 5 minutes. I felt good, the pace was manageable, breathing was fine, "now to get to 10 minutes" I told my self. Even if I couldn't finish, if I got to 10 minutes, I would have run longer than at any time before in my life, this was a huge achievement for me. Then 10 minutes came, I still felt okay and I was halfway through, I couldn't believe it. I kept going. In the back of my mind, I knew the last 5 minutes would be the hardest and I was right but I had to keep going. When I was told I had two minutes to go it was a case of "I can't stop now"! Those were the hardest 2 minutes of running I have done so far in the c25k - and then laura came on to say "slow down and well done", OMG I did it! I wanted to jump up and down like I had just won a gold medal or something but conscious I was in a public place, I just smiled from ear to ear as I did the warm down. I was sweaty, hot, red-faced and with pins and needles in my left foot but I DID IT - me, the person who can't run. If I can do it then so can anyone....... Week 6 here I come

[limberlou Graduate]

Well done you!! That is a milestone run and you should be proud of yourself and smile all day now!!! That’s how I approach all of my runs , in bite sized pieces. Now enjoy the rest of your day

[RufustheRed in reply to limberlou]

Thank you limberlou, certainly feel more confident moving I to week 6 now

[MsJoBerry Graduate]

That’s amazing!

I’ve just started week 4 and I feel the same 😁

[RufustheRed in reply to MsJoBerry]

Keep on going, it does get harder but you will feel more satisfaction with each run complete

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Laura is a good coach... but here you are describing hooking up with the best coach you’ll ever have, yourself. So, you ran the longest you’d ever run in your life, and then ran double that... impressive stuff, keep wearing that smile all day!

Slow and steady through the week 6 intervals and you got this.

[RufustheRed in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks, I hadn't thought about it being me coaching myself. Certainly helped mentally so will try and keep it going

[Issywhizz Graduate]

Amazing! Well done rufusthered! 💪🏻🌈

[RufustheRed in reply to Issywhizz]

Thanks Izzywhizz

[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.

Stay nice and slow for the next run.......it catches many out.

Enjoy your journey.

[RufustheRed in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the advice

[Delgirl82]

Well done very encouraged as I’ll be doing this soon. Be proud we have all come so far. I’ve never Jogged in my life !!

[RufustheRed in reply to Delgirl82]

I hated running at school. I was always. Keep going, you'll smash it

[SaltdeanSizzler]

Well done ! Very motivating post 😊You make it sound possible 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🙏

[RufustheRed in reply to SaltdeanSizzler]

It is totally possible. Believe me, if I can you can. Just takes some belief and determination. You can do it

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

I’ve just done this run, I too was apprehensive, it just show what you can accomplish when you put you mind to it 😊

[RufustheRed in reply to Dtay1978]

Totally agree. Well done to you. Week 6 doesn't feel as daunting as it did before week 5. Keep going