W4 R3 - I did it 🎉, but how do I know if I’m ready to move on?

[Reliclullaby]

Well I don’t know if it was the extra rest day, my determination not to let it beat me; gritted teeth and all 😬 (must have looked odd to anyone coming the other way), my other half running along for moral support or the gusts of wind pushing me along but I did it without collapsing at the end. I’m so happy, and surprisingly, I wasn’t even really out of puff either, YAY 🥳.

One thing I do know is that I did get back out there and face it after a really bad run when I was feeling really down, thanks to the encouragement I received from you, and the funny tales that cheered me up, so just wanted to say a big thanks.

As this weeks been difficult I’m not sure I’ll be able to manage week 5. It seems a hard week for a lot of people on here. How do I know if I’m ready to progress on to week 5?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

Week 5 is another week of carefully calculated progression and actually steps up considerably less than from W3 to W4

Here are two posts for your homework healthunlocked.com/couchto5... about general mental approach and the second healthunlocked.com/couchto5... a breakdown of W5, explaining how it works.

Nothing wrong with repeating a run but you won't know if you are ready unless you try, and whatever the outcome you will be stronger and more prepared for the next run, whether it is a rerun or a move onto the next in the plan.

[Reliclullaby Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I’ll give those a read, then be brave and give it a try and see how I go. As you say, I guess I won’t know till I try, thank you.

[HappyNoodle Graduate]

You’ve got this!! Have a go, you got this far! I was petrified going into Week 5 but my first run was actually better than all of my week 4 runs. Still nervous but going for it. Sounds like you are part of a great team too.

I keep thinking about repeating runs but end up just trying to see if I can do it.

Whatever you decide will be right for you and good luck.

[Reliclullaby Graduate in reply to HappyNoodle]

Thank you. Time to be brave and go for it. We are doing this bit by bit 🏃‍♀️😊

[Hidden]

For me week 4 was a big old shock to the system and did make me feel intimidated about carrying on, because I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up. But I’ve found that while the runs are never easy they are designed to get harder only at a pace you can manage, so if you managed to get through week 4 there’s every reason to think you can do week 5. And even if you have to repeat week 5 you’ll be stronger the second time round because you’ve already done it once. Either way, you’ll keep making progress and getting fitter. You can do this!

[Reliclullaby Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yeah week 4 has been a tough one, but today definitely felt easier than earlier in the week, so I’m going to give that first run of week 5 a go and see how go