W3R3

[packersruns]

Wow!

I just completed the last run of week 3 a few minutes ago. It is strange to think that I will be moving onto Week 4 soon - I'm actually quite nervous.

Does anyone have any advice for the mental part of it? I'm fine with the getting up and going out to do it part, but I know I'm going to have to run for 5 minutes next time! Stamina and pace wise I might just be able to do it, but it's the mental bit that throws me off thinking I can't do it or "I'm too tired" even though I know I can do it and I feel amazing when I've completed a run! What do you guys think of when you are struggling or how do you distract yourself?

[runningfordaims Graduate]

I have just finished week 4 and feel exactly the same as you for week 5! In all honestly I struggled with week 3 but changed route for week 4 (less hills and a change of scenery from last 3 weeks) and it all helped! Seriously I found week 4 easier but this is 100% the week where i have felt it like on rest day my legs are like iron?! Haha!

[Ant50 Graduate]

Well done on getting this far, keep going ! I know exactly what you are saying because when I started C25K I told myself that I couldn’t run and it was going to be hard etc. I then realised at about week 3 or 4 that the running actually wasn’t that bad at which point my attitude changed to ‘I can do this’ as soon as I switched to that positive approach it became a lot easier. Not sure what caused the switch of mind, maybe just finally believing in myself that I could do the programme. I think I also realised that I wasn’t doing it to prove anything or to compete with anyone, I was just doing it for myself. Once I thought that I became a lot more relaxed and accepted that some mornings you feel like you can run forever (well almost!) and another day you struggle to do what you did a couple of days ago, in which case just repeat a run and move on..... Hope this helps as there is no real answer, all I would say is if you start to doubt yourself, be positive and remember why you decided to start C25K in the first place. That reason was obviously good enough to get you started, which is the hardest part, so it’s definitely a good enough reason to keep you going. Good luck and remember you will soon be halfway through C25K!😊

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Ant50]

Thank you! Hopefully once I realise I can run for 5 minutes where before I started C25K I was dying at 30 seconds, might turn on that switch to the positive attitude I need!

[Ant50 Graduate in reply to packersruns]

Just keep going and 5 mins will turn into 30 or more. Like everyone says, if you stick with it, it really does work. Started C25K last July having never run before in my life, now find myself running three 5k runs a week! Which still amazes me! Just tell yourself you can do it !

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Well done 👍

That’s is always going to challenge of running 🏃‍♀️ you have been building nice and slow to each stage. When you start W1 R1 you thought that you couldn’t run 🏃‍♀️ for 60 seconds. Now look at you you’re going to run for 90 seconds. You’re amazing 😉

Just take new and slow and breath nice and slow. You can do this.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Try this healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[packersruns Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

This is really helpful, thank you!

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

I clear my mind of any thoughts and just focus on how good I’m going to feel when I’ve completed the run. If a thought comes into my head I visualise a pencil rubber, rubbing it out and blowing it away.....might sound daft, but works for me.....keep up the good work, you sound really determined to succeed and I’m sure you will 👍

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Doesn't sound daft at all, that actually sounds like a really good idea, definitely will put that into practise for my first run in week 4! Thank you so much!

[packersruns Graduate]

Never thought of it as almost like half a song - will have to just push myself to think of it like that.

As someone who used to smoke myself not long ago, I'm surprised you can do all of this whilst smoking, your lungs must be amazing haha!

Yeah tomorrow I'm just going to chill out, but I'm starting to get excited for Friday with all the advice I'm getting.

Thank you so much!

[changing-woman Graduate]

congratulations!

[nowster Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Check how old a post is before replying to it. This one is from May!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to nowster]

But nice sentiment! X