Struggling to finish Week 5 run#2 for 8 minutes

[mohitjoshi1501]

Hey everyone, hope you're enjoying the sunshine in UK, or wherever you are in the world!

I started the Couch to 5K programme a few weeks back and reached week 5. In run#2 I've got two 8 minute runs which I am struggling to finish. I am writing here because I've attempted this 4 times now, and the max I've gone to is 6 minutes at a stretch.

I was wondering if anyone has faced something like this when starting off, and any advice that you could share? I want to keep going and not giveup. My motivation levels are still a bit high, but just don't want to lose hope if I struggle a couple of more times.

[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.

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

Enjoy your journey.

[Katkins27 Graduate]

Plse dont give up...its all good! Your body will catch up and will be able to do what your head wants to do 😀

[Dmc33 Graduate]

I know what you mean. I find when I reach those points when I think I can't keep going then it helps to give myself tiny targets. For example - just run to the next lamppost, just get to the end of the road, just run to that tree. Then once I reach it I pick the next tiny target. I usually find (if my pacing was ok) that this means my body can keep going and it convinces my head to get on board! I normally only need to do this for 3 or 4 tiny targets before I feel ok again and get back into a rhythm.

Well done on making it this far. Trust the programme. You can definitely do this!

[Guru10 Graduate]

Hi mohitjoshi.

Hopefully you have followed the advice and read the guide.

Congrats on getting back out there and attempting thus run again, especially in this warm weather we are enjoying in the UK.

If you finish off this sentence below the answer may be obvious for all to see:

Having reach 6mins I ended up stopping because ...............

Stay positive, you’ll get through this.

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Welcome and well done 👍

As you get further in the programme you will find that you now need to battle the mental challenges of running. This is where you need to push through that doubts that you have about your abilities to do this running thing. Think of what you was like 5 weeks ago, when you thought that 60 seconds was to much. Now you’re on W5 R2 you are amazing. You can do this just believe in yourself.

[mohitjoshi1501]

Hello! Big thanks for all the messages. I am so so happy to say I reached the 8 minute mark on my 5th attempt of the Week 5 run 2!!

I must admit that the first run I lasted only 6 minutes and 40 seconds. I had this extreme burn like sensation around my chest and back. It was like a ring of burn. I could feel the burn through breathing while I was recovering in the 5+ minutes walk before my second atttempt. Have you felt this too? I almost gave up thinking I shouldn't risk attempting the second one because of this weird sensation. But I went for it after recovering, slowed the pace, and I somehow managed to run non stop for 8 minutes. Felt so good after this. Sometimes you just gotta trust yourself and keep going.

Now is the big 20 minute run. Sounds extreme given I was struggling with 8 minutes until today. But let's see how it goes.

Hope all of you are running well and keeping safe. I'll update how my run goes.

Thanks!

[Jillybean0141 Graduate in reply to mohitjoshi1501]

This is great to read because I couldn't finish the 8 min runs on week 5, day 2 this morning. I'm keen to stick with it and I'm chuffed for you that you did it. Well done!

[mohitjoshi1501 in reply to Jillybean0141]

Just keep going, and don't give up. I hope you hit the 8 minute mark in your next attempt, and if you don't see the improvement anyway and keep going until you get it. Let us know how you get on.