Any tips to overcome brick wall of week 6?

[Laddef1]

Very proud to have reached week 6. But I am finding it really challenging, more so than any other week. Anyone got any tips?

[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.

[Laddef1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the tips. Very helpful.

[Tap_per]

I'm due to do week 6 run 3 tomorrow and struggled with, though completed, runs 1 and 2. Simply I set off too fast after every walking section, and with the walking sections I felt like I didnt get a chance to settle into my stride. I'm hoping with run 3 being continuous I will set off at a slow pace and settle into it for the 25 mins.

[Laddef1 Graduate in reply to Tap_per]

Thanks and good luck to you too. I'm due run 3 tomorrow and will take it slow and steady. Fingers crossed that I can overcome the dead spot around the halfway mark.

[linzi7478 Graduate in reply to Laddef1]

Keep going, slowing down a good tip. Key thing is completing it not racing. Hopefully you're going all the usual things like listening to music or a podcast to take your mind off it. You can do it, you've come this far. Mind over matter! Xxx

[Ringla]

I hit the same loss of confidence, after week 4 in my case, so spent the next week doing 3 runs each time; the first and last no more than a couple of minutes, but the middle one timed to build up to 8 minutes. Then I knew I could face week 5, and I am now looking forward to the 25 minute challenge of W6R3 on Friday.

Most of us have one or two handicaps, and having an occasional week to consolidate or repeat the previous one makes excellent sense. I'm over 80, and I am sure Laura understands that I can't always keep up with younger members of her class. I promise not to let her down, even if I have to take a second extra week to get there.

I hope you Laddef1 stay the course. It is a great physical challenge, and can do us nothing but good.

[Laddef1 Graduate in reply to Ringla]

Thank you Ringla. Fought my way through w6 and w7. First run in w7 was good, second a struggle and had to give in at 24 minutes which really upset me. I think that I will repeat w7 for at least 1 or 2 runs before moving on. Going to 28 minutes doesn't sound a lot but I know I am finding it tough.

I am 58 and hearing that you are doing this at 80 is very impressive and giving the rest of us real motivation. So thank you!

[Ringla]

I finally hacked W6R3 this morning, having run out of steam on Friday when the weather was unpleasant. Actually it went rather well, and I added a couple of extra minutes at the end during an extended cool down walk. I may do the same during W7, building up a reserve towards those extra 3 killer minutes in W8. I probably do better when it isn't raining, and after a good night's sleep and 2 rest days. Until I turn pro, I won't expect to be at my best every time!