Week 5 Run 3 Done!

[Surprisedrunner]

I actually can’t believe it but I completed a 20 minute run this evening! Went out thinking I would repeat Run 2 but then just thought ‘oh I’ll give it a go, I can always stop’ and managed the whole thing. At 10 minutes I thought I could stop as that was still more than I had run before but actually the second half was easier in some ways. Really do feel thrilled. This is such a good programme. By the way, I’m 58 and about three stone overweight. I’m also very happy. 😀. If I can do it, anyone can.

[Bex2520 Graduate]

Amazing, good job! 😊

[Springersam]

Fantastic, well done you 👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K, onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1 but be careful about that run as it catches out some people with the interval walks and runs after the non stop 20 minutes of W5R3 which you have just ran 🏃🏾 😊

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Well done 👍

[splodgybum64]

Hi. I’m new here and just read your post. Congrats on your achievement. I’ve repeated run 2 of week 5 three times now as I can’t believe I am capable of running the 20 minutes on run 3. Any tips?

[Surprisedrunner in reply to splodgybum64]

Haha, I don’t think I’m in a position to give running tips but I do think I half tricked myself into it. I feel like the programme is really well thought out and that if you just trust it you’ll be ok. The block is psychological maybe more than physical. I decided I was going to just run for 10

minutes and once I’d done that (already further than I’d run for many years) I wouldn’t beat myself up if I stopped. Then I just kept going, the second half was honestly easier. You definitely can do it. Give it a go and me know how you get on. 🙂

[splodgybum64 in reply to Surprisedrunner]

OMG 😮 I did it! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Knowing that others had managed to break through that psychological barrier of 20 mins really helped me to stay focused and believe in myself.

[Sweetgabs77 in reply to splodgybum64]

AMAZING! Well done! That is a massive achievement. Very happy to have helped a little bit.

[sTrongFuse Graduate in reply to splodgybum64]

Take it slow and steady. Do you listen to music when you run? If so, make up a 20 minute playlist and, rather than think about the time, just count the songs. I made a playlist of 4x5 minute songs for mine. It wasn't a 20 minute run, it was a 4 song run. Did the same trick for all the non-stop runs in the second half of the plan.

Just a suggestion, but it worked for me. Anyway, my simple advice is to just try; you've nothing to lose.

[splodgybum64 in reply to sTrongFuse]

Yay I did it! Thanks for the tips - it’s always good to hear from folks who have already ‘Been there, got the t-shirt’ etc.

[J111eth]

Well done you - I love reading everyone stories it really does inspire me

[WildSoul Graduate]

I have this run next and your post has really helped me worry less about it. Thank you and well done!

[Joggingbottom Graduate in reply to WildSoul]

This was my favourite run W5R3 as it surprises you what you are capable of. I did a different route so I didn’t register distance in my mind. Go for it.

[Hidden]

Hi. I'm moving into WK5 this weekend and dreading the 20min run....its a big jump from previous runs....you've given me some hope 🤗

[Surprisedrunner in reply to Hidden]

It is a big jump but I honestly think a lot of it is psychological. The first 5 minutes were the worst. I was really worried I too, it seemed ridiculous to run for that long but I just kept telling myself I could stop if I wanted to. Turns out I didn’t need to.

[LittleMia Graduate]

That's amazing, well done! I have just finished week 4 and start week 5 on Saturday and I am going to remember what you have said when I get to run 3. It is daunting so I really hope I can do it.

[sTrongFuse Graduate in reply to LittleMia]

You will manage. The thing to remember is that W5R2 is actually a minute longer than W5R3. It goes like this:

W5R2 - run for 8 minutes/brisk walk for 5 minutes/run for 8 minutes = 21 minutes

W5R3 - run for 8 minutes/run for 4 minutes/run for 8 minutes = 20 minutes

Try thinking of it as three distinct stages rather than one unbroken whole. Maybe actually try running that middle section at a different pace so it feels like you're breaking it up.

You'll do it and we'll be here to read your "I can't believe I've just run for 20 minutes" post once you have.

Good luck.

[58soon]

Don't worry you guys if you're about to do that scary W5R3. I'm 57, unfit and have never run 10 mins in my life, let alone 20 mins! I thought I'd better repeat the runs until they felt OK before moving on. But reading some posts, I decided to go for it. And I did it! Breathless and exhausted, but kept going. I'm nervous at every run. Now W6R2, but keep telling myself to keep moving to the next stage - miraculously it seems to be working!