I never thought I’d be able to run for 5 minutes never mind 8 minutes....TWICE! I am so so proud of myself! This time a couple of weeks ago I was ready to give up on the whole thing! I had it in my head that some people are made to be runners and some people, such as me, just aren’t.
I felt as though I could’ve probably kept going to 10 minutes of solid running, however I am very very sceptical of whether I can manage 20! How has everyone else found the transition from run 2 to run 3?
I was genuinely petrified of run 3. The thought of 20 minutes running just seemed ridiculous. I went out on that run having no intention of doing a full 20 minutes, I just planned on running as long as I could and I managed it ok. I was puffing and panting and going very slowly but I did it. I think its more mental grit than physical ability. Your body can do it if you've got to where you are now, its just finding the ability to push yourself. Trust yourself and trust the programme, its been building you up without you noticing.
Yes, it’s definitely mental ability at this point! I’m not the best at zoning out- my brain never stops😂however I am slowly getting better at it🙈I know for a fact I can run that length of time, I got into running about 4 years ago- it was very short lived and I was a lot fitter then! I would run on the treadmill for about half an hour (basically until I got bored🤣) I’m finding it so much harder running outside, but I will get there!!😊
I was exactly the same as you. I l’ve been an avid gym user for years and would run merrily on a treadmill for an hour at a time. I tried to run outside and it just killed me. So I partly did this program to get my running time and distance up outside as opposed to inside. Running outside is very different. Not only do we have natural resistance from the environment but it’s more interesting, I’m in the sunshine, I can feel it’s better for my mental health, apart from my training equipment running outside is free! Added bonus at these crazy times (I quit my job in Legal operations to do a full-time PhD so money is tight, and that’s without Covid). If you are used to running on a treadmill you will know what I mean by getting to that place where you seem to be in some sort of a hypnotic trance, with your breathing matching your pace and your body just keeps going without you being really conscious of it. It took me longer to get to this point running outside but I am there now! Once we hit that spot we can just keep going. Happy days 😊😊
Please read IannodeTruffe’s pinned post on wk5 run 3 for a good pinch of positivity! 😊 We all felt exactly like you are now, you’re not alone! Trust the fact that every previous run has prepared you for this one. Take it really slow and steady from the absolute start so you don’t peak too soon and you’ll not only nail it, you’ll enjoy it! 👍Look forward to reading your victory post in the near future! 😄🏃♀️🐢
hi there. I have just been through the exact same journey.... if you can find my post after running w5r3, you will see how you CAN do it!! Don't fear it, it will be OK!!
We all worry about this one but it was my favourite!!
I almost let my mental negativity overtake me on this run I was dreading it so much but I did it, I cried after with pure exhilaration and pride! It wasn’t anywhere near as hard as I had made out in my head that it was going to be!
You are prepared for this! Get some good tunes in your speakers especially from 10 minutes on and away you go SLOW and STEADY
look forward to seeing your victory post!
Thank you for the reply😊I think If I can just pass that 15 minute mark I’ll be soo determined and will be able to just keep powering through!! Ahhh fingers crossed I can do it!!🤞😃
I can honestly say that altho i was a bit fearful of it... it has been my most comfortable run to date... out of all the runs! Who would have thought that!
you will definitely do it.. its true!.. we have been prepared without us even being aware of it!.... Best of luck and i look forward to your post 
Lovely to hear from you!😊 I was actually really surprised with how well I handled the 8 minute runs! I know it’s definitely a psychological thing, and with a good route and playlist I know I can do it!!😃
i will watch out for your post run completion post
For me week 5 was the most mentally challenging but i got to run 3 and afterwards i thought what was i worried for... you will be the same!... as you say ..decent tunes and off you go!
Well done ! You have every right to feel proud !
I did the same run this morning and have the 20 minute run on Wednesday... like you am feeling slightly anxious but also excited and looking forward to it.
The program has been well paced and look back to when you started 5 weeks ago ... to today ... bet you never thought you would be doing today’s run .... so I’d say, trust the program ... you’ve done the last 14 runs ... so you’ll do run 15 in your stride !
You will be absolutely fine, the unique thing about the program is every step is in preparation for the next 😊
Great stuff. In a way it’s good to come to run 3 with a little trepidation, that’ll make sure you don’t get over confident and go too fast... slow and steady all the way. There’s nothing to fear in the run though... you just did 21 minutes of cardio after your warmup, run 3 asks for 20! It’s all in the mind... tell yourself you can do it... relax... start nice and slowly and ease into your happy pace.
As it happens, I’m doing run 3 tomorrow as my daughter is repeating the plan... I found it easier than the intervals first time round, Ill post how she goes on tomorrow evening.
You can do it! Have fun.
Thanks for the reply! Brilliant I will be looking out for your post!😃
Well done - determination, slow down when you need to, and you’ll smash it.
I felt the same going into Week 5 Run 3 . I thought I'll just give it a try with no real belief I'd do it but I did. I'm talking here about someone who was gasping for breath in Week 1. You will do it!! I am now on week 6 and just finished run 2 . Every time I can't quite believe myself and I'm 66
Keep on running!
I am Week 6 now. Yes it terrified me very much. I had to repeat week 5. I have to say, if I put on the podcast for Week 5 Run 3 I still do not think I could do it. It is just so dull.
I do not know why but it helped me to play Week 5 Run 1 Podcast and not walk in the Walk breaks. (Week 5 Run 1= 3x 5mins +2 x 3mins = 21minutes) Just having it verbally broken up helped me get through it as it stopped me keep thinking about how far through I was. Also, so far I have opted to run Week 5 Run 3 Downhill and allow some extra time to walk home afterwards.
[ Personally, I find the plan a bit quick and does mithabend enough consolidation for me soI am not following the plan exactly and am doing a lot of repeating so my last runs have looked lik: Week 5 Run 3, Week 6 Run 1, Week 5 Run 3, Week 6 Run 2 and next will be Week 5 run 3 - the runs with intervals I go the other direction so there is more undulation in those runs ]
I really like the idea of playing the run 1 podcast, I think that would really help me!!
I’m just about to do my final run And I think looking back W5R3 Was “the” run. It’s pivotal in the whole program. Yes it’s a challenge but it’s also totally doable. It is a mental thing. Once you’ve done this run all the others seem for some reason much easier. It’s downhill to the finish line from here. Try not to overthink it and you’ll be fine. If you are really worried just do what you can to make it easier i.e. hydrate plenty the day before, a decent breakfast on the day such as porridge, avoid the hottest part of the day, wear a cap to shade your head/eyes if you don’t already, Don’t run too fast, try to remain calm and keep breathing at a steady rhythm. You can do this🏃🏻♀️😊 You’ll feel mega afterwards 🎉
I struggled on run 2 of week 5 and was worried that I wouldn't be able to do run 3 but do you know what? that last run was so much better! I think it helped that I purposely watched my pace after perhaps pushing it a bit too much on run 2. I kept it slower for run 3 as I knew I had longer to go and it worked as it ended up being (dare I say it) an enjoyable run. The last 2 minutes were a bit of a push but again I just slowed it right down and the sense of achievement at the end was totally worth it. You will smash it you just need to believe that you can!
If you are getting bored now is the time to investigate some podcasts, playlists and audio books. Spotify have some funny podcasts to distract you or something like "Run pod" to encourage you. They play first then set the C25K app going. The C25K will then interupt when it needs to. 20 mins is long enough to get involved it something and I found it really helped with the longer runs.
Good luck. 👣😎
You can do it - just go slow slow slow! Don't worry about a thing. If you need to have a few cracks at it that's fine too - Michael Johnson says so! I gave wk 5 run 3 it's own special week and by the third attempt I had done it comfortably. I would agree with everyone who says the challenge is more mental than physical. You've got this!
It’s not as bad as you think.....it’s worse 😜 only kidding it’s not that bad at all and in no time at all your trainer will be telling you your half way through and you’ll be thinking that was ok....I can do this. This run will show you how much your stamina and fitness has increased and you’ll surprise yourself...,good luck....watch the motivational video on my Bed to 5k post, that’ll get you going 👊
How often does the trainer give you updates on how long you’ve got left on this run? It really helps motivate me!
I can’t remember exactly Ellaloux it’s been quite a while since I did it, but I think it’s half way through, I remember hearing Jo’s voice and thinking that went a lot quicker than I anticipated.
Week 9 run 2 complete
WK5 run 3
Week 2 Run 3 ........ Now complete 
Week 6 Run 3 Complete
Wk5 R3 complete BOOM!
