W5R3 - Thoughts on run time/length? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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W5R3 - Thoughts on run time/length?

PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate
6 Replies

Ok, so following my previous post re: being apprehensive about W5R3 I forced myself out to do the last run of the week.

I didn’t quite manage to run the whole 20 mins (a couple of 30 seconds walking intervals around 10mins and 15mins) and the below inc. the start/end 5 min warm up/cool down walk.

How bad is this?!?! Do I have a long way to go to not feel like absolute death?!?!

I may complete week 5 again (or the last run) but I really don’t want to as I am already actually in week 6 of activity - after repeating week 4.

I’m struggling if these below stats are bad right?

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PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRise
Graduate
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6 Replies
davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

It happens, try not to overthink it, have a good rest and repeat w5r3, remember, slow n steady, when the going feels so tough you can always slow more..

Don't worry about distance, it's just doing the time that counts..

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

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

Well done on giving it a go, but try to be a bit more positive. This post may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This is a training plan building your stamina, not a tick box exercise, so there is little point moving onto the next run if you have not yet completed the last one.

Relax, hydrate and repeat and just go slower........you can do this.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate

I think you might be running too fast. It’s better if you actually complete the run, by running more slowly, than running too quickly and having to stop in the middle. I completed it without stopping, but my time was wayyyy slower than yours (more than 10.5 mins/km) I think it becomes easier as we continue through the program to sensibly pace ourselves to not feel like death at the end 😀. For my last run (second time of running 25 minutes) I actually managed to increase the pace at the end, but I know it would have been too risky right now to do that in the middle. And my time did improve slightly, but I’m still really slow. Perhaps consider doing that run again, but more slowly, so that you can do it without stopping? I think you might benefit from that before moving on. Good luck!

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate

Yep definitely sounds like a pace issue, just ease off a little. As for repeating a week, absolutely nothing wrong with that if you feel it necessary 😊

Gwenllian1 profile image
Gwenllian1Graduate

You are doing wonderfully but I agree that it would be a good idea to take it just a bit slower so that you are not running on empty by the end. And repeating a week, or more than one week, is very common. You will definitely get there. You've got this!

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate

Hi

You’re doing so well - I’m a bit confused ... not sure if you’re on week 5 or 6 or maybe it’s me!... just how I’m reading it...

Don’t beat yourself up about having to repeat runs .. it’s your personal journey... you will get there!

This plan is magical ...

I would repeat any run not completed before moving on.. remember there is no timescale or competition..

I think my stats will be worse but at the moment my priority is to complete the runs... I think it may demotivate me if I get hung up on the stats...

best of luck! 👏👏👏

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