Week 5 run 3?

[clarabelle27]

How did everyone find week 5 run 3, the first long run? I'm due to do it tomorrow and I'm so nervous that I'll fail drastically 😂😂

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

It’s not as bad as you think, it’s a test of your new found fitness and stamina, but if you don’t set off too fast you’ll do fine....it’s important to get into a good rhythm with your breathing, I breath through my mouth rather than my nose, I take a deep breath in then purse my lips slightly when I breathe out so I exhale slower, try it and good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Read this healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and relax.

You can do this.

[liam-1 Graduate]

Don’t over think it. Just get out there set a steady pace and it will be over before you know it. Then your be posting to say Wow I did it 👍🏻

Good luck keep us updated.

I completed W5R1 this evening, I’m really enjoying the whole experience

[Tendance]

I honestly found it easier than run one week one! Go smash it 💪🏻x

[juliemacd1 Graduate]

Ditto to the others. Try and think positive rather than letting the dread get its claws in. Steady pace, get a good rhythm for breathing and it’ll go by quicker than you think. Pick some good music if that’s your thing. I switched my music in week 5 and it was so much better.

Positive attitude. You can do it. Good luck!

[clarabelle27]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I'll let you know how it goes 👍

[Runtowardsyourgoals]

As long as you pace yourself it’s actually ok! I did it today .

[steviej99 Graduate]

Every run and every week prepares you for the next. Trust the plan. Keep it slow and steady. You'll smash it. And btw you cant fail - you either succeed or its a training run!

[Run5000m Graduate in reply to steviej99]

Love that, training run analogy.🙂

[Cockneymick Graduate]

Hi I did it about 6 weeks ago and just like you I was nervous beforehand. However I did it and the sense of achievement was immense.

The program has prepared you for this run, you are ready and you will do it. Put on your favourite playlist, lots of deep breaths and run slowly. Keep telling yourself you'll do it.

You're going to smash it 👍🏃‍♂️👊

[Hidden]

I was so nervous before mine, I got up at 4.30 am coz I couldn't sleep and just wanted to get it over with! But it was actually ok. Before I knew where I was Michael was telling me I was halfway. Just go slow and you'll be fine 👍

[Sabrina77 Graduate]

It went well actually, right at the start tell yourself “im ready, i can do this”, take is nice and steady and you’ll be fine. Your coach will let you know after 5 , 10 etc minutes .... you’ll be supported all through the run. Xxx now go and RUN 😉

[Mill1962 Graduate]

You will be fine. It is amazing how quickly the time goes and by the end you will actually be enjoying it. This programme is amazing - you will not believe how much you can achieve if you just believe in yourself.

[AmbiBamb]

I hadn’t even realised that the runs increased this week. I have just run Week 5 Run 1 and thought it stayed like that all week until I read this! Now I’m dreading it! I don’t feel ready at all to run that far 😱. The support and advice on here is great. Good luck and let us know how it goes. You can do it x

[Run5000m Graduate in reply to AmbiBamb]

So can you. Listen to your own advice. Believe it.🏃‍♂️

[steviej99 Graduate in reply to AmbiBamb]

You are definitely ready, that's how the plan works! Slow and steady and you'll smash it

[Howfarisit]

Don't think about the time. It will happen. Everyone does worry about it, but its the next step in a well developed process. Focus on the breathing and don't go too fast. If you've got music / podcast to listen to focus on that. Good Luck. It will happen!

[John_W Graduate]

Have a look at the newest post (top of the page) by Cal519 . And have a look at the post 2 below yours.

It's not obvious to any first-timer, but W5R3 is a mental test NOT a physical one. Why? 'Cos your body has been prepared for it by the preceding 14 runs you done - that's 157 minutes of running in your legs, which is more than enough to give you the fitness to last 20 minutes, provided you start slow enough.

You're showing a classic case of how the body is ready but the mind is not.

Mantra #1: every run you've done prepares you for the next one (i.e. your body is ready!

Mantra #2: the body is ready but the mind less so (i.e. ignore the gremlins, the fear!)

You're ready.

Do it.

[LadyGault Graduate]

You won't fail and the feeling you get at the end will be magic ✨

[Vitomac Graduate]

Hope it went great - that was me last week and so loved the feeling at the end! Did the 25 minute this morning and didn't feel any tougher and knew I could do it. Enjoy the feeling and well done!

[jmb122mp Graduate]

There are a few W5R3 posts like yours. The responses are the same... encouraging and indicating that the program has physically prepared you for this run... the rest is mental. Tomorrow is my W7R3 run and I remember my W5R3 run. I was a little concerned like you but read the other W5R3 posts. I was having a really good run until I hit the 15 minute mark. I hit a little wall for minutes 15-17 and had to mentally push through... I "recovered" at the 17 minute mark and finished well. The same thing happened to me on the W6R3 (first 25 minute run) at the same 15 minute mark. This time I understood what was happening and this "wall" only last 30 seconds.

Good luck! You'll do great!

[Jenny115 Graduate]

I was nervous but someone on here said the run walk combo was much harder than just running and I now agree. Your mind tricks you into thinking the quick walk is a rest, but it isn't and actually your body prefers that steady pace the whole way round.

[clarabelle27]

Update: I did this run this morning because I couldn't get a break in the heavy rain yesterday and I actually ran for 20 mins continuously, you were all so right. Thanks so much for sharing the articles and encouragement 😊

[BowlingT Graduate in reply to clarabelle27]

Congratulations! It’s such an achievement that run.... I think it’s where you start think you can ACTUALLY complete this program