I. DID. IT!

[Learning_to_run]

W5R3...BOOM! I cannot quite believe it....I am still in shock....I was so careful not to run too fast....during the first 10 mins I kept it incredibly slow and then in the second I adjusted (up and down!) depending on how I felt..my pace is so slow but I really don’t care...at this stage it is only about the stamina. I am off for some brekkie now (I run on an empty stomach for some reason) with a big smile on my face!

[LoneSagittarius]

Well done you!!! I have it next Friday. I can't wait for the feeling of pride afterwards! I always run early on an empty stomach. I bring my breakfast into work in a big tupperware, no shame!

[Learning_to_run in reply to LoneSagittarius]

Thank you...the feeling is awesome I have to tell you! It feels like the end is achievable...because it is moving from 20 to 30 mins continuous run. It feels like that is about stamina which i am finding i can regulate via speed or lack of speed...confidence is sky high at the moment until the dreaded week 6 which everyone says catches you out...I am getting psychologically prepared for it to be tough but still I am going to do it!

[LoneSagittarius in reply to Learning_to_run]

I can definitely feel my stamina increasing with each run. The satisfaction of that is immense. I'm trying to mentally prepare for it, same as you! I have faith that I can do it though, lots of people saying they smashed it!!!

[Learning_to_run in reply to LoneSagittarius]

Pace pace pace...start super slow...you can always increase a bit in the second half when that feeling kicks in...you know the one (I am finishing this if it is the last thing I do!)

[LoneSagittarius in reply to Learning_to_run]

Definitely know the one... If it bloody kills me!

[SamiaT Graduate]

Well done you! Feels amazing huh.lol. Enjoy the high. You've earned it.x

[Learning_to_run in reply to SamiaT]

Thank you so much....we’re on the same journey!!!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Well done! It'a big mental hurdle to get out of the way.

I say mental hurdle deliberately... because, as your body has just proved to you, it was *physically* prepared for it from all the runs you'd successfully completed before hand.

And "empty stomach running" is no bad thing by the way ... No need to explain here, but it can be incredibly useful if you decided to run longer distances in the future.

For now... crack on!

[Learning_to_run in reply to John_W]

Tease!!! Yes, I dared to dream this morning....could I ever see myself running a marathon....I think the answer is no but your last comment made me smile. Thanks for the encouragement...who knew that barely a year ago I was told by my specialist that it was possible I might not be able to walk without pain ever again! I found the best physio in the world and he rebuilt me! And this morning I ran 20 mins pain free!!!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Learning_to_run]

Finding a good physio, is like finding a trustworthy tradesman. Without my physio, I'd have never been able to run for the past 5 years.

Week 6 is the last of the 3 'bridge' weeks as I call them... over the bridge (Week 4, 5, 6) and then onto the final straight of 7, 8 and 9.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1.

[Learning_to_run in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you!