Week 4

[Dodgylungs]

I’ve now completed my second time around in Week 4 but I’ve only managed the distance the last 2 runs. Today felt even harder than Friday’s run and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make the last 5 minutes but I did and I’m so happy. The question now is do I do another Week 4 and consolidate what I’ve done or go onto Week 5 on Wednesday? It’s another 4 minutes running altogether, though the walking time between each run is 3 minutes rather than 90 seconds and 2.5 minutes (on the C25K app I’m using) and I’m thinking that should make the difference. It’s a tough business working up to 5k but I was 3lbs lighter this morning when I weighed myself and so the diet plan and this run is really beginning to work.

[PhoenixRise Graduate]

Firstly - well done! If you’ve completed the runs (especially the last one!) without walking/stopping then you are good to move on to the next week. Don’t worry about distance - as long as you are running the time then you are doing great 👍

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to PhoenixRise]

Thank you. I’ve realised the first run is actually only 15 minutes not 20 - so that makes it easier. The tricky bit for me is going from running 16 minutes in 3 and 5 minute segments to then in just three days running non stop for 20 minutes. I’ll be amazed if I manage that first time around.

[PhoenixRise Graduate in reply to Dodgylungs]

You’ve got this! Trust the programme - each week it prepares you for the next week 💪🏻 I too didn’t think I’d manage the W5R3 of 20 mins non-stop - but I did! As have so many others! Even if you don’t - a run is better than no run and you can repeat if you are not happy with it 😉

[nowster Graduate]

If you've completed week 4's runs on three occasions, you'll be fine for going on to week 5.

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to nowster]

On 2 occasions not 3 - that was my dilemma.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Dodgylungs]

Maybe one more Week 4 run, then?

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to nowster]

Yes might be an idea

[carolinestanford Graduate]

You can do it!!!!!!

[Hidden]

I too really really struggled on week 4 with my lungs. I had to do one of the runs again to get 3 complete w4 under my belt. I managed it, just, and this week have moved onto w5 and am finding it so much better and more enjoyable than last week 😊 You managed it today, so you can definitely do it once more before moving on. You can do it!

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes I think it would be wise to do one more complete run before moving on. Are you finding Week 5 easier? Do you have asthma too?

[Hidden in reply to Dodgylungs]

Definitely finding week 5 easier, especially now I’ve found my pace and it’s nice and slow. I don’t have asthma no, but I have heavily smoked for the last 30 years. I’d struggle to hold a conversation while just walking quickly and chatting to people because get out of breath stupidly quickly. I’ve found a definite improvement in my lungs. I hope it helps with your asthma too 😊

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Have you ever had a spirometry test to see how your lungs recover? Do you wheeze? Running definitely helps with my breathing in general and carrying this much weight around has really made me realise how that affects my lungs too. I was fit as a fiddle last year and need to get back to that.

[Hidden in reply to Dodgylungs]

No tests done, I try and avoid doctors as much as possible, ha! I was getting out of breath going upstairs too and knew I had to do something about it. I’m the same on the weight side, had 3 and half stone to lose. I’ve managed to lose 1st 9lbs over the last 8 weeks doing weight watchers so still a bit to go. But everything feels like it’s heading in the right direction. You sound really determined which is amazing. I think this virus has been a bit of a wake up call to a lot of us.

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Go and get a spirometry test done to rule out COPD