W5/R2... phew!: Hi all, I struggled to get my... - Couch to 5K

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W5/R2... phew!

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate
28 Replies

Hi all, I struggled to get my head in the zone for my run today - probs as I knew it went up in duration (week 5 runs are all different)! Did the usual procrastination tactics - charged my phone, looked at my music 🎧 but in the end nothing for it but to get on with it so off I went...🏃‍♀️

Was gutted that my garmin wouldn’t find the gps 😩 and I really wanted to track my pace on this one..gadgets eh, can’t rely on ‘em!

Next obstacle was two dog walkers standing chatting across the entrance to a very narrow Twitten that I have to run through.. one of the dogs clocked me and started ferociously barking.. no social distancing “excuse me”.. oh my, it’s all going on this morning!! Managed to jog around the obstacle course and off I went and was amazed that I managed the first of the 2 runs with relative comfort, then the 5 long minutes walking break, which only served to get me wondering how I was going to do on the next leg. Mind over matter strikes again..

I also decided (in my infinite wisdom) to run all the way home - up a hill, rather than use the 5 min cool down for the hilly bit..hmm, why did I decided that?! 😂. Anyhow I made it but only just.. I found that one challenging I won’t lie! I then walked another 5 mins up the road and back to cool down, whilst passed by super-speedy runners doing 20mph - ‘I have been running too, honest!’ 😂

All in all, I need to stop overthinking it.. let’s see if I get better at that next time 😉. Post-run pic, hot, sweaty but smiling 😄.

Hope your runs go well this weekend .. 🍀

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Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13
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28 Replies
PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate

Well done! Week 5 is a challenging one so brilliant work getting up and out and tackling it head on! Don’t worry too much about your Garmin/GPS for this run - W5R3 is the best run to get an idea of your pace and distance as it has no walking 😱

BUT by the sounds of your desire to do an additional 5 minutes running (brilliant!) then you’ve got this 💪

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to PhoenixRise

Whaaaaat?? No walking?!!! 😱😱😱. To be honest, I think you’re right and in a way it only makes me worry about the next run so actually...bring it on!! 😎🏃‍♀️👍💪

PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate in reply to Sussex13

You have more than got this! Trust the plan and yourself! 🏃‍♀️ 😉

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to PhoenixRise

Thanks 🙏

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to Sussex13

You didn’t know?!! Oh, you’re one of these brave types who just does as she’s told! I have to look what’s in the pipeline! R3 is going to be the making of us! 😅🙃😅

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage

Yes I’m too scared to look so just literally follow the instructions on the day 😂. Now it’s getting serious I am looking ahead. Gawd...tomorrow!!! 😱😬🥵

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to Sussex13

You sound like you’re doing BRILLIANTLY. 4 little extra minutes. Don’t sweat it 😎 You’re so ready!

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage

It’s the 20 minutes non stop that’s worrying me 😂. Actually will hold onto that thought of 4 minutes, makes me feel better 🤣🤣

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate

I too did Week 5 R2 today and I salute you for running uphill on the last leg as I did the complete opposite and ran downhill for the last 8 minutes for fear of not completing the distance. The first bit of my run is up a steady incline on Hampstead Heath and that took a fair bit out of me. I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the first 8 minutes so God knows how I’m going to do 20 minutes without stopping. That 5 minute walk in between the stints was very welcome today. I think it is mind over matter a lot of the time and I’ll have to get my tough head on for Tuesday.

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to Dodgylungs

Dodgylungs I will be taking a leaf out of your book for my next run and find a slight downhill route for the last 5 mins or so!

Hampstead Heath sounds divine.. I’m also so lucky with Sussex countryside and South Downs on my doorstep, though I will NEVER be running up those hill! 🤣

Good luck on Tuesday - keep me posted!

mattymoo33 profile image
mattymoo33

Hi honey, well done on getting through. I did w5r3 on Friday and struggled a little bit, particularly because my podcast let me down, so I was alone in my own head🤯. I relaxed into it after about 10 mins and really paced myself.

Week 6 tomorrow, I've had a sneaky peak and it looks very do-able.

Good luck with R3, you'll be fine 😊xxx

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to mattymoo33

Oh shame about your podcast, i do recall you saying about it. Well done for carrying on though as I don’t know what I’d have done! I feel like Jo is holding my hand all the way, amazing how much we rely on our coaches!

Good luck for tomorrow hon, let me know how you get on. X

mattymoo33 profile image
mattymoo33 in reply to Sussex13

Thanks lovely. I'm looking forward to it, meeting my husband and youngest son for a round of mini golf afterwards.

You'll smash run 3🥰xxx

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to mattymoo33

Have fun hon!

Couchphoenix profile image
CouchphoenixGraduate

Well done Sussex13, it definitely is mind over matter, the run at the end I would say was a good idea, I used to do that as I considered it preparation for the runs to come. Stick with it, don’t overthink it, it does get easier trust me 👍🏃‍♀️

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix

Thank you Couchphoenix, yes you are sooo right about mind over matter! I’ve got to stop listening to my head and get on with it.. Fingers crossed for Tuesday 🤞🤞🤞

Couchphoenix profile image
CouchphoenixGraduate in reply to Sussex13

Trick I used was to clear my mind of all thoughts when running, if a thought comes into your mind imagine an eraser rubbing it out and blowing it away. Might sound nuts but it works for me. Another important thing is to get your breathing into a good rhythm, nice deep breath in then purse your lips slightly as you breath out, so you breath out slower. You’ll find once your breathing gets into this rhythm that your legs will just keep on going. I hope this helps, I’d be interested to see how you get on 👍🏃‍♀️

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix

Awesome advice, thank you. I’m always analysing my breathing so this is incredibly helpful and I’ll definitely employ this going forwards. 😊

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

Lovely smiley pic Sussex!

Well done on that incline finish - you took a chance and completed it! Are you doing R3 tomorrow?

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage

I am CC... scared! 😬

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to Sussex13

Breezy, girl, 😏 you got this. We’re all behind you! 👊🏼💥

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to acountrycabbage

What time you running? I could do my R2 at the same time for good morale! 😀

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage

Fab yes, will be heading out of the door at 7:45am.. does that work for you? Could do 8am??

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to Sussex13

Yikes..! 😅 YES, let’s do it! 8am ✅

I’ve got into the bad habit of going to bed late so this will help swing my body clock back to normal 👍🏼

#teamtagweek5 🌟

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage

8am.. You are on! I start work (from home) at 9am so need time to shower ..and breathe again!! 😂

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage

Am going for an early night myself!!

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate in reply to Sussex13

Brilliant, see you tomozza! 😎

Sussex13 profile image
Sussex13Graduate

Thank you!!!! 🥰

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