W5R2 😢

[mezziejay]

Like I did it but I actually wanted to cry ! It was so hard like soooo hard ! I really can’t see me getting through r3 now it seems impossible 😢😢 oh but I do get the prize for the wet T-shirt competition!!!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

If any run is hard there is an easy answer........SLOW DOWN!!!

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

This breakdown of W5 may help allay your irrational fears about the glorious next run healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Relax and enjoy it.

[mezziejay Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

If I go any slower I will be in reverse !!! I gave blood yesterday so hoping it was this..,that’s my excuse anyway !!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to mezziejay]

It is recommended to wait a minimum of 24 hours after blood donation and to increase your fluid intake prior to strenuous exertion.

It is possible to run on the spot, so you can always go slower.

[jaybro28 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I have to remind my wife every 6-8 weeks so she doesn't hurt herself or just stop running due to the unpleasantness. SLOW DOWN! I'm reminding myself constantly of this while I run. "Finish the distance, sc*** the time.", keeps me in the game.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to mezziejay]

Everyone says they can't go slower but they usually can !

As IannodaTruffe had asked , can you speak full sentences without gasping for breath ???

[JulesL69 Graduate in reply to mezziejay]

Plenty of water too - the day before you run and on the day of the run

[JulesL69 Graduate]

Well done on completing 👏🏻. Don’t think about run 3 yet... take a couple of rest days. Think how far you have come and trust in the programme. Also as other people have said slow and easy, like me you run slow but I’m sure you could go a little slower?

[carolinestanford Graduate]

Well done you xx you WILL do it x slow and steady xxx 😚

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

What were you physical symptoms as you started the cool-down walk? What was your breathing like?

Why was it "... so hard like soooo hard " ?

[mezziejay Graduate in reply to John_W]

Struggled to catch my breath for about two minutes it’s not normally that long. Tight calves but I can deal with that the breathlessness kicked in more as I hit the 5 minute walk ...weird !

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to mezziejay]

So that's your problem!

If your breathing was difficult in any way, it means very simply that you were going too fast. That may be hard to believe but trust me... your breathing is your 'canary in the mind'. It's your own speedometer. Breathing too hard? Slow down.

Your pace needs to be such that you can breath comfortably until the end of your run - the pace should feel 'easy' - like you could carry on if you hard to. That may sound impossible right now, but it exists. Find that pace and you'll enjoy your C25K experience so much more.

And it really doesn't matter if that pace is slower than your fastest walk. Watch the Japanese Slow Jogging video below and you'll see. They could go on for hours in their pace.

[CazzaW Graduate]

You did it 👏👏 despite it being hard. Be pleased with yourself rather than harsh 😌

I’m sure after you’ve recovered from giving blood and rehydrated properly you’ll be ok to go again when you feel ready. Go really, really slow and steady like everyone says.... you CAN do this, we’re all rooting for you 😊

[VPOLLIE67 Graduate]

I am so delighted for you mezziejay!!!! You did it!!!! I imagine giving blood might have affected your strength here but you didn’t give up and did it!!!’

As everyone says here, you should slow down if it’s getting too hard. I watched the Japanese slow running video and found when it got tough yesterday, I trotted along using that technique and gathered my breath and off I went again. It really worked and I will definitely be adopting the same run when I’m going for r3! You have been amazing and will smash it. I can’t wait to hear how you get on.

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

MJ, all I heard was you did it! 😉 Doesn’t sound like it was your most favourite run so well done for persevering 👍🏼✅

Personally I wouldn’t repeat R2 - you did it! - though try hard not to be consumed with ‘I can’t do R3.’ Perhaps look at it as a practice run; if you don’t manage it - no biggy - it’s all practice until the day you get it right. We’re all training to become runners aren’t we? So practice ☺️

Your #teamweek5 crew got you 🙌🏼💛

[Hidden]

First four words in your write up are the most important 'Like I did it' 😁

Every time I run I meet a woman in her 80's who flies past me when I'm shuffling along! Puts me to shame, but also reminds me why I want to do this so badly. Keep the faith because you got this! X

[mezziejay Graduate]

I love you guys ! Thank you ! I won’t be leaving my week 5 gang and will try Fridays torture run !!! Will hit the water tomorrow and healthy food in preparation! Will go earlier too I seem to be better first thing. The support from you all is amazing I can’t thank you all enough xxx

[JulesL69 Graduate in reply to mezziejay]

I normally do Thursdays but my hubby can’t do tomorrow so I will be doing my r3 on Friday like you ... we can do it ! 👍🏻🏃‍♀️

[Magellan Graduate]

I actually found W5R2 the absolute hardest of all. You've done it though, well done!

W5R3 looks so much harder, but it's totally manageable. Like everyone says, slow down. You feel like if you go any slower you'll be going backwards - so did I. It's not true though. I probably wouldn't have managed W5R3 if not for someone on this board recommending a short video to me. Watch this: youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...(Not working as expected?)

I didn't run W5R3 quite that slowly but I came close at times, and knowing that I could slow down to that pace if necessary was a great mental crutch.

Best of luck, but you need luck less than you think.