Week 6 Run 1: Well it wasn’t easy, even after... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

133,430 members159,000 posts

Week 6 Run 1

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate
16 Replies

Well it wasn’t easy, even after running for 20 minutes on Thursday. The first 5 minutes was straightforward enough but my usual lung issues and aching legs were ever present. I found myself feeling the pace halfway through the 8 minute part of the run. An acquaintance said hello at this point but I couldn’t hear them properly through my ear pods so by the time I turned to say hi I was already past them. I had been listening to my usual punk rock tunes, Babylon’s Burning by The Ruts gave me extra incentive to push through to the end of the 8 minute stint.

I ran my normal route today which included some inclines and by the time I started the last 5 minute run Gloria by Patti Smith was kicking in which gave me great cheer. Bands such as the Violent Femmes and The Damned kept me pushing through, along with Laura’s reassuring and dulcet tones. As I was nearing the end of the run up another incline and struggling, Iggy Pop came to my rescue with Lust For Life. I defy anyone not to have a bounce in their step to that song. My ear pods only came out once today (as opposed to twice on Thursday) but I seem to have discovered the mental strength to be able to keep pushing through the pain. The 25 minutes for Run 3 is going to be very challenging but I’m trusting in the programme.

Written by
Dodgylungs profile image
Dodgylungs
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
16 Replies
carolinestanford profile image
carolinestanfordGraduate

Well done!! 👍

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to carolinestanford

Thank you!

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Well done starting week 6 !

Just one more interval run to do 😬👍

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to Instructor57

Thank you. Yeah, that’s 10 and 10 so will see how I deal with that.

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

Brilliant! 🌟🙌🏼

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to acountrycabbage

Thank you!

VPOLLIE67 profile image
VPOLLIE67Graduate

Brilliant Dodgylungs!!!

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to VPOLLIE67

Thank you!

mrsszu profile image
mrsszu

Just did week6 run 1 this morning too, well done Dodgylungs! A few things stopped me running this week so maybe the extra rest days have helped today,, I'm apprehensive about the last leg to 30mins solid running too. Trusting in the plan!

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to mrsszu

You’ll get there. Well done!

IngridKW profile image
IngridKWGraduate

Every week I doubted myself 5 minute running, not a chance!! As you know I smashed it today and I’m still in shock at how amazing the program is.

I use to see runners and wish I could get in the zone so it’s true about the mental strength.

You are doing brilliant, keep it up 👍

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to IngridKW

Thank you. I was running 5k on the treadmill indoors before lockdown but could never run outside. Now I’m starting to be able to and though it’s much harder, I also feel it’s more rewarding. I never really enjoying running on the treadmill but outdoors feels more rewarding and a bigger buzz. Well done you too 😀

JulesL69 profile image
JulesL69Graduate

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done. Love Iggy Pop what a great tune.

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to JulesL69

Brilliant isn’t he. Saw him in Vegas a few years back.

JetsNanna profile image
JetsNannaGraduate

Well done! I found W6R1 a real mare and that baffled me because you’d think that interval running would be a cinch after doing W5R3.

The runs with no interval are somehow ‘easier’ - you are clear how long you have to ‘stick at it’ and you don’t have the distraction of thinking about “how long until I can stop again” and “oh my days, have I got to start again already” - they are real hard work but they mean that you find some kind of rhythm to your running. It’s all to play for now 😊

Dodgylungs profile image
DodgylungsGraduate in reply to JetsNanna

I know what you mean but so far I've been very glad of the breaks. I too found Week 6 Run 1 tricky but not because I didn't want to stop - the opposite was true for me, I was still exhausted halfway through the 8 minute stint. I'll see how I fare after W6R2 - hopefully the running and football match I played yesterday will all add to helping me feel I'm on my way to fitness. My new FitBit broke down on me yesterday, so I'll have to send that back and get it replaced/repaired. I sincerely hope that the two lots of 10 minute stints I'm about to embark on will show me that there have been some improvements in my fitness since last week.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beyond Couch to 5k runs now on available on the app! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you updated your app recently? If not, you’re in for a treat! Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be...

Fish, chips and mushy peas!

So after 10 weeks I finished the program at 6.00 this morning🥳 It was the most wonderful morning...

Final week ?

W9R1 completed at 6.00am! Right calf was pretty tight again after 5 mins but kept going. Hopefully...

Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!

Hello all I did Couch to 5k 5 when I was in my mid-60s and loved it. I got to 5k easily and ran...

🏃‍♀️Week 6…How was it for you?🏃

This is one of those weeks that people ask about all the time! We got so many posts from people...