W5R2: Was amazed I completed this run without a... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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W5R2

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate
26 Replies

Was amazed I completed this run without a struggle! This program is amazing ! Have to be honest though that I’m quite apprehensive about the next one and running for 20 minutes! It seems such a huge jump from 2 x 8 minutes! I’m gonna give it my best shot tho! Thank you so much for all the encouraging replies on here...it really helps.

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wendymirage profile image
wendymirage
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26 Replies
LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate

Well done! I’m sure you’ll be fine. 👊

I’m doing Run 3 tomorrow 😬

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to LottieMW

Let us know how you get on!

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate in reply to wendymirage

It was unbelievably fab! 🥰

Think of the brisk walk in the middle of R2 as just being a slow jog...so you’ve already done it! 👍

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Good luck to you both for your run 3 of week 5, take that run slow and steady,

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Thank you so much! Will do

carolinestanford profile image
carolinestanfordGraduate

You will amaze yourself - just slow down and breathe x

00marks profile image
00marksGraduate

Well done! Keep going.

Reluctantrunner500 profile image
Reluctantrunner500Graduate

I managed the 20 minutes yesterday and like you was apprehensive beforehand. But like my house Laura says, if you’ve done the whole program you can do it. You will! Good luck!

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to Reluctantrunner500

That's so good to hear! Thank you - I'm looking forward to it!

KimberlyAubree profile image
KimberlyAubree

How did u find it I’m due to do mine run 2 tomorrow and I’m wondering how il make the jump to 8 mins let alone the 20 , didn’t find 8 ok? X

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to KimberlyAubree

Hi KimberlyAubree

You ran for 15 mins during W5R1 - you knew this, yes?

Your last 4 runs have looked like this:

W4R1 - 16 minutes of running time

W4R2 - 16 minutes of running time

W4R3 - 16 minutes of running time

W5R1 - 15 minutes of running time (getting the idea?)

W5R2 - 16 minutes of running time.

(you should be used to this by now!)

Yes, it's the TOTAL time that counts.

It's the amount of time that you're on your feet and active for that builds your fitness, NOT the length of any individual running segment. You've got 141 minutes of running time under your belt by now... In other words... your body is READY, but the mind maybe isn't, so you need to have a bit of confidence and convince yourself. TRUST THE PROGRAM!

2 mantras for you

Mantra #1: every run you've done prepares you for the next one (i.e. your body is ready!

Mantra #2: the body is ready but the mind less so (i.e. ignore the gremlins, the fear!)

You're ready...

DO IT.

KimberlyAubree profile image
KimberlyAubree in reply to John_W

And this morning I did run 2 with 2x8 mins and didn’t find it hard at all the 5 mins ones I found harder I was so pleased with myself !!

Now for the 20 mins one il keep you posted 👌🏼

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to KimberlyAubree

Please do! Sometimes the walking can just get in the way and make the running seem more difficult...

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to KimberlyAubree

I think knowing there was only 2x 8 minute runs kept me going 5mins to 8 mins isn’t to much out of reach - it’s just the 20 tomorrow but I’m ready for it and actually can’t wait to give it a go!!

Let us know how you get on😊

KimberlyAubree profile image
KimberlyAubree in reply to wendymirage

How did your 20 mins go? Mines Monday the 8 mins was actually ok I was soo pleased x

Ian5K profile image
Ian5KGraduate

I found not having to start running again, after the walking break, was easier.

You didn’t struggle with 2 x 8mins, I think the continuous run will actually feel easier for you as well.

Curb that imagination, it really won’t be horrendous. Begin slow and steady, don’t think about the time, be in the present, listen to the music if you have it. You’ll do well. 🙂

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to Ian5K

Thanks Ian... I'm now looking forward to the run tomorrow after all the lovely words of encouragement on here. Yes, I think slow and steady is the key!

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador

"It seems such a huge jump from 2 x 8 minutes! "

WOAH! STOP. RIGHT. THERE.

Yours is a very typical reaction of so many C25K first timers.

Week 4 was actually the biggest jump in TOTAL running time whole program, from 9 minutes in Week 3 to 16 (SIXTEEN!) minutes - that's a 75% increase! Week 5 is only a 25% increase, so physically, you've done the hard bit already.

Your last 5 runs have looked like this:

W4R1 - 16 minutes of running time

W4R2 - 16 minutes of running time

W4R3 - 16 minutes of running time

W5R1 - 15 minutes of running time

W5R2 - 16 minutes of running time.

Yes, it's the TOTAL time that counts.

It's the amount of time that you're on your feet and active for that builds your fitness, NOT the length of any individual running segment. You've got 157 minutes of running under your belt from 14 outings... that's more than 2.5 hours (excluding all the warm-up/cool down walking time) - that's more than enough fitness to see you achieve a 20 minute JOG :-)

Remember... this is a 9 week program in which you run for 30 minutes, 3 times in Week 9. If you work backwards from that, and ask yourself what would be sensible progressions each week, then it all makes perfect sense.

2 mantras for you

Mantra #1: every run you've done prepares you for the next one (i.e. your body is ready!

Mantra #2: the body is ready but the mind less so (i.e. ignore the gremlins, the fear!)

To see it visually, have a look at these posts:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You're ready.

Do it.

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to John_W

Ahh this does make perfect sense! With all the wonderful encouragement on here I actually can’t wait to get out there tomorrow and DO THIS!!

I think the - take it slow and easy - is gonna get me there. Will report back tomorrow.

Thank you so so much 😊

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to wendymirage

Your positive mindset will wonders for you and it's great to see.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate

Well done 👏👏👏 I’m just off out to do the same run. Good luck with R3, you’ll be fine 👍

Fantastic advice and support in your replies, as always, I particularly like John_Ws breakdown it really helps 👌

wendymirage profile image
wendymirageGraduate in reply to CazzaW

Ah good luck with that run! Let us know how you get on

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to wendymirage

All went surprisingly well, accompanied this time by the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack so Stayin’ Alive was a key track 😂

Looking forward to hearing from you after R3, I’m doing it on Monday, I’ll post after that one! We can do this 💪💪💪

Like you, I worried about the jump to 20 minutes but, I was really surprised to find that it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be and, what others have said about the previous runs preparing you for the next is so true for this one. Go on - smash it!

I completed W5R2 this evening. I still can't believe I did it! I honestly thought I would struggle, but I didn't find it bad at all. I'm also worried about the 20min run but let's see how it goes. Let us know how you get on :-) we can do this!

KimberlyAubree profile image
KimberlyAubree

Me too I found it easier than 5 mins didn’t u?? Now for the next one good luck x

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