W6 R2 - no more walking relief

[Marcomanc]

Hi all. I’ve just finished W6 R2 after a three day rest as I haven’t been feeling 100% and my knee was giving me trouble. I’m a bit concerned that there are no more intervals and it’s nonstop running from now on. How did people deal with this transition? Was it very difficult? I know I’ve done the 20 minute run in W5 but I’m still a bit wary. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

People seem to fall into 2 camps; 1 set are actually relieved that there are no more walking breaks, and the other tends to miss the breaks but still manages to get through it.

If you're taking it slow and steady you should be fine. If you're struggling with any kind of pain try to address that first.

[Hidden]

For me, I found it quite hard. I've attempted C25K twice now and am currently on my third go around.

The first time, I gave up at W7R1. It broke me. I was very unfit, very overweight and felt that it was simply too punishing for my body.

I gave it six months and then tried again, a bit lighter in weight. This time I managed to do it and complete the programme. The transition second time felt really good. The long runs were not difficult compared to the first time. But I did find running becoming a chore. I really liked the mix of walking and running. Which is why I ended up starting again from W1R1 after graduation.

Tomorrow is my W8R1. I know that when I finish in two weeks, I'll be giving up the long runs again and going back to my own mix of walking and running. I have no inspirations to do races or marathons. I just like doing it to get out of the house and improve my health. For me, that is walking and running together.

Indeed, I have found a new programme that I'm going to try which is sprinting and walking for 12 weeks with the sprint intervals getting longer as the weeks go by. Supposedly more effective than HIIT for improving your cardiovascular health.

[Feltip Graduate in reply to Hidden]

What a lovely post. Quite refreshing to hear that you have no big desires to compete in races and long distance runs, you are more than happy with the exercise both physically and mentally that running gives you. I'm currently on week 8 run 3, am very overweight so have completed this so far on a longer time span and I'm very slow, but like you I'm happy with that. Happy with the exercise, happy with the time on my own it gives me, happy seeing what my body can do (surprisingly) I also think when I graduate I may never do 30 mins running but 20 ish with a bit of walking.

Marcomanc I thought I would struggle without the intervals but I found the joy at completing without the intervals was so fulfilling

Good luck as you progress with the program

[Hidden in reply to Feltip]

Good luck, Feltip! Only a few more to go.

[Feltip Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I know cant quite believe it, so pleased I'm doing it 😊

[Ian5K Graduate]

We ought to be doing the dynamic prep. stretching all along but truth is I really knuckled down with the discipline, attempting them properly, and found the benefit of doing them for these long continuous runs. I find they also prepare me mentally for the run.

Also, by this stage, you know to curb your expectations, set off slow and steady and see what comes. 🙂