Finally cracked week 4: I started week 4 in... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,192 members159,537 posts

Finally cracked week 4

Rising60 profile image
Rising60Graduate
3 Replies

I started week 4 in early September and have had a lot of struggles with it. However, today I finally finished it, completing my third week 4 run in a row. I still think it is very hard to get one's head around the advice to slow down, and I suspect it's all bound up with the use of the word 'run' in the first place. For those of us who have never run other than at school, it is inevitably associated with going as fast as possible. Two things helped me in the end: firstly, bad weather meant wet pavements with lots of soggy leaves, acorns, conkers and other hazards which naturally led me to move more cautiously. One run in those conditions helped me to set the pace. Secondly, I was lucky enough to be given a very good set of earbuds for my birthday, which fell at the end of last week. This has encouraged me to download some music to my phone, and so I've had music to listen to on the last two runs - until then it was just the occasional sentence from Laura in my pocket. I think music probably does help, and I'm looking forward to finding suitable tracks to accompany me through weeks 5-9.

Written by
Rising60 profile image
Rising60
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
3 Replies
magenta_sparkles profile image
magenta_sparkles

Making a running playlist is great fun, enjoy!

John_W profile image
John_WGraduate

I've been meaning to catch-up with you and see how you were doing. Brilliant! Well done :-)

"still think it is very hard to get one's head around the advice to slow down, and I suspect it's all bound up with the use of the word 'run' in the first place. For those of us who have never run other than at school, it is inevitably associated with going as fast as possible."

THIS!

As I keep repeating to folks struggling, think JOG not 'run.

I think this is a very underrated concept and one I'm convinced causes many people (doing it on their own, with no reference to fall back on) to no complete C25K. They have NO idea that they are going too fast, think they have to 'run' and then give up cos it's all too difficult. Once they understand how to jog, what it is and how slow it should be, then a new world is opened up - full of possibilities. It doesn't matter what helps you, as long as you can find *that* pace.

Stick with it and you'll be fine!

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate

Well done, delighted to hear you can now move onto W5 👏 Keep going...... and slowly 🐢🐌 😅

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Finally onto Week 4 R1

After many setbacks, I plunged myself into Week 4. I’ve changed my running scenery which has...
charswee profile image

Post run update: to failed run week 4 run 1

After a disastrous 1st try on Thursday for week 4 run 1 ...I took on everyone’s advice. Gave it a...
Anniejam profile image

Week 4 Run 1

Very apprehensively after a 4 day break due to a temperature I set out at 6.00am for my first run...
Amarigue1976 profile image
Graduate

Week 4

I've just completed the first run of Week 4 today. The thought of running TWICE for 5 minutes...
runlikeagirl profile image
Graduate

Week Six. Run Three

Crikey. What's happened to me? Six weeks ago, I struggled to run for one minute. Now look at me...
LittleIreland profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.