Week 5 down! Despite the heckler...

[Helm108]

I remember really enjoying Week 5 the first time I did C25K in 2018, mainly because it showed me that the plan works and, more importantly, I discovered what I was capable of.

R1 and R2 of Week 5 were great, and I definitely felt the 'high' we yearn for when we run. I was a little nervous of R3, despite knowing what to expect, and knowing the biggest hurdle is the mind, not the body.

However, I knew a bad run would have to happen at some point... and my first attempt at R3 was it. From the first 2 minutes I knew I had shot out too quickly and was going to tire out - the heart rate indicator on my watch suggested the same. I made it to 9 minutes before I had to stop and walk. I was gutted knowing I wouldn't be able to tick off R3, but I was quick to rationalise why I wasn't able to finish it, rather than beating myself up. Lesson learned, again, slow down!

Onto today - I just got in from my second attempt at R3 - during my lunch break, a time of day that I know works well for me - and I managed it! No thanks at all to the old man who stopped on his stroll, lunged at me as I went past and shouted "You'll have to go faster than that!"... Well that pace was what helped me push to the end. I tried not to focus on the 9-minute mark when I had stopped last time, and just pushed through. It was busy out there so I had to adjust my route to avoid congestion, but I got there despite the twists and turns.

Week 6 next! Here we go!

EDIT: Thanks for the lovely words and support regarding my new 'fan' - I definitely didn't let it get to me. I know I'm hardly troubling Dina Asher-Smith in terms of pace, but I'm very content to follow my own path to running 5K without stopping!

[nowster Graduate]

I'll bet your heckler couldn't run for a minute, never mind twenty.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K, never mind that man, he probably has never ran in his life, onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1 but be careful about that run as it catches out some people with the interval walks and runs after the non stop 20 minutes of W5R3 which you have just ran 🏃🏾 😊

[StoneDragon Graduate]

Well done Helm 💪🙌 and sod the 'old man'. You're living your best life and he's throwing negative comments at people trying to better themselves. I know who I'd rather hang out with 😃👍

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Well done Helm108, your determination coupled with pacing yourself definitely paid off. Don’t worry too much about the old boy, I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it. Onwards and upwards to week 6. Your right about the mind determining our performance. I always go onto You Tube before a run and watch a few Motivational Running videos, which helps and gets me into the right mind set 👍🏃‍♀️

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

I know you're not condoning what that "old boy" did, Couchphoenix , but it doesn't really matter whether or not he meant anything by it. The point is that he felt entitled to shout and lunge at a female runner, and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have done the same to a male runner.

It wouldn't be right to act like that towards a male runner, either, but that sort of behaviour absolutely infuriates me.

[Couchphoenix Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Apologies Cmoi, I didn’t mean to trivialise his actions, you’re right in what you say he doesn’t have the right to do what he did.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

No need to apologise Couchphoenix , although I very much appreciate your post, and I get that your intention was to be supportive

Helm108 , I'm pleased that Mr-Onlooker-Who-Thinks-He's-Mo-Farah-And-Witty-Too didn't get to you - and why would/should he?

Happy running!

[Runforurlife Graduate]

Well done on completing your run, keeping your pace and for getting past the sad heckler 😡I wonder would he have done the same to a male runner? Doubt it. Idiot. Week 6 next for you and you will smash it I am sure. It was my favourite week and where I felt like I really made noticeable progress, hope it goes well for you!

[Cmoi Graduate]

Well done to you for completing your run Helm108 !

As for the heckler, that's totally unacceptable behaviour. The comment was totally unnecessary - and as Roxdog said, I very much doubt he'd do the same to a male runner - and the lunging even more so. Despicable little creature he is.

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Well done on sticking to your guns and finishing the run!

Just ignore the heckler. That sort of thing has happened to me a couple of times and I know it's not very pleasant. Just some sad old man, who is bitter and twisted. You are making a big positive change in your life by running - don't let it stop you.

[Catho78 Graduate]

Well done Helm108 on completing your run, it’s a great milestone to get to 🏅you’ve got this, remember there will be good runs and bad days, keep on running, it’s all good training, you can do this!

PS ignore the haters 😡