Newbie

[WLWonder]

Hi all, I found you looking for tips on couch to 5k. I’m currently on week 4, run 2 scheduled for tomorrow. The next few weeks seem like big leaps from where I am now so a little apprehensive but excited to challenge myself. Anyone else find they have good days and bad days when it comes to running? Some days I feel great and it feels easier, others I have to dig deep to make it to the end 🤷‍♀️

[CI578 Graduate]

Hi I will be starting w4 and yes we all get runs that are much easier than others... Just stay to the plan and keep positive 👍

[WLWonder Graduate in reply to CI578]

Enjoy week 4. I was really worried about W4R1 but I really enjoyed it, one of my best runs yet.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

In respect of W5 this breakdown may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[WLWonder Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks very much, will have a read.

[Rennur Graduate]

Yep to everything. I actually found the jump from W3 to W4 the hardest, so well done for that. It is 9 minutes running up to 16 minutes. W5 looks daunting but all the running you've done so far will make it more than do-able.

Best advice is Run slowly. Search for Japanese slow jogging on this site or on the web. It will change your mindset. I know because I am Captain Slow.

Most of the time you will find it is a mental battle rather than a physical one. The body can do a lot more than we think. It is just those dark gremlins telling us we can't do this. Ignore them.

Enjoy your running adventure.

[WLWonder Graduate in reply to Rennur]

I hope that’s the same for me. I feel a lot more confident having read the info on wk 5 linked above. I think you are right about the mental battle. Thanks for the reply 🙂

[Hidden]

Absolutely, I yet have to hear about someone who only has fantastic runs. I honestly don't think that person exists and otherwise they are lying. Even when in total a run went well for me, there will always be a point during the run that my legs feel heavy or my breathing is going too fast.

What Rennur says: look up slow jogging. I didn't know about it until I read it here a week ago. I actually run very slow and I come near slow jogging (I am just a teeny tiny bit faster). But it is very interesting. And I have to say, having experienced both running 'fast' and slow, that slow is so much more enjoyable.

Years ago I had started running with a Start to Run group. I continued on my own after and succeeded after X months to reach 7 km in 1 go without walking. I was proud, but I actually seriously disliked running. Then autumn and winter came and I stopped because I hated the cold and the fact I disliked running did nothing to push me to continue.

Now I started about 4 weeks ago, when it was growing colder. The difference? I am running much slower, which is much more pleasant! I actually like running like this and I don't even mind the cold. Ok, ask me again when it's freezing (temp now is around 1°C) and snowing or raining.

Anyhow, I am deviating from the original question. Yes, everybody has good and bad runs. Even top athletes have good and bad days. As I said, someone who only has fantastic runs, you can bet your ass they are lying about it!

😊