Can I skip run 3 of week 5 and do runs 1 and 2 of week 6 to help build up to the 20 minute run of week 5? It seems to make more sense.

[Upsidaisy]

I would be grateful for your advice, thank you.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

NO, NO, NO, you can't skip anything, you must follow the program as they say "by the book", if not you risk injury.

The program has been thoughtfully arranged mainly for new runners, keep ridgidly to the program, good luck.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you for taking the time to give me your advice.

[Skyblueandblack Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I completed W5 on Friday. I too found the jump up to 20 minutes of running very daunting. I decided that I'd give it ago but gave myself the option of breaking it into two ten minute runs if I really felt I coundn't manage the straight 20 min run.But guess what. I managed the straight twenty 20 minutes. My only issue was having to slow down to keep my breathing rate down. It was my first real run in decades. The following day while I was aware that my legs had done a lot of work. I had no aches or pains.

Go for it. And look forward to a slightly easier W6R1 next week!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Skyblueandblack]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5 Skyblueandblack, well done 😀

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Skyblueandblack]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and congratulations on completing the challenge. Glad to hear you didn’t suffer for it the next day. You have encouraged me to have a go and I hope I do as well as you did!

[Jell6 Graduate]

You've already built up to run 3, trust the programme 😉

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Thank you!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

No 🤣

You’ll be fine. Just go slow enough.

Love this post 🤣

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Glad you liked it! 🙂

[Hidden]

Nooooooooo and Noooooooooooo! You can do this 💪

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Imc50, I’ll give it my best shot 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Upsidaisy]

I'm trusting you on this 👀

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I did it today! I followed everyone’s advice and just took it slow and steady. It feels so good after all my misgivings. 😀

[Hidden in reply to Upsidaisy]

Well doneUpsidaisy 👍☘️

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Sewnso Graduate]

You can do it, I did this morning. Start slow and take it steady.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Sewnso]

Thank you, well done for getting through it!

[RainbowC Graduate]

You’re unlikely to hurt yourself by doing that - but I think the point of run 3 is to make your mind realise that you can do this, as much as your legs!

Take it slowly but give it a try - you might surprise yourself!

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

Thank you for your good advice 🙂

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

I did it today! Such a great feeling 👍😀

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

There is a logic to all this.

If you do W6R1 it will be the longest workout you will have done and a much bigger step up than by doing W5R3.

This post breaks it all down and explains the logic healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Relax, you are ready for it.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, that’s really helpful 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate]

As (all) above 🤣🤣🤣

[KM37]

I completed my run 3 of week 5 this morning - I was so nervous and convinced myself I would not be able to run that long but I did it and feel amazing for it. You can do it! 💪🏽

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to KM37]

Thank you, that really helps.

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Upsidaisy]

W5r3 is the best! It looks so scary but it's totally doable. Go a little slower than usual to make it easier and wait for the wonderful, wonderful feeling of achievement when you finish. You can do this 😊

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Thank you for your words of encouragement!🙂

[Cmoi Graduate]

Please don't Upsidaisy . I can see why superficially it looks easier to swap runs around, but it really isn't. Completing the previous runs prepares you for week 5 run 3, you just need to believe you can do it.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you Cmoi.

[nowster Graduate]

As everyone else has said, it's best to follow the programme. W6R1 is a step up from W5R3, even though it doesn't look it on paper.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you

[Moon_phase93]

Seriously this was me a few hours ago, I couldn’t believe I managed it. Your body will be ready for this, just tell your mind that and go for it!

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Moon_phase93]

Thank you, you have inspired me!🙂

[LastBlaster Graduate]

Run 1 of week 6 is harder than W5R3. In fact W5R3 was a joy. You can do it, and you just need to remind yourself as you're doing it.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to LastBlaster]

Thank you for your sensible advice and words of encouragement.

[Hidden]

R3 w5 may appear daunting but as others have said as long as you have followed the program you are ready, and you'll be amazed and chuffed by your achievement when you do. Relax and take it slow....

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I am looking forward to feeling chuffed!

[COUCOU37 Graduate]

I completed week5 run 3 on Monday and this was my best run ,really enjoyed the feeling💪🏋️‍♀️🏋️‍♀️ and honestly this was much easier than week6 r1 and r2 which were more challenging. Don't know what to expect for Week 6 run 3 that I am planning on doing this afternoon 🙄🙄

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to COUCOU37]

Thank you for sharing your experience and good look with your challenge!🤗

[LadyGault Graduate]

Hopefully you've been dissuaded from going rogue and will now experience the magic feeling everyone has after completing the "dreaded "W5R3.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to LadyGault]

Love the expression, ‘going rogue’!! And yes, I am going to stick to the programme, so thank you 😊

[ele123 Graduate]

Like everyone else said the run looks super scary but guess what?? You will mange just like everyone else! I just would have never believed that I will be able to run 20 min without stopping 😳😳😳 Tommorow I start week 6 with more confidence for what will come. My advice is to focus on music ( I made a special playlist for this) you only need to run for 6 songs. It really helped me and good luck! You got this 💪🏻

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to ele123]

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement, and good luck with your next challenge 🙂

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to ele123]

That's a great tip, about the music! I'm sure it will make a huge difference. 6 of my favourite songs are sure to help. Genius, thank you! 😀👍

[ele123 Graduate in reply to Upsidaisy]

Happy to help hope you smash it!

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to ele123]

I did it today ele123 and I can’t tell you how much listening to those 6 songs helped. What a great tip! It really did make all the difference. I just counted down the songs, whilst looking forward to the next one, so I hardly noticed the time passing. 👍😊🎼

[ele123 Graduate in reply to Upsidaisy]

So happy it helped and well done!! My next run will be the 25 min one and of course dreading it but I will just put togheter an even better playlist 😬😬😬😬

[Fionamags Graduate]

I'm a bit late to comment but basically what everyone else said. 😂😂 I hope you are now post run aand feeling fantastic!!!

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you, I haven’t done it yet, as it’s raining and windy, but everybody has convinced me I can do it so I’ll let you know when I have. 🙂

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

I haven't done it yet, but am feeling encouraged by all the good wishes and I'll let you know how I get on. Thank you.

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Upsidaisy]

You can do it! you can you can you can

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Thank you for your positive message! Just what I needed.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Just to let you know that I did the 20 minute run today and yes, it does feel amazing!👍😀

[Fionamags Graduate in reply to Upsidaisy]

That's great - its my favourite run of C25K. Now you can really call yourself a runner!!!!!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I read your title, chuckled & thought “Cue the avalanche of noooooo!!”

😂😂😂

It’s a very logical & understandable question, you have your answer in multiple! Now go & amaze yourself with a super slow gentle 20 minutes! 😄

PS I found it helpful to break down the time in my head...

“I know I can run for 5 minutes... I ‘ll go extra slow to save some energy for later... I’ll do another 5minutes...etc. Some people like to download 4 tracks of favourite music lasting 5ish minutes each to distract them. 😄

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

So helpful, and such positive encouragement! Thank you Elfe5 😊

[rayvinloon in reply to Upsidaisy]

Good luck Updaisy I'm sure you can do it, I completed mine Friday just gone and it is a great boost to your confidence 👍

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to rayvinloon]

Thank you for your words of encouragement rayvinloon. I’m feeling more confident now, thanks to all the lovely people on this forum.