So, if any of you remember my last post.. I was a bit skeptical of actually being able to run for that long after running for, at that time, only 5 minutes straight. I was approaching my second run in week 5 of 8 mins... when I could barely make it through the 5 mins without stopping.
Like the title states... I stand corrected! I had my doubts, but kudos to this program for putting together what works best for beginners that have never run. The last time I did ANY KIND OF “RUNNING “ was over 30 years ago. Have had plenty of back injuries through the years and any form of impact would lay me up for days and sometimes a week.
Have no fear with this program for all that felt as I did. I don’t know how, when I sit here and think back to W2R1. I believe, where it increases to 90 seconds... I couldn’t make it the first time. I felt VERY discouraged to think this was only 90 seconds.... how on earth could I possibly make even 5 mins, let alone, 20, or even 30 minutes in such a short period of time?!
Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and sharing your stories.. it’s been a tremendous help with these hurdles. ❤️ Someone suggested to post a “victory” pic after the 20 mins and so I will do that.
To all who are approaching that W5/R3, don’t THINK too much into it, but remember that you will be surprised to see how this program is really set up with purpose and fulfillment of a new runner. I may be slow as a turtle 🐢, but I still was considered as though I “ran” for 20 mins straight!
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Getnoffmycouch
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A very good and inspiring post from you, congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run with C25K, 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, that is a nice photo, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement 🏃🏾 👍
Thank you. I found that interesting, as I have read other posts on here that say exactly that.. “ be careful of going back to the splits”. Why do we go back to splits? Obviously there must be a purpose that I don’t understand. Many people have said that it is harder to do the splits versus the straight 20 minutes without breaks. My take of Saturday morning of the 20 was something like I read on someone else’s that was like this.. the first 10 minutes were a killer..10-15 mark got easier, but the last 5 I knew mentally I would make myself make it😂, although my legs were fighting me all the way! Love your thoughts on why we go back to getting breathing breaks again once we pushed past that point of comfort already.
The first 10 minutes of the longer runs are called 'the toxic ten', that's your body reacting to running, after that you should settle down with the runs, as far as going back to interval walks and runs after week 5, you would have to ask a expert about that or the person who developed C25K, I think he was an American, perhaps IannodaTruffe who is the UK expert on running could answer your question.
Well done Getnoffmycouch - that 20 minute run is so special and I think the one where so many of us really start to believe we can do this running thing!💪🏃♀️😀Watch out for the first two runs of week 6 - that return to intervals catches a fair few out. Just keep on believing - you got this! Good luck🙂
I think it’s to once again increase that total time running. You will be fine though - just remember mental attitude is everything in running (a mantra is always good on the days it feels hard!) You got this! 😀
On the one hand - W5R3 ... "OMG! 20 minutes? Without walking? Are you serious? WHY??"
and on the other hand - W6R1 (the very next run) ... "WALKING BREAK? Are you serious? WHY??"
The whole idea is to build you *gently* to 30 minutes of continuous jogging. Look more closely at the program and you'll see that Weeks 1, 2 and 3 are gentle foundation weeks, 8 and 9 minutes of running in total. They are the 'road' that leads up to what I call the 'bridge' weeks of 4, 5, 6 where the time ramps up, and you transition from walk/run to just 'run' (jog!). Weeks 7, 8 and 9 are the other side of the bridge and do not have any walking breaks.
I think you will be fine from now on, even in Week 6. I had such a mental block on W5R3, I said I couldn't do it for over 4 months and kept repeating the earlier runs. Then I found this forum, got courage, and just headed out and made it. Now I am about to start week 8. 25 minutes didnt seem that much more than 20, and 28 is only 3 more...20 minutes was the big psychological hurdle. I cant believe it. I cant say it was easy: I ran one run in week 7 where those negative thoughts seeped back in, but I realised I had to get home so might as well run as far as possible...which of course meant I just finished it after all. But I think you will make it from now on out. Well done, keep going.
Thank you. Yes, it IS a mental challenge for sure. That 20 minutes didn’t seem that long once I calculated distance I had traveled in my previous runs, by that time after the 8/8 previously equally 16 mins I could gage about the distance to give me some sort of idea mentally that I would need to push through. And sure enough... it was almost exactly where I guesstimated it would be! My body said “STOP” by my mind said..”Oh NO YOU DON’T”. Haha. Congratulations on making it to Week 8..you’re almost there!
So, so well done you! I remember that I repeated week 3 because week 4 seemed too big a jump and yesterday I ran the 20 min wk5r3. I am also wondering about wk6 but will trust the programme. You must be so pleased with yourself!
Congratulations!! Yay, you did it! How fantastic. Thank you, yes I certainly felt I warned that celebration as I’m sure you did as well. We will see how BOTH of our Week 6 goes. I did a leg workout that same day😬and then biked a bit yesterday so I’m feeling a little sore. But, I will admit that making it through that 20 mins gave me a mental boost of “ I CAN do this!” 😊 Keep up the good work! Keep me posted
Oh no!! Backwards?! Scary thought. I will try to stay positive and not fear the change. I feel like at this point we have had to overcome many obstacles and I will look at this one as no different and hopefully succeed.
Congratulations! I couldn’t believe it when I managed W5 R3. No one is slower and less of a runner than me! I continue to amaze myself, just done W7 R1 this morning. I get so much inspiration and sound advice from others on this forum, thanks to everyone who posts about their triumphs and also their tribulations.
How encouraging to me to hear your trials and also your conquered moments! And , yes, there are others as slow as you (Me) or slower than you. 😂 I am barely moving.. but my feet tell me that I’m jogging or at least my mind does. 😆 haha. Congratulations to making it to Week 7!! Wow!
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I just DID IT! (Wk5/3)
Wk5 R3 - I kicked Brian's butt
Wk5 R3 complete BOOM!
wk5 r3 done!
