Anyone in the early stages of Couch to 5k?

[Gthants]

Just started week 4 and this feels like a ginormous leap from last week. I am SO sore! Will do 2nd run of the week in 2 days and see how it goes. Today Laura's voice got me through!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Oh week 4! People worry about week 5 but week 4 is the biggest jump in running minutes I think. If you are sore you are right to rest a few days, then next run take really slowly, the longer the running parts the slower I went until I found I could keep going for ages. Interestingly I have increased my pace over time but it takes a lot of time to build that running body then it becomes bliss

[Gthants in reply to SueAppleRun]

It's funny - the start of the second 5 minute run I felt I could run forever, by the end it was Laura's voice and the eerie relevance of the song that came up on my playlist that kept me going. I did NOT want to miss hitting my mark. I will see how Wednesday goes, but this is the first time so far that I have considered repeating a week to build up stamina.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Gthants]

If you can complete week 4 week 5 will be a breeze , just take it slow and steady, most of all have fun, running can be the most fun 😊

[Gthants]

Thank you! I am ancient and have been really ill, so to come back to the type of exercise I enjoyed in my youth is quite something. Certainly after weeks 1 & 2, I was buzzing. And I'm already searching out what comes after this process as it occurred to me after 9, 10, 11 weeks (or whatever) I WILL still want to run! 😂

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

What is your breathing like during the final running segment and also as soon as you stop?

[Gthants]

I have had no problem at all. Very tired, sore calves and more tired than after last week's runs, but considering this run was after about four hours sleep, to run at all was pretty good!

[JenLWhit]

Well done you! I just started Week 4 today also and my goodness - I don't know quite how I got through the second five minutes, my legs were like lead by the end!

[Gthants]

Bravo! Bizarre, isn't it? At the start of that five minutes I was feeling almost cocky, two minutes later I was struggling. By the time I finished I was relying on music and Laura. It was then I realised I was home before 0700 and had a whole day to navigate 😱😂

[JenLWhit in reply to Gthants]

I was furiously skipping my playlist to find the most uplifting song I could, you're right that's totally what gets you through. Oh man, I can't decide what's worse, legs like lead and a whole day ahead, or a whole day of food on-board to drag round with you 😅. Anyway, we did it!!

[EmperorDragonfly]

I did W4R2 today. Like you, I found the first run of this week a step up, but today wasn't too bad at all. I do feel like stretching is becoming more important now. Also hydration, particularly as the weather is improving.

I really like running to the BBC sounds pace setter podcasts. Initially I was going for more upbeat music, but I found I was going too fast and wearing myself out too soon. The pace setters have a slower beat which has really helped me.

[Gthants in reply to EmperorDragonfly]

I'm definitely skipping tracks as I run, but I need some beat there and I also like familiar songs to "sing" in my head (if not out loud!) as I run. I am almost looking forward to tomorrow's second run now. Almost.

[EmperorDragonfly in reply to Gthants]

The great thing is that run two is the same as run one. So you know you can do it because you've done it before! Enjoy!

[Han99m Graduate]

Every single week I look at the programme and think I can’t do this week, but give it a go anyway, so far I haven’t had to repeat any, so I need to be more positive. I have week 6 run 2 tomorrow and after completing week 5 I genuinely can’t believe I’ve reached this far! Keep going because if I can do it as a seriously unfit and overweight person then anyone can!

[Gthants in reply to Han99m]

Week 6! Well done you. I feel better today (my rest day), before Week 4, run 2 tomorrow. I have exercises for my back, plus extra stretches to do today to keep myself loose. Feel more positive about tomorrow now th pain has gone away! 😂

[apatsyf Graduate]

Repeat as many weeks or days as you feel helps. I did this as I was very unfit and it worked well for me (took me well over 18 weeks to complete). Stretching and hydration are essential too! You can do this if I did!!

[Gthants in reply to apatsyf]

Definitely stretching today! At the moment I am doing run 2 tomorrow, after that we'll see ...

[Hercules_Morse]

Managed two runs of week 7 last week - 25 mins - which I never believed was possible. Have had a few days break so very anxious as I head out now to try my 3rd but I am determined. Keep up the excellent work!

[Gthants in reply to Hercules_Morse]

Thank you - you too!

[Starlight_23]

Hello, did week 3 run one today. Great! Good luck running!!!

[Gthants]

Well done! Keep it up!

[EmperorDragonfly]

How was run 2?

[Gthants]

Easier than run 1! 🤞

[EmperorDragonfly]

Great! That's what I found too. I completed run 3 yesterday so resting today. Next week (5) looks a bit scary, though! 😬

[Gthants]

I did one extra stretch last night and tweaked my knee, so am crossing my fingers for run 3 tomorrow. (And I am trying to pretend that next week does not exist ...)

[JenLWhit]

I found run 2 a wee bit easier too, and this time actually the first five minute run was harder than the second. I can't fathom at all how I'll be able to do the end of next week but trying to trust the process!

[Gthants]

I felt fine yesterday after the 2nd run, but following Monday's run I knew I'd benefit from stretching. That worked really well until I did an extra new stretch right at the end of the day ... and dinked my knee. Now that's really sore and if there's no improvement tomorrow I will have to take a step back from running.