What's with Week 6?

Just got back from Week 6 Run 2...and like the previous one, it was a joyless slog. Even my music annoyed me...and I felt only a tiny flicker of satisfaction at having got through it. In all previous weeks I've loved the programme and been overjoyed to complete each run....I want that lovely feeling back please!

How can 2 x 10 minute runs with a 3 minute walk in the middle, be SO much harder than one 20 minute run...and feel so much less of an achievement?

Ah well - into a nice hot shower...and then onwards and upwards I guess.

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏Sometimes going back to intervals after the euphoria of having run for 20mins seems almost like going back to square one…and as you say a bit of a slog! However they are very necessary runs to prepare your MIND and your body for the longer ones ahead. No matter how you felt, the amazing positive to take away, is that you completed them!! You are now fully prepared to take on 6:3. You will run this one as you did 5:3.. but you are physically & mentally stronger… Take it slowly, get into your rhythm and enjoy it!!! Let us know! Meantime enjoy your Sunday xx

[Hidden in reply to Annieapple]

Such a star - thank you Annieapple.

[Cmoi Graduate]

You're not the first and are highly unlikely to be the last to find week 6 runs 1 and 2 a challenge Hidden . Maybe you set off a bit fast? Maybe you thought that having achieved 20 minutes non-stop would make everything that follows easy? Many of us have done that. We think that 2 lots of running for 10 minutes plus three minutes of walking will be a doddle, forgetting that 23 minutes is actually 15% more than 20 minutes.

You're physically well prepared for week 6 run 3 and the remainder of the programme. It's getting your head round the remaining runs that can prove interesting!

Enjoy the rest of C25K. 😀

[Hidden in reply to Cmoi]

Ha ha - that's what I needed, a mathematician with the gift of encouragement. Thanks!

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sadly I am no mathematician, there are many others on here who are much more gifted than I am in that respect!

[ChocoPirate87]

Well done for getting this far. 👏

I like how you sign of with 'onwards and upwards'. I hope it gets better.

[Hidden in reply to ChocoPirate87]

Thanks Chocopirate...everyone's encouragement is a real boost - I'll be back on top in no time.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

I agree with everything that’s been said already! Plus, where the intervals fall come just as you’re getting into a rhythm which can throw you off.

Welcome to a very big club! Loads of us have felt the same.

Take the next one super steady and you’ll have a great one. You’ve got this!

[Hidden in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks MissUnderstanding....I see the next one is 25 minutes. Yikes!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Hidden]

You’re ready! I totally get the “yikes” reaction. I really battle with it myself-still! Whenever I start a long run, I have to give myself options to stop (like-“I’ll just run for ten minutes and stop”, and then, “I’ll just get to halfway and then I can stop”, and then, “I’ll just do five minutes more and stop”…. Pretty much until “oh well, it’s only [however many] minutes to go and I’ve done that before so I can keep going to the end”!!). Running is such a mental game and you’ll come up with strategies to help you start and help you keep going through those “yikes” runs! Your body is there and you just need your head to catch up!

I recently posted about what I was thinking during each mile of my longer run…so many “yikes” moments!

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

I know it’s a longer distance, but my thoughts used to be so similar during couch to 5k-I can’t do it, it’s too far, I’ll just start and then stop, now I’ve started I can stop in a few minutes, oh I’m sort of nearly done now so I might as well keep going! I’m sharing so you can see even experienced (well, sort of!!) runners often feel just like you do.

[Hidden]

Totally re-assuring! You make me think I can get this done.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Ah yes, week 6 is a strange one, but you are heading into continuous runs now so I hope you enjoy them

[Gthants]

The programme works so well. I remember feeling the same at the time - all those (few🤣) weeks ago! But your post is a very useful reminder of the importance and benefits of intervals as you (we/I) build up strength and stamina. I need to get back to doing some of that now. Well done for this - and good luck with the next run!

[Hidden in reply to Gthants]

Thanks - it's the biggie tomorrow - 25 minutes. Gulp!

[Katnap Graduate]

If it helps Hidden , I too found W6R2 the hardest of all the runs in the programme. Enjoy the remainder of the runs! You're nearly there 💪

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Hidden]

It DOES help - thank you! it's the big one tomorrow - 25 mins. I'll let you know.....