Am I foolish to consider cheating?!!!

[I_will_do_it]

hi all, after some advice pls! Have just finished week 5 run 2 and the much feared week 5 run 3 is looming large. I’m anxious about it and really worry that my psychological mindset will screw me over! I’m debating going straight to week 6 runs 1 and 2 before trying week 5 run 3 (if that makes any sense?!) as they feel more ‘do-able’… has anyone done similar? Or can give me some really clear reasoning as to why that is a stupid idea!!! It’s bizarre… I’ve done c25k before and never felt like this, but todays run was tricky and whilst I accept I could easily just redo it, there is something about psychologically feeling that I’m moving forward that means I’m hesitant! Sorry for rambling!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I wouldn't skip to week 6, that one can be tricky, why don't you take a day off the programme and put some music on and just run steadily to see how long you can run? If it's 20 minutes you've done the run, if it's less it's a practice, slowdown and enjoy the world around you, we can get a bit hung up on not being able to do runs and that spoils the joy.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

It’s not a stupid idea…you’re a graduate, you know yourself and you know the programme. If you wanted to, you could do as you’ve suggested. I wouldn’t though because I think I’d be even more worried about that run having put it off. Why not start it giving yourself permission to stop if you want to? Treat it like a practice run and see how you feel after say, ten or twelve minutes. You’ll most likely find once you’re out there and running and you’ve warmed up and hit your stride, you’ll be absolutely fine to get to the end.

I’ve often struggled mentally at the start of long runs and having a safe and non-intimidating time to aim for always really helps me to feel in control. I’ve almost always carried on to finish those runs which terrify me. When I have decided to stop, that’s felt like a positive choice and not a failure.

Whatever you decide to do, you’re still moving forward because you’re getting out and challenging yourself to put more miles in your legs. That will make you fitter and stronger.

Really good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I forgot to say, just because today’s run was tricky, it doesn’t at all mean that the next one will. Which runs feel hard is often pot luck (or it is for me!!). Sometimes there are things you can identify, such as poor sleep, coming down with a bug, stress, tiredness, dehydration, not fuelling right, weather, terrain etc etc etc but often there’s no logic to it. For example, this week I ran five miles feeling amazing and barely breaking a sweat, and I also ran two miles where every step was a battle for no good reason. It happens to us all! All we can do is treat every run as a new day and do everything we can to give ourselves the best chance of having a good time

[Cmoi Graduate]

I get why you might feel apprehensive about W5R3 I_will_do_it , but in terms of actual timings, both W6R1 and W6R2 are actually longer than W5R3.

W5R3 is a total of 30 minutes, W6R1 is 34 minutes and W6R2 33 minutes. Come to that, W5R3 is actually shorter than both W5R1 and W5R2. See this post about W5R3 for more info: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I also agree with MissUnderstanding that putting off a run that's causing you concern will probably only build it up into a bigger deal than it needs to be.

Plus, as SueAppleRun says, if you don't do the full run it's just a practice, so what have you got to lose?

Final thought - if you do decide to change the order of the runs, and complete them successfully, you have not cheated. I suspect that thinking that could mess with your head for W5R3 even more than just giving the run a go.

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

I was in turmoil before that run and felt just like you. I’ll tell you this, I am so glad I did it. Yes, I walked for a bit, and yes, I even repeated it before carrying on with the program, but I felt SO good afterwards! You can do this.

[runningforfree]

I graduated a few years ago and this was a dreaded run, but sticking to the plan worked. Since you have completed, you know that too.

Interestingly, I am doing C25K again and just finished the run. I was confident, but mid run I did have a feeling that I was not going to make it, so I simply reduced my speed slightly, and allowed myself some breathing room. I think you should go for it. Run at your comfortable speed and "trust the plan". It has been put in between for a reason! All the best.

[Hidden]

Maybe find out on here who is due to do the same run maybe this will give you a little boost that you all get to that finish line at the same time. Don’t let it get you down don’t go into the run with the mind set that you can’t do it just slow down.

I used to dedicate my runs to a member of my family, sick or healthy I felt then I couldn’t let them down, I thought about them as I was running and the time flew by. Good luck you can do this.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

W5 R3 and W9 R3 are the two most satisfying runs of the program.W5 R3 is where you realise it's more a mental thing than a physical thing an when you start to think maybe I can run!

It's worth it for the buzz you get from completing it. It may stay with you for days.

If you've followed the program this far - you are ready. Go for it.

[I_will_do_it Graduate]

SueAppleRun Cmoi MissUnderstanding RunBrianRun runningforfree Hidden MrBassmanjazz thank you all for taking the time to reply and your words of encouragement. This morning, I decided to give my head a much needed wobble, and to go out and run wk5 run 3 with no expectation or pressure. Run tracks on and Denise in my ear, off I went. Now, admittedly I probably was only marginally faster than walking, but I only bloody well went and did it! 😀 after 2 minutes of the cool down walk, I decided to run for another 2 mins, just to put those bloody demons well and truly back in their box!!! Fear not, I did another 5 min cool down and some stretches to finishes off! The other positive I’m taking from today is that, at the end of week 5 I have had not one jot of trouble from my ankle, which is what scuppered my running for a long time or indeed, not a sniff of the dreaded shin splints! Hurrah! Onwards and upwards! Thank you… your responses really helped!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to I_will_do_it]

Aren't we just so lucky to have this forum to share our concerns, successes, advice and encouragement to others?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to I_will_do_it]

This is such a brilliant update. So glad it went for you. Next time you have wobbles about a run, you can remember back to this time and and take some confidence from it. Onwards and upwards indeed! ❤️❤️❤️