Week 5, Run 3

[Do-Lally-Girl]

Hi All,I started couch to 5k at the beginning of April. I could not run at all, so I am really pleased with myself for getting to week 5.

I did run 2 of week 5 today. I did struggle, but I did it. I am really daunted that the third run of the week is a straight 20 minute run...

I feel as if I need to do today's run a few times before tackling 20 minutes straight.

I was just wondering if anyone could give me any advice and also what was their experience of doing the 20 minutes for the first time? Thanks, Susan

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done to you... do please check this uut and stop worrying

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Just another run... just another week...take it slow and steady and know you can do this... all you need to do, is believe that!

Week 6 follows, and it too holds some little fears for folk, but there is no need for that either... all the runs are so structured and you will be ready for each one.

This recent post, written by our awesome, MissUnderstanding is great, because you will be able to see how other folk felt like you and how they went on...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I am looking forward to your run post

[Rabbit561 Graduate]

I have discovered there is no such thing as too slow. My running is a similar pace to my brisk walk and, doing that, I discovered to my surprise , I can run and run. Take it easy and you will be fine. Good luck 😊

[drl212 Graduate]

Congratulations! Isn't it amazing to look back at Week 1 from Week 5?

I agree with OF - the programme prepares you well for each run. I also had fears about that 20 min run at the end of Week 5.

Slow and steady is the way to go. Like R561, my pace is just a bit faster than my fastest brisk walk.

Go out the door planning on the 3rd run, but if it's too much, don't worry. You can always come back to it - it'll be there.

You might surprise yourself. (I certainly did)

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

Congratulations! You’ve done amazingly so far and deserve to be super proud of yourself.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with repeating runs if you want to. It really helps some people, but personally putting it off would make me more scared of doing it when I finally tried! The only issue could be potentially building up week 5 run 3 to be a bigger deal than it actually is. Mentally, it’s a step but you’re absolutely ready for it and you’re physically well prepared. You’ve done all the runs so far and there’s no reason to think you can’t do this one. I’d just have a go and see how you get on. What’s the worst that can happen?

I was nervous before starting the run but it was easily my favourite one of the whole programme. It’s all about managing the “I don’t think I can do this” feelings which I still get as an experienced runner now. I finished with a massive smile and a twenty minute run is still one of my favourites to do now!

You know yourself and you’re the head coach. Whatever you decide, good luck with the next run!

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Best run of the program!

You have been prepared for this with all the previous runs.

You've just got to believe you can do it.

That will get you through.

[Fionamags Graduate]

It really is a fabulous run - you will feel like a superhero after it!!! The programme has prepared you for it and you can do it. You need to believe in yourself and tell yourself you are going to do it - and then you will! Don't let the gremlins in - just run and enjoy!!!

[Do-Lally-Girl]

YEEEEEEESSSSS! I DID IT 😀😀😀. Feel SO pleased.

I want to thank you all for your advice and support, it really did help. I did another week 5, run 2 on Wednesday and I realised that it was a real mental battle that I was having. For the first few minutes I really struggled, then when Yasmin Evans said that I had done 4 minutes, I thought well that did not take long, I can do another 4 minutes. I found the final 4 minutes much easier.

I have been working night shifts so did not do any running until this morning. I was going to do another 8 minute run, but over the past day or so I have started to believe that I could do it, after having read the comments on here. So this morning I thought I would give the run 3 a go. I took it really slow, and kept thinking positively and imagining myself posting on here that I had been successful. Time seemed to go really quickly. My music stopped playing after 10 minutes and I even managed to sort that out without stopping. I was lucky there was hardly any wind today. I have to say I enjoyed it. WOW, I cannot believe that I did it!

Just thank you SO MUCH everyone 🥰😍🤩