On to Week 5 - Fear is the Mind-Killer - Couch to 5K

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On to Week 5 - Fear is the Mind-Killer

Alaiyo profile image
AlaiyoGraduate
7 Replies

Today I completed my third run of week 4. In a fit of self-assurance, I decided to run up the big scary hill at the beginning of my route, rather than walk up and begin my podcast from the top. About halfway up the hill, when my chest started constricting, I realized I had forgotten to use my inhaler before my run began. But I figured it would just be good practice to keep plodding along.

It was a bit of a plod, to be honest. I missed the euphoric glee from feeling like I could run no problem that I had in previous runs. Even so, I managed the whole run, and tried to improve on my time a bit. I am so slow, that I hardly go any farther with the running than I did in the same time walking. I guess the speed will come with time.

So now all I have to do is rest up, wash my running clothes, and not psych myself out for week 5. Going from 3 minutes to 5 minutes wasn't bad. But 5 to 20 in one week? Deeep breath. In.... Out.... I can do this. And if I can't, well, I will just try again until I do. It must be doable or the program wouldn't have it.

Frank Herbert put it well in "Dune": I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

When the 20 minute run has gone past, I will turn my wheezing, panting body to see its path (and map my run). Where the fear is gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain, with my sense of victory and triumph.

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Alaiyo profile image
Alaiyo
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7 Replies
cimer profile image
cimerGraduate

Congrats, and honestly you will be so surprised by what you're now capable of. I started week 6 today and I couldn't believe I did the 20 minutes when I did it. Keep going you're doing so well :)

Alaiyo profile image
AlaiyoGraduate in reply to cimer

Thank you for the encouragement. And congratulations on the week 5 milestone!

Deryn61 profile image
Deryn61Graduate

Well done, sounds like you made that run a bit harder than you needed to and still did it! I started worrying about week 5, especialy run 3, days before and then when I found I could do it I was euphoric, you will be fine! As Laura says, if you have done all the runs before that then you are ready. I fully agree about the fear issue. A major change in my outlook since doing this programme is that now, instead of thinking "what if I cant do this?" I say "I bet I can do this!"

Alaiyo profile image
AlaiyoGraduate in reply to Deryn61

Such a great way to look at it! I bet I can do it too. XD

mair99 profile image
mair99Graduate

I like the quote... Food for thought indeed!

a3kazi profile image
a3kazi

Love the Frank Herbert quote - one of my favourite books ever!

Alaiyo profile image
AlaiyoGraduate in reply to a3kazi

Herbert was a genius. I just love the old masters of sci-fi.

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