Why the drop?

[keepon]

I completed W5R3 yesterday and noticed that W6R1 returns to running and walking.

While im quite happy about that im wondering what the logic behind it is, what is the benefit of seemingly doing less?

/Phil

[Grammadog1947 Graduate]

The short answer is...recovery.

The long answer is (I think) you are also training your body to run for longer and longer periods of time..by R2 (which I did this morning) you will be running 20 minutes again...with a 3 minute intermission. R3 is 25 minutes of running.

It's all about increments/recovery/increments.

This is a very well thought out running plan....

[Frazzles Graduate]

It might seem like less, but you might be surprised how many people have found the beginning of week 6 really difficult!

I think Grammadog is probably right though, by including another couple of run/walk interval sessions it helps your body build up stamina. Don't worry, soon you'll be back to non-stop running every time...

[AmandaW Graduate]

It makes a lot of sense - you need that recovery, and you need to build up. I'm on a 10k plan now and my long runs are interspersed with lots of days where I do run/walking (a 30min run followed by 2 x 15 mins run today with 2 min walks inbetween) and it helps you gain distance.

Having said that W6R1 is infamous for being a s*d of a run, so make sure you pace yourself really carefully as I think most of us have been surprised by how brutal it is

[TKPrunner Graduate]

Today I did w6r2 and now bracing myself for the next one. W5r3 came as a shock but I did it. Is it a big jump to do the 25 mins? (I've done all of the others and kept rigidly to the plan)

[keepon Graduate in reply to TKPrunner]

I didnt find it too tough compared with the 20 mins. It's as they say, if you've reached this stage your body can do it and the only struggle is in your mind.