Graduates, how hard was week 5?

[BJR67BJR]

Starting week five on Tuesday. The first session doesn't look too bad but the second and third seem to be a huge leap from week four. How many people fail and give in at this stage? Bit worried whether I am up to it. I have completed the first four weeks though without issue.

[TJFlute]

Just trust in the programme. It works. I don't think I can remember anyone giving in at this stage. Some have had to re-do it, but that's no bad thing.

Good luck! You'll be fine

[AliB1 Graduate]

If you are following the programme you will be ready for the longer run at the end of w5..Top tip is to slow your pace right down so you can keep going. This run is a big mental challenge as well as physical. Tell yourself you CAN do it (coz you can!!) and you'll get there

I didn't succeed the first time (did 18 mins) but it certainly wasn't a fail....i'd run way longer than I'd ever done before and had just planned my route badly...a long hill for the last 3 minutes did me in!

Good luck!

[BJR67BJR]

Many thanks for the input. I completed week four yesterday and today walked for two hours / five miles with my wife. She won't run but is doing the race for life next week. She plans to walk the 5k and has raised over £100 so it's still a good effort. Today was a warm up for her but the afternoon was lovely and we got into the country lanes and kept going. Five miles is 8k so I think we proved she could do it. My legs are aching but a hot bath and a day of rest tomorrow I should be ok for Tuesday to start week five.

[juliebee Graduate]

I am at the same stage, and am now wondering if I made a mistake by reading what the dreaded Week 5 has in store! I find it hard to believe that this time next week I will have run for 20 minutes! But like someone said, you have to trust the plan!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I agree if you have followed tha plan you will be ready for week 5. Week 1 was by far the worst week of all for me.

[Mirella Graduate]

Week five is fine, just trust Laura and you will do it. Like most people I thought I would crash and burn long before I hit 20 minutes but I didn't. I wouldn't say it was a doddle but it was a darn sight easier than I was expecting. At this point its a mental battle rather than a physical one. Just go slow and keep going.

[lm51 Graduate]

I didn't manage it the first time - I hadn't eaten enough that day and panicked and basically set myself up to fail because I just kept thinking I couldn't do it!

I then tried it on a treadmill and did it easily and the next time I went out I did it fine

Honestly if you pace yourself and think how great you'll feel at the end you'll be able to do it - good luck!

[Zagel]

Trust in the plan, I completed week five last week and oddly I found week for harder.

Give it a go, think positive thoughts and you will do it

[Nevertoolate Graduate]

I'm due to do the 20 minute run this Friday and definitely feeling wobbly about it too. The problme is that I simply can't imagine what it will be like. Having done only 5 minutes three times today I know my body is getting used to plodding on, but we won't know how we'll cope until the big day. When are you doing 20 minutes? Don't forget, we're not alone, every graduate has faced this and won!

[Nickyrunning Graduate]

The pride you feel in achieving it, is like magic fairy dust.....you will do it! Go slow and positive attitude and you will amaze yourself

[asking79]

I did it 2 days ago. I was very unsure about how well I would do. I found my pace after a few minutes and I did it! It was amazing and I felt amazing! You can do it!!