Alright, W4D2 was definitely easier than W4D1. During that first 5 min run in W4D1 I really thought I would need to stop, but a small pace adjustment got me through. On W4D2 it was hard but I felt I could make it and it was not as bad.
Tomorrow I will finish week 4 and I am getting anxious about week 5. It is starting to get to the point where anticipating the end is just ahead will not work as a strategy. The runs have become long enough that the end is not just ahead. I will need to find a new mindset.
Also, big learning for me. I did weeks 1-3 on a treadmill and would walk at 2.5mi/hr and run at 6mi/hr (10 min miles) with the idea that I should establish a firm pace to reach the goal of a 30 min 5k. That is not the best plan I have discovered. As the runs get tougher, you need to be able to easily (guilt free) adjust your pace. Pace can be worked on once I run the whole distance, but first I need to get to running the whole distance. From now on I will do as much as possible outside away from the treadmill.
Well done W4R2. I did the same run this morning and agree that week 5 is daunting. I change my pace all the time. If I didn't I wouldn't make half the runs! Normally by the third run of the week I've got it sorted but with 3 separate workouts for weeks 5 and 6, that's not possible to do so will have to be very cautious. Good luck with week 5
Hi Fraz, I'm doing W5R1 this evening and always have the same approach as you and finding the idea of having 3 seperate runs daunting as there is no option to do it better next time and have it nailed by the 3rd run (also the beast that is run 3 looming over for Friday is alarming!). BUT we can do it, Laura wouldn't make us do anything we were not ready for! Good luck Fraz and jcm!
Thanks, let us know how W5R1 went...
Well w5r1 went well. It was hard as I really pushed it and went a little too fast, so it was hard to keep up the pace. To be honest, I was surprised it was hard as technically it is one minute less than last week, but I certainly appreciated 3 runs instead of 4!
Three runs does sound nice. I will be doing W5R1 in a couple of days.
Fraz - That explains it perfectly. In a couple of hours I will do W4R3 then we will see. Knowing someone else is right here with me really helps.