W5 R2... :-(

[jlow]

Ooh that was tough tonight, the first 8 minutes seemed to go on forever and my legs were killing me during the 5 minute walk. The second 8 minutes started okay but I felt by the end I was so slow. I am really worried about R3 on Wednesday!

[mattaitch Graduate]

don't worry, week 5 can be really hard, believe it or not it gets easier

[SKessex78]

We are at exactly the same place and I too am wondering how on earth I'm going to run for 20 mins if I'm struggling with 8!

[Kirkleylewis Graduate]

I've did w5r3 on Friday gone. Don't worry about it you have run this before, not all together but you have done it. Remember to pace yourself, I found that concentrating on each 5 minutes helped. I had an idea of where I would be at the end of the next 5 minutes and ran to that, then thought about the next 5. Also distract your brain, sing, think about work, what's for tea, anything but running. That's how I managed it. You can do this.

[gdeann Graduate]

The 20 minute run is scary! Honestly, if you have completed every run to this point, your body is ready. Just try to push those darn gremlins away that sit on your shoulder and tell you that you can't do it. Take it slow and keep a steady pace. There is no such thing as to slow. Better to go slow and finish then to quit in frustration. You guys can do it!!!

[Pearsey]

I'm doing run 2 tomorrow jlow, so a run behind you. At least now I know what is coming and will be ready for it. Thank you for all the above advice-I have taken it all on board and will be thinking of all your instructions as I run. I don't actually "run" at the moment, more a fast jog, but I am aware of pacing. I don't use my inhaler at all now (asthmatic), as I did in week 1-haven't touched it during exercise since then, which is a hell of an achievement. I also managed two hump backed bridges without altering my pace yesterday-I would have had difficulty in walking them, never mind run/jogging 5 weeks ago. I had changed my usual park for one nearer home, because it was sheeting down with rain at my normal running time, which gave me different territory to try and scenery to look as as distraction.. I can do this-I keep going because this is for me. I look better, have more energy, breathing is better with no huffing and puffing when I'm walking or going upstairs. I can brisk walk. We had my bro and sister-in-law down during the week and we went to Weymouth. There is a lovely walk by the harbour to the Nothe. This is up and down in places, and normally I struggle with the walk. They were walking normal pace, with my husband, and I shot off to run a hill and waited at the top, simply because I found their pace too slow-can you believe that! The sheer joy of being able to do it has inspired me to meet my goals head on and complete this course, and maybe go beyond. I might even do the 25k course-unthinkable before I started this. Thank you everyone for all the tips and info-keep 'em comin'.

[SBG356 Graduate]

You still did it though Jackie so well done you!

I was going to be doing my W5R2 tonight but still have achy legs (and arms and stomach!!) from my Davina workout on Sunday so am going to leave it until Wednesday now or even Thursday - I didnt realise I had pushed myself so hard or maybe its because running has taken over and Davina has been waylaid for a couple of weeks ;0)

Good luck for R3! x

[Chewy]

I did the 20 minute run on Sunday and like you I couldn't see how I could get from 8 minutes to 20 minutes. Believe it or not I found the 20 minutes easier than the previous run, crazy I know, but I wouldn't be surprised if you feel the same way too.