Good Friday -or is it?

[JoCo]

Started Couch to 5k with my daughter 6 weeks ago. Have really enjoyed it (despite the weather) and about to go out in an hour to complete week 6 run 3. Found run 3 last week really hard and am a little nervous about 25 minutes continuous running. Any tips?

[dottiemay Graduate]

Just do your best! Don't start too quickly - make a conscious effort to keep a reasonable pace and if you start to flag - slow down even more!

It's really more a mental effort than physical at this stage. My trick was to rehearse what I was going to post on here WHEN (not 'if'!) I succeeded. Believe me, that's as good as morale boost as anything.

But if it doesn't go to plan, it's not that big a deal, just try again in a few days. Best of luck and I look forward to reading your "I did it!" blog!

[Mrsbelt1 Graduate]

Hey, good luck you will be fine - I felt the same a couple of weeks ago when I was at this stage but sometimes I feel like the running isn't as hard as the walking then running again !!!!!

I have this little trick I just set myself a visual distance and think - I don't have to run the full time if I can just get to that bridge and then when I get there think just to those traffic lights then I can stop if I really really need to. And bingo, before you know it I've completed it! Little goals is the key for me the whole mental distance is very daunting definitely a mental challenge as opposed to the physical one!

Keep posted to let us know how you go - but if your struggling just think of the feeling of achievement you felt after w5r3 and that you are going to get that again at the finish line

Hope this helps JoCo

[Landesman Graduate]

Take it slower than before. That's the advice generally offered and it worked for me. I had been thinking I could speed up a bit on the shorter runs, but didn't have the stamina or fitness yet, so they were a trial. The longer run I treated with more respect and got into a groove. And it went better than the shorter runs.

Hope it goes well for you.

[LMS2110 Graduate]

OK, the post is now an hour old according to my PC ..... So you're out there???? Betchya you'll crack it good and proper. I've done 5.3 today, so am a week behind you. Just love JoCo's advice about setting little achievable targets on the way round - I'll certainly give that a go! Will check back here in a while to give you the congrats I'm sure you'll have earned by then. Keep going ........ Linda

[LMS2110 Graduate in reply to LMS2110]

Sorry, misread... Should have credited Mrsbelt1 with the targeting advice!

[Wickwarrunner Graduate]

Best of luck Take it slow and steady and try to pick a flat-ish route if you're running outside - focus on finishing the time rather than speed or hills! Looking forward to hearing all about it!

[greenlegs Graduate]

Mini-targets are definitely a good way to play tricky runs. And slow and steady is always good advice! Hope it goes well.

[gdeann Graduate]

Every run for me was a challenge, but know it will get better as fitness increases. Just try to believe in yourself and concentrate on coming back here and blogging about how great it went!! Gayle

[Stefliser Graduate]

You're probably out there as I write this - Slow and steady is definitely good advice. And consciously telling yourself to slow down at the start. And little achievable goals definitely help too!

I'm sure you made it orund OK, and that by the time you're reading this you'll be feeling amazing!!