It's the biggie tomorrow. Eek! Support gratefully accepted.

[Tati]

By the biggie I obviously mean the one all newbies fear: wk 5 run 3, that 20 minute monster lying in wait for us. Run 2 went really well. After the first 8 minute stretch I knew I could carry on and was almost tempted to skip straight to the 20 minute run to see if I could do it. However, I didn't want to fall flat on my face (metaphorically or literally) so I stuck with Laura. The second eight minutes was a bit tougher at first, BUT when she said four minutes left to go I thought it was time to challenge myself, so I actually upped the slow pace a bit and got my heart going faster. I slowed it down again, then for the last minute went for it. Finished out of breath and panting but feeling great. I'm hoping the extra effort will have paid off for tomorrow. Scared, but excited too. Can I really be about to run for 20 minutes? As the last one went well, I'm fearing this one won't. Positive vibes this way please.

How is 5x50 going for everyone else? The running days are easy. The one in between was a bit unorthodox this time. Hoping to get that sorted when I'm back home. Saying that, I need to go and do my 30 minutes of yoga. I will be back tomorrow, with my tale of wonder or woe.....

[Stefliser Graduate]

Take it easy, enjoy it, and above all, trust Laura!! You've already done the hard work - tomorrow is just about pulling all the strings together and showing yourself how far you've come.

Well done for getting this far!!

[greenlegs Graduate]

From the sound of your run 2, you will be absolutely fine, just stick to the slow and steady especially for the first half. Looking forward to the blog!

[Hidden]

I ran this today and am amazingly pleased with myself - I was really nervous before starting but, as others have encouraged, I trusted the programme (aka Laura!) and it worked. It really was more a mental challenge than physical and I found it really helpful to be told when I had completed 5mins, 10mins, 15mins, and 2 mins left - kept me focused and determined. Good luck Tati - I'm sure you'll achieve it

[helleb Graduate]

You certainly sound ready for the big one.Trust the programme,it really does work.Keep it slow try and switch off the brain a bit so you don't think too much about your legs and feet and what they are actually doing.Once you're in a rhythm you'll be fine.Good luck

[rockchick69 Graduate]

Good luck....you sound ready for it, and after you will think " why did I worry". I paniced a bit but in the end it was more a mental thing than physical. I'm now on W7R2 and keeping everything slow but steady. My 5x50 challenge is also going well, and I'm really enjoying it :0 Never thought I would say that 7 weeks ago..... Keep listening to Laura and you'll be fine. Looking forward to hearing how you do

[piggyland1 Graduate]

You can do it, I promise! Just try your hardest, and even if you don't make the 20minutes, you will have succeeded in pushing yourself to the limit and that's all anyone can ask of you. I wrote a blog post with advice for people about to do their W5R3, with some tips that helped me complete the run.

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

A lot of people (including myself) actually find the longer runs easier than stopping and starting with interval training, because 8 minutes in when you are just getting into your stride you have to stop and build your energy up all over again.

You'll be fine, believe you can do it!

Hope this helped!

~ Olivia

[LMS2110 Graduate]

All the preparation has already been done... You'll be just fine... Just don't try to run away too fast. Some folk feel ready at this time to do the long run and actually prefer no little breaks of pace in the middle - I know I did! And it was only a week ago! Lots of luck, enjoy the experience, the springtime scenery and the elation of succeeding and putting W5 behind you Linda

[redfacewoman Graduate]

You can do it I did it last night for the second time because of injury and on the dreadmill ! The distance isn't a problem it's boredom however master chef helped go for it girl I'm ok W6R1 fri so await your post good luck