Dreading w5r3 : Hey this will be my next run did... - Couch to 5K

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Dreading w5r3

gemma0820 profile image
7 Replies

Hey this will be my next run did any of you find it impossibly hard to do the full 20 mins or did it surprise you and you found it easier than expected? X

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gemma0820 profile image
gemma0820
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7 Replies
AnneDroid profile image
AnneDroidGraduate

It's hard, of course, but it's not impossible. The plan is so well worked out and hundreds (thousands? millions?) of people have done it - including me, the world's most unlikely runner.

You'll be fine. Lots of wee strategies help. A good playlist if you like music, for instance. Or running somewhere really pretty, or with lots of people. And telling yourself things like, "Two sessions ago I had to run three times. Last time I had to run twice. Today I've only got one run to do", or "Right, the first ten minutes will be a wee bit hard because my muscles will still be warming up (this is true actually), Now that's me half way so that's fine, Now that's the last five minutes so I'll call it my cool down run" or whatever works for you. It's amazing the lies we can tell ourselves - and believe!!

But the key thing is to pace yourself. Don't go off like a bullet!

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappGraduate

You are physically capable because you've got this far. All you need to do is to train your mind to cope with the longer runs. Up until now the short intervals have been your safety net.

Don't clock watch and as AnneDroid says no flying out the traps, keep a nice steady pace - you've got this!!

bellycat profile image
bellycatGraduate

I took about 6 'practice runs' at this one before I finally did it, and because I couldn't believe I had done it I repeated it on my next run day to be sure it wasn't a fluke lol. I think I was making the mistake of going too fast, but we all get there in the end, I just took more tries at it.

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

I won't say that it was easy, but it was not as difficult (or impossible) as I expected.

In W5r2, you run for 8 minutes, walk for 5 minutes then run for 8 minutes. In total, you are active for 21 minutes. If you monitor your heart-rate, it would be high for 8 minutes, high-but-reducing for 3 minutes, medium for 2 minutes, then high for 8 minutes. But you are probably seeing 18-19 minutes of elevated heart-rate.

In W5r3, you're running for 20 minutes, at an elevated heart-rate, but the effort is not much greater than W5r2.

Thus: #YouCanDoThis

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

A few fit your first option, the majority fit the second.

Don't fear it. It is a run on a training plan. You got this far, so believe in the plan and more importantly, believe in yourself.

The very worst thing that can happen is that you don't complete the run, in which case you repeat it. Think positive, fear nothing.

Oldmo profile image
OldmoGraduate

Did this run this morning. Tried to put it off in my head, it's too warm, maybe I'll wait until tomorrow..... but in the end I went and I thought I am here, the app says I can do it so I will. Ran the first 10 thinking its only 120 seconds more than I have done before, then I turned around and thought I only have to go back to where I started and I'm done. You can do it , get out there and give it all you got, you will feel fantastic at the end of it

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Nothing to fear except Fear itself...

Just follow the programme, slow and steady and you will do this:)

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