After doing W5R2 on Tuesday I was going to do R3 on Thursday but the only time I could get my car in for it's MoT was Thursday morning 8am.
Friday was a no go because it was car service day and I needed one of the radiators changing as it was leaking (apparently the F-Pace has 2 radiators, I didn't know), I have the car serviced in Doncaster at an independent specialist and, to avoid the traffic, I left home at 7:15.
So, it was today, this very morning I decided to do the most feared run of the program.
Having dome the program several times over the last decade I admit I do have an advantage, I'm not scared of this run and I know it is possible, even after only 14 training sessions.
I jumped on the treadmill, started the warm up walk, my phone had recently upgraded to Android 12 and for some reason the speech to text feature sprang to life about half way through the walk, so I had to pause the app while I figured out how to turn it off.
That sorted Laura was soon telling me it was time to run and off I went, slow and steady, belly breathing, nice long slow breaths, helping to keep my HR under control.
Laura is then telling me I've run for 5 minutes and that I'm doing great, then 10 minutes, then 2 minutes later, or so it seemed, she's telling me I've run for 18 minutes and I only have 2 minutes left!
Then it was all over, I'm not going to say I ended the run as fresh as I started, that would be a lie, could I have continued, without a doubt but that would make me a naughty boy and I don't want to be a bad example.
That's week 5 done, week 6 will start either Monday or Wednesday morning as I have to travel for work this week.
Here's my advice for people who have week 5 run 3 coming up, I'm not a professional runner, nor am I a medical professional, this is advice gained from my own personal experience.
Jumping from 8 minutes to 20 minutes, it's not possible, I can't do it. - That's the thought that goes through most peoples head when they see week 5 written down. To quote one of the greatest sci-fi characters of all time, Yoda: 'That is why you fail'
The hardest thing about week 5 is purely our own head, in this week alone we run for 5 and 8 minute blocks but the thing you have to keep in mind is this, only ONE part of your body knows anything about time and that is your head.
Your heart responds to the effort your body is working at, the more effort, the more blood it will pump to keep oxygen and fuel going to your muscles, etc.
The main advice I can offer is this, believe in yourself and trust in the plan.
Advice - Week 5 Day 3
week 5, run 3 - no point, I can't do it.
Week 5 run 3 in the bag!
Week 5 Run 3 - apprehensive
Week 5 run 3 completed but need advice please
