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Original poster

C25k - how did you find 'that' 20 minute run??

13 replies

emsyj · 17/04/2015 10:15

I'm doing the couch to 5k for the second time. Last time I gave up when I got to the 20 minute run in week 5. I made excuses and just never went. I'm now on it again (after an almost 2 year break! Blush and this morning I did week 3 run 2. I'm already thinking about the 20 minute 'leap' - if you've done it, how was it???? Manageable? I'm scared. But I don't want to give up this time.

OP posts:
Anawi · 17/04/2015 10:29

Amazingly okay! It wasn't easy for me, but nothing like as bad as I expected. I was also scared before doing it and it didn't help that my running friend was on holiday that week so I had to go alone. I had a brief moment around 9mins of wondering how on earth I'd keep going but then it got a bit better and I kept on plodding, the last few mins were a bit tough but I knew I could do it by then so totally worth it!

Believe the woman in your phone (if you're doing the nhs one), if you have done the rest you can do this! Its just joining those two 8min runs with a slow jog. Take your time, go slightly slower than you think you want to and you can do it! I was a serial exercise avoider until a few months ago, I was so unfit, if the c25k can work for me it can for you too. Good luck.

Original poster
emsyj · 17/04/2015 11:01

Thank you for your reply and encouragement. I am feeling ok about the 5 min stints, but I think I will need to slow to a shuffle to get through 8 then 20 mins! I'm using an app as I didn't like the music on the NHS podcast so I'm not sure what level of encouragement I will get from the little voice - probably not much!

OP posts:
HalleLouja · 17/04/2015 11:01

It was actually ok. Not as bad as it was in my head. I have done c25k a few times now. I think keeping going and not stopping and starting all the time was actually better than the stop starting. I seem to remember week 6 day 1 being hard.

Saz12 · 17/04/2015 22:43

It was OK. Hard, but not unmanageable, and I was dreading it beforehand. If you've managed the runs up till then, you can manage that run, too.
You just need to go slow and keep plodding away. If you get tired, slow down some more until you feel better. And don't think about how much longer there is to go - just try and be "in the moment".
You'll be absolutely fine; the thought of it is worse than the reality, and no matter how you feel in the last couple minutes you'll feel amazing afterwards.

Surelyshirley4 · 17/04/2015 22:55

I've just done W7 run 3 which is the step up to 25 minutes, so did the 20 minutes a week ago. Have to say I am utterly buzzing and elated that I can do it!! I'm even looking forward to another 25 minutes tomorrow, I think.....! I will admit that at the very start of both the 20 minute and 25 minute run, I almost went in to a sort of panic and felt like I couldn't run at all (even my breathing went funny at the start yesterday) but I pushed on and did both runs without stopping at all. And I am someone who has NEVER run in their life before (think I avoided cross country at school like the plague). C25k is amazing in my opinion, I am flabbergasted that I can do it, so if I can, anyone can. What helped me yesterday was having some new music to listen to and I'm looking forward to listening to some new tunes tomorrow too - I download from Spotify and play on my phone alongside the NHS app - Laura just kicks in and the music quietens when she's talking. Good luck, you can do it!

Surelyshirley4 · 17/04/2015 23:00

Oh sorry, ahead of myself, it was week 6 run 3 I've just done! Now on week 7, doh!

anon2113 · 18/04/2015 14:39

The 20 minute run is a mental challenge more than a physical one. I know it seems like you are more-than-doubling your running time, but really you are just filling in a couple of minutes in the middle. There is very little difference in the total amount of work your body has to do.

My tip is to slow waaay down. Go as slow as you can without walking and just keep going. Have a good playlist or podcast to keep your mind off it. Maybe have a small snack an hour or so before. The goal on this run is to push through the mental block, not to burn calories.

If you're anything like me, you'll be surprised to find that you're not physically struggling, its just that your mind keeps telling you to stop.

It feels absolutely amazing to run 20 mins without stopping. It was the first time I felt like a real runner, and I don't think I've ever felt prouder of myself.

EdithDickie · 18/04/2015 17:18

Definitely agree with anon, give it a go, your head definitely gives out before your legs do.

Original poster
emsyj · 19/04/2015 10:10

Well I've still got a couple of weeks to go before the 20 minute challenge - I will be doing week 3 run 3 today and probably won't get to do week 4 run 1 til Wednesday, but feeling better about it - thanks Smile. I've actually enjoyed the last few runs - the weather has been good, which probably helps.

OP posts:
Brandysnapper · 19/04/2015 10:18

I didn't know about this in advance and I actually stopped dead on the footpath when she announced I'd be running for 20 mins! ...and then googled it to check it was right!
You will be fine Smile

Brandysnapper · 19/04/2015 10:19

Oh, and I know it can be hard to fit in, but I find the smaller the gaps left the easier the next run is - try to do every other day whenever you can.

Original poster
emsyj · 19/04/2015 17:55

I would rather do every other day but unfortunately I won't be able to go on Tuesday as I have something else on in the evening. I could go tomorrow probably but 2 days on the trot probably not ideal?

OP posts:
Brandysnapper · 19/04/2015 18:04

No, and in my head I thought today was Saturday so it was a longer gap! Duh.

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