C25k Wk5 WTAF?!?

[Musicalmistress]

Week 4 Run 3 done, feeling pretty pleased with myself so thought I’d have a wee look at what next week has in store...big mistake 😳

Run 1- 3 X 5 mins. I reckon I can do that 🙂

Run 2- 2 X 8mins. Ooh that’s a bit of a jump! 😟

Run 3- 20mins. What just run? For 20 whole mins? What in one go? What the actual F...?!?? 🤯

C25K starts off as a walk with occasional running. As you get into it you have to mentally adapt as it becomes a run with occasional walks, then just a run.

If you fail to do the full 20 minutes take a note of how long you went for. Then repeat the run in a few days and try to beat your last time. As long as you're improving don't worry. You'll get there.

Good luck.

I started C25k on week 3 as I have run for years but an injury has had me out for a good few weeks so I thought I'd give this a go to ease me and my foot back in. I did weeks 5 run 2 this morning and found it fine but did look at run 3 and think "crikey"! Although I am not a new runner (have run 2 half marathons in the past) I have always struggled to run for any length of time without stopping. I think 1-1.5 miles at a time is my comfort zone, which is about 10-15 mins of running for me so friday's run is going to be a challenge even for me!

well, i'm going to start again, tomorrow when it cools down, this will be the 8th? time never even got to the 5mins but this time!

Did w5r1 on Monday, going to five run 2 ago tomorrow 💪🏾

Ah, I remember this! It is all about mental strength - physically, you have run this distance, just with breaks. My recommendation would be to not think "omg i have to run for 20 minutes". Just start running and keep going for as long as you can manage - have some good music and the BBC app gives regular encouragement. Don't be disheartened if you stop before 20 minutes, you will still have run longer in one stretch than before, so take that as a success!

My first time, I managed 12 minutes. Gave it another go a couple of days later on a flat route and managed the 20.

It then goes back to intervals but with longer durations to build you up to running further.

Just to echo what others have said. You don't need to run fast, you just need to keep running. Your brain gives up waaaaaay before your body, and if you find yourself thinking "I can't, I just can't do it" ask yourself "but what if I could?" You will be incredibly proud of your achievement once you've done it.

Oh heck I did w3r1 this morning and struggled so I'm reading this. I'm very obese and struggling already so I'm hoping my body will keep up with this programme.

@QuitePolite It is amazing how you adapt to the increases each week, but if you do get to a run and find it challenging, it's fine to repeat it as many times as you need until it becomes easier. The 9 weeks is just a guide, no one shouts at you if you need to take 10 weeks or 12 weeks.

Remember to keep telling yourself, you CAN do this. You don't have to run fast, I swear I could walk faster sometimes, it's the keeping going that counts.

@QuitePolite me too & I go very slowly but I'm surprising myself how much I can actually do. If you'd told me a month ago I'd be 'running' in blocks of 8mins & thinking about attempting a 20min 'run' I would've laughed in your face!!!
W5R3 tomorrow- aim is 20 mins but watch this space 😁

Good luck with it!
I did W4R1 yesterday and found it quite tough but I felt good afterwards. I'm nervous about the 20 mins coming up soon too but have read loads of times on MN that people surprised themselves by doing it.

I've got a little while to go until I get to it. Well done you on being there already 💪

You can totally do this.
I remember the feeling o fear when I got there in the programme! It was terrifying. And then I did it, and omg - I felt like I was rocky. I was punching the air with pride. It was the best feeeling ever.

You can totally do this.
Trust yourself
Trust the programme.

20min 'run' done!!!
Slow as hell but found that in the middle 10mins or so I was totally in the zone. My aim was 10/12 mins then walk a bit if I had to but got to 15mins & felt reasonably ok so kept going. Then she said 18mins & I thought 'I'm buggered if I'm stopping now!' It helped that I had a better playlist as I got lost in the music at times. Actually enjoyed it & what a feeling of achievement - had a big cheesy grin on my cool down/walk back home. 🤩
If you'd told me a month ago I'd be lugging my 21stone ass out for a 20min run I'd have laughed in your face!

I remember feeling the same shock. And then I was even more shocked (and delighted) when I ran for 20 minutes.

Trust the system. Trust yourself. 🏃🏼‍♀️

Well done musical mistress!

Well done @Musicalmistress! I also completed the 20 min run this morning and was very pleased with myself! I took it slowly and like you, I got to 10 mins and felt ok, then when the 18 mins was up I was not giving up!

I listened to Bryony Gordon's 'Eat, Sleep, Run' audiobook and it really helped motivate me and help me switch off from what I was doing.

You might be surprised what you can do.

Sorry, didn’t RTFT. Well done OP, that’s the hardest run I reckon.

I feel all teary and happy for you! I totally remember the cheesy grin smugness of it.

Super proud of you,

Now - find your nearest parkrun, and register, we are still shut, but when we reopen, you will then open yourself up to a whole new world of fun, love, support, comraderie, friendship and cake 🧁. And then running will become something you just do.

WELL DONE. YOU ARE SUPER AWESOME.

Thank you for your kind words folks!@HuckfromScandal I'm not quite sure if I'm easy to run in full on public yet lol but I'll certainly think about it.

That's brilliant. Well done Musical mistress and Sunshineandflipflops.

You are inspiring me to think that maybe I can manage it too when the time comes....

Feeling like Rocky this morning! Just did the 20mins run 💪🏾

Well done OP! I went back to week 3 today as I struggled with week 4. I did all the runs then extended the last 3 minute run to 5, and then did another 90 secs during the cool down. I'll stay on week 4 now until I can do it confidently.

Well done @chunkyrun it's such a buzz isn't it!

Note to self - check if the distance is measured in miles or km BEFORE having a meltdown!!!
Did W6R2 this morning & used Strava for the first time, more to check my distance as I knew I was really slow but keen to see how far I was walk/running. Checked when I got home...1.9! WTF?!!? I’m not even reaching 2k?!? I thought I was doing quite well 🥵🥵🤬
Stomped about house, had a little cry to myself in shower then my partner gently suggested I check if it was in km or miles.
Turns out it’s miles so about 3km - you’ve no idea what a difference that 1km makes to how I feel about myself!

I did it! I'm just back from doing W5R3. Can't believe I could do it. The last 2 minutes were tough and I was very slow but I didn't stop and I did it. 😁💪