Hit a wall in 5-10k training

[PolkaDotMankini]

Hi MNers! I finished the c25k program a couple of weeks before Christmas and started a similar 5-10k program straight afterwards. I've hit a wall: I can do run 10 mins, walk 1, repeat 4 times (40 minutes running). I can't do the next one, which is run 15 mins, walk 1, repeat 3 times (45 minutes running).

I finish the second set of 15 minutes and then crash out a minute or so into the third set. My legs don't hurt, my breathing's fine, it's just the motivation that disappears. I've tried 3 times with rest days in-between.

Any ideas on what I should do to get past this bit?

Are you running on a treadmill or outside? I find I have much more motivation when I run outside - I get really bored on a treadmill and find myself clock-watching much more. Running outside is almost fun!

Agree with the PP, I definitely have more motivation running outside. If you are outside, have you tried a different route? To get past the mental block of the third set. Or could you set yourself a target of just doing 5 minutes of the third set, so it doesn’t feel unachievable, and then gradually increase it the next time? You might find that once you’ve done 5 mins you want to carry on anyway.

I'm on a treadmill - I find it difficult to run outside in the winter as I have asthma that gets exacerbated by cold air. I've run outside in the summer in the (fitter) past and enjoyed it.

Working up to the full third set sounds good.

What do you "do" whilst on the treadmill?

I have my TV set up

It's got a video running of different terrains (Life Fitness), but I don't tend to watch. The gym has floor-to-ceiling windows facing out o er the countryside or car park so I tend to people-watch while listening to music. I tried watching TV during c25k but preferred music. I could try again and see if changing it up would help.

Get yourself outside, it's really not that cold at the moment and you'll find it much more interesting. Also, if you're run 15 minutes from home then you'll have no choice but to run at least 15 minutes back again ;)

I honestly wouldn't bother with the training at all. I'd just continue regular 5k runs, find lots of lovely routes or a nice social, chatty running club and enjoy it without worrying about the next stage.

I have run half marathons and one marathon but struggle to do more than ten minutes on a treadmill without dying of boredom.

Yes get outside!
I just saw a tip of listening to a podcast for the first 5km and then putting on your favourite music for the next 5km.
Do you have a running group or running buddy? I do loads more when I run with other people. Good luck

The irony is that DH runs a local running club. However, this means that I can't go to the running club because I look after the DC while he does it!

Apart from the asthma, I just don't like running outside when it's dark, wet and miserable.

I went back and tried 3 x 10 minutes today, which was fine. I'll aim to add a minute per rep at each session until I'm up to 3 x 15.

I'm doing the 5-10k program because I've signed up for a 10k as part of a work team and need to be able to do it without collapsing or otherwise embarrassing myself!

Dark, wet and miserable is character building! Winter miles make summer smiles n all that…..

Another one along to say run outside - pick a nice day to start with, and go when it's light! I'm asthmatic and did all my training outdoors, year round, up to half marathons.

Oh, and for a while after I started moving from 5k towards 10k, I found the 6k mark the hardest. So it really does help if you have no option but to get home somehow 😁