C25K, week 5
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Anonymous
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I just finished day 2 of week 4. I'm looking ahead at week 5 and it looks like things are about to get real. I surprised myself that I was able to run for 5 minutes which is required in week 4. It's really tough though and takes a lot for me to finish the 5 minutes, especially the 2nd time (you run a 5 minute stretch 2x in the week 4 workouts).
So in looking ahead at week 5 I'm nervous about day 3 which requires a straight 20 minute jog. Week 5 is also the first week where each day the running time increases. One thing I'm wondering, why is it that week 5 day 3 has more running time than week 6 day 1. The week 5 day 1 workout is: Brisk 5 minute warm-up walk. Jog for 20 minutes. Week 6 day 1 workout is: Brisk 5 minute warm-up walk. Jog 5 minutes, walk for 3 minutes. Jog for 8 minutes, walk for 3 minutes, jog for 5 minutes. I know it's only 3 minutes difference, but those 3 minutes are like hours for me right now. lol |
Anonymous
I never asked the question as to why the time is less in week 6. But remember not to feel bad if you are not able to complete W5D3. It took me 4 days to get to complete it. Keep doing it. You will get there 
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Anonymous
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It took me a couple tries to complete W5D3. If you finish it the first time? Awesome! If you can't? No big deal - but keep trying to push for it until you complete it and cross it off.
Good luck! You can do it! |
Anonymous
| repeat weeks if you're not ready. i'm about to start week 4, and you got me nervous! the 3min runs in week 3 are rough. i may need to repeat! |
Anonymous
| I am pretty sure I repeated Week 5 (as well as Week 8). I'm training for a longer race now and there are aome weeks where the mileage drops to give the body a break. For example the past two weeks my long runs were 6 and 7 miles. Next week is 5 miles and the following is 9. Maybe C25k follows a similar pattern and week 6 is a "rest week" to prepare you for weeks 7-9? I don't know if I explained that well but hopefully it makes sense |
Anonymous
OP here, that makes absolute sense, thanks! |
Anonymous
OP here, I know how you feel. Those 3 minute runs were killer during week 3! That's why I was so shocked to be able to do the 5 minute runs in week 4. Now the 3 minute runs feel totally doable to me! It's a great motivator because I can really feel the progress I'm making. Doesn't make the upcoming weeks any less intimidating though!  Good luck and let me know how week 4 goes!
I'm going to give week 5 day 1 a shot this evening! 
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Anonymous
| I thought I was doing great--just in the midst of week 4, and was running the last 5 minutes "cool down." Until I ran outside yesterday instead of on the treadmill. I didn't realize how much harder outside running is (nicer, in a way, but the terrain, slight hills and the fact that you have to move your body forward in space, rather than have the treadmill do a lot of the work for you) means I ran a lot, lot slower. |
Anonymous
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Like PPs said, repeat weeks if need be. Realize that a lot of running is mental though. You can think of it as 4 five minute runs, which you've already completed.
Another thing that helped me was signing up for a 5k. It was terrifying to me, before I got there, but having it on the calendar made me complete the program. Prior to race day, the longest training run I'd done was the 20 min one. On race day, I ran 40 min non-stop. Just goes to show a lot of this is mental (the race day environment is so encouraging). |
Anonymous
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I didn't think I'd be able to do 20 minutes either, but I did! It was a great feeling. I was sloooow, but I didn't care!
Agree that you can repeat current week if you have to. |
Anonymous
| I just did week 5 day 1. Three 5 minute runs with walking in-between. The first 5 minute were ok, the 2nd was more tough and the 3rd was so hard. I barely finished it. I may repeat this day before moving on to the next. |
Anonymous
| Keep at it. Each week I feel like I looked at the plan and thought "no way". Let yourself take a break if you need to. I'm at week 9 and only in week 8 have I needed to take a break once in two days. And I couldn't run down the block before. |
Anonymous
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Agree with PPs. I used to run a bit but am just now getting back to it, using C25K, and signed up for the upcoming Diva Dash (and running with a 24 y.o.-- I'm almost 35). About to start week 5, but just going to keep going-going-going!
Just listen to your music and pound it out
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Anonymous
Too funny, that's exactly what I do. So far I've been able to make it through each workout though! |
Anonymous
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I'm OP and I just finished week 5. I can't believe I did the 20 minute jog. I was so nervous and worried about it and I am stunned that I got throught it. Those that say trust the program it works, are right. It really does work. Looking ahead to some of the weeks are shocking sometimes, but the program really does prepare you for each day!
How is everyone else doing? |