Couch to 5k question - wk 5

Hi all,

Ok I'm on wk 5 - today it says to do jog 5, walk 3 jog 5, walk 3, jog 5.  Ok I think I can do that.

2nd session - jog 8....ummm..not sure if I can do that.  but may be able to.  walk 5, job 8.  should be challenging.

3rd session - jog 20 - ummmmm....yeah right!  are they joking here????  I mean seriously?  I'm supposed to go from today's workout where I can barely make 5 mins - to jogging 20???!!!! 

someone pls tell me this is doable?  I just don't see how by Friday I am going to be able to jog 20 mins????

I can see being able to do the first 2 - but the last one - please!  Any suggestions?????

Thanks!

Everything you have been doing should have been building you up to this point.  OK.  The purpose of the long runs on the weekend is to build endurance.  Even if you are jogging just barely above a walk, that is fine!  Speed does not matter.  Just jog at a pace you think you can sustain for 2 miles or twenty minutes.  If you can't do that, then go ahead and take a break.  It's not a deal breaker!!  It's OK!!!  Come back next week and give it another go....

you will be surprised!! I was actually able to do it quite easily but I did have to drop my speed to finish the full 20.  I'm currently repeating week 7 cuz I want my speed up while I run the whole 25 minutes! good luck and I promise it was much easier than it seems. 

Ahhhh, I remember that panic attack ;) Don't worry if it's too much to handle, the important thing is to keep running. If the jump to 20 minutes is too imtimidating then go at it another way. Try doing the run 8 minutes, walk 5, run 8; then next time run 8, walk 4, run 8; next time run 9, walk 3, run 9; then run 9 walk 2, run 9, then run 10, walk 1, run 10 ... lots of people stick to 10 & 1's, but at this point if you're running for only 20 minutes total your body doesn't really need the walk break ... but your mind might ;)

After thinking about it, I agree with Sybil.  If you decide that jogging 20 minutes straight is too much for you, then do the run/walk thing.  Pick an interval you think you can sustain for 20 minutes.  Run 3 walk 1, or Run 4 / Walk 1, what ever.  I know a lot of peeps that run/walk their races.  The important thing is you ARE DOING IT!!

Im starting week 5 this week as well. Im terrified of the 20 min jog as well. Im planning on just runnning the first 5 mins, then thinking "ok, we can make 8", then when I hit 8, Ill see how Im feeling. If I need a break, Ill walk for a minute, but I'll pause the music and NOT count it in the 20 mins. Either way, I will run a total of 20 mins. Im hoping to at least make 10-12 mins, and once I hit 15 mins I'll not want to give up, so I'll make it.

Good luck! Let me know how you go!

I totally remember the fear of week 5 day 3 of C25K!  I was so scared, but kept telling myself, that tons of other people had done the program, so I could do it too!  That 20 minutes is definitely mental more than physical, but once you concur that 20 minutes, it will make the rest of the program easier mentally.  I started the C25K in May 2008.  By July 2008 I was able to run for 30 minutes without stopping.  I did my first 5K race in August 2008, and by September was doing my first 10K.  I am now in training to run my first half marathon on May 2nd, 2009....two days short of the one year anniversary of when I started the C25K program.  The program really works!  Good luck!

Thanks all for your comments!  Well, as I predicted, yesterday's workout (5/3 run/walk) was just fine.  No problem.  Tomorrow will be interesting to see how the 8/3 goes.  I'm still anxious about the 20 but really like the idea of slowing down my pace.  Although truly, I'm already at a 5, can't imagine slowing down more.  LOL!

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted how it goes!

You can do it!!!  I did the same program and I remember feeling the exact same.  Take it one minute at a time.  Think about just finishing the minute you are in.  Remember to go slow.  If you go too fast, you will not be able to keep up the pace. 

Running is the best thing that has ever happened to my health.  I started running for 30 seconds at a time ( about 1 1/2 years ago) and thought I was going to die.  Last April I did my first 1/2 marathon.  Running is the best addiction.  Keep it up!!!!!

i too felt the EXACT same way heading into week 5... but you can do it!! i had to go slower, but i did it!! just do your best, and if you need to slow down, then slow down :)

Hi guys-

I've been reading the posts and just thought I'd drop in and ask what program are you running (wk 5)?  I am interested in running in the half marathon in December but thought I should train for a 5k first since I've never really ran before for longer that 2 minutes at a time.  I need to find a good training program to get me ready for my first 5k.  I'm definitely a beginner.  Any suggestions?? 

Thanks! 

Kossmana,

I am doing the Couch to 5K program from the Coolrunnings website.  Check it out - I like it!

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html

Thanks lora.

This looks like exactly what I need.  Thanks and good luck! 

Session 2 Wk5 - done!  Woo hoo!  8 mins wasn't as hard as I thought - although my legs were super tired.  I have NO IDEA how I am going to do the 20 mins for my 3rd session.  Ahhh!!!