week 5 in Couch to 5k seems too hard

So I've been running all my life but I don't really push myself. When I get tired I stop and walk so I never really improve and can't run long distances. So I am going to start couch to 5k.

 Weeks 1-4 seems pretty do-able.  But then in week 5 completely out of nowhere it goes from running 8 minutes one day straight to running 20 minutes the next day! Isn't that a big leap? And then on week 6 one day is 10 minutes of continuous running and then 25 minutes of running the next day! I thought the whole point of the program is too gradually build yourself up and I really don't think I can go from running for 8 min to 20 min. 

 What was your experiences with Couch to 5k?

The best thing about C to 5K is that you do it on your on time and your own schedule. If you can't do 20 minutes on week 5, then just take a couple weeks to work at it before going on to "week 6". However you never know whether you will be able to or not until you try. I did not finish the 5k; I got about halfway through before holidays and travel hit, but I really enjoyed it and it seriously got me motivated to actually get out there each week and run. Try it! 

Just pace yourself.  You should be able to hold a jog near forever.

I'm working on the C25k also, my second attempt, i got off track during the holidays and now i'm starting week 2 tomorrow. The first time though, i got up to week 4 and had to do it a couple of times before advancing. Don't dispair, you'd be surprised what running intervals can do for your endurance! (and what taking time off and being lazy can do to it! i felt like i'd never ran a day in my life when i started again) It may seem like you're not running that much, but intervals are the best way to build endurance (and they're great for fat burning too ). If you need to repeat week 4, do it. just listen to your body, and remember that your runs don't need to be full speed, just go as fast as you feel comfortable going.

If I can do it (never had endurance, even as a kid, i'm also a former smoker) you can do it!!!!

Best of luck!!!

Don't even worry about week five until you get there. Seriously the best thing about C25k IMO is that it really gets you to the end point, and does so flexibly.

I repeated days within specific weeks myself until I felt ready and able to move ahead. The plan itself tells you to repeat if you need to--this isn't a competition with anyone but yourself and your preconceived notions of what you can do.

I'm on week 3 right now. I had to put it (c25k) on hold because of chest cold.  My lungs just couldn't cut it.  I'm fallowing  c25k loosely now. I found that if I just watch a heart monitor and try staying within my target heart rate I can jog quite a while before needing a walking break. I'm not breaking any records with running but, if I stay within my target hr I'll go about 2.5 miles in 30 min. I only break long enough to feel comfortable about 30 seconds and go back to my jogging pace. I feel pretty confident that if I just keep up this way I'll be able to do a 5 K by July goal. just a bit of food for thought.

I am starting week 4 today.
I have always hated running, but found the first 3 weeks to be fairly easy.
I do it more then three times a week, I aim for 5 or 6. I found I improved much faster and didn't wear myself out.

Maybe just up how many times a week you run, and bring down the pace you are running at? I walk at a 4.7, run the shorter times at a 6.5-6.7, and run the longer times at a 6.3. I have never found myself too out of breath.

The first two weeks seem really easy though. Week 3 isn't going to be very challenging either because thats usually the pace I run at right now. I'm probably going to mush the 3 days of the first two weeks into this week.

I finished the C25K about a month ago, and while week 5 does seem like quite a jump, you will be VERY surprised with yourself when you try it (it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be).  The program does really ramp you up for those longer running intervals, I actually found running the 20 minutes straight the easiest run of that week.  The main thing to remember is to PACE yourself and keep it reasonably slow.  You can always increase your speed later.  Yes, you do have to push yourself to complete the runs, but it is very doable.  Good luck!

I've done C2K several times in the past also. The first couple of times I didn't make it to the last day of week 5, so I understand where you're coming from. But, I did finally complete the whole program two summers ago and was so proud to run 3 miles in 36 minutes! So, it can be done. 

 Unfortunately, I never seem to be able to stick to jogging after reaching the end of the C2K program. I've started again, and because I'm running on an indoor track while there's snow, I've decided to work on my pace rather than distance until I can get back outside. Running 11 laps per mile isn't so bad when you're alternatiing running and walking, but running 33 laps at the same pace is tough (not just boring, but also kind of hard on the body to keep making all those terms, even if I alternate direction).

 Today I jogged a mile in 11 minutes. Not bad for 195lb, 5'7'' woman who sounds like a charging rhincerous while running!

 Good luck!

 

Original Post by imminime:

 also kind of hard on the body to keep making all those terms, even if I alternate direction).

Err, I mean, "turns."

I just started c25k in hopes of being able to complete one on March 8. I had a pretty serious injury 6 months ago trying to get into shape to do a 15K. It really sucks when you are able to do 6.9 miles straight - without walking! and then have to go back to the intervals. Seriously, though, after 5 weeks of continuous running intervals, the 20 min should be cake. You will absolutley shock yourself. You'll find your body would rather keep going than adjust to the walk. It's a huge temptation to do more than 3 runs a week, but your body NEEDS to recover.... that just adds to your endurance, believe it or not. If you ever have to repeat a section, you can! There's also another program for beginners, I will have to find the link and post it if anyone wants to try it. It's a little (way) more intensive, though.