SteveJ Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I'm a 240 lb man and I rarely am brought to tears (sorry...stereotypical man here). But today was different... I remember looking at this day and dreading what it was going to be like...how am I ever going to make 20 minutes? I remember reading the struggles of people on this forum with this day and reading about those who had to repeat it (by the way, those of you that have repeated weeks have been a true inspiration - you are the epitome of perseverance...you didn't quit, instead you looked for motivation and inspiration and tips of how to make it through this day). Today, however, I was almost weeping (I didn't though...remember, stereotypical man). Surprisingly, it wasn't at minute 20 when that wonderful voice said 'begin your cooldown'. Instead it was around minute 13 running past my house. At that moment a flurry of thoughts went through my head - 'I got this', 'I can't believe I have this much energy in the tank right now', and the one thought that I hadn't had to this point 'Today, I am a runner'. I know, I'm 5 weeks in, and I consider this whole group runners - we get out there and move, and that's the important point. We don't let the struggle get us down - we keep moving. But my body today threw signals to my head at around minute 13 that was something I haven't felt yet in these 5 weeks. Week 5 Day 3 is accomplishable - it's a mountain to climb, but we climbed that first mountain of Week 1 Day 1 and started...and I'm here to say that if I can do it, anyone can! I think this day is as much of a mental challenge as it is physical. You have to know you can do it. Physically, I set my pace a bit slower than I have been during the interval runs, knowing I wasn't going to get that walk rest until cooldown. I knew I needed to have enough gas in the tank to keep going for the 20 minutes. Mentally, I told myself 'You got this - today, you are a runner'. Keep running everyone! And if you don't do it the first time, persevere. Chalk it up as a mountain you just have to climb next week, because eventually, you will. And it's a great view from the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TrishE Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Amazing thank you for your story. I know everyone dreads w5d3 and a lot of people think its a mistake and should be changed but this is why I think its great. Its such a great milestone to hit and a great goal to reach if it takes more than one try (took me three when I did it) Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermes Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I completed w5d3 this morning. It was really slow but I didn't stop. First time I've been able to jog for 20 minutes in more than 15 years. After 4x bypass heart surgery 10 years ago my goal was to run a mile. It never happened. Not even close. Now I can do that. Now my goal is the dreaded 5k. Never would have got this far without C25K and the motivational posts hers. Thanks to everyone. Now I am more determined than ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Awesome job Hermes - I got a chuckle about your 'tortoise' comment in your thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermes Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djplong Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Congrats from the sidelines! I know how difficult some of that seemed to do - and I had one of those "Today, I feel like a runner" moments and I'm sure it was as indescribable for you as it was for me. Keep going and don't let the doubts hang around your brain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ysseile Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 great job! And thanks for the kind words of inspiration-completely what I needed today! SteveJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Soldier Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Awesome read, I completed wk5 d3 today 2nd attempt, last attempt was way too fast so I slowed it down and found it easy today. SteveJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted July 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Awesome read, I completed wk5 d3 today 2nd attempt, last attempt was way too fast so I slowed it down and found it easy today. Thanks! And way to go on your Wk5 D3 run too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyAnn Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Sooooo proud of all of you!!!!! Keep it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GettingFIT@51! Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 I'm on here to get some motivation for my first step in the w5d3 in about half an hour!!! I am sure I can run ten but twice that???? Thanks for the inspiration here!!!! I'm not going to give up easily today. I will fight for every minute but I'm prepared to be proud of anything run over ten minutes! Yikes! I'll let you know what happens!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Soldier Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Slow slow slow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted August 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2015 Definitely slow like Roman Soldier said. Speed will come but best to find your pace that will give you the energy to finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoju Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 30 hours ago I finished W5D2 and beheld the schedule for W5D3 for the first time. My heart sank. I had been doing so well but to go from 8 minutes to 20? Too much! Can't be done! I said. I KNEW it would take me weeks to get to 20 minutes. It was in those moments of despair that I found this forum. I spent the rest of the night reading your success stories and, boistered by the community of people who like me thought it couldn't be done but managed to pull it off, I resolved to try it. 2 hours ago I lay in my bed dreading the walk up the stairs to put my running shoes on. My resolve, so strong the night before, fading quickly. 'Maybe I should just take a rest day'. All sorts of excuses and justifications filling my mind. I picked up my phone re-read this thread and hauled my petoot upstairs. I did it. First try. Even finished with enough energy for a victory dance ... In the street...with my neighbors watching. Who cares!? I slew the dragon! Eat it W5D3! Bring on week 6!! Thanks dudes. Thank you so much. Your words and your stories made all the difference in the world. I honestly couldn't have done it without you so I say again, thank you. Now, where's my celebratory cookie dough... SteveJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ysseile Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Well done, Hoju! Doesn't it feel amazing? I too will read inspirational stories on the forum before a run, it always pumps me up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted August 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Great job Hoju! Way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnie Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Well done Hoju! I was going to try mine this evening but brought my gear into work just in case. After much deliberation I went out at lunchtime and am so glad I did....finished the 20 and was much better than I feared! To be honest I found W5D1 the hardest this week...probably because the last two minutes of each 5 min run was uphill. Made sure to pick a better route today which really helped, can't avoid the hills but plenty of time for more challenging routes! Week 6 here I come :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoju Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Nicely done Minnie! And at work no less! I hear you, my preferred route has two hills which always seem to land in the most challenging intervals. Murphy's law I guess. Weird eh? I took 3 tries to get through W4D3 but logically W5D3 should've been much harder. Maybe we just did a better job of preparing ourselves mentally and physically for the big run. Keep at it friend! Let's crush 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted August 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Way to go Minnie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma B Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 I slayed this today. But question for all of you--- in your 20 min, were you able to run 2 miles? Because I can tell you. I did not. Still trying to feel accomplished though. Quick story- a young girl 19 yrs younger than me, from work asked to run with me today. I was scared of this day to begin with and now this young girl wants to run with me? How could I do this? I was so worried and afraid I would embarrass myself. But I did it! Not fast, but I did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted September 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Way to go Momma B! I know I didn't do the 2 miles in 20 minutes...still building up my speed a bit now well passed the graduation of the C25K. The program is really geared more towards endurance building rather than speed...with endurance the speed will come. Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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