Week 5, Day 3 - WTF!!!

[Eric Lee]

I saw this one coming.  

 

I've done everything through Week 5, Day 2, which I thought would be pretty challenging as you make the transition from 5 minute runs to 8 minute runs, an increase of 60%.  But that last day, which I attempted this morning, jumps to a single run of 20 minutes with no walking.  

 

Now, wait a minute -- the run before last was 5 minutes (times three).  Now we're at 20 minutes?  Four days later?

 

I know the next workout, Week 6 Day 1, is easier.

 

But what's the point of this 20 minute run?  I couldn't complete it, and wound up walking about a third of the time.  Very discouraged.

 

I've decided to try to repeat it in a couple of days, and continue doing it until I can get up to 20 minutes, however long it takes.

 

I had no problem with the previous run, so a couple of runs of 8 minutes each is doable with a 5 minute walk to break it up.  This is an entirely different kettle of fish.

 

Has anyone else run into this problem at this stage?  Until now, I've found the program really good, and step by step have been getting fitter.

 

Thanks.

 

P.S. I'm a 61 one year old male in London (England).  I can't remember the last time I ran -- possibly in 1980.  I keep fit by walking, so this is really a big challenge for me.

[Jschaferhess]

I'm the challenge today. Considering you've been successful until now, I suspect it's a mind over matter issue. Believe me when I tell you, your body can do it regardless of what the voice in your head is chanting.

[Jschaferhess]

*Meant to say, I'm sorry about the challenge today.

[torus_ot]

Of course the W5D3 was discussed here multiple times:

http://forums.zenlabsfitness.com/topic/3848-week-5-day-3-how-did-you-get-through-it/

 

And your math is wrong: W5D2 is 3x5min=15min run. So it is just 25%   

Most of the time it is mental. Do couple times more W5D2, add bonus run at the end.

When you will  try again W5D3 take it a bit of slower...

 

BTW The biggest gain  75% in total run time is W4D1 - 16 min vs 9 min in previous W3D3.

[gilf]

I had the same problem. I had been cruising through the program up until W5D3. I felt like I was going to die after the first 12 min at a snails pace. I had to walk a few minutes then struggled through the remaing 5. Thought about repeating the run but I've decided to put it behind me & move on to W6D1 (which should be a cake walk in comparison!)

By the way, I'm 43, at my ideal wt and exercise regularly.

[heatherjasmine]

Surprisingly, I managed the 20 mins on w5d3 and thought I'd done really well but it turns out I travelled only 2km when apparently I should have done 2 MILES?!?! At this rate I would need to jog for 50 mins to do 5km

[Breezee]

Don't sweat the distance and just do the time. You will speed up.

[Breezee]

Don't sweat the distance and just do the time. You will speed up.

[liev]

Tomorrow I do W5 D2 and I encountered the same feeling. How do I go from day 2 to day 3??? I usually don't look ahead til I get to the track as not to freak myself out. I think and hope this is just mental. I'll know more after tomorrow. I'm 68 and this is my first time doing c25k.

[torus_ot]

 

How do I go from day 2 to day 3

Do what I did - go very slow (schlepping ). And it is really OK if you need to repeat W3D1-3. C25K is just a schedule. It works well for most, but if you have to - adjust it for your physical current state.

[Hokkaido]

I was very nervous about w5 day 3 which I completed today. I just slowed down, I mean way down. And before I knew it I got the message you have one minute left. Don't worry about speed, just get the distance done and the speed will come later. By the way I am 53 years old and have not run in about 5 years, so starting from the beginning again.

[LynnG]

I know exactly what you mean!!! I wasn't ready for a continuous run that long. I actually skipped that day and went right to Wk6 Day1. I figured, no biggie as long as I kept getting out there and trying! Then I repeated Wk6 Days 1 and 2 over and over for a couple of weeks before moving on to Wk6 Day3 (running for 22 minutes). I'm on Wk7 Day3 now!

I'm 58 years old and had not run for about 30 years, so I decided to cut myself some slack! I look at this program as a great suggestion of one way to get you to running 5K. It will not be perfect for everyone. Use it as a guideline and modify it if you need to to make it work for you. Don't stop running because you didn't following the program exactly!

[5marty]

On 10/16/2018 at 5:51 AM, LynnG said:

I know exactly what you mean!!! I wasn't ready for a continuous run that long. I actually skipped that day and went right to Wk6 Day1. I figured, no biggie as long as I kept getting out there and trying! Then I repeated Wk6 Days 1 and 2 over and over for a couple of weeks before moving on to Wk6 Day3 (running for 22 minutes). I'm on Wk7 Day3 now!

I'm 58 years old and had not run for about 30 years, so I decided to cut myself some slack! I look at this program as a great suggestion of one way to get you to running 5K. It will not be perfect for everyone. Use it as a guideline and modify it if you need to to make it work for you. Don't stop running because you didn't following the program exactly!

Sounds like a great idea! Seems odd to me that run6.1 is so much easier than 5.3.  Just substituting 6.2 for 5.3 looks good too

[Crabapple]

Wow! That's quite a jump. I'm really glad I came across this conversation because now I am prepared, and I know not to stress out about it.

[Megblue]

I wondered if this was an error and it’s never gotten corrected so now we think it’s supposed to be like that?(g)

I ran into issues after W5 D1 and had to drop back to week 2 and start back. Today I am back to Week 5 day 1. I’ll be doing the 20 min run this weekend. I’ll get thru it but it may take a couple of tries!

[Crabapple]

That's a good point, Megblue. I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what happened.

That sounds like a good idea to drop back to an earlier week and then continue. I will probably do the same thing.

 

[Megblue]

Today was my first attempt at Week 5, day 3. I did it without stopping and wasn’t dying when I was done. I feel pretty good for  a 64 yo who just started running in December. I hadn’t run in 15 or more yests before that. 

[Crabapple]

Thanks, Megblue. You give me hope.

[AngelaCobb]

I just completed Week 5, Day 2, so now I am also trying to prepare myself for the dreaded Day 3...DUN DUN DUN!!! 

It’s been really encouraging to see everyones’ tips, strategies, and experiences though.

[PaulaClara]

I just finished week 5 Day 2 and seeing what’s coming up is freaking me out. I’ll do what I can and start over if I have to. 

[Crabapple]

Good for you, PaulaClara. (thumbs_up)

I'm planning to leave my four-week loop on April twenty-second. Up until now that third day of week 5, while not exactly terrifying, was definitely scary. At this point though, since my breakthrough this week, it isn't as scary, though I'm not so sure I would be able to run for a full 20 minutes. But my mindset is such that I'll give it my best shot and maybe I can do it.

[PaulaClara]

I’m going to give it my best!

[The Little Engine]

Thankful for the insight here. I started week 5 this week and day 3 is scary. Taking your advice and doing what I can.  I was thinking there would have been a 12 or 15 minute run in there somewhere. I’m not giving up though!