sarahtriesagain

I had this same problem (just posted about it elsewhere)! I just couldn't handle the 20 minutes straight. I suffered my way through 10, took a 2 minute break, and then did the last 10 minutes in two sets of 5. It was really brutal by the end and I felt like it was partially muscle fatigue, but also partially that I couldn't breathe fully. I think my body was in shock My question is how do I move forward from here? Do I keep attempting to do the 20 minute run until I actually finish it? Do i start week 5 again? Do i just move on to week 6 and hope the 22 minute one works out for me?

So I've recently started the C25K program again (pretty sure I only made it to Week 2 last time, so I am pretty jazzed I'm up to Week 5!). I've surprised myself by how I've been getting along in the program, as it builds up my endurance slowly but surely. I still struggle on the longer runs - 8 and 10 minutes are brutal, but I am able to struggle through it. Then Week 5 ends with a whammy: 20 minutes! What?! So, needless to say, the 20 minute run did not go as planned. I was able to do 10 minutes, pause for a couple minutes, and then do the remaining 10 minutes in two sets of 5. As far as the proper way to continue training goes, does anyone have a recommendation for how I should get back on track? Do I start week 5 again? Do i try the 20 minute run repeatedly until I can complete it successfully and *level up* to the next week? Do I continue to Week 6 and just hope the 22 minute run comes together at the end of it? Thanks!