This week I'm on week 5 of the Couch To 5K. For those of you who have done it, I probably don't need to explain why I'm filled with dread. For those of you who aren't familiar, this is the week where your amount of running time increases dramatically -- basically from 5 minutes intervals to 20 minutes solid.
Mild. Panic. Attack.
In fact, the past 2 times I've attempted this program, I quit at week 4. Without even trying week 5. Because I was too scared to even try it. That is a thing about me -- I psych myself out too much and get totally freaked out about stuff that hasn't even happened yet.
True story: the night before I started kindergarten, I woke my mom up crying in the middle of the night.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Are you afraid to start kindergarten?"
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Are you afraid to start kindergarten?"
"No!" I sobbed. "I'm afraid to start HIGH SCHOOL!"
Ha ha! My mom still enjoys telling this story. :) But I think it really proves how deep down these fears run for me, and how capable I am of totally overthinking things.
Anyway! This time around I've made it further into the C25K than I ever have before. On Sunday I did the first day of Week 5 -- five minute intervals. Today I tackled the second day's run, of 8 minute intervals. But Friday -- Friday I face down the big daddy. Twenty minutes.
So! I know a lot of you have done this program before. Tell me about your experience with the Week 5, Day 3 run. (Or if you learned to run a different way, tell me about the first time you ran 20 min. straight.) Tell me about how you thought you couldn't do it and then you totally did. Or alternately, tell me about how you couldn't actually do it the first time but you kept at it and soon enough you were rocking it. I need INSPIRATIONAL STORIES here!
Also! I need inspirational music! What are some good work out songs? My current faves are:
Stronger - Kanye West
Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
Crank Dat - Soulja Boy
So you can probably see where my tastes lie. :) But I'm open to anything that'll keep me motivated.
15 comments:
Hi!
I almost finished the 5k (I have only one training left) and I faced the same problem as you last week. I was kinda scared whether I could make it or not, but a friend of mine just came up with the idea that why wouldn't we go for a run together. I was a bit afraid to run with someone, but when I was feeling down I just kept running because my friend was running too, and vica versa. We basically ran 30 minutes without pauses together. Seriously. I had no idea I could do it but we did! So good luck, and I'm sure you can manage the 20minutes. Cheers!
You so got this girl! I don't really have an inspirational running story to share...but just think of how good you will feel when you do it!
Andrea, I think I did week 4 twice then tackled week 5. At the end of my 20 min. run on week 5, I cried. on the treadmill. at the gym. for about 30 seconds. I felt so strong and so confident knowing that I that I faced my fears and just did it!
I also lowered my speed, so that I had enough energy to get to the end. Good luck my friend! But, I promise you, you will feel so awesome afterwords!!
You can do this. You will be shocked at yourself. The great thing is... it's not about how fast you run... if you get tired, you can slow down (while still jogging). I bet you will be surprised as you accomplish this feat tomorrow!
I'm on week 3 of c25k and this is the farthest I've been. I am absolutely determined to finish the program this time and nothing, not even Week 5 Day 3 is going to stop me. I think as long as you tell yourself that you can do it and you will do it, you will find the strength to run that whole 20 minutes. Pace yourself and go slow. You'll be fine!
I'm totally not inspirational but I also quit after the five minute intervals. If you can work your way through it I will totally give it a try again! Yes that is a low down dirty challenge! Keep up the good work!
Hey Andrea, I'm a week behind you! I started Week 4 last night (I wrote about how I did the 3, 5, 3, and then instead of the last 5 I did 2, rest 1, 2).
Thanks for putting this out there, I will be checking back to see what others have to say! I didn't even realize I had this 20 min run looming! YIKES! I went through the future runs last night after I read your blog! I think 5.1 sounds doable...5.2 mayyybe doable...and 5.3, oh dear. hahah.
Make sure and let us know how it goes! :)
Hi Andrea! I haven't tackled the couch to 5k yet so I have no inspiration story but I DO have some kick ass music for you to check out! I'm all about good beats that keep my feet moving so here's a list of songs I highly recommend :)
-Duck Sauce - Anyway
-Acid Girls - Wake Up
-Kennedy - Let It Out
-Harlem Shakes - Sunlight
-Ida Corr - Let Me Think About It
-Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler
-Miike Snow - Cult Logic
-Spearhead - Rock the Nation
-Emiliana Torrini - Jungle Drum
-Discovery - So Insane
-Deee-Lite - Good Beat
-Madonna - Celebration
-September - Looking For Love
-Benny Benassi - Feel Alive
-Steve Aoki - Goose
-Stonebridge - Put 'em High
-Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
-Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin
-Kylie Minogue - Love at First Sight
-Robyn - Who's That Girl
wow...ok, I couldn't stop myself! haha Anyways, GOOD LUCK and hopefully some new music will help you to keep moving your feet!
When I did C25K it took me 3 weeks to get past week 5.
But here I am 10 months later ready to run a complete 10K on Saturday...so be patient with yourself, it will come!!
after all my years of running - I still find the first 5 minutes to 10 minutes REALLY hard. But once I'm past there - look out!!
I know you can do this. If I can do it - I know ANYONE can. Just loose yourself in the music. And just keep putting one foot in front of the other!!
The song Let It Rock always gets me going!!
I LOVE the story of your night before kindergarten.
First: Running 20 minutes without stopping if you've been working the C25K program will NOT be as hard as you think it will. I started the C25K at nearly 300 pounds and was actually able to run an ENTIRE 5K without stopping in a few months. If I could do it at that weight, you can DEFINITELY do it now.
Second: What is the absolute worst thing that could happen? You don't make it for the full 20 minutes without taking a brisk walking break. So what? Will the world end? Nope. You'll just keeping working at it until you DO make it 20 minutes...and then 25, and then 30, etc. So really, what are you so afraid of?
Strategies: Pace yourself - don't get so worried at the beginning that you come out of the gate too strong. If you're doing this on a treadmill, set your pace at .1 or .2 MPH lower than you usually run at. If you're running outdoors, front load your playlist with songs that have a beat that'll keep you on track with your pace. Remember to BREATHE well - inhale for two beats, exhale for three. And remember to HAVE FUN. You'll be amazed at how wonderful you feel when you're done.
Enjoy!
I haven't done that program, BUT... just take it nice and slow! Go a little bit slower than you normally have to! You can totally do it! A month ago, I could only run for 5 minutes, and now I am running for almost an hour by taking it slow! :)
P.S. Obsessed by Mariah Carey! I love to run to that!
running for 20 minutes straight for the first time is scary and exciting. if you get tired you can always walk for a minute. even if you don't make it the whole 20 you are still getting out there and trying and you will get there!!
seattlerunnergirl said what I was going to say!
Pace yourself slowly to start and don't sweat it if you need a walking break in the middle.
I remember doing week 5 (I think I quit at week 6...idiot!) and was pretty stoked when I actually pulled off the 20 minutes. Be proud!
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