C25k week 5 failed

madisonpw95

I just did week 5 day 3 of the c25k workout, and it didn't work out so well. I got through the first 10 minutes and then had to take a walk break for 2 minutes. I did pick back up the running for the rest of the time. Should I repeat all of week 5, or just day 3 until I can do it? Also, any tips for finishing it? I'm doing it on a treadmill because of the weather.

henningheather

When I started doing C25K about 4 years ago I always felt the need to complete a week perfectly before I moved on. I actually repeated one run in my training because I felt that I needed to. It would have driven me nuts not to. Running several halves and lots of lesser distance races for the last several years since completing C25K taught me that running is a mental game you play with yourself. When I'm having trouble in a run, I tell myself I can do anything for another minutes, repeat. Works like a dream. You can totally do this and the program is the best one out there for a beginning runner, IMO. Can't wait to hear all about your first 5K!

mreeves261

Like the other poster said running is largely mental. I allowed myself 3 attempts before I repeated the week.

Unlike "normal" people I signed up for a 10k instead of a 5k. Although I ran the full 10k, I DO NOT advise this approach. I was SO sore I couldn't walk for a week and run for probably 2 weeks.

Keep plugging away. Don't be surprised when you find yourself addicted and carrying a gym bag with multiple pairs of your running shoes with you, just in case.

For the treadmill if you use at least 1.5 incline you won't feel as much shock when you move outside. Treadmill and outside running are COMPLETELY different. Many will tell you to stay away from the treadmill but I'm not one of them. I prefer to run outside, BUT I prefer to do it when it is warmer than 36 and there's not a ton of snow to deal with. In that case I will run on the treadmill, and hate every minute of it but I feel I NEED to run.

Keep running, you'll love it, and you'll drive people crazy talking about it!

czmmom

When I would have a hard time with the last day of a week, I would still try day 1 of the next week. If I did fine with it, I moved on. Find out what works for you! Week 5 is hard and I too am a mental runner. If you decide to move outside when the weather is nicer, you might have to backtrack. I backtracked to week 5 I think when I moved to outside. I didn't realize how much different it would be. Great job on starting to run! I started 3 years ago this month!!

AmyRhubarb

Could have just been an off day for you. Heck, I've been running for two years now, and every so often I STILL stop and walk on a 5k run every so often. And then my next run is awesome and I feel like I could run forever!

Maybe redo that one day and see how it goes.

madisonpw95

Just an update: I tried day 3 again today and I did it!! I was dreading it again, so I told myself that I could stop at 12 and take a walk break. Once I got to 12 minutes, I just kept telling myself "just one more minute." "Just to the next song" over and over again until, before I knew it, it had been 20 minutes! Thank you all for your encouragement!!

Phaedra2014

I just did week 5 day 3 of the c25k workout, and it didn't work out so well. I got through the first 10 minutes and then had to take a walk break for 2 minutes. I did pick back up the running for the rest of the time. Should I repeat all of week 5, or just day 3 until I can do it? Also, any tips for finishing it? I'm doing it on a treadmill because of the weather.

Lower your running speed and keep repeating that day until you run past it.

There is no failure. It's really just practice to get better and more efficient. If you consider it a fail then you will have a hard time getting past week 5.

NicoleKronie

congratulations! I got stuck at week 5 too. I think I did week 5 for a straight month before I moved on. Like the other posters, when I ran my first 5k I was a little bit in shock at how much harder it was than a treadmill. I'm repeating the couch to 5k after having my second baby and now I do one of the days each week on an indoor track. Good luck!

Phaedra2014

Just an update: I tried day 3 again today and I did it!! I was dreading it again, so I told myself that I could stop at 12 and take a walk break. Once I got to 12 minutes, I just kept telling myself "just one more minute." "Just to the next song" over and over again until, before I knew it, it had been 20 minutes! Thank you all for your encouragement!!

Just saw this! Awesome! I'm glad to read you stuck with it.

TampaExPat

Congrats on finally making it! Week 5, Day 3 is always the hardest day for anyone to get over. It took me a couple of tries. If you get stuck at any of the other steps, I would keep trying the individual day until you get over it, and move on from there.

Congrats again!

Sarahnade42x

Just an update: I tried day 3 again today and I did it!! I was dreading it again, so I told myself that I could stop at 12 and take a walk break. Once I got to 12 minutes, I just kept telling myself "just one more minute." "Just to the next song" over and over again until, before I knew it, it had been 20 minutes! Thank you all for your encouragement!!

Yes!! Congratulations! Week 5 is a big leap, and I had to repeat a few days to get through it too. I remember how excited I was when I actually did it; you should be feeling awesome right about now!