I just did w5d2 today too, and the 8 minutes were tough. I'm also really nervous about doing 20 minutes straight. I remember a couple weeks ago I didn't think I'd be able to make the jump from 3 minutes to 5, and I did it, hopefully I can do this too. I think it will be a bigger mental victory than physical to get through it.

I did day 3 today. I didn't think I could, but I gave it a try anyway. And you know what, I did it!!! I put on my music and just went at it. Varied my pace throughout, and just going. Whenever I wanted to walk, I would tell myself to keep going. And before I knew it, it was over. And I never once walked. You can do it. If not this time, next time. Just try it. Good luck to you

Congratulations! This is a real accomplishment. You did it!!!!

I was glad to see this thread I just started Week 5 yesterday. I t was nice and cool here for a change and I felt I had a great run. My 5 minute runs went by quickly and I felt as though I could have pushed through longer, during my second walk break, I felt like dancing. Not sure if it was just the music or what happened. (this is rare for me while out running) LOL Then after the program ended I was still a ways from home so I thought what the heck, I'll try to run the rest. Well low and behold it was 11 minutes to get to my driveway, I pushed through and almost ran past my driveway, just to be sure I got a good 5k in, but my times went off right at the corner of the driveway I finished with a VERY proud feeling. I think it will be interesting to do the next 2 days to see if I feel the same way or not or if it was just one really good day out of many struggling days previously. It also helped that I slowed my pace down. People kept telling me that but I am hard headed I guess. I always felt like I already was running slow enough, but low and behold, what they all say is true!! Go Slower!!

Thanks for all the comments guys - i just did the 20 minutes without stopping!

Pretty proud of myself right now

You should be! This is a milestone! Congratulations!

I was glad to see this thread I just started Week 5 yesterday. I t was nice and cool here for a change and I felt I had a great run. My 5 minute runs went by quickly and I felt as though I could have pushed through longer, during my second walk break, I felt like dancing. Not sure if it was just the music or what happened. (this is rare for me while out running) LOL Then after the program ended I was still a ways from home so I thought what the heck, I'll try to run the rest. Well low and behold it was 11 minutes to get to my driveway, I pushed through and almost ran past my driveway, just to be sure I got a good 5k in, but my times went off right at the corner of the driveway I finished with a VERY proud feeling. I think it will be interesting to do the next 2 days to see if I feel the same way or not or if it was just one really good day out of many struggling days previously. It also helped that I slowed my pace down. People kept telling me that but I am hard headed I guess. I always felt like I already was running slow enough, but low and behold, what they all say is true!! Go Slower!!

I love runs like this. You feel as if you're flying along.

I hope the rest of your week is as good.

Yes....slowing down is the key. It's a hard one to believe in at first but once tried, it's a winner.

ETA: remember this run on the days when you have one of "those" runs where nothing goes right. The bad runs will happen. They always do. You can't run your usual time or distance, you're huffing & puffing, everything hurts, you may even give up and go home. These runs are rare (thank goodness) but they happen and will always happen. They are very discouraging.
Remember this run when one of those runs happens. Those runs are usually followed by one of these runs so don't let the discouragement get you down. Keep running.

Good point!! I will definitely try to remember that! Did Week 5 Day 2 today, it went pretty well also The real test will be day 3 when it's the 20 minute run. Keeping my fingers crossed for sure!!! :happy:

Week 5 Day 3 was my nightmare run. I was doing great progressing to longer periods over each day, and I figured I could do this no problem... I've been slowing down and that helps tremendously. So I start Day 3 and am going along just fine until minute 13 and my body gave up... I'm a migraine sufferer and this one kicked in fast. I was still about a mile from my house so I had to drag my butt walking (barely) while I could barely see because of the migraine... Not sure what I did wrong, but I did some searching and some say it happens when you push yourself too much too soon. So I can't say I agree with the program's jump from 10 minutes to 20 minutes out of nowhere for still-beginning runners, but kudos to those of you that did it, seriously. I decided to just go on my own training path after that- working up the length of time running gradually. That seems to work for me and I feel great doing it.

Ouch, sorry that happened o you. I know if you are not hydrated properly it can cause light headedness and blurred vision etc. maybe that aided in the cause of the migraine? Otherwise, this is the first I've ever heard of that happening. Hope you figure out a good pace for you and congrats for making it this far!!