So I'm doing the Couch to 5K program, which is awesome. I amaze myself every time I go out to run and keep learning that my body is capable of stuff I never thought would be possible (run for 5 minutes straight??? Unfathomable a few weeks ago but I'm doing it!).
However, next week has me terrified. The first two days alternate 5 minute and 8 minute runs. Scary to think of running 8 minutes as I'm still struggling with 5, but I've proven to myself that I can handle increases. But then the third day is a 20 minute straight run!!! How are they expecting people to go from 8 minutes to 20 minutes? Obviously people do it as tons of people have successfully completed the program, but all the other increases have been gradual - 60 seconds to 90 seconds, 90 seconds to 3 minutes, 3 minutes to 5, 5 to 8, etc. But 8 to 20??? That's just crazy talk. I'll try it, but I don't seriously see myself being able to do it the first time. Or the 2nd. Hell, I can't envision myself ever doing it, to be honest.
I'm sure that a lot of it is psychological and I just need to man up and do it. Any experiences that could be shared with quickly bumping up running time that will help me feel better about this?
However, next week has me terrified. The first two days alternate 5 minute and 8 minute runs. Scary to think of running 8 minutes as I'm still struggling with 5, but I've proven to myself that I can handle increases. But then the third day is a 20 minute straight run!!! How are they expecting people to go from 8 minutes to 20 minutes? Obviously people do it as tons of people have successfully completed the program, but all the other increases have been gradual - 60 seconds to 90 seconds, 90 seconds to 3 minutes, 3 minutes to 5, 5 to 8, etc. But 8 to 20??? That's just crazy talk. I'll try it, but I don't seriously see myself being able to do it the first time. Or the 2nd. Hell, I can't envision myself ever doing it, to be honest.
I'm sure that a lot of it is psychological and I just need to man up and do it. Any experiences that could be shared with quickly bumping up running time that will help me feel better about this?