First run yesterday, I had to stop halfway I was dying!! Legs hurting out of breath, anyone else felt like this? I feel so bad

[Sima_islam]

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

To the question, the answer is yes, just about everybody who posts on this forum. As for feeling bad, you shouldn't. You have made the effort to start, so you obviously want to change your health and fitness. Brilliant. The next thing you did right was to post on this forum. We have all been there and I can honestly tell you that if you stick with C25k you will look back on this half run with pride and amazement that you can achieve so much. This community is just about the most supportive that you will find anywhere and will help you succeed.

You probably were running too fast, like just about everybody who posts on this forum. Slow your pace so that you can complete each section and if you can't manage a brisk recovery walk, then stroll. You may find you want to repeat a run or a week, for your own confidence and that is fine. Within a couple of weeks you will be staggered at the difference in your recovery times and your breathing will improve.

Trust the plan, stick with it and in a few weeks you will be running for 30mins non stop, believe me.

You've made the start, Sima_islam. So keep trying, keep posting and you will succeed. Good luck.

[Sima_islam]

Thank you! I just felt really bad.

I am determined to complete the run again even if it kills me !

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Sima_islam]

That's the spirit! But don't let it kill you.... that would defeat the objective of getting fit, after all. Three months ago I was pretty much where you are now, last Saturday I ran 10k without stopping, for the first time. This plan REALLY does work and will change your life.

[char2609]

I've found going slowly has been the real key to completing the runs. I've just run for 5 minutes on the week 4 podcast and whilst I was slow I managed to finish which is something I hadn't honestly expected.

Stick at, pace yourself and you'll get there.

[notbad Graduate]

I felt everything you wrote in your post during my first run, add embarrassed to that too because I was convinced everyone was staring at me. Which is probably true because I was wearing my jeans, so unconvinced was I that I could ever be a runner (so no point in buying the gear) - must have looked like I was running for an invisible bus. It remains the worst run I've ever had, but I gave it another go, even bought the gear (which felt & looked much better) - gradually found a pace, and I'm glad to say actually started to enjoy it. You'll be amazed how much you'll surprise yourself.

[Aftabs Graduate]

The above advice is all you need. The programme is amazing, just stick to it and run slowly to complete the time. This is a course which will build you up to running for 30 minutes, don't worry about the distance at the moment. It is likely that you set off a bit too fast so take it easy and you will keep suprising yourself.

I completed it in June and have recently run 10 miles. I would never have thought this was possible at the beginning of the year, I also struggled on my first run. My dad started recently and is on track to graduate in a weeks time.

Don't feel bad at all and listen to Ian! You can't go wrong if you follow his advice!

[Beek Graduate in reply to Aftabs]

Good luck to your Dad, Aftabs!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Beek]

Thanks, he has 3 runs left now. I have told him he is joining me at next weeks parkrun, which should be his first 5km.

[Sima_islam]

Thank you all

[Hidden in reply to Sima_islam]

Hi,

What they all said

Believe it or not, if you keep on going it'll get much easier, and you will start to enjoy it. The first few weeks are the hardest.

Like IannodaTruffle, I started 3 months ago and am now running 4 times a week and around 10K on my long runs. The secret is to go really slowly and don't overdo it. You can't go too slowly!

The fact that you've started the course says a great deal about you, and you are no different to the rest of us who also suffered to begin with!

[Sima_islam]

Thank you! I really needed to hear all the above to understand I am not alone or the only one feeling this way. I have my second run tomorrow hoping I do better x

[Beek Graduate]

Good luck for tomorrow Sima_islam! All the comments above say it all. Keep it slow and steady at the start of each run. We all have days like you described, but if you stick at it you'll soon start to feel the benefits. Keep on blogging and let us know how you are doing!