Week 1 Run 3

[Lazydaysinmay]

Well that's me depressed. Run 3 week 1, it burned but thought I had run faster than previously. Just checked the stats. 2.13 miles in 31 minutes at an average speed of 14 minutes 20 seconds per mile. I'm sure I walk quicker than that! Why do I bother?

[KTBinkles Graduate]

Oh, don't be despondent. At times I was sure I would be quicker walking, and even my graduation run this morning wasn't much quicker than my sister's Marathon Power Walk pace! The breathing is different for running, even slow running, and it will improve I promise!

[Lazydaysinmay Graduate in reply to KTBinkles]

Thanks.

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

Don't stress about your pace. Stamina first, speed later. Don't forget that the majority on week one runs are spent walking. The fastest I've ever managed is just over 12 minutes per mile over a continuous 30 minute run. The important thing is that you're off the couch and doing it!

[Lazydaysinmay Graduate in reply to earl-grey-sian]

Thanks, it's all about perspective isn't it. Trouble is, having trained as a sprinter I find it difficult not to focus on speed and to find a rhythm that is comfortable for more than 100m

[riotgoddess in reply to Lazydaysinmay]

Hi. Don't beat yourself up. I bet there were times during sprint training where you dispaired about your times too. Working towards 5k is all about aerobic cardio and sprinting is anarobic. Different animals. You'll be able to increase your speed later and you'll own sprint intervals!!

I'm into strength training (another anarobic discipline) and a version of the above is what I tell myself everytime I go for a run. I'm not switching on my running app anymore and I'm covering the speed readout on the treadmill with a towel on gym run days as I have felt frustrated with my speed and it was detracting from how great I felt just running (in my head I'm Lara Croft).

Just run, enjoy it and worry about performance later. Good luck.

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

I really wouldn't worry about distance at the moment. The first time it seems to be at all meaningful in terms of how far you run is in week 5 from what I remember, because at the beginning of that week you only get 2 walking intervals.

By the way, when you get to the longer runs, Laura sometimes encourages you to speed up or "sprint" to finish on a high. I can assure you that my interpretation of "sprint" is to try not to go any slower at that stage. You'll probably love proving you've got the stamina to actually go faster!

The programme is designed to take 9 weeks, and you'll see improvement as time goes on - so honestly don't worry, just try to enjoy the running.

[Lazydaysinmay Graduate]

Thanks, I look forward to the sprint finish! Its not the legs I lack but the chest - I find the asthma kicks in before it actually hurts.

[NewlifeLil Graduate]

I had to NOT measure! It made me push myself too hard and then I got down. First run without Runkeeper was way more fun. I'm not going to measure speed or distance until I've graduated. Take heart and just keep with the programme!