Week 7. Struggling. Does it ever get easier?

[Carriewarriedingd0ng]

I have really enjoyed the program up until now. My legs are getting tired and, after 5 minutes, I am thinking of quitting. I have stuck to the program and have achieved every level. What I am afraid of, is that running will always feel so challenging. I am ready to throw the towel in. I need a positive run soon!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I think many people find that first 5 minutes quite difficult until you find your rhythm. Running is hard - its both a mental and a physical challenge. Sometimes the actual running feels a real slog, but don't you feel absolutely great when you know you've done it? And don't you find you are always planning the next one?

Look how far you've come. You can run for a full 25 mins - very near to completing. Don't you feel better for it? Better shape, more energy? Aren't you proud when you tell people you are a runner? You,be come so far. So what if you need to repeat a few runs to get them under your belt. You're doing fab!

[couldntrunabath in reply to Ullyrunner]

Well said x

[Philholly Graduate in reply to couldntrunabath]

I second that!

[denisebro in reply to Ullyrunner]

I agree the first 10 minutes are a killer and like you it hasn't got any easier for me (I'm on w8r2) however I have had to rest this week because of a sore hip and I have got to say I am really missing not running. Keep on going don't give up you have achieved so much, good luck on the remainder of the programme

[couldntrunabath]

Hi have you tried varying when u run ?? For example i have struggled with morning runs but find evening ones better ??? You have done so well to get this far .

[mehitabel Graduate]

I've gone on to do half marathons, and I can tell you that there will always be a moment in the first five minutes where you think "This feels terrible. I should stop". But you learn that it's just a moment and it passes. It does get easier, although, as others have said, you will always have hard runs and difficult moments.

[Hidden]

Don't give up, I graduated on Saturday and to be honest I struggled all the way through the program with my calf's being stiff - probable only have one good run per week on the last two weeks, but I persevered and my W9R3

felt great - no aches or pains or tired leg. Sometimes it helped to have two days rest between runs, yesterday I did the stepping stones run which is quite a bit faster that I'm used to - but I felt ready good and even carried on running after the program finished. Not every run can be a good one, but the ones that are - are defiantly worth it !!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Hi

Your experience is quite common. I'm approaching 100 runs of 5k+ now and I still suffer for the first kilometre or so. Funny thing is, that after that things settle down and the rest of the run, while certainly tiring, is pretty constant, regardless of the distance.

One other thing - there's definitely a mental aspect to this. I can recommend a book on the subject that puts it into perspective. "The Chimp Paradox" was written by Dr Steve Peters who I believe coached the GB Olympic cycling team. It's not written just for sports types and it does help you understand what's going on in your head when you feel like giving up.

Anyway, look how far you've come, you can't give up now. And go admit it - I bet you feel great when the run is over!

[price74 Graduate]

Agree with all of the above. First 5 mins is a killer. Always was and always will be. No idea why. Try varying route. Has worked for me.

[gingernut49 Graduate]

I still hate the first 5-10 minutes of a run but after that time you settle into a rhythm and all's well. Just think of the good you're doing to your body!

[Beyond Graduate]

It will get easier. I have those moments in almost every run where I feel, this is hard. I am not doing it anymore. Whats the point etc etc. but by the end of it, it feels great. So keep it up. Do not quit.

[Hidden]

I agree with all the above but wonder if you are, perhaps, going a little fast when you first set off running. Even at this stage (I've just started week 8) it still needs to be a slow and steady jog. I know that Laura suggests trying to speed up a bit but also states only if you feel able to. One thing you could try is to take an extra rest day between each run to give your legs a little more time to recover - that often works for me. However, as with anything worth doing, there will always be that next little challenge and you just need to realise that you have trained up to meet it. I suggest that you would regret it if you did give up - seeing other people out there running might make you feel you were missing out - especially with graduation just around the corner. Good luck and best wishes.

[anita1jb Graduate]

Dont give up youve done really well to get to where you are now, its normal for your legs to feel tired after 5 mins thats all blood entering your muscles, just slow your pace down and take some deep breaths and just go steady and believ me you will get thru that run, if you have to repeat a week then thats fine, just please dont stop it does get easier believe me, i was 13 stone 3 and now just completed week 9 and am 11 stone 10 now, i had hard runs but a hard run is better than no run it will get easier.

anita

[GoogleMe Graduate]

1) Slow down (it only needs to be a running motion)

2) Run somewhere new/a different route...a softer surface... try a lovely view if you can.

3) Tell yourself you can give up and never run again.... AFTER you've graduated... it's only a few more runs now (of course I'd put money on you feeling more positive after you've graduated but even if it does turn out that you never run again, you'll feel better for having completed the programme)

I managed most of C25K by telling myself I didn't have to do it and could stop if I wanted. I do remember a particularly grim run around Week 7 though - harder surface, dog on the lead, out and back rather than circular (although out and back routes are OK now)

[Philholly Graduate]

I found week 7 the hardest (I've just started week 8 and found it much easier than expected). I think it's because there are 3 runs the same, you know what's coming! Try varying your route (if running outside). I arrive back from my lovely national park in the south of France to the SW of London yesterday I was really depressed about running in London again, but decided to drive to the local park at Tooting Bec; it made a huge difference, time passed faster and (after the usual first 5 minutes where my legs felt like lead) I felt great. I still won't be able to do 5k in under 40 minutes, if then, but it really felt a much easier jog that any of the week 7s. Don't give up, if I can do it you can!

[kickibro Graduate]

I am in week 7 also and find it is in the first 5 mins that my inner saboteur starts prattling away, letting me know I can stop, wondering why on earthbi would be doing this to myself. I have to push her away as if the rewards of just 7 weeks running are immense what will the rewards be 6 months from now?

I ache as well but the running time is of a longer duration now and our bodies have to adapt to that. I aim to do some strength and flex on my rest days.

You have come so far, don't stop xxx

[Daftpaddy]

Keep on going.. I'm on w6r2 tomorrow and I feel the last couple of runs have been tough. The first 5-10mins is not the easiest but we all have targets...

For some it's getting fitter, others losing weight, recovering from injuries etcetera..

Think back to why you took this challenge on, refocus and go for it..

I imagine you will feel as others have blogged on a daily basis that completing this program is a FANTASTIC feeling/achievement...

I'm sure at times we have all thought about throwing in the towel, but, persevere, for sure it will be all worth it in the end..

[hits Graduate]

Firstly don't give up - you're doing really well.

On the longer non walking runs I have never really enjoyed the first 5 - 10 minutes - especially with my internal saboteur telling me to call it a day!

Now, I turn up the music (which I change regularly) and try to think about other things during this period and often resort to mentally setting small achievable goals - get to the next sign, run to the big tree, road junction ....etc, and before long my breathing starts to get easier and I find a natural rhythm.

Also, when I get to the halfway stage, I mentally tell myself that I'm now on the home straight and with each step the finish is getting closer.

And, at this point, I often get into the zone where it's just a case of simply putting one foot in front of the other.

I'm not a natural runner - even when I was a kid - and at 59 years old and around 2 stone overweight - I never thought that I'd go out running three times a week and turn up for the odd parkrun - but this programme is simply amazing.

Yesterday evening I downloaded some C210K podcasts with thoughts of running 10k in a few months time - how crazy is that!

Stick with it, slow it down, and finish the programme - you can do it and you're only a few runs away from the end.

Or like me, it could be just the beginning.

[pudnpie]

Maybe doing 25 minutes three times a week is too much. Rather than just quitting, perhaps you could go back a few weeks and repeat until you are more comfortable or perhaps you could do the 25 minutes once or twice a week and on the other day(s) do one of the earlier weeks sessions again until you are comfortable or add more rest days as suggested before. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Whatever you do will be of benefit.

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate]

Thank you everyone. I am sure I will keep going until I reach the end of the 9 weeks. It does feel unbelievable that I have come this far.

What a lovely community this is! I never expected so many replies!

[Drummond45 Graduate]

I'm glad you posted this, as I've felt exactly the same about week 7 and all the replies have really helped me too, as I start week 8 tomorrow. Good luck with the future runs Carrie; we can do this!

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate in reply to Drummond45]

We can do this! Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Drummond45]

Hi Drummond Take it slow and steady and you will be fine. Good luck. Best wishes.

[Drummond45 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks fitmo!

[ajwyld Graduate]

You can definately do this ! A tip I got here (can't remember who from, sorry) when I was struggling at around that point was to allow myself a "fun run". So instead of using the podcast one day I just went out with my own music and set a timer for 20 minutes and enjoyed the run. Got me back on track.

Now I've graduated I do one "fun run" a week (no distance or time goals, just a run for the pleasure of running, with a buzzer on my phone to tell me when to turn back for home). In fact its my plan for this afternoon.

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate in reply to ajwyld]

Great idea! Thank you

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate]

I will be running tomorrow and will let you know how it went. Thank you all so much.

[Hidden in reply to Carriewarriedingd0ng]

i look forward to seeing your positive post. Good luck.

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate]

What a great bunch of people on here! Good luck x

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Everyone is right, that first 5 min "why am I doing this" can stay around for an age - but if you want something more than just doing the run to help motivate you, try going along to your local parkrun. I have found them addictive and from initially intending to only do 1 a month, I'm now volunteering with setup and do my best to get along every week (this from someone who NEVER did any sport while at school and would do almost anything to avoid it).

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate]

Hmmm. Still really difficult. Going to repeat 25 mins another time, before attempting to move on.

[ChrisChappel Graduate]

Keep at it everyone. I am 39 and just completed Week 5. I have never run 20 minutes without stopping before and was really pleased to have been able to push through. I nearly talked myself out of run three week 5 Monday as I was convinced I would not make it, but it got easier as it went on and cried when I finished as I was so proud of ,myself. Remember that you are doing this for you and no-one else and believe that you can do it. I have even started to look at the weekend 5k local park run once graduated. Great reading all your posts, a real encouragement. Chris

[Carriewarriedingd0ng Graduate]

Just a quick update. I am now on my final week and have completed my first 30 minute run. I can't believe I did a full 30 minutes!

Last week, I did the unthinkable and stopped running and walked for a rest! It a annoyed me for the next two days. I have come to the conclusion that it's better to just keep going and complete the run, rather than annoy myself for two days! The mental aspect is something I couldn't have anticipated.

Thanks for all your advice and support.

[Jlonomore Graduate]

I’m week 8 and I’m still finding it tough. My breathing is fine but my legs are tired. I found week 7 got tougher as the week progressed even though it was the same run each time. I’d started to feel the high that I heard of recently but my last run was just a slog!

I’m looking forward to completing programme then working on improving my speed 😀