Should it still be hard?!

[Twolilos]

Hi folks. Finished w7r2 today and have done the last 3 25 minute runs without stopping, but it is still really hard! Should it be easier?! I get to 5 minutes and wonder how on earth I am going to run another 20!

Anyone else - or is it just me?!

[totalbeginner Graduate]

I found it hard but possibly for me it wasn't as much physical as mental challenge. 25 min sounds such a long time. I also remember the 5 nik reminders seeming to take ages! also you may be getting faster as your fitness improves so it's still hard work?

Well done you have only got 7 runs left

[PandaRunner Graduate]

The best way to run is at a slow and steady pace. At the moments it's a journey and not a race. Feel relaxed while your running rather than being tense. Go with what your body finds comfortable with and not with what your mind thinks you should be doing. Enjoy xx

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Oh, yes! The vast majority of people will tell you that first 5 mins is a killer. It's that little nagging doubt in your head - and this is the mental challenge you have to overcome. It is a mental challenge - that's what weeks 7-9 are all about. You've already proven you can do the physical side of things, now it's all about getting the self belief to get rid of those head gremlins. Well done for getting so far. Keep going, you can do it! It will get easier, when you start believing.

[Twolilos]

Phew! Ok, I'm so pleased with myself for getting so far but just wanted to check.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

To be honest...I always found it hard, but if you look back to where you came from it puts it all in perspective

[gingernut49 Graduate]

I've been running now for 18 months but still hate the first five minutes!

[misswobble Graduate]

I hate the first 20 minutes! I run slow so things do improve as I get settled in. I warm up for 10 minutes as I found 5 mins not enough for me

Don't try to go fast. A slow jog is all you need

[Rockette in reply to misswobble]

I'm with you on the ten mins warm up misswobble , 5 mins no good to me either . I always do ten , find it makes for a more enjoyable run .

[Tracey001 Graduate]

I'm feeling exactly the same. I'm heading out on week seven run two today and found run one a real challenge. It was mainly a mental one with me constantly thinking that there was no way I could do this. Somehow I did and it seemed to get a bit easier after 10 minute as I settled into a slow rhythm but I'm not sure I'll ever find it easy.

[frannyfran Graduate]

I did find the long runs at the end of the program very hard, and broke up the training with a couple of interval runs before week 9.

It helped me to finally graduate and now I have just a long run every fortnight! But of course, everyone's different.

So you are not alone. Just remember, running should be enjoyed and not endured, so if need be, take a break before carrying on.

Good luck and happy running.

[Mamma_Mia Graduate]

Glad it's not just me Twolilos, as I got stuck on the week 7 runs for many weeks. However I do only run once a week as I do other fitness things on other days which I enjoy! I'm hoping that by running less frequently, I'll stay injury free, as my previous 2 attempts at C25K have resulted in injuries.

For me these long runs were both physical and mental ... mental for the first 5 minutes, but then I would get into the run and enjoy it. However, my body would refuse to run at around 21-22 minutes (not helpful on a treadmill, but luckily I haven't fallen off it!) and I would have to do a quick 60-90 second walk to catch my breath. I tried doing a 25 minute run outside, but had to take 4 walking breaks

I've come back to week 6 (on the treadmill) to consolidate those runs and I've also just started a fitness programme at the gym which has 30 minutes cardio work in it as well as weights, which I'm hoping will build up my overall fitness and help me get through the programme.

Good luck!

[TeresaGriffith]

Jennifer Bradley of the Serpentine Running Club (runningandbaking.com) ran across America a couple of years ago.. she still struggles now with little runs sometimes..