Week 2 Run 1

[Katie24601]

Did the first run of week 2. It was horrible and just reminds me how much I hate running! I was so tired but I did manage to complete it even though I was going the speed of a snail! Everyone else seemed to really like running from what I have read but I just hate it! Is that just me?

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Well done for getting to week 2, I did run 2 week 2 this morning. I keep telling myself it's 30 minutes that's all it's going to take to get what I want...lose weight, be fitter. I try and keep thinking about the sense of achievement not the actual running. The running is hard tho !

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Northernspirit]

Tell me about it! I was tired after the first 90 seconds! The first one I find is always the hardest as you are never sure how many runs you have to do before you finish but once you have done it once you can be like only 4 more to go or something!

[no-excuse Graduate]

It will get better I am sure. I found the first few weeks soooo hard and thought I wouldn't possibly be able to keep running. Stick with it, you have done the hardest bit by starting and you will soon be reaping the benefits to be had. Please, stick with it! x

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

Some of the other post I read from week 2 say they felt so good and enjoy it whereas I'm like how does anyone enjoy it!

[eddp in reply to Katie24601]

Hi Katie, it gets easier, I am not sure its ever enjoyable for everyone. Not trying to put you off. Ultimately it becomes less of a chore and you feel the enjoyment in the rest of your life when not running from being fitter. I am on week 2 also and it definitely isnt enjoyable at the moment. I havent run for a couple of years but was running 5k a couple of times a week over a period of a few years having started with couch to 5k. I felt great for doing it and have felt really lousy for having stopped!

[Atalaya Graduate]

I think it gets easier in a way because the actual number of runs becomes less. For example in Wk 3 there are only 4 run sessions in the workout. Mentally I handled that better than having to do the same thing 8 times!

Also as someone once said on here, it might help if you treat the running as something that has to be done to keep you healthy - like cleaning your teeth. Surely no one enjoys that either but it has to be done!

I don't always enjoy my runs to be honest but I love the buzz I get when I've done them. I've achieved so much more than I thought I could with this programme and things that are worth achieving are worth the effort they take.

Stay strong mentally and believe you can do this - and you WILL do it.

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Atalaya]

I find it also helps when you know how many runs you are doing as the first day of the new week I don't know how many times I have to repeat it whereas the second time I can just be like on 3 more to go or something! That is helpful advice with the cleaning teeth!

[Atalaya Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

I must admit that although I use the podcast I've always had a sneaky look at the app to see what the schedule is for the week. I've always tried not to scare myself by looking ahead though.

[5kOrBust Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

Katie if you click on the week 1, 2, 3 etc. buttons on this link nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/...

it shows you exactly what you'll be doing each week (how long, how many times etc.) It helped me to know that e.g. "I've only got 4 runs tonight" etc. Have you examined why exactly you 'hate' running? Perhaps if you can identify that you can work on turning it round? I find it very hard work sometimes (I've just started week 6) but I'm motivated by how much good I'm doing myself, and the sense of achievement I get sometimes is well worth the hard work. Stick with it, the smiles will come! Steve x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Occasionally people post on here, who just don't get the buzz from doing C25k that most of us have done. All I can say is take note of the effects that the running gives to you over time. Many runners lose inches if not pounds, so try measuring yourself and then comparing in a few weeks time. You will definitely be more toned in that short time span. Amaze yourself at your increased stamina, again in a very short time. Also most of us find we grow in confidence and self esteem and general feelings of well being, but those psychological benefits may not be available to someone who is not enjoying the act of running.

It is physically hard, especially if you are not used to exercising at this level of exertion, but as your ability improves it gets easier. You remind me of someone who responded to my first ever post on this forum. I was staggered at the addictive nature of the programme and she wished that she could have some of the addiction, because she was finding it tough. I remember saying that it was still tough, in my last week of C25k, but I hoped that in time a 5k run would be no more challenging than 5 minutes was, at that point. Well, I can tell you that a year and a half later I am there. A gentle easy 5k run is hardly a challenge now. 10k is now my favourite distance and I have run 10 miles.......all things I could not have believed back then.

It is also mentally challenging and you will learn a lot about yourself in the process. C25k works, in a huge part because of the support of this forum which will help you when you need it. Try running even slower, stretch after each run, nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/... and be proud of the completion of each run. This can change your life and you CAN do it. Good luck.

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the encouragement! I think i just have to put mind over matter! I think a good idea would probably be to book myself in for a race so that I have motivation to do it but at this stage it just seems impossible!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

Booking in for a race is a great idea. Try find a cause that means something to you. The Race for Life is a good one because, regrettably, almost all of us know someone who's suffered from cancer. Then, every time you feel your motivation slipping, think about getting through your race to the very best of your ability. The answer above from the wise Mr.daTruffa Is also spot on.

Good luck Katie, you're not alone. We all have hard runs that we don't enjoy. It's possible to hate every step of a run until the cool down walk, then feel so incredibly proud of yourself for powering through the negative thoughts, that the bad part just gets forgotten. Keep going, keep reading the forum and, most importantly, keep posting. You will get there, and we'll help

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Katie, keep focussing on your goal. What is it you want to achieve by doing this programme? I started it because I'd lost some weight, wanted to lose more and knew that I'd need a long term method for keeping the weight off. This is as much in your head as in your legs or your lungs. Keep your goal in mind and it helps. If you think that the rest of us are super-mega-Mo-Farrah athletic types, then nothing could be further from the truth. We were all squarely where you are now, same doubts, same pains.

As others say, it will get better. If you push yourself, the runs always 'hurt' at the time, but you will recover more quickly as you go forward and you will experience that most incredible of things, the runners high. Finishing a run, no matter how short, long, slow or fast that you put yourself through and finished is something real special.

Come on Katie, keep it up and make it a part of you!

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Rob_and_his_westie]

Thanks for the motivation! I'm not trying to lose weight at all just trying to become more toned and fitter as it's quite embarrassing how unfit I am. I probably just assume that once you become good at running its just really easy which is not true! It just seems so impossible at the moment!

[Hidden]

well done Katie you doing great , please stick with it you really have done the hardest bit by starting

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks!

[Holrm001]

Hi , I completed 1st run of week two this evening. I to found it hard. I not very good at this running lark, could be because I don't breath! However with all the support and encouragement on here I am going to do it ...and you will too . Keep jogging

[pot58 Graduate]

The teacher in me is coming up with a great analogy..Lol...when you learn to read its hard going as you build up your vocab and understanding of what words mean and how they gradually fit together.It's hard and it would be easy to not try....Then it begins to click and you become better at reading but there is often a new word to learn and you may struggle.Then there are different genres of books...some you love and would read again and again others you find almost impossible to get through. Some of your running sessions you will hate others will be so much easier but you are learning a skill upon which you will build ....stick with it.You won't always enjoy it but the ones you do will be well worth the effort.

[Maturelady Graduate in reply to pot58]

Brilliant reply pot58

[Maturelady Graduate]

The only thing I would say to you is slow down if you are struggling. The first time I attempted this programme I got to wk 7 but I think I was going to fast and gave up as I just felt as if I couldn't breathe. This time I am going quite slow and am finding it much easier. DON'T GIVE UP THOUGH. Keep posting to keep us up to date. Good luck.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

1. I bet your 'snail speed' is actually faster than you think. I've slowed down quite a bit since I started because I've got more used to what my body can sustain (and it can: this time last year I hadn't started. I can now do 10 miles, and love it *nearly* all the way through)

2. Where are you running? If it's somewhere monotonous, try somewhere green/pretty/with a view/with interesting people-watching opportunities/with a lake or river or sea. Being out somewhere gorgeous will stop you noticing the running bit of the whole equation so badly.

3. Good luck, keep going, you absolutely can!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

1. I bet your 'snail speed' is actually faster than you think. I've slowed down quite a bit since I started because I've got more used to what my body can sustain (and it can: this time last year I hadn't started. I can now do 10 miles, and love it *nearly* all the way through)

2. Where are you running? If it's somewhere monotonous, try somewhere green/pretty/with a view/with interesting people-watching opportunities/with a lake or river or sea. Being out somewhere gorgeous will stop you noticing the running bit of the whole equation so badly.

3. Good luck, keep going, you absolutely can!

[Cheshiregal Graduate]

It gets easier.

I remember crying in pain and hobbling home on calves that felt like they were burning during this week but my legs got used to it and now physically it is so much easier.

I still get tired and sometimes want to stop (and do) but the pain is no longer there.

I didn't enjoy running at first either.

But I do now, even if I have a bad day I still enjoy getting out there

[Hidden]

Hi, you might hate it because it's so hard. It will get easier as you get fitter. Stick at it. Just think of the good it's doing you. And when you finish the weeks ahead the sense of achievement. Go for it. Don't whimp out. Cheers, Mel

[jaynekate]

Katie, yours is the first post I've ever replied to because I totally identify! I didn't do couchto5k but something very similar over 9 weeks and I pretty much hated every minute. The words I remember using most about every step were "hellish" "murderous" and "purgatory"! Almost two years later, umpteen injuries, no weight loss, still as slow as a snail I am still going can you believe?

I never love it but I admit to a sense of satisfaction and achievement because I had never been able to run before. Sometimes I lose motivation but I keep going until my mojo comes back.

The best part about running for me? Stopping!

But I'll keep going coz I can even though I am pretty rubbish.

Don't give up coz you never know, you might find the love but if you don't we can be a club of two!

Good luck

Jayne

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to jaynekate]

Haha it does seem impossible that I will ever like running but that achievement is such a good feeling after! How far do you normally run?