W3R2 - eurgh!

[Natalie23]

Anyone else reach week 3 and basically just die at running for 3mins?! The first one was fine, but the second one... I wanted to cry! Like seriously!

Any tips/advice/encouragement welcomed!

[OldPapaBear Graduate]

Hi Natalie,

It took me 3 weeks to finish WK3!😪 So don't punish yourself! The thing that helped me is getting my gait sorted and some breathing/posture help nhs.uk/video/pages/how-is-y... try this and just try not to push Yourself to hard and You will do this there are loads of us who have struggled with different runs but be positive and slowly slowly... Good Luck 🤗

[Natalie23 in reply to OldPapaBear]

Interesting, thanks! Noticed on my way out of the gym the other night that they're offering free gait analysis so I might look into that and get some tips!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Natalie, 

the secret is to run REALLY  slowly, just a gentle,steady jog. You are learning to run for longer distances/times each 'week' and the program is designed to be challenging  but manageable. Your stamina is improving every time you go for a run. Don't worry about getting puffed, just do the 3 mins slowly, then recover during the walk break. Breathing comfortably will come, but not for a couple more ' weeks'. 

If you are running too fast it will be a real struggle to complete each run..and you won't get the buzz and successful feeling of nailing it.

Run tall, look ahead, shoulders down and relaxed, hands unclenched.. I used to blow out a couple of long breaths when my lungs felt like they were bursting to calm things down.

Keep going ,we are all rooting for you, and keep posting your successes and for encouragement.x

[jt24 Graduate]

The early weeks are hard work. Your mind says '3 minutes, it's just 3 minutes' and your body says 'aaaaggghhhhh!' Well, it would, if you had the energy

Go s l o w. Then, if it's still feeling too much, go... s  l  o  w  e  r!

Honestly, turn that pace down a notch and you will get there xx 

Keep going, you really do break through this

[Natalie23 in reply to jt24]

Literally, this exact thing. My brain is like "Come on woman, you can do it, THREE minutes. It's nothing." And my body is like "...."

Thanks for the encouragement!

[davelinks Graduate]

My wife Sue is on w4r 3 next, and apart from a little discomfort when starting the first run she is breezing through the programme, and I've been with her, lucky her! I'm just waiting for a real tough one to make her really complain, maybe the longer run of w5 will do it? As it usually gets us whincing. 

She believes it's down to her staying well hydrated as she always has the water bottle near her and sipping from it throughout the day, and she's been doing a clubercise class for ages, then she's picked up good tips from me! And copies me doing some stretches, So has stood her in good stead for c25k😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

She has, as you say, the most amazing role model..how can she fail?

Good tips though there.

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Floss! Ha Ha! You'll make me blush!😳

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Just the truth :)x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow, slow, slow slow slow! No quick quick!

Really steady, go with it, breathe, and enjoy the journey, it takes a while but you can do this!

Crying is good... it can help.. I used to silently, mutter horrid things to Laura on my runs..

Strong enough to start this.. you are strong enough to carry on!

[Natalie23 in reply to Oldfloss]

Muttering horrible things to Laura sounds like the way forward, I think! Haha! Thanks  

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Natalie23]

You go for it!

[ADH94]

Your doing really well don't give up I'm struggling with the first week so I can imagine how bad it can be but just keep going! I just keep thinking  it will be worth it in the long run (pun not intended ha ha) just think of how pleased you'll be when you do end up getting past the three minute stage it! Keep going and good luck  

[Son1 Graduate]

I found the first 3 minutes really tough going on W3R1.  By W3R3, no problem, wasn't counting down the seconds.  It does get easier, honest!  I take it real slow, will build up speed another time....