I did my Week 5 Run 3! : My lungs were bursting... - Couch to 5K

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I did my Week 5 Run 3!

Jennyb2017 profile image
14 Replies

My lungs were bursting at the end and I’m wheezing because of my asthma and a minute slower average mile but I’m proud of myself. Ok if I’m honest, I’m disappointed I’m a minute slower but I kept telling myself slow and steady and I suppose it’s the first time I’ve ever run 20 minutes straight before.

#wishididnthaveasthma 😡

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Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017
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14 Replies
ChrisAllen1 profile image
ChrisAllen1Graduate

Well done, it's the breakthrough run that makes you believe, the pace will come later. Make sure you use your inhaler before each run (I keep forgetting!!!) 😁

Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017 in reply to ChrisAllen1

I did use it before!! That’s what’s frustrating but I did it! Don’t feel good though- mentally I mean, it was a steady run but I had to keep talking myself through it.

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

Longer runs are done at a slower pace - it's part of the training so don't be downhearted 😀 You're doing it right. Pace will come later. My asthma season has kicked in now - inhaler to add to the pre-run faffage 😄. A buff (see Google) can often help, if worn over the mouth it can help to warm the air a bit before it gets to your lungs.

Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017 in reply to AnnieW55

Ooh sounds good

You should feel great about it. The 20 minute run is a bit of a milestone, but the further you run the slower you need to go. There's a reason Olympic sprinters don't run marathons.

You will get faster with time. For now you should be celebrating.

Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017 in reply to

Now I’ve sat and thought about it, I’m starting to realise that 🎉🎉🎉

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate

Great job! At least you can blame asthma, I'm just naturally slow... but seriously, having a condition like asthma can easily make you feel like you can't, but you did, and it WILL get easier and faster over time. Think back four weeks ago... you've come a long way in a month!

Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017 in reply to ejvcruns

Yes didn’t think I would ever run- I also have mild cerebral palsy too so I need to stop beating myself up!

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate in reply to Jennyb2017

Yes. Yes you should. :-)

Wow -- enjoy what your body can do! Getting healthy will help your body fight the asthma and palsy I bet!

Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017

Thank you for all the motivation and kind comments!

This was my biggest lesson learned during the program, that if each week I am running further, what on earth makes me think I should be going faster. That happens afterwards when you’ve consolidated and got your running legs in! You’re doing brilliantly a 20 Minutes straight run is a heck of an achievement well done runner

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

You should be proud of your achievement.

Look how far you have come in the past few weeks.

Running stamina is built more efficiently by running slowly, than by running fast, and this programme is all about stamina, so don't even think about trying to run faster

Pacing is not easy but it sounds as if you have got it sorted.

Keep running, keep smiling.

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate

Sounds like you're doing great! Don't be disheartened & don't let the asthma gremlins win! It's asthma season for me too & I'm just getting over a bronchial virus/asthma problem with steroids which I've never had to have before so can't run at the moment. However, I started running in very cold weather in Feb, always taking Ventolin before I went out & as the year went on I think my breathing whilst running & asthma have really improved. Hope this might be the case for you too! I'm going to follow AnnieW55 's advice about wearing a buff when I venture out next week. Good luck!

Jennyb2017 profile image
Jennyb2017 in reply to Slinkymalinki

Yes I think I might look into getting one for colder weather 😄

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