Puff (the magic drags on) W8R3: Got to the end... - Couch to 5K

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Puff (the magic drags on) W8R3

MickGJ profile image
MickGJGraduate
7 Replies

Got to the end of W8 although R1 seemed to go a lot better than R3. Been trying to find an ideal pace for my legs but my legs seem to happier running faster than my lungs can supply them with oxygen. Hopefully all will come into synch on W9.

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MickGJ profile image
MickGJ
Graduate
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7 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Listen to the lungs and let the legs learn... well done you!

To run further you need to find a sustainable pace, so maybe slow your legs down a bit until your fitness improves and then you can speed up. Graduation is in sight!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Well done.

If you don't maximise oxygen uptake by breathing fully and deeply then you will tire more quickly and muscle is more susceptible to injury.

Running slowly is a difficult skills to master, but as you move on you should be running 70-80% of the time at an easy conversational pace, so master it you must. runnersworld.com/running-ti...

Take it easy.

katsheare profile image
katsheareGraduate

I frequently found the same sort of thing, that I wanted to be going faster than I could support. When you've graduated (three runs away, you can do it!!) give the C25k+ podcasts a try. You'll be running to the beat of the music, which I find much easier in terms of pacing my progress. Once your lung capacity improves, you can start doing interval training, which I've found gives my legs the challenge they're looking for.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Slow it down and puff less. Try it, it’s magic 😁

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

That song was on the radio the other day and it brought back lovely memories. Hadn't heard it for yonks.

Slow down, forget about pace at this stage and just focus on finishing the programme. There's loads of time after graduation to play around with pace, etc.

seaspaniel profile image
seaspanielGraduate

I had the same issue. I had only two speeds basically full out (balls of feet) or stop. Learning to run somewhere in between has been challenging but I find the music helpful but it feels so slow when actually running.

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