Help!!

[Cricky77]

I’m 5ft 2 and 14.3 st. I have been swimming 45 min 4/5 times a week since sept 17 ! I’ve just done week 2 run 1 and omg it hurt, I nearly couldn’t do it and I feel so demotivated.. running has always been my stay away from but I thought with the swimming I’d of found it at least a little easier.. any motivating suggestions of people who were in the same boat would be gratefully appreciated !!

[Hidden]

Hi Cricky77, First off as Cpl Jones would say is don’t panic. Swimming is a brilliant all-round exercise, but it’s not as percussive as running is. It uses different muscles and so you probably are in a much better situation than if you hadn’t done it at all.

The other thing to say, is that slow running is cool running. If you found it too hard, it’s possible you were a little enthusiastic and ran too fast. If you found you were breathless too, then that’s a hint that you were going too fast.

We often talk of slow and steady pace here, seriously a lot of us inW1 and 2 could walk faster than we could run - it’s not unusual at all. So please don’t be disheartened, do you have any app or anything that would enable you to see what pace you were going at in your run intervals? It’s not the actual number that is important more the relativity of your run intervals in W1 compared to your first one in W2. Just by looking at that data if you have it, could give you some enlightenment.

Otherwise, have another go at the W2 R1, again, really concentrating on keeping a slow/steady pace. The speed picks up I promise you. Also there’s no disgrace in re-running a run, only about 10% of C25K graduates passed with just the 27 runs in 9 weeks, most of us took a lot longer.

I found repeating the mantra ‘slow and steady’ kept my speed down and meant I got the intervals done.

I do hope this is some reassurance - take a look at the FAQ posts in the Pinned Posts section , there’s tons of great advice in there, about making steady progress. Hopefully next time out will be a happier run for you.

Wishing you all the best next time

[Cricky77 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to give me a few pointers.. I probably have been running a little quick and I will look to find a pace counter to see how I am doing.. I also did think about re running week 2 again as the thought of moving into week 3 in only 3 runs scares me half to death and feels truly impossible..

But once again thank you for the time spent replying I very much appreciate it..

[BilloRuns]

I’ve just posted after finishing W2R3. Runs 1&2 felt hard but 3 was actually ok and my recovery was quicker. Hopefully you’ll feel the same by run 3 this week. I completed couch to 5k about 5 years ago (and then got lazy, hence doing it again) but the one thing I realised last time was that it was mind over matter. If last week you managed to complete all the 60” runs then already your body will have made progress (no matter how gradual) so to do an extra 30” each run this week really isn’t impossible. It might feel hard but you really can do it if you just push on, and by the time you get several weeks into the plan, you’ll look back and think ‘wow, I could only manage 60 seconds running just a few weeks ago, look at me now!’ Remember the point of this is that you push yourself further every week, you don’t just learn to run easily for 60” and settle at that. Keep pushing on and telling yourself you can do it even when it hurts. Good luck!!

[Cricky77 in reply to BilloRuns]

Thank you BilloRuns..

and well done for jumping back on the C25K.

I think I need to pace myself a little better and give myself a positive kick up the behind.

And very good luck to you too.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Check this great post out.. loads of info here and good advice

Welcome and very well done for starting this too Slow and steady is the mantra... ( I am famous.. sorry, infamous for quoting this at every opportunity) This works.... you just go at your own pace

Just relax and head into the runs gently. Try some other non impact exercise too, on rest days..not just swimming

You are in great company here and you are going to do just fine

[Cricky77 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss.

I will have a gander at the article in a moment.. I do believe after reading the kind responses to my bid for hemp that I have been pacing myself far too quickly and setting myself up for defeat.. I’m pinching your mantra slow and steady and going to go out on Wednesday with a positive spring in my slow and steady step and hopefully a more successful and enjoyable experience .

Thanks again

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Cricky77]

You will succeed... betcha

[Razouski]

Hi Cricky77 ,

Oh my, you sound so fed up, but please don't be put off. Swimming is a great all round exercise, but you may not have been putting your lungs and legs etc through the same type of exercises that running exerts. I had been going to the gym 3 times a week and swimming before I started C25K but I hadn't really done that much cardio exercise and certainly nothing with as much impact, and I found it really hard.

All the advice about taking it really slowly is worth listening to. You are going to build up gradually over the next 9 and more weeks and there is no rush to be running fast. Slow it right down and use the walk intervals in between to go even slower ignorer to recover.

This programme does work, so it's worth sticking with. It may seem hard at the moment, but if it was easy you wouldn't get the same satisfaction of completing each run.

Come back in the forums often and share your successes and frustrations. I found the group in here so supportive and motivating. It was like I was running for myself and also for the virtual running family. We're all running alongside you willing you every success.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

When you think ‘I nearly couldn’t do it’, tell yourself YOU DID IT!