Its not going well: I’ve stupidly signed up to... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,100 members159,470 posts

Its not going well

Sarah52 profile image
26 Replies

I’ve stupidly signed up to do a 5k Pretty Muddy in June 30th

I thought I was doing ok until I got to W5.

I got to this stage last year when I started the couch to 5k, and I stopped due to a knee injury.

I just can’t do the first run of W5, it seems so hard !!

I’m also having breathing problems, I seem to get emotional and then I have, what feels like a panic attack, and I can’t breath. This happens when ever I do strenuous exercise. I climbed Pen Y Ghent last week and had to keep stopping to get my breath and to stop crying !!! What is going on with me ??

I’m 52 and I don’t think I’m too old but at the moment I’m feeling ancient 😟

Written by
Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
26 Replies
lagatachocolate profile image
lagatachocolateGraduate

If you're feeling anxious and emotional I would suggest going to see your GP.

As for 'not being able to do the run ... has anything happened between week 4 and week 5? I generally find that if I tell myself often enough that I can't do something I usually prove myself right :o)

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply tolagatachocolate

Yes I think it’s a mental barrier rather than a physical issue. I want to do this but I’m finding it so hard to think positive thoughts

oldwheezer69 profile image
oldwheezer69Graduate

I am no expert having only done week one so far, but I am just wondering if the added pressure of doing the muddy run in June is helping or hindering? Would it be worth you repeating week 4 to really consolidate that, before trying week 5 again, and taking it at your body's speed rather than worrying about a big run which - through mud - will be a lot tougher than running on the flat? Keep us posted... We're all rooting for you!

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply tooldwheezer69

That’s a good point 👍🏻 i think I will repeat W4 to give some confidence if nothing else 🙂

Thank you

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

If you're struggling with your breathing, my first thought is that you're probably going too quickly. Slow down your pace, and see if that helps at all - no matter how slowly you think you're going, or whether you feel that walking would actually be quicker. That's not important at this point in the plan. The only thing that matters is learning to keep a steady, sustainable pace. The best way to check your pace is to try talking as you run. If you have a running buddy, have a conversation with them; if you don't, then talk to the dog, the coach in the app, yourself, us lot here - whatever! As long as you can speak in sentences, your pace is fine - if you're gasping and restricted to as few words as possible, you're going too quickly.

Keep going - you can do this. Put the end of June out of your mind - it's aaaaaages away yet! Take it one run at a time, and you'll get there, honest.

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toRainbowC

Thank you so much, I’ll try and slow down, to a quick walk 😂

I thought I was going slow but I’ll take your advice and give it a go 👍🏻 Thank you

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate in reply toSarah52

It's important to keep running, rather than walking - but shorter strides, and slower pace is absolutely fine if that's what's needed for you to be able to sustain it. :)

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toRainbowC

Yes I’ll look at my stride. I see so many runners who look effortless and then there’s me 😂 I’m sure we all have start somewhere

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate in reply toSarah52

I know - I see those runners going past when I'm walking to work - they're striding along effortlessly, barely breaking a sweat while going at least twice as fast as me. I so want to think that's what I look like. Then I see the middle-aged, slightly overweight woman plodding along uncomfortably, and think yeah, that's what the rest of the world sees when I run. So far I've managed to restrain myself from cheering on the 'me-runners'... but I know how they feel! ;)

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toRainbowC

The beauty of this group is that I don’t feel alone. I ‘run’ on my own so I only have my voice to listen too. I listen to music as well, but I need to change my mind set.

There’s more to this running malarkey than just running ?!?

WildflowerJo profile image
WildflowerJo

This running lark is completely mental!!!! We are all self sabotaging! Please complete a week over and over until it feels ok to move on! Put that June date out of your mind as it’s putting on too much pressure! Don’t cancel it though as I’m pretty sure you’ll be ready as it’s ages away! Believe in yourself - I know it’s hard but you CAN do it! SLOWLY is the key word!

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toWildflowerJo

Thank you 🙏🏻 x

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

Sarah, try not worry or overthink it, it is only running at the end of the day.. have a look at this link for some great tips..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply todavelinks

You’re so right 😂 sometimes it’s good when someone else points out the bleeding obvious 👍🏻😂😂 thank you

I’ll have a look at the link 🙂 much appreciated

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate in reply todavelinks

That is going to have to be my new pre-run mantra: 'it's only running, at the end of the day'. One of the reasons I've not run since last Wednesday is that my next run has built up into the equivalent of climbing Everest in my mind, rather than doing a run which I've already completed twice without any issues! So yeah. That's me told! ;)

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate in reply toRainbowC

Come in rainbow! Get out there relax and enjoy in the great weather..😊

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate in reply todavelinks

Not too convinced by the greatness of the grey clouds here - but tonight has to be the night to take my new Mizunos for their first real run... Pic to follow later (I know the drill! :D )

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate in reply toRainbowC

Don't worry about the sky, get those lovely new pumps on and get out there! 👟👟😁

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

You must stop thinking you're ancient at 52! I'm 63! Must be a dinosaur then!😁 Others here older than me, don't let them see you talking like that!😊 You're rather new to all this, read and digest some of the destruction's in the link I sent over, in time you'll learn a lot more, so try not to worry it's early days, you will do that 5k you booked..😊

Wizziewood profile image
Wizziewood

Hi Sarah,

Firstly, it is going well ... you've got to W5 for goodness sake, that's quite an achievement. Think back to when you started C25k, you probably never thought you'd get to the end of W1!

It sounds to me that you might be trying to go too fast, take it slow, slow, slow. Perhaps the thought of the race is putting you under pressure even if you don't think it is. After all June 30th is still a long way off.

I'm 60 so feel qualified to tell you you're definitely not too old. Having said that it's possibly a time in your life when you're doing battle with your hormones so perhaps a chat with an understanding GP might be an idea.

Keep smiling, keep running and good luck!

You CAN do this!

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toWizziewood

Hi

I hadn’t thought about hormones, stupid things !

I’ll have a word with my Dr, just to rule things out, more than anything.

I do feel better about things, thanks to amazing people in this group 🙂

Thank you 🙏🏻 x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Anxiety is a pain..literally...but, running will help. I know that seems silly after what you have posted...but if you persevere it will happen.

Take it really slowly... really slowly :) Think snail on a go-slow:)

If you have had this for a while, then maybe go and see your GP...Try really hard to relax.. breathe as you do all the time.. don't overthink it... many, many of us have had or have similar issues.. think of other things, make up rhymes, silly names for folk you pass or the trees and shrubs.."that round stumpy bush is Old Floss:) "

The 5K muddy run you can walk it.. it is a fun thing... don't worry... you are going to do this...

And.. there is no such thing as too slow... you just take it as gently as you like and remeber, we will be right there running with you..x

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toOldfloss

Thank you so much, I really do appreciate your advice and support x

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

I’m doing a race for life on 30th June and I’m on week 5 and I’m 53 and I’ve got a weird knee 😃😃 we are like twins!! We can do it ... I go like a snail 🐌 ! Don’t worry about the pretty muddy you can walk it if you like there are people who sign up intending to walk the whole thing 😊😊

Sarah52 profile image
Sarah52 in reply toBridget007

Oh wow !! We are twins 👍🏻 yes my knees keep twinging but after a days rest they’re ok.

I’m going to learn to go slow, then even slower 😂

Thank you so much for your support I really appreciate it 😊

WE CAN DO THIS ! 👍🏻

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate in reply toSarah52

Definitely 😊

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Does it get any easier

I have just completed the first week of couch to 5k and to be honest quite enjoyed it. I am...
Motivateme1 profile image

Still going strong

Bit of a strange start today, got myself out of bed early and out for my Parkrun only to get there...
Suesky17 profile image
Graduate

Not great

Hi all, Just went out to do W8R1 and didn’t manage the 28 mins. Gutted. Calves killing for first 5...
GG63 profile image
Graduate

Not doing so well

Hi all thought it’s about time I posted, running not going so well here. No not the injury couch...
Papillon17 profile image
Graduate

Not doing well 😔

Hi first post although have been lurking for a while. I started off doing a different c25K app...
Raverminx profile image

Moderation team

See all
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.