When does it get easier??

[Little-runner]

I've just done W2R2 and although I'm loving it so far, I'm curious to know when people start to feel more comfortable with running.

At the end of the 90sec run I'm so ready for the walk and can't see beyond a 90sec run! Also, today my second to last run was uphill and I got really out of breath on that one.

My legs feel tired after today's efforts as well.

So, the question is when did you feel like you were owning the run as apposed to it owning you?!

Thanks!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done.... try taking it slower.. ( there is always slower)... and try to really relax...

Check this out if you have not already done so. There is a great deal of useful advice

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Rest day exercise is essential...non impact... to help build up your strength and your stamina.. many of us used these exercises too;

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/s...

it is very early days.. and as you move on, you get stronger..hard to believe I know...but it is true. So... take it steadily... do those exercises and remember to stretch after each and every run too

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Bear in mind the programme is designed to stretch you from zero to 30 minutes over 9 weeks. You are faced with new challenges each week which make you go beyond what you thought possible just a week earlier.

This means it never really gets “easy” as such. Thinking back, the third runs of weeks three and four seem to have been fairly comfortable. (Someone will now go and read my post and show that I really struggled with them or something!)

By the time I did W6R3 I knew I would be able to complete the programme. (And a week later hurt my back and have had to have a week off - hubris!)

If you are REALLY struggling then, as Oldfloss observes, you are probably going too fast. This is slow jogging for most of us.

I realised I had a tendency to go too fast in the early running parts each day and then suffered. Slowing down is in part how I can stretch towards the 30 mins which are so close I can almost touch them!

Stick with it. It isn’t all suffering. You will have a run where it all feels “right”. I hope it’s your next one.

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to Jay66UK]

Great advice Jay! 👊🏼

[Irish-John Graduate]

It does not get boring whatever about "easier"

That first day was murderous for me due to asthma among other health problems. I had only set my sights on "someday maybe" getting as far as week 4.

Now I get upset if I cannot do my "regular" 5k. LOL 😂

It's all a process, think "Progress, not Perfection" and just do it slow and steady.

And believe me - the part I, and others have even with a lot of miles under our belt, is running slowly enough.

"Easier"? Definitely - but as you find that your capacity to run increases the sense of enjoyment and achievement (and huge health benefits - I haven't used an inhaler for well over a year, and mentally feel better than I ever have) - you will continue to push yourself in a good way

I kid you not, every time I go running the first ten minutes or so feel ludicrously difficult - then the mind quits and the body takes over and all the physical difficulty is secondary to the journey ☺

Wishing you many happy miles in your future ☺

[dayhayward in reply to Irish-John]

Just reading through the comments and I love that phrase u made “think Progress not perfection” 👌 that really does motivate me

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to dayhayward]

My only perfection is that I'm perfectly imperfect 😂

[dayhayward in reply to Irish-John]

🤔🤔🤔😂

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to dayhayward]

[Little-runner Graduate]

Great advice guys, thanks so much and I'll check our those links.

I do 'try' and take it slow, I've no bench mark really and I've no idea what my running pace is like as I've never ran before and don't run with anyone. I guess I need to listen to my body more. Next run I'll definitely try it slower and see how I get on.

I thought I'd find it easier as I'm already pretty active (hiking 10 miles or so every weekend, HIIT training, yoga, strength training).

Oh and I always stretch for at least 10 mins when I get in. I'm determined not to get any injuries.

Thanks again!

[Amandana]

Awesome that you're off the couch and commited to c25k! Keep it up!!

All I can add to the great posts already here is that there are good runs and bad. I very much agree with the idea that happiness = expectations - reality. So for me, keeping expectations low and not trying to think "oh, this run should be easy after last week" is KEY! There are days when you might have no idea why your run felt easier or harder than the previous one, other times you can pin point what's contributed. For me, I think it's about 70% mental, barring injury of course. Getting into a "this is going to be hard, and I'm going to do it anyway" mindset has helped me get through those tough intervals when my legs are trying so hard to break stride and walk. I feel really good about myself after that kind of run, whether or not I'd categorize it as feeling good physically. But when I let the gremlins in and listen to them, those are bad runs.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

For me my breathing started to sort itself out when I got passed 5-8 minutes, then again more so after 20 minutes.

Every run is a challenge but you can just get further!