W5R3 - feeling sad and defeated!

[scdeeley]

I thought I was doing so well (as heavily asthmatic and was terrified of taking on this challenge to start with) in week 5 just about getting up to 8 mins running without stopping and then came the dreaded 20 mins (run 3 of week 5) I just couldn’t push past the 8 minute mark and felt exhausted and defeated and had to stop countless times. I even cried on my 5 mins cool down home! 😔 Do I need to keep repeating this run until I can manage 20 mins without stopping before I move on to week 6? I’m starting to feel like I made good progress to start but can’t get past this barrier and am starting to loose motivation! Any advice and encouragement would be greatly received right now!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Perhaps you were running a little faster than necessary, slow and steady is the motto of C25K, I am not an expert on this but maybe yes take a couple of days rest or repeat runs 1 and 2 of week 5, I am sure later there will be more professional advice on your progress, never give up.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Scdeeley, I think maybe you started this run in the wrong frame of mind...you were ready for it, and it needs to be attacked with positivity...

This run is a turning point in the progran for many, not everyone manages it first time...

Take your rest day, think about your route, is there somewhere else more suitable (flatter 😆) where you could do it...

Start really really slowly, even though you feel fresh at the start. Think of it as four five minute runs and just keep going... once you get past 10 mins you may feel a bit better then keep steady to the end.

Don't worry, bring a positive mindset to it and have another go...you will be able to do it, even if you need more practise goes. Remember that run you did today still counts and was building stamina.

Here is a post that Iannodatruffe wrote about this run which is a great read..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Good luck and let us know how you get on next time😊xx

[Claireednet]

Ah no! Hate thought of tears on a run. Must be so hard being asthmatic. Are you followed the app with Laura etc talking to u? Do you have music playing? I find these things help a little and keep me ‘in the zone’ I Always always always want to stop and think I will but somehow manage to keep going. Brush it off have a couple of rest days then get back on it. Drinks lots of water that day and eat fruit. You can do this!!! Let us know how U do x

[Decker]

No need to get too upset. Its a challenge but its your challenge. No need to compare with anyone else. I would agree with Bluebird, be positive and go slow and get to that 10 min mark. And stay slow if you need to. Once its under your belt you can always go back later on and work on improving or just move on. But don’t be too hard on yourself. Try and enjoy the moments along the way if you can.

[ancientrunner Graduate]

You do need to do it - but you can!!! It is really just another run in the schedule, and you've managed the one's before so have faith in yourself and the programme. I know that is easy for me to say now. Try not to let it become something big in your mind, lots of us had a couple of goes at it. Rest up and maybe try and break it into 4 x 5 min runs in your mind. You can do it - honest. Think of us all and we'll get you through. Good luck.

[DellyB]

I started W5 on Sunday morning and then silly husband got us lost on a walk with the dog in the afternoon so legs are really sore today, think I might take a couple of days rest after reading your post! I had a bad run last week W4R2, just couldn’t get my breathing or pace right and felt deflated but put in behind you and try again and if you need to repeat go for it! Just think how far you’ve come so far! Good luck with the program, you can do this!!!

[Dralimc Graduate]

Please don’t lose heart. I had the worst week last week and almost gave up, but into week 5 this week is a different story (but only done run 2 today...). Lots of things can make a bad run; too little water, alcohol the day before is bad for me, heat, hormones, stress, poor sleep. Draw a line under it and try Thursday with me. We can do this! 🏃🏻‍♀️💪👊

[scdeeley in reply to Dralimc]

This sounds like a great plan! Let me know how you get on! 👍🏼

[Dralimc Graduate in reply to scdeeley]

We’ll check in on Thursday. I’m knackered, need my 2 days rest!

[scdeeley]

Thank you all so much for your advice, support and encouragement! This morning I really didn’t want to carry on and worried that maybe running just ‘isn’t for me’ but I’m so guilty of being so hard on myself and should just appreciate how far I have to come. After reading all your lovely comments I think I might consider the route I take and try something a little flatter and a much more positive attitude after my rest day! Thank you all - will keep you posted on how I get on! 🙂

[Dralimc Graduate in reply to scdeeley]

Please do x

[Razouski]

Glad to see you've had some fantastic advice and that you're feeling a little more positive. If I were you I'd put this run down as a practice run, take two rest days and then try Week 5 Run 3 again. This time slow it right down. Maybe find a new route you can run, I remember doing mine on a trip to Manchester and round round Chalton after Park - a lovely flat country park around a reservoir. I'm sure you could find somewhere not too far from you that would give you a change of scenery to enjoy and that is flat. Then just think slow.

Hydration is important, but if you're running in the morning it's important to drink plenty the evening before so that the water is in your system, not just sloshing round in your stomach.

If you can get to 10 minutes at a slow steady pace you'll have conquered the toxic ten and be well set up for the next ten minutes. Even when I'm doing a 10k+ run I still have times when the first ten minutes are excruciating but I know once I get passed that point my legs and lungs will settle into a rhythm and it'll be easier.

I wish you the very best for your run.