Tried a different route today after feeling chuffed that I didn't have too hard a time with W3R1......my route is normally fairly solitary and other than the odd couple taking a stroll, I barely meet anyone - which suits me just fine.
My new route today took me through a popular park - so lots of people were about. I didn't mind as I was focussed on doing my thing.....headset on and the Goddess Laura egging me on. I actually did quite ok - didn't struggle, kept my pace throughout and was pleased to note that shin splits & arch pains were much less than the last two weeks....BUT ....I felt mortified as normal people (i.e. non-runners) were WALKING faster than i was jogging......(can't truthfully say I "run" yet). This got me wondering if I'm doing it all wrong........!!!!
Laura says to do a light jog at a pace that you can keep consistent throughout the 30 mins.....so, I don't aim for speed - just focus on jogging at a pace that i can manage through the discomfort without running out of breath or feeling I can't finish the run.
But today's experience has left me wondering if I'm going too slow if normal walking people overtake me?????!!!
I should be feeling happy I finished W3R2....but I just feel embarrassed, ashamed and mortified right now....!!😕
Any thoughts, advice if I've got it completely wrong so far???
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Keep going. Your doing well. Some people walk faster than I run. Remember we're new runners. We're only just beginning on our route to being top athletes. 👍
Yes, I do feel a massive difference in my ability to run compared to Week 1 and 2........so stamina is definitely on the up!!!
Thank you for the encouragement!!👍
I think it's easy to lose confidence when you first start out- it could be pace or appearance or comparing oneself to others...But just pull your shoulders back, head high and listen to Laura. People don't know how far you have been running (even if they have noticed you). You might just have finished a 10miler
Yes....that's true. I felt completely deflated after today's run.....its definitely related to me being completely out of my comfort zone leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable - translate that into "zero confidence".
No one stared or laughed at me....I just left self-conscious and got very red in the face....
But....as you say - it's my personal journey so im going to keep at it, trust Laura and plod along like a sedated snail 😊
Hi. If you listen to Michael? I'm sure he says something about the person on the other side of the hedge should not be able to tell if you are running or walking from how you are moving . So slow is good.
I do it slow. As it's not a race and who is bothered that people are passing you. Your running and it's so much better than you was a few weeks ago.
Yeah - Laura says the same thing....no need to waste energy bobbing up and down....someone on the other side of the hedge should know no different if you are walking or running by watching your head.
Thank you for your kind words - it's helped me remember that I'm definitely doing so much better than when I first started.
I'm going to rock the sedated snail style of running....lol!!!😅
Having someone else relate to my experience of today is helpful!! Thanks Jay.....I feel much better and look forward to cracking W3R3 at my sedated snail pace with oomph and style!!!!
Oh my race is definitely with me and me only.....I am pretty good at zoning out and just listening to my music and running whilst thinking.....
Think I got a bit rattled today because they made it pretty obvious that I was in their way by "tsk-tsk-ing", side-stepping past me, giving me "the look" and then carrying on walking briskly.
But....I'm going to give W3R3 my best shot on Thursday - I've got my eyes set on that podium....lol!!!
Basically, this plan is aimed at getting you to run continuously for 30 minutes times a week, distance and speed is irrelevant, so if you never speed up but finish week 9 you will have succeeded, however, if you are feeling comfortable and with energy left in the tank, there is also nothing wrong with experimenting in going a bit quicker, but only if that is what you want
That's a great tip to keep in mind.....I have not found week 3 runs challenging so might try to up my speed a wee bit to see if that makes any difference to my experience. Thank you!!👍
good soon they'll be ducking out of your way cos your going way too fast for them well done keep going just think that we're all behind you and doing it with you x
You’re definitely not doing it wrong! My walks still seem faster than the run. You’re running. How many people do you know that walk anywhere for half an hour or break out into a jog during their walks?
I’ve had elderly moon walker and an elderly slow motion bionic woman impressionists so far on my runs! 😉! But I definitely got brave and learned not to care one bit! 👋🏽 👋🏽 They were well meaning, I think 🤔! I just put it down to good humour and keep on running.......slowly. Who knows they might decide to join me one day! Keep going! You’re doing it exactly how you’re meant to. Have fun❤️
Agree.....my "walks" are definitely more confident and faster than my "runs"....or should I say "jogs"???!!😂
Moonwalker & bionic woman.....omg!!! You are amazing to take it all in your stride with a pinch of salt.....I'm going to remember your story and advice......
Stand up, brush it off my shoulder and keep running at my sedated snail pace 🐌😊
After I conquered the amazing fear of even being seen running in public by going out during rush hour and on another ocassion past a high school right before school starts. No one said a word! No one broke out in big laughter or even chuckles. A couple of artist impressionists in the park was frankly not worth more than a smile, a good morning and a good view of my back! I genuinely feel that they meant no harm. So I certainly wasn’t taking it along with me! The secret to brushing it off to me is in thinking as slow as this is moving, I’m moving! It can only get better! And it has! 😉 ❤️
When I first started I didn’t gain ground on the walkers going around the park, I don’t feel like I have sped up at all, but my Fitbit stats show that I have, and I am now passing the walkers fairly easily - and I passed my first runner! (A Run/walker so probably early weeks c25k)
You don’t notice the improvement as it all seems as hard as last week, but my pace per km reduced over the weeks - still slow, but not soooo slow - you are only racing yourself. All the best
Oooh....that's interesting!!! I didn't think of it like that.....yes, I'm getting better with each run although the improvement is barely noticeable.
Well done you for passing your first runner......!!!! Bet that felt fab....that your journey has progressed so much......
It's very reassuring to know that there is so much further to go beyond C25K if you choose.......because by then we're all certified running junkies!!!! 😊
I’m on week 8 and live in a village where if your not in the in crowd you basically get the piss taken out of you. I did zero exercise prior to starting this app and the comments and looks I got trying to run for 60 seconds in that first week very easily could have lead to me throwing in the towel. I didn’t and yes they may walk faster than I jog but I don’t care. By the third week I seemed to have developed a skin like a rhino and gritted my teeth and the anger actually helped me stick to the runs to the end. Now I love my run days and it’s actually made me to like I’ve done good. It’s dam hard but you have to have the mindset that it doesn’t matter about other people but how we feel about ourselves. You are doing this for you and your doing fantastic
I think you are very brave.....to have faced all that and still come out So positive - it's very comforting for someone like me to read your story. Thank you for sharing x
I've never done any exercise in my entire life.......and I am nervous about how I'm doing. Doesn't help that my husband thinks it's a passing phase......he's waiting for me to quit and I'm determined not to....and want to do this for myself, first and foremost.
Today morning was the first time I disclosed that I've started C25K to a close friend i bumped into at the morning school run......I thought she would laugh at me but she was genuinely supportive and wanted to learn more.......it felt good to be able to say it out loud 😊
I'm a proud C25k runner!!! 😁 If I say it enough times....it won't sound so awkward to my ears.....lol!!!
Love your attitude! So glad you felt and continue to feel that none of it matters, this is your journey, your life and you can live it and love it regardless of anyone else and their own hang-ups.
You're doing great and I wish you all the very best in completing this wonderful programme. 😊
Exactly!!! It's all you lovely peeps that have helped me maintain my focus and stay positive.....every journey has its ups and downs - today, I had a small blip and my C25k family held it together for me......I am well and truly hooked!!!
Well it just took me 2 mins less to run 5k than to do 30 min run plus warm up and cool down walks which normally gives me 5k. So my run is basically not much faster than I walk! But boy was my heart going faster!
Yes!!! This is me - I may be running like a sedated snail - but my heart rate definitely increases; which is why I know I'm pushing myself and building on stamina.
When I started, I couldn't 'jog' for 1 min without feeling like I was going to die - and this week, I'm doing 3 mins and actually not get out-of-breath......progress in the right direction, methinks!!!
Thank you for sharing your view - it's helped me massively to realise i'm not alone in how I feel and gives me courage to stay motivated x
Running has quickly become my lifeline to sanity......I cling on to it because it's a combination of 'me-time', 'peace-time', 'thinking-time', 'de-stressing-time', 'doing-something-positive-time' - I never thought I would feel this way about running (having never run or taken part in any form of exercise my whole life)…..but I truly look forward to every running day although I know it will be hard work.
The happy endorphins are also not a myth - I feel shattered after every run but elated at the same time!!!!
Thank you for the encouragement to keep going and to stay focussed - it is exactly what I needed!!!
You’re doing fine, don’t worry about speed, the aim is to graduate. Everything else will come once you have laid the foundations of your running future.
If it makes you feel any better, I can walk quite fast when I get my stride on, I could actually overtake myself running 😆😔
Hahahaha!!! you actually made me laugh out loud......but I totally get what you're saying - now that I think of it - yes, I could overtake myself running too...…!!!!
Simply hilarious...….
Thank you for cheering me up - I do feel a lot better. Can't wait to get out there again on Thursday
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