Hi gang
I’m needing some encouragement please as I have just done Week 6 Run 2 and I genuinely think I’m not cut out for this. I feel like for some reason I’ve gone backwards, not feeling stronger at all. Absolutely going to move onto run 3 on Wednesday but I honestly don’t know what’s going on! Can anyone help please!
Thanks
Ps. Any tips for calf pain? I’m doing stretches before and after but been struggling.
Hello. Hey don’t be too hard on yourself.. week 6 is tough. I would take an extra rest day with calf pain. You may be over using calf muscles if your glutes aren’t firing up (trust me I know these things! 😊)
Hi you have probably hit the wall but keep going . I’m on week 4 next and it’s mad when I consider how far and fast I used to run in the army , but slow and steady
I too suffer bad with tight calf’s , keep stretching and nay try a foam roller 👍
You did the run. It’s not an easy one, and you did it. It’s difficult to those intervals and yet you did it. You are stronger, but that run tried to kick your ass so you don’t feel it right now.
You didn’t quit, you’ve done all the hard work over 5 weeks and two runs, you’re batting through and progressing. I’d say you were exactly cut out for this myself. Well done.
Don't quit you've done 6 weeks. Just take an extra days rest, slow your pace, try a different route or time of day, drink plenty of fluids over the day and if you dont have a foam roller a tennis/golf ball or rolling pin is a good substitute. You can do this 
The latter weeks of the programme can seem a bit relentless and it takes most of us some considerable time to adjust to the longer duration of the continuous runs.
I promise you, that gets easier and in a few weeks you will look back and wonder what you were worried about.
If it is seeming tough, there is a simple answer, be kind to yourself and slow down.
We are our own worst enemies, thinking, through ignorance, that we have to push hard to benefit from running. Running slowly, at a pace at which you can hold a clear ungasping conversation, will trigger all the adaptation that your body needs to develop stamina and will be far more enjoyable. Speed can come later. No pain, no gain is not the C25K way.
As for the psychological aspects of doing this one, all consuming thing for such a long unbroken duration, again, be kind to yourself, forget about the running and distract yourself with music, spoken podcasts or perhaps you can use the technique I have used in the past, give yourself a running commentary on your surroundings, how you feel, how things have changed from the last run, anything to stop you thinking of the effort you are putting in. I find running really productive thinking time.
Calf pain, like so many running aches, can be reduced simply by slowing down, avoiding heelstriking, keeping footfall under your body not out in front, and wearing proper running shoes fitted after a gait analysis done at a specialist running shop. If you follow the link from this post, you will find a great pdf about calf/Achilles strain healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
As you strengthen the pains will subside.
Find a way to enjoy this, rather than it being a chore, otherwise it is highly unlikely that you will maintain the running habit, which has so many health benefits.
Take care.
Such solid advice. Thank you so much. I think everyone is right I’m pushing myself too much. Will check out those calf muscle stretches. I’m trying to fit the running in around my schedule and with the shortening days slightly struggling. I live in the middle of the countryside so I have to find lit up, safe areas to jog. Will keep on with it. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply!
In addition to all the lovely advice try icing your aching parts and do deep tissue massge to rid the knots...i invested in a hand held massge machine and it works wonders!! They're not expensive at all on amazon or ebay.
P.s. plz dont give up; keep goin😀
What would I search for I prefer amazon for my shopping
Sorted ordered thanks for the tip 👍
I'm about to do that run, did 6.1 today, at too fast a pace and struggled a bit. My advice from a physio which I have nearly been following is to repeat each run.
It has stood me in good stead through weeks up to six, to the extent that I feel much stronger than previous times I have completed Couch5k. Doubling up seems to have given me much more strength and stamina. There is no shame in re-doing a run, and it always seems much easier second time and then gives you more confidence to move on to the next one.
You Did It. That is already amazing. As has been said above the program does get tough weeks 6 to 8. 7 was my nemesis if i recall...and i had to repeat a couple of runs. It does work, even when it feels like a snail paced slog. Good Luck.
Please don't quit. You've come this far!! Follow the good advice on here and hang in there!
One more run and you're two thirds complete!
If this was a 3 lap run you're coming upto the line to take the bell for the final lap.
There really isn't much further to go.
I've just done Run 6.1 and took the advice of those before us. Go slow and steady. You CAN do this.
See you on the graduates podium next month 😸🏆
You can do this, think about where you were 6 weeks ago, Wk 6 is a tough one, a lot of people, including me have trouble with it. You're almost there, repeat it if you need to, just take it slow and steady.
I was same week 6 and 7 but feeling a bit better at week 8 so keep going. I still wouldn’t say I’m enjoying it but we may as well finish! Regarding your calf pain the stretchings good , take enough fluid and if it still persists try a few days taking anti- inflammatories. If you’ve pulled a muscle it’ll take time to heal. I do weight training and spin as well and that helps build up all the leg muscles
I had a terrible time of W5R3, even worse reading all the positive posts from people on the forum saying they had loved it - I nearly gave up at that point thinking the same as you, that it's just not for me... A few weeks on, and I am proud to say I have graduated from the programme and managed my first 5K run at the weekend. I STILL hate bits of every run (not always the same bits!) but have got so much strength and enjoyment from pushing through and succeeding despite my doubts. I think I was even doubting up until week 7 that I'd actually be able to do a 30 min run, let alone keep it up and do 3 in a week! But trust the programme. It works, if you stick at it - and I think maybe it's those tough bits that are the times when our struggling muscles and lungs build stamina for the next time. It does get easier and you will get there - but everyone has 'good/bad' days. Sending encouragement and best wishes : )
Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words. I’m taking a couple of days rest. But absolutely ready to get back to it. Thank you all for taking the time to reply. And for your fabulous words of encouragement!
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