My group ‘homework’ for week 3 this week was 4 x 5 minute runs with 2 minute walks. Managed it (just!) with a friend on Friday, so this morning decided to go it alone and run outside by myself for the first time.
I was rubbish! Been struggling with my breathing so far (asthma) but today I lost the mental battle and didn’t manage more than 3.5 minutes on each run.
Feeing very down now. I know I’m still a beginner, and running in -1 temperatures is going to be much harder than in a nice warm gym, but I’m now dreading the group on Wednesday. The leader is aiming for 7 minute runs, and I just don’t know how I’m going to do it 🥴
Anyway, off to my Personal Pity Party for a while!
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WillsMum68
Graduate
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Please don’t be so down on yourself. You achieved so much more than Others who remain firmly entrenched on their couch. You also have asthma. As far as I’m aware (l don’t suffer from asthma, so l acknowledge l could be completely wrong) cold air is not a friend of anyone who has asthma? You should be proud of yourself not demoralised. First time out by yourself too in -1 temps👍🏻
Ah thank you for your encouragement! I’ll be better later and my sense of humour about myself will return! I’ve got to get used to running by myself as my buddy can only do the occasional one with me, it’s just getting over that mental block.
Truth be told I’m also slightly terrified of the group leader! (So must others be, we had 26 the first week, but dropped to 14 by week two!) But I’m determined to carry on.
I have a health check at the doctors this afternoon, so maybe I’ll be able to get some advice about my asthma.
It’s your C25K you can run it as you please without pressure (except for your own expectations) If you need to slow down, do just that. A smart pace is what it’s all about (for me at least) wishing you well on your journey. Take care of yourself 👍🏻
Where’s the failure? You ran, the run made you stronger and fitter... there’s no negative there really. Your run leader is following a different plan to the one we are used to, and you don’t say how many weeks in you are. What did you run last week? If you look at the increase week on week, it shouldn’t be much above 10%... so I’m assuming that the 7s will be 3 running intervals.
Are you running at the same pace as you did in the group session? Are you running on a similar surface?
No we’re not following the plan I was expecting! Week one was 2 minute runs, 3 mins in week 2 and five minutes in week 3. I’m not impressed with her as a leader at all tbh; she’s not overly supportive. Sorry if that sounds a bit woe-is-me! I messaged her after the first week saying that I was struggling with my breathing, and her actual response was “You’ll get used to it if you’re determined”....! Nothing else, no tips or encouragement!
I’m on the verge of quitting - the way I see it, 30 minutes running on a treadmill is a massive achievement - but I’ll try and keep going as long as I can, if only to spite the leader..... 😂😄
Any motivator is good... annoying a bad run leader is really good 😂
Running 30 on a treadmill is my idea of hell... so it’s beyond a massive achievement!
She has a point that it will get better, but determined isn’t necessarily the right word to be using... running within yourself and allowing the fitness to rise is key... so slow down if you can, make it as easy as you can, 5 minutes running isn’t going to end sooner because of speed!
You mentioned asthma... have you tried a buff? It would make the air you take in slightly warmer and could help.
I used a buff this morning for the first time, and also a few other tips from fellow asthma sufferers on this forum; I think they helped a bit, although with the buff over my mouth, my glasses kept steaming up...... 😂
That’s gonna be an issue... I get that when I wear a scarf... luckily I don’t have to have them on when running.
To complete those 30 minute runs though, all you have to do is not quit. The group run may not suit you, and that’s not a big deal... it won’t make you a better or worse runner at the end of the plan.
Oops sorry - yes, running at the same pace (slowly, at the back of the group!) and also the surface is the same - around the streets/pavements for the group runs, and on a road through a forest for my homework.
So, the problem is not you! You are getting out the door and even trying a new outdoor thing! If you haven’t already done so, read the welcome post from Iannoda Truffe - or maybe read it again. He has rescued me along the way with both good info and wise words about pace and attitude. Good idea to chat to someone who knows about asthma. And in my view, “leader” doesn’t equate with “scary”.... By the way, I repeated a couple of those sessions (after a day’s rest) as I don’t like to feel on-the-edge, and here I am on W6, so Not a Failure yet! Good luck and find your own pace.
Why don’t you just do the official C25K programme and forget about the group you’re in. Sounds like the group you’re in is quite different to the nhs one. You don’t need that group, u can do it yourself. There’s loads of podcasts that can talk u through it or listen to good upbeat music. x
There's no such thing as Failure on here, you got out there and tried.
I've had some awful runs, like alot on here. It happens. Please don't beat yourself up about it (the personal pity party did make me chuckle though... Great sense of humour 👍)
I'd be inclined to ditch the running programme and just do this one, although the Devil in me would want to prove the group leader wrong and in time I'd wanna be running past her!!
Years ago I joined a running group, apparently it was for beginners..... But now having graduated from this it highlighted that it must of been for returning runners, because I couldn't keep up! I was slower than the 97yr old back marker and he was walking!! 🤣
Do what works for you, and only you, the important thing is to enjoy it x
Ha ha, thank you Nita! My stubborn streak will give it one more go on Wednesday, and then I might switch to the NHS programme; better to have lovely Sarah Millican chatting to me than Psycho Suzie tutting cos I’m holding the group back..... 😂
Refer Psycho Suzie to the research that has shown that slow running is of more benefit to health than running at aggressive speeds! And welcome to this supportive group of real runners who run at all speeds and distances.
Thank you, I hope so! I’m not a sporty person by any means, so am doing this to challenge myself. I can run for ten minute intervals on the treadmill, it’s this outdoors malarkey that is throwing me off! I was so proud of myself for the indoor runs, then I have a day like today and it all goes to pot! But I’ll keep going!
I’m not sure how the group leader would feel about me swapping my homework.....when I let slip last week that I’d been using the treadmill she was not pleased, and told the whole group we must ALWAYS run outdoors. She’s horrible! 😄
Ok she sounds mean. You can do what you want. I prefer outdoors because there is more to distract me. You are doing great by wanting to do this programme. Why don’t you try doing the C25k as the runs say? And just don’t tell her!
I have found that the programme really does work in building your stamina etc and I now look forward to running and mostly enjoy my runs.
If you enjoy it then you will keep it up. I have found the support and encouragement I need on this forum to do it on my own. Maybe once I graduate I’ll join a group.
I’d stop worrying about what your leader is aiming for - do what feels right for you. You’ve done far better than me today - I binned the outdoor run and went to the gym and the treadmill from hell - so I’m actually jealous!
A little update to my miserable post on Monday! Went to the doctors this morning and have been prescribed steroids for a chest infection and a new inhaler to take every day, not just when I have to. Plus......drumroll please......no outdoor exercise for four weeks!
I feel stupidly pleased! At least I have a little bit of a reason for my struggles, and the fact that I can leave the hellish running group is a huge weight off my mind! I bumped into the leader at the leisure centre on Monday night and told her about my bad run; she just shrugged her shoulders and said I shouldn’t have gone out by myself! 😮 Good riddance to you I say!
My plan is now to rest up a bit (apart from a swim on Friday) and then start Week 4 on the treadmill on Monday morning. I am actually looking forward to getting out there and achieve something, rather than lying awake at nights worrying about how I’m ever going to keep up with the group.
Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement, onwards and upwards!
Well done WillsMum68! It sounds like you’ve done really well even with that useless “leader”! during my C25k journey the support and help I got from this group was brilliant! One of the best pieces of advice I heard was “embrace your inner snail” 🐌 I hope you’re feeling better soon and back on the treadmill 😊
Leave that group and join us. If running alone use music use the C25K app for great encouragement. Currently a lot of my runs are lone ones in the dark, cold and sometimes wet. Currently on week 4 and hoping to do run 2 tonight. Run at your pace no pace is too slow and all to build up your stamina. Stay positive your doing great. Want to chat just message.
You sound like you’re doing really well, trying so hard and battling opposition from people who should be encouraging you instead. Ignore them, be proud of you and what you’re achieving. Always remember the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for ! This isn’t meant to be a punishment. Relax and enjoy your journey - we’re all right here with you x
Thank you! Actually looking forward to going to the gym on Monday morning, rather than lying awake worrying about Wednesday evenings and how I’ll ever manage!
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Feeling Demoralised
Week 4 done, but a bit demoralised.
so , so disappointed 
So proud of myself & a few firsts
