Want to give up

[Rosiepug]

I’m repeating week 3 as I found it harder with each run and don’t think I can move on. Legs are getting heavier and stiffer with every run. Painful knees too. I’ve had my gait assessed, I bought proper shoes with support etc. Any ideas out there? Thanks

[primaballerina]

It's funny you should say that... as I've just completed week 3 myself (today), and I'm suffering much of the same symptoms you describe! (sadly I don't have the chance to get gait anaylsis in central Portugal). During my last 3 minute run today I was thinking.... I might have to repeat this week.

So, my point: You are NOT "giving up" if you repeat a week! You are making an adult choice to continue at your own pace. So Kudos to you! Chin up - and keep running even if it's only up to 3 minutes for the time being! You'll be get stronger as you go.

[Rosiepug Graduate in reply to primaballerina]

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I feel more positive knowing it’s not just me. ( not that I want anyone else to struggle) I’m thinking if it’s not put you off, I won’t let it put me off either. Thank you.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Perhaps you are running too fast 'Rosiepug', slow down a little and hydrate the day before you run, yes, drink plenty of water, better luck next run which is if you wish again run 1 of week 3, slow and steady is the mantra here on C25K.

[Rosiepug Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I think you may have something with hydration. I’ve been back to work and not drinking as much. I’ll get my water bottle back in my desk. Thank you.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Maybe you must need to slow down even more and also stay hydrated 7 days a week 😊

[Rosiepug Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Deco trying the hydration. If I slow down any more I think I’ll grind to a halt. 😂

[welsby1967 Graduate]

Hi are you doing stretches before and after your runs ?

[Rosiepug Graduate in reply to welsby1967]

I’m doing lots of stretches after but just the warm up 5 minute walk. Do pre-run stretches help?

[welsby1967 Graduate in reply to Rosiepug]

Yes absolutely when I was starting out I got to week 3 quite easily then I started to feel pains everywhere. I then started the NHS strength and flexibility podcast cast and I’m totally pain free now plus I use a massage ball and roller. Trust me it will help you no end. I do the app on rest days and some of it before and after each run - good luck with it and don’t feel down if you need to redo a week, it’s your journey stay hydrated, stretch regularly and a slow and steady pace and you’ve got this x

[Rosiepug Graduate in reply to welsby1967]

Thank you

[Franny86]

Keep going. I couldnt manage the first week and now on week 7 I have managed to run 5k in 38 mins.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes links to stretches which I recommend you do after every run.

Enjoy your journey.

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

More water? Better hydration on run days and rest days. And search Japanese slow jogging movement on youtube and you’ll find a great short film showing a low impact style of slow running that really turned things round for me. That and realising my brisk walk could be faster than my run! Have an extra rest day and you could move on to week 4 if you’ve completed w3. Good luck!

[Redellie65]

I am repeating it too ..... I have tried 7 times now to complete the 3 minute run .... I will try again tomorrow with different shoes 🤷‍♀️

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Heavy legs are often a sign of poor hydration, so that may well make a difference. As to repeats, I was so unfit when I started this that it took me nine weeks of repeats just to conquer week 1. There can’t be many things more demoralising than still being on the first week while most of the people who started with you have graduated 😂 Remember that you’re asking a lot of changes from your body. Everyone needs their own time to adjust, so be kind to yourself. When you go out, don’t think “I must do this.” Enjoy seeing what you can do, and if you don’t manage the whole run, note what you’ve done and walk the rest. The next time, aim to beat that time, and repeat as required until you nail the run. This builds terrific levels of stamina which will really pay off later in the programme - I needed loads of repeats early on but none in weeks 5-8. Depression struck in week nine and I had to repeat two runs, but if you’d seen me sobbing over a 20 second jog my first time out, you’d never have tagged me as a graduate. I did it though, and you will too. Just remember the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for. All the best with it x

[Rosiepug Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you for sharing your experiencing and well done on your journey. Quite inspirational.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Rosiepug]

Thanks RP. Stick with it - I promise you’ll be glad of it in the end ! Always here to mop up your frustration if required 😄