Feel like giving up 😢

[Percyp73]

So this is the second time now of failing to complete W9r1. The first time I managed 20 mins but today only 10. I have walked home in tears. Ignored another jogger who said hello to me as I literally couldn't speak as was so choked up. I don't know what is going wrong. Last week I could run for 28 mins. This week I struggled to get to 10. My calves were in agony. Feeling really sorry for myself and don't know if this running lark is for me anymore. I need to decide whether to give up, which isn't a good option, try again with week 9 or maybe go back to say week 5 and start again from there. Any advice appreciated x

[LeeU Graduate]

Some times we have bad runs, everyone has them, you can't not have them, the law of averages says so.

The important thing here is this, you know you can run for 28 minutes, you've done this several times already, so why not drop back to week 8 and give that another shot? You've come this far and the podium, with your place on it is in sight, you can do this.

I had a mantra, quite an easy one that I used to recite to myself after week 5:

If I can run for 20 minutes, then I can run for 25.

If I can run for 25 minutes, then I can run for 28,

If I can run for 28 minutes, then I can run for 30.

Sounds stupid but it really helped me, I was running against my greatest adversary, me. I'd struggle at times with gremlins, 'your too fat to run, you better stop', 'you could stop now and no one would know', 'this isn't running, it's a controlled stumble', and so on, the mantra helped with this.

The pain in your calves could be to do with your trainers, I suffered from tight painful calves until I replaced my trainers, I'm using a cheap pair of Skechers but will be off for gait analysis in the next couple of weeks and new running shoes.

Give it another try, just set off slow and steady, control your breathing and see how you go, don't beat yourself up if you have to stop again, if your shoes aren't supporting you properly then that isn't your fault.

[Bluesky44 Graduate]

Totally agree with LeeU. It sounds a bit like W9 has now become a mental block for you.... you know you can run for 28 mins so you know you can do 2 more minutes but it can feel daunting and when you get it in your head that you’re failing you’re already on the back foot.

Repeat W8, maybe warm up for longer to warm those calves up, make sure you’re well hydrated too! I find that my muscles always feel heavier and more achy when I haven’t had enough to drink in the lead up to my run. Especially in this heat so make sure you’re giving your muscles the fluid they need. And if you still struggle with your calves make sure you stretch out after your run, proper 30 second stretches are best. And as LeeU says, maybe it’s time for some new trainers?? I did the whole programme in less than adequate trainers with very little cushioning and it’s only as I’m trying to consolidate that I’m getting niggles in knees and tendons. New footwear is in my shopping list for today!

Good luck. Don’t give up and if you feel you need more people keep coming on here and keep posting. There are some amazing and inspirational people on here who are so supportive.

[damienair Graduate]

Excellent advice already. I can’t add anything extra. Just don’t give up. You have done amazingly well to get through week 8. You have just reached a mental block. Your body can do it easily but your mind is refusing to allow you to run for 30 minutes. It’s just a matter of convincing yourself that you can do this, and you can. I found that by listening to good music or a podcast I was taking my mind off the run. Don’t look at your watch and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You can do this, don’t be disheartened. If you can run for 28 minutes then you can easily run for 30 mins. Positive energy and positive mental attitude will get you through.

Damien

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

Oh bless you. I do feel for you. Please don't give up. You have come so far and can run for 28 minutes now.....bet you didn't think you would be where you are now 8 weeks ago.

I have found the combination of heat and pollen to be an absolute killer this week and i have found my 30 minute runs really tough when running outside so reverted back to the treadmill and that has certainly helped with the breathing.

Keep going and maybe forget that you are on week 9 for a bit. Taking the pressure off might help psychologically and you might just find that when you go easy on yourself you find the extra oomph to keep going because you know you don't have to unless you want to!

Good luck 😁

[Papillon17 Graduate]

I had very painful calves very early on in C25K and advice was take more fluids and eat bananas on a regular basis as the potassium helps. Good luck you can do this. You have got this far you will do it. By the way I am still eating more bananas 🍌 than ever and no calf issues since.

[Meedeb Graduate]

Great advice already given - 😁

You can do this. You finished W8 well done.

As mentioned Hydrate really well the day before your run, it’s really important and take it slow, real slow Using a mantra is a great idea from LeeU or try focus on something you like, scenery your music - when you’re feeling tired slow down some more and tell yourself just another two / three minutes then after two / three minutes then try another two or three. It really works for me. I do it in 5 min increments. You’ll be surprised how manageable it becomes. I agree with Bluesky44. Running is a mental thing too. Stretching well after and some dynamic pre run stretches may help too.

You’ve got this. Well done for getting this far. Keep us posted, we know you will succeed. We’re looking forward to hearing all about it. 😎🏃🏼‍♀️😎🏃🏼‍♀️😁🏃🏼‍♀️

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

How about slowing right down? Some kind soul posted this film when I was in w6 and it changed everything for me. m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...(Not working as expected?)

It’s a low impact style of running designed to avoid injury, and I absolutely love it! I can happily plod on for over an hour now. It turned running from a slog to a pleasure. I’m never going to run 5k quickly (takes me 50 mins 🤣). But at this lovely pace, with a podcast or audio book, I just happily bumble along. It’s called smile running in Japanese - because you really can smile, chat or sing while doing it!! So perhaps it will work for you? You get all the benefits of running (I’ve lost 5 inches from my waist!) but none of the pain. Hope it helps x

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

If your calves are killing you this is probably a minor physical problem. A strain..slight tear....cramp? any of these is possible. Annoying when it happens with the finishing post in sight, and there is a strong temptation to get back out there in the hope that there has been a magical fix in the meantime. That is part of running I am afraid !

If you can, I would go and see a sports physio who will quickly tell you what is wrong, give your calves a sports massage and give you an exercise programme to fix it. It will resolve your uncertainty.

If that isn’t an option, maybe substitute a walk for your run for a week or so..keep moving....and when your calves feel better try a short run and see how you get on. I had to go back to week 5 from week 7 because of calf trouble. I gave myself over a week off, and then got back into it..I ran 12k last week ..so these things do get fixed. Just trying to run them off frequently isn’t the answer. You will get this done...just a bit of patience .😊😊

[2718281 Graduate]

I found week 9 run 3 very hard, and I think it was just because I was so eager to finish, I wanted everything to go ok and I was too tense. I've started consolidation this week and so far the 2 runs I've made have been much easier. Yesterday I went to the pub, had a burger with friends, but it was my running day so I thought: "let's go anyway if I do 10 minutes it's better than nothing". I was very relaxed and didn't really expect to go very long, so I run a bit faster than usual. After 10 minutes, I felt tired, but not too much, so I decided to go for 5 more, then 5 more, then 5 more, then I thought "hell if I've done 25 minutes, I better finish my consolidation run". I had to slow down, I had been going too fast (I'm a snail), but I made it. What I'm trying to say is that maybe you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself to finish the program and if you stop thinking of c25k, set your target on a short recovery run (15 min?) and just go out an enjoy, no podcast or app, you might end up running the full 30 minutes.

[notquiteretired Graduate]

aww Percyp73, sorry to hear the running not too good at the minute😳

you have already been given loads good advice so all I will say is please dont give up, you are upset but that will pass, you have come sooo far, remember week1🤔

give yourself a break, go back to week8 and go slow then slower still, block out those run gremlins that had took up residence in your head n are now telling you that you cant do 30 mins, you can

try to run when its cool and wear loose clothing, I struggle when its warm

good luck Percyp73, you can do this and we are all cheering for you 😊👍

[Ckj06 Graduate]

We are all rooting for you. Think how far you have come. I bet those early weeks felt almost impossible at times. You’ve ran 28 mins before so you can do it again and you will. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You are doing amazing

[Hidden]

NEVER! Once more unto the street dear friend! 🤴

You're doing great, don't let it get you down, look how far you've come! Last week you could run for 28 minutes, I GUARANTEE that you haven't lost fitness, it could be so many things... It's very hot and humid out there at the moment, take a rest if your legs are hurting.. Then go out and run for 20 minutes, if you get to 20 minutes, try 25... maybe you'll even get to 30. Don't give up Percy! You can do it! 👊

[Percyp73 Graduate]

All of your comments are so appreciated. I am having a real crisis of conviction. After me messing up, my husband, who's had to put up with loads of crap, told me to get s grip, well.... Actually,think you'd all like to see him on here! I will get back on it, tomorrow.,..

[angie31964 Graduate in reply to Percyp73]

After getting as far as you have, why would you give up? Any exercise is better than nothing and you have achieved so much and come so far. I have just finished W2R3. Where you are now seems soooo far away 😳. Well done to you 💕

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Always remember the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for ! You can do this, but maybe not first time. That’s why the programme has a repeat function built in. You’re asking a lot of changes of your body and so far it has been ready for them, but now it’s just asking for a little more time to adjust. You ran for 10 minutes - that’s brilliant ! Bet you couldn’t do that nine weeks ago ! So next time you go out, set up 9:1 again but just aim to get beyond 10 minutes. Your body may be ready for the whole run, but if not, just note where you get to and walk the rest. The following time, aim to beat that, and repeat until you conquer it - and you will ! It took me nine weeks of repeats just to conquer week 1, so I know you can do this ! Relax, be proud of your progress, and enjoy your journey x