Week 2 complete! : So I went out for my final... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 2 complete!

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduate
β€’24 Replies

So I went out for my final week 2 run this evening and to be honest I didn't enjoy it 😞 The first 90 secs run was fine but then after that I started to struggle with the aching in my calves and by my final running segment, the time really seemed to drag.

Whilst I did complete all the runs, it felt harder than Tuesdays run and it hasn't filled me with confidence for the start of week 3 😟

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Ember22 profile image
Ember22
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24 Replies
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Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate

We all feel like that. One run at a time keep it slow and u will do it.

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toBrooko

Thank you!

Rose2912 profile image
Rose2912Graduate

My second one is always the tougher one. By the fact you kept going you have proven to yourself you can physically do it. Trust in yourself next time it will feel better and if the worse happens then remember you are doing this for you . Does it really matter if you go back a week. Good luck with it.

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toRose2912

Yes I did keep going which I am proud of 😊 Thank you. I guess it doesn't really matter if I do ever have to repeat a week, as long as I get there in the end.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Some runs can really be tougher than others. Just want to ask are you keeping up with drinking 2-3 litres of water per day spread through the day . You still completed your run so well done 😊😊

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toBuddy34

No I am definitely not πŸ˜‚ I had my second child 5 months ago, so I have to admit I do struggle with remembering to drink enough which probably isn't helping at all! I drink plenty when I'm out running but not enough during the day. Thank you 😊

steviej99 profile image
steviej99Graduate

It takes a while for your body to get used to this running thing your making it do. I find as do a lot of experienced runners, the first five or ten minutes of any run really tough, it's called toxic 10,look it up. So the early runs in c25k are all In this tough period

Stick at it, your body will adjust and then you'll enjoy it, don't expect too much from yourself at the outset. And keep it slow, slow, slow!! Good luck

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply tosteviej99

Oo I've not heard of that before, I'll Google it. Thank you! I'm determined not to give up. I've been concentrating a lot on keeping my pace really slow which is definitely helping.

Supermeisty profile image
Supermeisty

Well done for finishing week 2! You are one run ahead of me. Now get some rest and in a few days time you can do week 3 run 1, and you can do it! You have proven how determined and motivated you are so week 3 doesn't stand a chance :)

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toSupermeisty

Thank you! I can do this πŸ’ͺ Good luck for your last run of week 2 and I'm sure we'll both smash week 3 😊

Jazzyrunner profile image
JazzyrunnerGraduate

You’re doing really well to continue when you find it tough. And really truly, hats off to you for doing it with a five month old. Stick with it, you’ll be glad you did, stay hydrated and run slooow, you can do it!

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toJazzyrunner

Aww thank you 😊 It is hard, as obviously I'm not getting much sleep or rest but I'm finding it really good for getting some headspace and de-stressing a little. It's like my own little escape for half an hour. I hope so! I really want to make it to the end of this and make running a regular part of my life.

Jazzyrunner profile image
JazzyrunnerGraduateβ€’ in reply toEmber22

πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

Zumba-kitty profile image
Zumba-kittyGraduate

Well done - you did it!

Remember, you are strong!

I know how you feel, I was going to do W3R1 tomorrow but I’m giving myself ( or rather my calves) an extra day off. Going to do it Saturday instead.

Keep going πŸ‘πŸ»πŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸƒπŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toZumba-kitty

Thanks!

Omg the calf pain is the worst isn't it? I think I'm going to give myself 2 rest days now, to let them recover before I start week 3. Not going to lie, I've had a peek at what week 3 entails already and it looks a bit scary but I think I'll be fine.

Good luck for your first week 3 run on Saturday. You'll do great πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Zumba-kitty profile image
Zumba-kittyGraduateβ€’ in reply toEmber22

My bootcamp coach suggested I do some gentle stretching of calves, by standing on the edge of a step. No bouncing just let heels droop towards floor ( hope this makes sense). Hold for 20 seconds if you can, and just perhaps when you go in or out the door. I’m giving it a go.

Will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

πŸ˜€πŸ‘πŸ»

Zumba-kitty profile image
Zumba-kittyGraduateβ€’ in reply toEmber22

Done it - don’t focus on the fact it’s 3 mins. Take it slow and you will do it.

My calf loosened up will going very slow, I do walk quicker. Did lots of stretching after. πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ˜€

richfromnotts profile image
richfromnotts

You don’t have to move into week 3 until you are ready. I repeated lots of weeks as I didn’t feel ready. Better to take your time and do it gradually than rush things.

The calf pain will ease as you muscles get stronger.

Good luck and keep it up.

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply torichfromnotts

I'll give it a go on Sunday but if I struggle too much then I'll go back and repeat week 2.

That's good, I'm looking forward to them not hurting anymore! Thank you 😊

richfromnotts profile image
richfromnottsβ€’ in reply toEmber22

Keep it up. You’ll never improve unless you have some discomfort - no pain, no gain, as they say. 5 months ago I weighed 20st 5lb and like you just starting Couch 2 5k. Today I am nearly 2 stone lighter and I ran 8km. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck.

Thevillage profile image
Thevillage

Ive got my last wk2 run on saturday and i also seem to be struggling hoping it will feel better soon. With regard to calves aching mine have been fine just thighs killing. I put this down to running in knee high lycra support socks under my jogging bottoms. As from sport years ago these helped. So far so good no achey calves. To help with thighs i might invest in some full leg tight things but wanted to get into it first. Sports direct sell them work for me.

Ember22 profile image
Ember22Graduateβ€’ in reply toThevillage

Well done for getting to this point.

You're so lucky that you're not getting achey calves. I haven't really done any exercise since p.e in school so I think it's just been a bit of a shock for my body and it needs to adjust. If it doesn't improve I might have a look at some compression socks. My thighs have been fine so far. Hopefully some full leg tights will help you with your thigh pain.

Good luck with your run on Saturday πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate

As well as the good advice to stretch, recover, hydrate, listen to your body, do you listen to music, or podcasts while you run or even just look around to take in the surroundings, rather than being focussed on what your legs are doing? It helps the time go faster!

Candy46 profile image
Candy46

I agree with what Brooko said....definitely take one run at a time. Week 2 run 3 was tough but week 3 run 1 fab and I really enjoyed it. Just keep reminding yourself why you are doing this😍😍

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