Week5 run2 second time round

[Sophiant]

1st time posting, long time reading others' posts. I started C25K end of February and have stopped-started a few times with a few repeat runs for good measure.

So I did week 6 run1 on 7th of August and then two weeks ago I went back to Week5 Run 1. That run went well and thought I maybe didn't need to drop back that much on the day, but did feel it the next day. But again for various reasons I didn't run again until today. I did Week5 run 2, first 8 min run was ok, but on the second 8 min I got a stitch 6 min in, tried controlling my breathing to get over it and couldn't. I paused the app, walked it off for a bit (maybe a couple of mins walk) and then went back to running the last 2 mins.

So the question is do I repeat week5 run2 or go to week5 run3 for my next run on Friday?

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

It sounds like you maybe need to drop back a bit and rebuild your running legs so as not to get injured or disheartened by being unable to complete a run. The rule of thumb is 2week break ok but more than that you loose fitness. How would you feel dropping back and smashing every run rather than having to rerun incomplete sessions

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You really do need to fully complete each session, otherwise you may be setting yourself up to struggle with the next run.

Are you running at an easy conversational pace?

If you get a stitch, slow right down and breathe deeply. Also to avoid it, hydrate fully in the twenty four hours before the run and don't drink while running.

Enjoy your journey.

[Annieapple Graduate]

Follow excellent advice already given but just to add welcome to the forum 💐

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Welcome, sophiant! Well done for not giving up, but I really think you're making it hard for yourself. Is there any way you can run at least once a week just to keep things ticking over? I know it's frustrating having to drop back, but it's such a good plan, it really works, and is the best way not just to achieve the time and distance, but to avoid injury. Best of luck, don't give up. (Oh, and listen to Ian, he knows 😁)

[Sophiant]

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice. No aches at all today, so that's good. I will up my game on hydration and try to run a little more focused on pace and breathing, to keep the stitches at bay. I will repeat week5 run2 tomorrow and see how that goes, and if I need to drop further back.

I need to work on my motivation. The weeks I didn't run started due to travelling or illness, in combination with days not feeling like I want to run was too much overall.

[Minsy]

Probably best to go back a week I would say. I’ve been following the programme since October and repeated runs or weeks as needed. This week the 20 mins is my hurdle so I’m dropping back to beginning week 5. Hopefully third time round I can smash it as so many other have. You can do it for sure