60 seconds is longer than it seems!: Hi all... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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60 seconds is longer than it seems!

Runninouttaenergy profile image

Hi all, nice to meet you all. I’m on week 1.

Run 2 will be tonight and I’m dreading it. I really struggled with the first run, I couldn’t do the full 60 seconds (think I did around 50/55) and then in the last ten minutes I stopped trying to run completely and just did a “fast walk” up hill.

What can I do to get myself through it? I’m overweight and only exercise I do is swimming and water aerobics and I don’t even do those two things consistently. I am trying to get my health and fitness in order but weight loss is a definite goal too.

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Runninouttaenergy profile image
Runninouttaenergy
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15 Replies
LS57 profile image
LS57Graduate

Hi: big well done then! i just made my 1st post earlier as i've just completed c25k and was saying how easy it looked ..until i actually tried it.

So really this is a big shout of encouragement to enjoy and embrace the runs - and it's worth the effort!

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate

The thing that you will hear over and over is, go slower. Your running can be slower than your brisk walk if needs be. Just slow it down, and then slow down some more. You're teaching your body a new skill and it's more than just simply putting one foot in front of the other quickly.

It will come, just give it time. Repeat any run you don't fully complete, make sure you're hydrated on non-running days as well as running ones, always take your rest days and if you need the odd extra one, that's fine. The key thing is, just learn to enjoy it. There's no minimum speed requirement, nor are there any time limits. A week is simply a handy shorthand term for how long it takes to complete each set of three runs.

Other than that, keep coming back here and let us know how you're getting on; you'll get all the support and encouragement this community can provide.

Good luck.

mom24uk profile image
mom24ukGraduate

You've had some great advice already but I'll repeat; go slow, then slower :) Keep at it and keep posting. You'll find a lot of support here. Looking forward to watching you succeed!

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador

Why couldn't you do the full 60s? What was stopping you? Were you out of breath?

Runninouttaenergy profile image
Runninouttaenergy in reply to John_W

Yes out of breath but also my legs just seemed to really struggle with it.

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to Runninouttaenergy

OK, legs are no surprise, seeing as you're a beginner, you probably haven't run for a very long and your legs simply aren't used to it.

But out of breath? That's the clearest sign you're going too fast! Get the word "run" out of your head and think "JOG" instead. So.... slow your speed right down and then... slow some more :-)

You're aiming for what's called a "conversational pace", a pace at which you can hold a conversation at.

Your breathing should be nice and easy all the way through - you should be aiming to finish the session feeling like you could carry on. So if you do it right, that's how it should feel. And if that means your runnning bits (jogging!) are slower than your fastest walk, so be it. No shame there.

Watch this:

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...

and also this:

youtube.com/watch?v=kQ5wQ5N...

Good luck!

John

Runninouttaenergy profile image
Runninouttaenergy in reply to John_W

thank you! That’s all really useful.

Piglet7969 profile image
Piglet7969Graduate

The hardest part i found of C25K was actually getting out there, it does get easier, believe in the programme and yourself, you can and will do it

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

If you run slow enough you will complete the times, we all learn the hard way but it really works, and smile as it’s a great thing to do to be able to run

Some excellent advice already so I’ll just say well done on getting started. That’s the hardest bit.

Oh it does at the beginning. And in just a few weeks you’ll be relieved when it’s “only 60 seconds left” 😂

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

If you were out of breath, slowing right down is the key. 😄

Have you read the pinned post for new starters? It’s full of useful (essential) information that will help you.

Keep posting and we will cheer you on! 😄

Thanks everyone. Advice so far has been great. I guess I’m just more unfit than I thought I was. Someone suggested I try running in a different area. Where I live is very hilly and paths aren’t too well maintained so maybe I’ll go run along sea front or somewhere a little bit more flat and see if that helps with my stamina any.

I will repeat run one tonight instead of moving onto run two.

mom24uk profile image
mom24ukGraduate in reply to Runninouttaenergy

Let us know how you get on. :)

Alast profile image
Alast

Well done for getting yourself out there and starting the great C25K adventure. In answer to your question 'What can I do to get myself through it?' I'd say along with the advice you've already received, just keep on doing it. Don't dread it, try and embrace it and take great joy from the achievement of finding you can do more today than you did last time. Do it at your own pace and don't move on a run util you've completed the current one. Keep posting any questions you have on here & letting us know how you're getting on, you will get nothing but sound advice & encouragement from here.

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