About to do W6R2 and it is not getting any easier. Struggled to run for 8 minutes the other day, even at a snail's pace. I had visions of myself trotting around like a glorious gazelle but I still feel like a plodding hippo!
Should I start the strenght and flex plan to help? Who else is doing that? Any good?
Xxx
Any core strength exercises, cardio or cross training will help.
I'm afraid it's difficult because it is difficult. There are no quick hacks or shortcuts to fitness. Maybe your expectations were a little high at the beginning of the programme. I've been running since last September and I'm pretty sure I don't in the least resemble a gazelle when in out running round my local nature reserve.
Having said that, I think you're being too hard on yourself, you've been running for six whole weeks and not given up! That's a great achievement. Don't put the pressure of expectation on yourself. Just keep going and it will come good in the end. Trust me, the benefits are enormous!
Good luck.
You need patience .........there are no quick fix ways to become a glorious gazelle......it takes time.
To date you have done just a little over two hours of actual running, but look what you are achieving compared to Week 1.
Any strength training that you do alongside C25k will make you a better and fitter runner.
I very recently completed the c25k programme. I found all the running hard graft. Each approaching week looked to be creating impossible tasks. But I did it. Never previously a runner, I've stepped up to the line at 62 years. Last night I ran my first 5k. I was fortunate to join, not only with two other c25k runners, but a pack of local club runners who stayed with us and supported us throughout. It's not designed to be an easy programme. It's more of a challenge to some of us, than others. Stick to it, at your pace and it is achievable.
Yes to S&F the stronger you are (probably without body building 🤣) the easier the running and the less likely you are to be injured. It’s a good beginners plan, other stuff can be added or replace it later.
Week 6 looks easy, but the intervals are tricky... many struggle with them, especially the notorious run 1. A lot of that is psychological, it looks easy, we are confident and we inadvertently, or deliberately, up the pace a little... then it becomes unexpectedly tough, we panic, breathing isn’t right, etc etc. Not sure on the range of a hippo over a gazelle, but tortoise and hare does apply! I do know that gazelles can’t maintain the speed over big distances... they just outrange their predators. You’re going to be a distance runner, so gazelle stuff is for once you’ve built the endurance and also for the end of the run or a short run day. Keep on with the hippo stuff... slow running builds endurance and is they key to speed later. Maybe hippo is too fast, maybe the tortoise approach is easier... making it easier is not a bad thing, quite the opposite... if you’re struggling, slow down.
Search for "Quick Steps: the running shuffle" on YouTube :
apologies of this doesnt play
youtube.com/watch?v=kQ5wQ5N...
or this:
John_W these are fantastic, thank you!
You're welcome! They've proved very useful to lots of beginners here and they illustrate that often "running" is simply too fast and that "jogging" is the way to go. Did the Quick Steps video play or did you look it up on YouTube?
Had to go to YouTube...but will definitely turn on W6R3...25 minutes!
Try this, sounds nuts but try it anyway.
Next run, go as SLOWLY as is physically possible for you to do so. Focus on no "walking" step but just the absolute slowest pace you can manage.
I think you will find that :
It is a tad harder to do than one might think 
It will let you discover just how your body actually moves when you run - I discovered a sub conscious tendency to stiffen my ankles far too much.
It's fun and a change in "routine"
And - I bet you find that your present "slow" is faster than you set out to be
Wishing you many happy miles in your future
Why was it so hard?
Why is it.... 
Why is this so hard
WHY SO COLOURFUL?
W1R1 - so it is possible!
