Will I ever move beyond week 2?

[MissyM0]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and new to running. I have just completed week 2 with great difficulty. On the first run, I couldn't manage 90 seconds so stopped around 60 seconds. I felt like a failure. I managed to complete run 2 and run 3 without stopping, only because I ran really slowly but even then it was still very difficult. I get breathless really easily and my legs ache so much only after about 30 seconds of running. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with me?? Is it normal to be this unfit? If I struggled that much on week 2 how will I manage week 3 - a 3 minute run? Any advice for an unfit newbie?

[Hidden]

You’ve kind of answered your own question there, slow down 👍 3 minutes is the same amount of time if you run it quick or really slow, remember to stay hydrated too that made such a difference to me,

I saw someone say on here once don’t think of those runs that you can’t manage as failures think of them as practice runs, you can always re do a week before moving on to the next,

It’s amazing how much your fitness improves each week tho so don’t panic, believe in the programme and you can do this,

Good luck and enjoy your journey 😊👍💪

[SmonicaB]

Firstly, good for you for keeping going.

You’ve already proved to yourself that you’re getting better.

What you couldn’t do in W2R1 you managed for the next 2 runs (don’t take that for granted, that’s huge and should be celebrated 😃🎊)

Believe that you’re not the only one that’s struggled when they first began running.

As long as the pain is only muscular and not in your knees (if it is there are some great strengthening exercise videos on YouTube) please keep going.

I just completed W3R2 so not that far ahead of you and I can tell you I was super nervous of the 2x 3 min runs of W3R1 but was really surprised that during the last 3min I seemed to get into a rhythm. It was hard but was so happy I did it.

I think, trust the schedule.

1- Take the runs slow and steady (speed is absolutely not a consideration here) but keep going.

2- Concentrate on your breathing, learning to not pant and take deep breaths will really help. Take the advice of timing it with your pace, (one breath through the nose, for every 2-4 steps) it’s hard, especially in the beginning, but it takes your mind of anything else. You may not be able to maintain the breathing technique for long but keep trying to go back to it. It will get easier.

KEEP GOING 👍👍

[Piaffesal Graduate]

Don't panic would be my answer! You won't find 8 minutes of running any harder than your current 90 seconds by the time you get there - the programme is designed to get you there just when you're ready, you just have to go with it even when you think the programme is mad! Probably most of us were up in arms with each step up because it didn't seem humanely possible, but it always is! Why not decide you're going to repeat every third run so you do each one 4 times before moving on, or even 2 full weeks of each one initially - whatever you think you need to do to be kind on yourself whilst also pushing through. BUT don't get stuck for weeks at the same point waiting for it to get easy because it doesn't, you just need to push through and believe you can do it - and you can. Do ensure you make your warm & cool down walks active & productive & do some stretches when you're done, but other than that, you do need to push through the pain - assuming the pain is just tiredness & not actually an injury... I would resist the urge to look at what's coming next - it seems truly impossible every week but you can do just like everyone before you did - just keep putting one foot in front of the other, very, very slowly...

[Hidden]

Hi MissyM0. Welcome to the forum and well done for starting out on C25k. Have you read the guide to running 5k? You can find it in the pinned posts at the top right of the forum page and one of the admins will link it in their welcome post to you. It is an invaluable guide and will answer all your questions and provide sound advice to C25k.

One of the key things is not to move forward in the plan if you can not complete all sections of a run, but to repeat it until you’ve got it. Many runners repeat runs at some point on their C25k journey. It might help you to repeat week 2 so that you move onto week 3 with more confidence.

Another tip is make sure you stay well hydrated, drinking 2-3 litres of water, even on rest days. Poor hydration can really impact on your performance.

Finally, keep your pace really slow. Try the Japanese Slow Jogging technique. It is very popular on the forum and many of us have used it successfully. m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...(Not working as expected?)

Keep going. C25k has great benefits beyond just learning to run and being part of this forum is really wonderful, especially at times like these. Happy running 🏃‍♀️😊

[ninky3 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes!! This video helped me tremendously! It’s early days yet but so far this slow jogging thing has taken me from Arghh I Can’t, to Okkk maybe I can!

Thanks for sharing!

[Hidden in reply to ninky3]

Great! I’m really pleased! 😃

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Congratulations for starting the programme. You really have made one of the best decisions you will ever make for your health and fitness. 👍

And yes, many people report the same difficulties as you - you are not alone in this! Check out Japanese slow running on YouTube, it got a lot of us through the early weeks. There is no such thing as too slow, as long as you are moving forward in a running action.

Take as long as you need to. I only repeated runs, or whole weeks, if I hadn't completed one. If I completed a run, however difficult, I moved on to the next one.

Always take your rest days. I always took a minimum of two. This allows your body to adapt to the new stresses you are asking of it. You get fitter on your rest days, not your running days!

Make a you do your warm down stretches. If you're stiff, yoga with Adrienne on YouTube is great. On your rest days, make sure you are still walking and keeping mobile.

You can do this. Good luck!

[Crystalglass]

Oh that could have been me writing that MissyMo. I did my first run on Monday.

You couldn’t really call it a run cos It was a pathetic performance. It’s day 2 today -and I have just read all your wonderfully

supportive replies.

Feeling optimistic that I MAY do a little better. I will let you know. Good luck 🤗

[ninky3 Graduate in reply to Crystalglass]

I’m on week 3 and I still wouldn’t call it a run either! But we are getting out there and doing what we can and by all accounts slow and steady is the way to go

Enjoy day 2; you got this!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

You may also benefit from reading this post about mental approach.

You are unfit........stick with the plan and you will get fitter.

Enjoy your journey.

[Ooloutoo Graduate]

The slow jogging technique got me through the whole programme. I had too high expectations of myself initially thinking I should be trying to run rather than jog along. At times it felt like I was almost jogging on the spot! But it meant I could keep on going and learn to get my breath back while running very very slowly. Give it a go. Don't worry that you think you could almost walk as fast as you're jogging 😉

[Poca]

Like you I am just starting out, my breathing is rubbish, I cant go faster than walking, and my trainer (10 yr old son) struggles to stay back with me but I have read all of the responses and found them so useful and encouraging, and so helpful to be reminded of non running days, I was only going to leave 1 day in-between runs but noticed someone mentioned 2 days , does anyone else have any views on this?

[Crystalglass]

Well I completed session 2 week 1. I tried slow jogging which I found easier but still

I couldn’t manage to complete the last 2 sixty second runs. Hope you are getting on ok. The inspirational messages on here are invaluable