Second time round of C25K

[Stringer82]

Hi all

I'm just wondering if the runs get any easier for them?

I seem to really struggle on each run, and each run feels very laboured, currently on wk6 run 1, I know my runs are getting longer having just finished the 20min run, but all my runs still feel very hard. I have really struggled with every week, but ever week I have completed at first attempt and move on to the next, and I honestly couldnt run for 1min 6 weeks ago.

Am I expecting to much to soon? Will the runs become easier after several months of doing them, and not several weeks?

I have very bad asthma so I know that isn't helping, and I did the C25K challenge last year and completed it but had to start over as I never followed on with it afterwards and a year passed by.

Gary

[Emcg51]

I am on week 6 too, I am not an expert but did really struggle with my breathing until about week 6. People on here recommended speeding up the warm up walk and REALLY slowing down the ‘run’, and it helped more than I could’ve imagined. I think I may actually walk faster than I run, but it is so much more manageable now. Good luck, I hope things get easier for you soon 🤞

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on restarting.

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

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

We can all make this easy for ourselves by running at an easy conversational pace or very tough by pushing hard.

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

Enjoy your journey.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hi Gary, yes it will get easier over time as you gain fitness. Well done for having the determination to return to running- it’s obviously calling to you! 😄

It sounds like slowing right down is your friend for now! Have a look at a video of Japanese slow running on YouTube - many of us have found that helpful. - It can take a while to get the hang of going slowly enough. Once you have found a more comfy pace & practiced that, you will gradually speed up without trying. 😄