I’ve always hated running, but thanks to the enthusiastic recommendation of a good friend, and given I’d been practically sedentary since before lockdown (shielding because of type 1 diabetes and other risk factors), I started Couch to 5K. And I’ve done 6 weeks, three runs a week, and today I failed miserably for the first time.
I’m running as slowly as I think it’s possible to run. Today though, I was utterly exhausted and couldn’t get past 22 minutes, and that was including the warm up. My heart rate stayed up at 173BPM (I’m 54 and a T1D) and no matter how much I breathed or smiled or relaxed, my legs were lead and I was close to throwing up.
And yet, I managed the 25 minutes of W6R3 on Sunday no problem.
It was very hot today, but it’s been hot before. Any advice welcome!
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sifr
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First of all congratulations on not only starting the program, but being close to the end.
You’ve had a ‘practice run’,, no run is ever a failure. it happens to all of us at some point or other.
Make sure you are drinking enough, heavy legs is a sign of dehydration. It wasn’t pleasant out there today for running, possibly try and avoid the worst of the heat if this weather continues.
Take your usual rest day/s and do the run again and I’m sure you’ll breeze it.
I would just put it down to experience and don't feel too gloomy about things. We all have runs that don't turn out as we hoped. It's all about learning. Today you found out that running in the heat can be tough and that you need to drink lots of water every day. The next one will be better!
Well done on your superb progress! I know that lead legs feeling. I am sure it is hydration (or lack of it) that causes it. I am in South Europe so, even at dawn when I run, 26°c this morning is one of the coolest since I started back in June. Keep well hydrated the day before your run and in the evening before as well. And don't fret over the occasional bad run. Happens to everyone from time to time. Keep going, you will have some massive highs coming up!
It's all part of the programme really - almost no-one gets through these final weeks without a real slog of a run, sometimes completed, sometimes not. And it's good because yes, you reflect on it and there may be something obvious (heat!) and sometimes there seems no rhyme nor reason. The learning is taking your rest day and doing the session again (it's pretty rare for it not to be successful the next time - you might want to try a different route if you think there might be 'associations'
When you say you couldn't get past 22 minutes do you mean you were on the ground utterly spent or that you still had it in you to walk? If the latter, next time, slow down to that walk pace... take smaller steps, even if you are more or less running on the spot.
You are doing well, I started this program in my 50s too. We all have a few bad days, it may be the heat, hydration, poor rest or hidden injuries. Do not worry about it, take an extra days rest (us older types need it sometimes) and go for it again. I was so slow at times dog walker were passing me, but I made it.
I know how you feel, I did that run yesterday as well, and thought exactly the same as you, as I had completed W6R3 with no problem.
On reflection this morning I think the run was so tough because of the heat. I waited until 6 o’clock to start running hoping it would be a little cooler.
I did complete the run (only just mind) but I today I feel positive about next the run. I have had really good advice and encouragement from the forum. Hopefully I and other runners on the forum can encourage and motivate you to get back out there.
Having read lots and lots of posts we all have a ‘blip’ in the programme at some point .
Dust yourself down, and try again after your recovery day. I’m routing for you, you can do it!!!! 👍🏻
It's all experience sifr! Sorry it was tough though!
The heat caught me out today too and I struggled a bit towards the end... I did think maybe I hadn't hydrated enough, taking into account the weather too.
I'm sure you'll be fine next run, we all have off days x
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and supportive comments. The good news is that I tried again on Friday and it was a breeze in comparison. I completed the run. The difference was that it was cooler, I was well rested, I wore my familiar shoes and I took it much more easily. As a result, the run didn’t feel hard at any stage! I’m delighted with this. Thank you all again.
I'm sorry to hear things didn't go to plan today but you've done amazingly well getting this far. I'm not the best in terms of advice but I see others have left some great comments. I just wanted to say that I hope it doesn't knock your confidence. I think everyone has at least one run like this so I hope you can retry in a few days and get over this hiccup
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