Really struggled today

[swim63]

This morning I very slowly finished week 8. I'm so pleased that I have got this far but really struggled, wanted to stop at 22 minutes but managed to carry on.

I really don't think I will ever find running less than very hard and don't think I will ever get my breathing right. But as soon as I finish my run I'm physically fine and feel on top of the world.

It's quite funny that whilst I'm out there attempting to run, I feel half dead. The minute I'm back in my car, or home , showered and drinking coffee, I think well that was a great run and I can't wait for the next.

Think maybe I'm just very odd!

[Hidden]

Whoahhh swim63 do we think you're odd 🧐 no certainly not. You've ran for 22 minutes that is some achievement.

RELAX. That breathing will come all of us have a little struggle, push on you're there nearly, and one run, not too far away you'll think I actually enjoyed that 🥳👍 your bodies learning to run along with you!!

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I will keep trying! Thank you

[Week7 Graduate]

Hi there. Well done for keeping going.I finished C25K during the summer and you have pretty much described how I felt on every run and the great feeling I had after every run!

I am currently working towards 10k and would say that now about half my runs are how you describe and half feel great...so keep going!!!

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Week7]

You are doing really well!It's great to know I'm not alone feeling this 😊

[Week7 Graduate in reply to swim63]

You're not alone at all I have read quite a few posts from people with similar experiences_ that's what is so brilliant about this forum. I started reading when I was struggling in Week 7 of C25K. There are some very experienced runners who post loads of good advice .

Keep plodding and keep reading/posting. You will get there.

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Week7]

Thank you, yes I find the forum so helpful

[shuffleido Graduate]

Ditto for me. I completed C25k on the treadmill and it took ages to sort my breathing out. I've now ran outside twice and seems I need to retrain my breathing and thought pattern. I've both hated and loved those 2 runs outside, but the best bit is when I've finished and like you, much better after a shower and coffee.

[swim63 Graduate in reply to shuffleido]

I hope you get to enjoy the running outside, I much prefer it to the treadmill as easily get tempted to hit the stop button!! It is getting cold out there now though which doesn't help!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

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

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

Say this sentence out loud to yourself "Am I going slow enough to enable me to speak this sentence in one breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.

[swim63 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hi, I think I'm going slow enough and could talk I'm sure. Infact I often have to swear a bit when I'm really struggling!I just can't seem to grasp the breathing control and the more I think about it the worse it is 😡. Just have to puff on I guess

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to swim63]

If you don't try to speak out aloud, you may think you can do it.........it is the simplest test to discover if your pace is too fast or not.

Have you read the advice in the guide to the plan on breathing?

[swim63 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I read it at the beginning , probably need to refresh

[B1GK9 Graduate]

I am with you on the "run is hard afterwards is great" school of running. I was even wondering if this is the runners high you hear about. After the event rather than during.I figure my body is busy dealing with the demands of the process when you are running and it doesn't have time to feel happy until after you stop and it can relax.

As I am still a very new runner I expect I will find out in time.

[swim63 Graduate in reply to B1GK9]

Yes, I think you are right and totally agree

[WrinklyGrandad Graduate]

Well done so far. Once I got over my self-consciousness about running slowly, I started to laugh as I met people and could tell them what I was doing. Now, as I meet people, some of them must recognise me because they exchange cheery comments and encouragement. Just keep going. Today I overtook an earthworm !

[swim63 Graduate in reply to WrinklyGrandad]

Oh poor worm!! I'm slow but I'm ok with that. So long as we get out there hey 😊

[csmr Graduate]

I feel exactly the same! I completed Week 7, run 2 this morning, and really had to push myself through. But, as you describe, I felt great when I’d done it.I run outdoors, and I’m going to try Laura’s suggestion of a different route for my next run

[swim63 Graduate in reply to csmr]

Hopefully one day it will get easier for us! Yes, great idea to change route. I get too obsessed with sticking to same one, might even try a different one tomorrow 👍

[NewtorunningE11]

I've got the last run of week 8 to look forward to today. I dread it really and choose a big sad face on the app at the start and then a big happy face at the end. I've run 5k twice now so it is getting easier and I've found some grit and determination I didn't know I had! Keep going and remember it's all about consistency and keeping it up. I took a 3 week break when I finished wk 7 so I should be finished by now. I lost my mojo but have it back now. Maybe I just needed a break. If we can get ourselves out and run in this weather we can do anything!👍

[swim63 Graduate in reply to NewtorunningE11]

That's so true, it's getting cold out there and not very inviting 😨You have done brilliantly if you have already run 5K by week 8! Well done

[NewtorunningE11 in reply to swim63]

I actually struggled today too given I ran 5k on Sunday just gone. I got just 6 mins in and I had to start to walk! That's not happened before but I think I was too hot - it was cold but not as cold as I'd expected. I think next time I'll go with the motto less is more! Week 9 here we come!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

🤣🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 nope, nothing odd about you swim63 ...this is normal!!! And what makes it worse is if you see another runner or another runner springs passed you yeah??? I know exactly what you mean..but you have already got to week 8!!! Don’t forget that, bet you didn’t think that on week 1 did you??? And you carried on despite everything in your person asking you to please stop!! You are nearly there..nearly there at the end to accept your shiny badge that I know the elves will be busy polishing already...Running is often best when we’re enjoying a brew afterwards but something keeps us getting out there...you are doing brilliantly whether fast or slow, hard or easy...keep at it 💪🏻

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Oh that’s lovely, thank you so much. Bit nervous about tomorrow but will give it my best 👍

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to swim63]

We will be cheering for you 🥳

[TotalNewbie1 Graduate]

You have described exactly how I felt and then slowly ( and in my case very slowly) it all comes together and the runs are less painful, the breathing becomes normal and the runs are less hard. It was only after quite a few consolidation runs that I actually realised this.

You are doing great and you can do this 🏃‍♀️