First of all I am so glad I found a forum where I can talk to other people about this!!
So I completed my first week which I was happy about however on my last run I really struggled! I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t run when it notified me to as I didn’t catch my breath in time and was still completely worn out and my legs felt super super heavy. I am stretching before running and every day I drink nearly 2 litres of water so I know I’m doing well with those, I just can’t understand why it’s getting so much harder when I feel like it should be getting easier? I even did the optimised run too and that was difficult!!
I really struggle with motivation and fight a lot with myself internally so the fact that it’s getting harder is making it really hard for me to just get up and do it... and I really really want to lose weight, it’s been holding me back for years and I just need it to go now.
Well done for making a start, you can definitely do this, please don’t get disheartened.
I’m only just done w3 so definitely no expert but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to stretch before you go out, you’re supposed to warm your muscles during your first 5 minute brisk walk.
If you go in the morning do you have a drink before you go too? I have a glass by the bed so that I don’t forget when I get up.
Everyone on here will probably tell you to make sure you are going slow enough - do NOT run, you need to jog and still be able to have a conversation. If anything you are hardly faster than your brisk walking speed.
Watch the YouTube video about Japanese running (sorry I don’t have a link) and just go as slow as you can whilst still being comfortable.
You can do this, some days are harder than others but you’ve done week 1 - how brilliant is that?! 🏅
Hi! I don’t have a glass of water before I go, I do normally take a bottle with me as one time I forgot and gosh that was a bad mistake!! I will drink before I go though if that is something that helps!
That’s interesting to know, I always thought you had to be moving and jogging at quite a fast pace.. I will definitely check that video out!! Thank you for recommending!
Thank you so much, it’s definitely better than not doing anything at all!! How are you feeling after W3? Do you feel like you’re noticing any changes in how easy it is?
Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it!
Hello RubyAlice21! Please don’t be disheartened. You are doing really, really well. I remember in the first weeks my breathing wouldn’t be great, also my legs would feel super heavy. But it DOES improve. Your body is just adapting to doing something different. And as very wisely mentioned by Determined55, you have to go really, really slowly! Do give it a chance, and you will see improvements! 😊💪🏽
To be honest I am just so chuffed at having completed W3! That’s a third of the way!!
I’ve learned so much from this forum. I wasn’t drinking enough but now I try to and I also have a banana before I leave even though I hate eating early. I go as soon as I get up (if I can, after getting teenager up for school, he does delay me sometimes 😫) so that I can’t change my mind.
I’ve tried to focus on what I’ve done rather than what’s coming (though yes I have looked at w4 🤦♀️) and today o asked myself if I could have run for 3 minutes solid three weeks ago and the answer was a resounding NO! It sounds like nothing to some people but I struggled with the 60 seconds in wk1 and by the last one I was ready to give it all up! In some ways it also feels ok to me because you have less runs (so 4 running sections in w3) although they are longer - so it feels like it’s quicker and is much less boring - does that make sense?
I run very slowly which is why I go out on my own. But who am I racing? No one! They key is to run for the time and if that means going slower then that’s better then setting off like a hare and then not being able to finish.
I am resigned to the fact that my 5k will actually be a 3k but it’s better than sitting on the setee!!
When you start w2 you will notice how much you have improved. Keep at it and let us know how you get on? 😁
Most of us average about 3-3.5k on week 9 anyway and then some people speed up later ( I haven’t much 😂)but couch to 3.5k doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. I managed 40mins for my first 5k and I’ve only ever managed to get to 37.42. But I can run and sometimes I can run for over an hour and once I ran for 3 hours 20 minutes. Still really slowly but better than people who don’t run at all.
As you said just go slowly ...and enjoy the actual run. 👍😁🏃♀️
It is such a big accomplishment, you should be so proud of yourself!! It must feel amazing looking back and seeing that you can run those 60 seconds and more!!
I need to start doing that! I always look at the next week and think oh god I don’t know if I can do that, so I need to stick with the day that I’m doing and not jump ahead! And that definitely makes sense!
I think I was definitely pushing myself because I get so self conscious of people looking at me and judging that I’m not running fast enough but to be honest i know it’s a stupid thing to think because I’m doing something good for myself !!
I will definitely keep posting about my journey (hopefully I keep it up) but this forum has definitely urged me on and motivated me so I’m so grateful, thank you so much for responding and sharing your experience, I really really appreciate it 🥰
Also, if you drink before you go you won’t need to take water with you. Unless you have a bottle in each hand you could be imbalanced (unbalanced?) and therefore setting yourself up for an injury. Or so I read on here anyway! 🙃
That’s right. I also read that you shouldn’t need water with you up to at least 10k. If you are properly hydrated and if it’s not really hot. I only started taking water when I went past 15k. And then just small 4” flat square ones I cd slip in my running belt.
Someone actually recommended this to me earlier so I watched it straight away! I’ve just completed my run and did what the video said and found myself actually enjoying it! Thank you for sharing ☺️
Well done for starting and finishing your first week, that is a huge thing to celebrate as starting and turning up for each run is the main component of doing this. What you do on each run is less important in my opinion. Others have given great advice here I'm sure there are things which will make a difference to your next run and the one after that etc.. . If your experience is anything like mine before you know it you'll be running for longer than you ever thought possible and smiling at how big a challenge you've achieved.
I’ve definitely taken on everyone’s advice and just completed a lovely slow run and actually enjoyed it! Starting to think I can do this again which is great after how I’ve been feeling! So glad that you’re enjoying your runs! Thank you for commenting ☺️
1. Run slow, it may feel marginally faster than walking but that doesn't matter. If you cannot read this sentence coherently while running, you are going fast. Slow down.
2. Warm up by doing a few dynamic exercises before the run. Do Not Stretch cold muscles before, do it after the run.
3. Hydrate well and do it daily. The water you drink during those short runs will not enter your system. It will still be sloshing in your stomach by the time you get back. People run marathons without drinking (ok, don't try that stuff yet).
4. Any further questions and queries? You can visit my blog, aimed mostly at beginners (runmrrun.com)
5. You can do this thing. We all have.
6. Have fun & don't look back. A year on you'll be mega proud.
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Disappointed im crippled with stitches what am I doing wrong?
What is wrong with this week?
What is wrong with me?
What am I doing wrong?
not sure what the problem is!
