Hi everyone this is my first post here. A bit nervous as I don’t usually post in forums but think I need to in this.
Last night was my 2nd run of week 2 and at the end I was really struggling. On the last run I nearly gave up. I don’t know if it’s the route I’m doing but for time wise it’s perfect and gets me back home but on the last 2 runs it’s quite a big incline and really struggling.
I have just turned 40 and I honestly have not run since I was at school so certainly not fit. I have a few medical conditions like type1 diabetes and psoriatic arthritis which I take medications for both. I’m also shielding at the minute and struggling with my head. With doing the homeschooling for my youngest and wife just broken her hand I feel like I have the weight of the world on me and struggling with that also. That’s why I have started to run so I can clear my head and get a little break for myself.
I will carry on with this route tomorrow night but just looking for advice and see if maybe for week 3 if I make it maybe try and do a slightly flatter route. I also feel my pace is not very good and should be doing better.
Sorry for the rambling post and hope to hear back with some useful tips to keep me going.
Paddy
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Paddyg85
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Thank you I will. I will do the same course tomorrow just so I can see if I have progressed and then plan a different route next week with the longer runs in mind. The hill I run up doesn’t seem bad in a car. Haha
Hi there, and well done for starting, that’s an achievement in itself. The programme is just a guide, it’s not a test, we’re all different and all of us have had very different experiences, not least our experiences before undertaking this!
Right now, I wouldn’t worry about it, you’re doing fantastic, pace doesn’t matter, what does matter is you are getting out, getting some space and ‘you’ time. The right pace is your pace.
Don’t worry if you need longer or want to repeat runs,I found three runs a week too much, I got overuse injuries - considering, like you, I hadn’t run since school and started this in my late 40’s , that’s really no surprise!
I took ages to ‘graduate’ and I continued on two runs a week - and went up to half marathon distance (quite sone time later, I have to say 😂)
Keep going, and keep posting here, this is a very supportive forum, you’re doing great 👍
Thank you for your support. It is difficult, the thing is I really don’t feel my age in my head but my body telling me different. Yes I might repeat runs and if I struggle next week with the longer runs I can go back to week 2. I am thinking the hill at the end is a killer though even though I dont think it’s that steep but not running and not being fit I think im being ambitious at this point with the route.
The last week has helped with my head and listening to Ant Middleton zero negativity on the way round clears my head.
I'd say that your pace looks pretty good considering that a lot of the time is still walking at the moment - in fact it's probably too good and you want to slow the running down a bit. I found W2 the hardest so far (I'm only up to the end of W4) as I was just trying to go too fast. To survive the longer runs you'll have to slow down, and I found that doing that allowed me keep plodding along fairly comfortably.
I've found that at a slow pace, slight hills are ok (I found somebody's comment to keep equal effort, not equal pace, useful), but large hills just adds to the mental challenge! If you can't find a flatter route, perhaps turn around before the hill and go backwards and forwards a bit, and then use the uphill for your cool down walk! I must have looked like a wally on the early weeks because there's only enough flat ground here for about 90s jogging, so I spend half an hour going over the same bit constantly! But it helped.
Keep going, the boost of achieving it will be worth it
Thanks Devon, yes maybe I am going to fast. Reversing the route does not sound a bad idea as coming back the other way the gradient isn’t so bad. I will do the same tomorrow though just so I can judge if I’ve improved and then next week reverse it as I will be running for longer.It’s good to know I’m not alone in my struggles.
If you're going to reverse it completely, just be careful about running down steep hills too. I tried doing that early on and I think it contributed to shin and other leg problems that I've had. I tried just leaving longer between runs to recover but have now had to admit defeat and take a couple of weeks off, and I trace it all back to one steep downhill section that I ran. Your legs might be much better placed than mine were, but just take care.
great job, you did not give up.. everyone will say slow down, is it that simple yes! when it gets really tough then slow it down.. this is not a race but preparation to last longer. Inclines will make it tougher, so again slow it down. make sure you grab every bit of air available in to your lungs.
Do not worry about your pace, this is for post graduation. there is no medal for fastest week 2 run. Just a reward of completing it. That is reward enough.
I would look for a flatter course, that will always make it easier.
Why are our wives always right!! Great idea reversing it. Maybe run 1 and 3 reversed and run 2 for a challenge!!! The best thing is your thinking about it and finding ways to improve. Looks like you've got your plan. You are ready for your next run.
Well done on starting c25k, definately avoid hills if you can, i still do, 5 months later 🥵 like everyone says, slow down, have a look at the japanese slow jogging video on you tube, really helped me, about week 3/4 of the programme. Please dont give up, running is so good for you physicaly, but probably more mentaly, and sounds like will help you at the moment, so keep going, slowly! 🏃♂️🏃♂️
Hey Paddy. Well done for getting off the couch! There’s nothing I have found that is better for your mental health than running! I’m on medication for depression and find it so liberating that for the first time in years I am considering reducing my dosage. I am 46 and was very overweight so I’ve had to repeat and repeat weeks to build up my fitness. At first I was discouraged but then realised any run is better than no run so just kept going. This morning I completed run 1 of week 8 but it has taken me a long time to get this far. Others will zip through the plan, there was no way I could! I have lost 30lbs and am the happiest I’ve ever been!
Could you do your route in reverse so you start with the incline? Remember to watch your pace...it’s a very very gentle jog, no more than that. Also I just couldn’t do road running. I hated it. I switched to a local forest and haven’t looked back. I can’t always see the road ahead as I take different tracks which I find very motivating plus it’s softer underfoot so there was less stress on my joints.
Keep going and remember if you need to repeat a run or a full week there’s no shame in that. Good luck!!!!!
Hi golden, I have found with the 5 nights of running it has helped me with my thinking.Definitely going to reverse it next week with the longer running but tomorrow I’ll give it another crack with the same route but just slow down a little.
I have thought about repeating weeks so will see how the first run next week pans out.
Doing hills right at the beginning of the plan is tough!- save them for later when you've built up more stamina - the plan will definetely get you there but you need to be kinder to yourself right now- especially as it sounds like your head is going to burst! 😱 Go 'snail slow' on the flat somewhere - finding a different route near home is always exciting and invigorating - even if you have to drive 3 minutes to get there!- just that small distance from home will put you in a different headspace mentally - you'll definetely get there, keep posting and let us know!
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