Can’t run the whole 5 mins

[Peggy1993]

Does anyone find in week 4 that they can’t run the full five minutes and have to stop for breath? I try so hard but I always have to stop!

[Rennur Graduate]

I could do two lots of 5 minutes and then had to do a longer walking interval before restarting again. That is why I repeated Week 4. It is not easy. Keep trying and you will get there. Slow down. If you have to take longer walking breaks just keep repeating them. Eventually it will be more of a mental barrier than a physical one.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

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 out breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Hi Peggy1993, if you’re having to stop for breath it sounds like you’re not taking in enough oxygen as you run. Next time you’re out, try to relax. Also try to get your breathing into a good steady rhythm, nice deep breath in through your mouth (not too quickly) then purse your lips slightly as you exhale. Imagine your body is like a machine and the oxygen your taking on board is your fuel, that way you shouldn’t feel so out of breath 👍🏃‍♀️

Also don’t run too quick, nice slow snails pace.

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Me thinks you are running to fast. If you have to stop for breath, you probably can't speak full sentences while running either and that means you are running too fast. Speed is not important now, building up stamina is. So slow down and then slow down even more. Think snail! You will have a higher success rate running slow than running fast.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

"and have to stop for breath? I try so hard but I always have to stop!"

STOP.

Stop trying so hard.

Instead... S L O W .... D O WN!

Why so fast?

You are NOT meant to be doing a 'workout', getting sweaty and breathless. No, no no.

You are NOT meant to be 'running' ... try JOGGING instead. Nice, easy, relaxed and comfortable. Your breathing is such that you can chat comfortably, and there is no strain on your body at all. You'll finish feeling like you could do it all again.

Sounds impossible? It really isn't . Everyone has *that* pace, it's just a matter of slowing down enough to find it.

2 things for you to watch:

listen to the words of Josh Clark, creator of C25K:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and this

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...(Not working as expected?)