Week 6 & had my first struggle!

[dawnchorus1718]

Hi everyone, my first post! But I've been reading a few of yours and it's inspired me, so thank you!

This is my first time doing C25k, I've always been one of those people who insisted they couldn't run. I used to push myself to go to gym classes (last time being 4yr ago before I became a mum for the first time) but fitness has always been a bit of a challenge for me ha. But I am actually really enjoying running and I never thought I'd hear those words come out of my mouth..but being mum to two little ones now, I find it a form of escape and "me time" just getting out the house on my own, doing something for me for a change and feeling the air in my lungs!

I'm feeling so proud of how far I've come however for the first time this week (week 6 run 2) I really struggled and had to walk before I was meant to on both of the 10 min runs. Even tho I managed 20 min the week before?! I didn't have my music which definitely didnt help..hearing my breathing was horrible! and I ran a new unfamiliar route. However, I repeated it yesterday and did it, but I was so breathless by the end & certainly couldn't hold a conversation..I've read some of the links from here and I think I've been running too fast. I have my week 6 run 3 tomorrow...😬 and I'm going to really try and pace myself!

What I really would like is some advice on if I should be doing anything on days between runs.. but I have very little time. I have a demanding 1 &3yr old and work part time. My husband works late shifts 5-6 days a week, so the only time I get to myself is on the morning of my days off when he is home and I go out for my run before he starts work, then it's just me and the kids all day til 11pm. I could maybe spend 10-15min max doing something on rest days while they play but not sure what.

I spend a few minutes doing static stretches after each run. But today (rest day) for the first time I decided to try some strength exercises (squats, lunges etc) however I have had problems with my knees in the past, and I have started to feel a twinge in my knee since doing those exercises this morning, and I'm scared I'll end up injuring myself.

After all this babble, I guess my question is, am I ok just doing the runs and a few min of stretches after each run, and nothing else on the days between?

[joeyg76 Graduate]

It took me a while to learn to pace myself. I would start running to the pace of my music which was too fast and then struggle with being out of breath. I now listen to podcasts when I run which helps to distract me, but also enables me to find a slower pace which suits me. As for days between, I bought myself some resistance bands which are fairly cheap and don’t take up much space. I then found exercises online and use the bands to work on strength. Can do as much or as little as I have time for.

I also love yoga with Adrienne on YouTube, it’s free and she has yoga for all needs and times of sessions. Example there are yoga for runners programmes of 20 minutes +.

[dawnchorus1718 in reply to joeyg76]

Thank you! That's a good point about the music, I had actually kept with the podcasts up til this week then made my own running play list this week with some really up tempo songs and I think I was definitely letting it affect my pace then paying the price! I read this lastnight then did W6R3 today and worked on pacing myself and managed the whole 25mins! Thanks for the advice on the work outs too wil have a look at those 😊

[Lily888 Graduate]

Hello Dawnchorus, my first post too! I think you are doing amazingly well so don't be too harsh on yourself. I think music helps a lot - I run to the beat - so being without it would be tough. But you should not be breathless - I found that I hated running if I was breathless, so make sure you can speak in sentences - I genuinely talk out loud sometimes to check. And slower can mean little steps rather than going in slow motion - keep your cadence high but run tiny little itty bitty steps. I think this might be easier on your knees too. Check out the Japanese slow jogging videos.

I did nothing on the rest days, but if you want to do something, then core work would be useful - apparently you need a strong core for running, and your kids will find it hilarious if you are on the floor doing crunches for 5 minutes.

[dawnchorus1718 in reply to Lily888]

Thanks so much Lily for your kind and motivating words 🥰I watched the slow jog video from a link on here before my run this morning and it definitely helped, if I felt myself getting breathless I slowed and then eventually found a happy pace to keep going at! That's good to know about the smaller steps too wil try that also! Haha yes good idea I haven't done core work for such a long time and this mum tum could definitely do with something! 😬 the kids would probably love it too haha. But good to know if I don't have time for anything on rest days I can still be successful with this program hopefully, like you have! 🤞🏽😊

[Lily888 Graduate in reply to dawnchorus1718]

So glad it was helpful. Let me know how it goes on your next run - there is another person cheering you on now! And don't forget it is a mental challenge - if you are not too breathless, then you can do it. Enjoy your run in the fresh air, and the great feeling afterwards when you have done it.

[dawnchorus1718 in reply to Lily888]

Thank you! I did w7R1 yesterday, honestly 2mins in I felt I can't do this, but I kept going, and it's funny how you feel better not more tired as you keep going sometimes! I think I've got much better at finding my pace, I tried smaller steps too this time as you suggested when I felt I was getting too fast and this also helped. After that I found a nice steady pace for the last half of the run and even found I could push myself for the last 60 secs and finished on a high. Thanks so much for your supportive words! 😊

[Lily888 Graduate in reply to dawnchorus1718]

That's fantastic, Dawn, I am SO pleased for you. Well done. Check in again so I can cheer you on again! It occurred to me to share this link - it's quite long and very American, but I found it very useful, especially on the running technique nerdfitness.com/blog/couch-....