Week 3, complete beginner!

[SingingSal11]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on here I have recently started and I’ve just completed W3, run 1 this afternoon. I was dreading the 3 minute runs, but I managed them (just). I feel like I still can’t regulate my breathing properly, especially breathing inwards. It’s fast and there’s no way I could hold a conversation with anyone. I am thinking I should maybe slow down a bit, but I’m also conscious that I’m only doing around 3k per run at the moment and would like to increase that. Any tips appreciated thank you!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Hi, welcome to the forum and the program .First of all take a look at the program guide .

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Its full of really usefull information to help you through the program .

The best way to regulate your breathing is to run slowly, if you can't speak full ungasping sentences while you run then your running too fast !

Forget about the fact your covering around 3k, it's completely irrelevant !

This is a time based program , that's more important than distance .

Running slowly at a conversational pace is the best way to build your strength and stamina , all this and more will be explained in the guide , so keep it slow , then slow down a bit more, relax and enjoy !

[SingingSal11 in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you very much. I will definitely try that Friday and see if it helps.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Enjoy your journey.

[Poppdog Graduate]

Welcome to the forum when I felt out of control with by breathing I would make sure I wasn’t going too quick and count on the in and out breath to 5. Focussing on breathing by counting made me very conscious of it and also distracted me from worrying about time

[Janec1956 Graduate]

Hi, I have just completed W5R3 ☺. Following advice on this amazing forum I run slowly, very 🐌 pace. I too thought I had to cover more distance but I only manage to cover just over 2 k but I am happy with that, I can improve over time. I can breath and hold a conversation. As many experienced runners here will tell you at this point, distance is irrelevant. Concentrate on building up your stamina. Week 3 is early in the programme. Take it slow and steady, speed will come eventually 👍🙂 good luck on your journey 😊

[dory950 Graduate]

Well done for a great start . Don’t stress how far you are going all you need is to slow down and you will get your breathing under control and the distance will increase the stronger you get 😊. It’s a great program so carry on 1 run at a time and take the rest days.