I’m new here…in Sept 2021 I signed up to run a 10k in April, I then started c25k and got to the end of week 5 and I’m not sure what happened but I stopped. Then the new year rolled round and I realised how little time I had to get to 10k and started c25k again. I’ve now got to the end of week 4 and want to give up…I find it so so hard and don’t enjoy a single minute of it.
Do I quit or keep pushing something I don’t enjoy 😩
I want to enjoy it so much, my husband is a marathon runner and he makes it all look so easy and keeps telling me to push on.
Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.
I suspect that you are trying too hard and sometimes experienced runners are not the best trainers. 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.
Counterintuitively, it is easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.
and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
Ultimately if you don't enjoy it then you won't persist and perhaps something else would be more appropriate for you. If you are comparing yourself to a marathon runner then you are neither being realistic or kind to yourself.
Slow down, relax and remember that C25K was designed to be NO PAIN, NO PAIN as opposed to the old fashioned NO PAIN, NO GAIN......... which really is not much fun.
I've just graduated, so not a pro, but I would say, slow down. Just focus on keeping running when Laura/the app tells you even if it's slower than walking. And try not to compare yourself to marathon husband. Good luck
Lots of people when they start this try to run too fast and may struggle to get their breath , is this an issue or something else?
What made you want to start running in the first place ?
Are those reasons still there ?
As I'm sure you know if your husband runs marathons that it takes time to build up your strength and stamina as a runner and for running to become a habit in your life .
If you have reached week 4 and previously week 5 then you have been doing ok but please don't compare yourself to a marathon runner.
Why not at least stick to it to finish the program and get to the point of running 30 minutes .
It may then still take a period of consolidation for it to become a habit and maybe to start to enjoy it .
That stage cannot be rushed , it takes time .
In sure you are aware of all the benefits running can have
However, only you can decide if you want to do this or not.
If as you say you are hating every minute then it may not be for you ?
A bit of both, mentally once I’m out it’s ok. Physically I’m so unfit when it comes to running…I can walk for several miles at a decent pace with no issues. Running/ jogging is a different game altogether.
I def wouldn’t be able to talk. I don’t stop moving as the app tells me not to stop. But it can take me the whole of the walking segments to get my breath back sometimes, ok most of the time.
sounds like you're still going too fast - slow down so that it feels VERY COMFORTABLE and so that you can talk easily, even if that means your JOG is the same speed or slower than your brisk walk.
"Physically I’m so unfit when it comes to running"
That statement is a bit of a giveaway in my opinion. C25K is for you because it assumes you are coming from the 'couch', i.e. you are UNFIT.
So anyone starting off C25K is 'unfit for running' but the point is that C25K *makes* you fit for running, you just have to trust it.
If you stick with, and run (no ,JOG!) at the correct speed, then you will be pleasantly surprised.
But please do NOT have any expectations that you will be like your husband in the short or medium term. It takes literally years of consistent regular running to get to his level. And be careful of going out running with him - his 'slow' might be your 'too fast'.
Thank you.He just makes it look easy, and I know he’s trying to be helpful but phrases like just “bash out a 30min session” aren’t helpful. It takes a lot for me to keep moving for 30mins.
Agreed - that absolutely is NOT helpful and shows a lack of empathy and understanding for your level, where you're at right now.
You should focus 100% on YOU and not him. Let him bash out his 30 min sessions.
What you need to do is focus completely on C25K and on being SLOW and above all... COMFORTABLE - however slow (pace) that it is.
If you can, maybe look for a local running group that has different levels of ability - some of complete beginners., novices and maybe even C25K groups. Maybe a women's running group - have a search on Facebook or Google in your area.
You need to try and disassociate yourself from what he's doing. There's little point in taking advice from him. Do YOUR thing and make it work for you.
- you head out for a 30 minute 'sesh' - 5 mins of brisk walk warm-up, then 20 minutes of very light jogging, which feels very easy, little or no effort and you're not 'pushing' in any sense. You finish feeling like you could easily have carried on if you had to. Now it's your 5 minute cool down walk.
You come through the front door glowing, not out of breath and ready for whatever the day has to throw at you.
Your husband sees you and wonders why you're not knackered ... "there's no way you did a 20 minute run, you don't look tired enough!"
You look at him and smile politely , go into the kitchen, make yourself a cuppa and sit down at the table feeling very smug and rather delighted at what you've just achieved and now you can't wait for Week 6
YES... that is all possible! You just need to go slowly enough!
My husband can get up and run, even when he hasn’t done so for months but, I’m not him, I’m new to this and I run on my own as I become disheartened when I see how easy it is for him. I agree with the others, listen to the C25K instructions and see this as ‘your thing’ and achieve it your way. I didn’t love running either but, loved the way I felt and achievement after end of each session. Good luck
I really adored my late husband but I ran with him only once, it was humiliating and demoralising. he thought it would help me but didn't. I ran alone happier, with Jo Whiley as more helpful and kind accompaniment. be kind to yourself and you are more likely to enjoy it xx
Well John I’m not so sure about your statement about C25k assumes your getting off the couch to run 25k so you must unfit.I started the C5k last October I completed week 1 twice cause I didn’t want to rush it then just finished week 2 for the first time and was amazed I was enjoying it. Then hey presto my achilleas tendon in my left leg gave up .
I’ve been hobbling around for 4 months visiting the sports physio weekly.
His advice was the app does not take in consideration your age or weight so is not for everyone.
When I started my (first) journey on C25K 2 years ago, I was horrified at how difficult I found it. I have two dogs, one's a collie/husky Cross who doesn't like to stop!!!, and walked miles with them every day. So I was shocked when I found running soooo hard and also that my running pace is roughly the same as/slower than my walking pace. Perhaps that also might have unsettled you a little and you expected more from yourself?Good luck on your journey, you do this for you, and smile while you're doing it 😊
When I did C25K I too, could walk quickly and for miles and enjoyed it every time 🚶♀️. However, my sister ran long distances and often for charity and I thought how lovely it would be to run a 10k race together 🏃♀️🏃♀️.
So I started C25K. It took me about 5 months to get to 5k as the program progressed too fast for little old, unfit me (even when trotting slower than I could walk🐌) , so I repeated either runs or weeks. But I got there and am now using a prolonged Magic Plan method to get to 10k and am nearly there!💃
I can't really say I always enjoy it that much, but it makes me feel better in my head and body and things seem wrong when I don't run. I know I should be doing more strength work in between running to make it easier, but though I keep telling myself to do that, I don't often get round to it!! But I will.....🤭
So, you may decide to cancel or postpone your 10k race to next year, or maybe you can 'walk/run' it or sign up again IF you want to.. Your reasons for doing it are probably still there. Have a go at C25K, slow RIGHT down, be kind to yourself and if you really still hate it you can give up. Try something else. But I reckon that in your heart you want to continue and at least get to that 5k- the feeling of elation when you hit that target is worth all the ups and downs of the journey 😃. Good luck !!
My husband runs, he goes much further than I have ever been, and although he greatly annoys me at times (😊) if he ever asks about one of my runs it's never how far or how fast. He might ask if I saw anything interesting whilst I was out, or comment on how early I went out.
It's your run it might be a slow shuffle or it might not. It doesn't matter.
It's a great opportunity to clear your mind and not every run is great, on the whole though, AFTER every run feels good.
Have a read through the FAQ Posts, which cover a range of topics healthunlocked.com/couchto5... including breathing and pacing and it may help you see why you are at a very different point in your training to your husband. What works for him is not appropriate for a new runner.Take the pressure off to hit any pace or cover any distance, run for fun and enjoy your environment.
I don't think it is too late for you to discover the joy of running.
It's maybe hard for someone who makes running marathons seem easy to relate to someone who cannot. I have no doubt your husband means well though.I started C25K over five years ago, and I still pant, gasp, lurch and shamble as I run and always will I have never been able to do 5k in 30 minutes, and you could probably have walked the one marathon I have managed to do faster
However - I am having a blast For me, running is about more than just "being fitter, healthier, decent times etc. etc" It has released me from boredom, gives all important "just me" time, has led to lots of fun sights and encounters, I enjoy the athmosphere on the Start Line of events and the thrill of crossing a Finish Line, I travel more to get to events, enjoy greatly the rapport and friendships on this Forum and basically I have something "to do" rather than wander around the house aimlessly or slump on the sofa watching ultimately pointless TV
Run for you. Not someone else. By that I mean - find YOUR definition of fun, focus on YOUR definition of achievement, measure yourself ONLY against yourself. Then you can decide if or if not, for you, whether its worth doing or not
And if something you don't HAVE to do isn't fun on at least SOME level - well, then its some kind of punishment and that would not be a healthy thing to undertake.
Wishing you many happy miles in your future, be it running or walking or cycling or whatever is enjoyable and healthy for you
I think Irish-John has made us all smile at some point in our journeys and rescued many of us from taking things too seriously! I do hope you find your joy in running as it really can change your life. But then again, I'm sure cycling or swimming can too (and probably even the luge... though I'm not quite sure I can see how!!).
I've been running since last June and only managed 5k three times, with a fastest time of 49 minutes. However, for me this is fine, I enjoy shuffling along three or four times a week and don't feel the need to chase times or distances. I'm even considering the possibility of a Parkrun in the Spring once I get back to regular running post Covid but I'm still pretty flat with post viral fatigue, but that's OK too 😁
Hidden do what makes you happy. Slow right down and embrace your joffle ☺️ If you complete C25k and you are still not feeling it, then perhaps look at another form of exercise. Whatever you chose to do, the most important thing is to do it for you 🙏
Sounds like it's all about 'pushing'! Aiming for a 10k quite quickly and living with a marathon runner is perhaps just too much pressure.Everyone here will suggest slowing right down, taking it a bit easy on yourself and trying to enjoy it! It really is the only way. It isn't meant to be a struggle, but a challenge, in a good way.
Agreed. I signed up for a marathon last January and then, quite literally, didn't run again until this January. The goal was too big and I felt like I was already failing from the start. Failure isn't very motivating!
When you find your comfortable pace, challenge your man to run as slowly as you. I'll bet he won't be able to for long. It'll either be physically uncomfortable for him, or he'll get bored.
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
It took three attempts before I could complete C25K. On the first attempt I barely completed week 1, finishing it feeling physically sick.
Take things slower. Don't "push". Ignore the resident marathon runner: he's forgotten what it's like to start from the couch.
I found week 4 hard too. Week 5 was actually easier!
What an awesome outpour of support from everyone! We are all rooting for you, no matter how unfit you believe yourself to be. Congratulations on reaching week 4, there’s no problem with repeating a week if you need to. Running is running no matter how slow you go! You can do this 💪
Firstly, forget about the 10k. It's way too much pressure at this point. Secondly, forget about your husband making it look easy, this is your journey not his (anyway, if you ask him, he'll probably tell you it wasn't easy in the beginning!). It's going to feel hard at this point, you're trying to do something you've never done before. It's taken me 3 years from starting c25k before I can genuinely say I enjoy it, and I only really kept at it because the pandemic closed all the swimming pools. Why not start a virtual challenge? You'd need a watch of some sort and an app like Strava, but each run/walk you do along your c25k journey will add up and you can see how much you're doing and feel like you're working towards something. You'll get your 10k, just a bit at a time. Good luck, we've all been where you are now. It's hard but it's so rewarding.
Saying the same as everyone else, slow down, then slow some more. Being out for a sustained period, very slowly, is more important than goals. Looking forward the Couch to 5k aims to get you running for 30mins, this is not 5k. Very few people manage 5k in 30 mins to begin with. As a rough guide when you complete the program you will be running for 30 mins the next step is to achieve 5k which will take around 40 mins. Then build up to running for 60 mins at which point you will achieve 5k at 35 mins, slow and steady. Think about mindfulness when running and connect with your surroundings. The seasons, the hills the wildlife, each other here. Setting race goals sounds very marathon runner. You do you, slowly
I would keep going, i found middle weeks hard, but kept going - slowly! - and now actually enjoy it, i feel disappointed if I miss Parkrun. 10k is a big step up from 5k, so I couldn't comment on tha but 5k is doable so do keep on x
Do live somewhere more flat or hilly? When I started out, I had to change my route after a few days after realising that running up a particularly steep incline every run left me gasping for breath.
I live between the South Downs and the sea. So it’s a bit of a mixture, I normally run from home but maybe I need to mix it up and go along the beach!?
I live between the South Downs and the sea too, I find the seafront path often too busy to enjoy and the Downs too steep although run there every so often, we run round a park track or along the river and sometimes I go out the door and run round the streets, finding different routes and looking at different front gardens, slowing down is the best advice you’ve had, I wear headphones and if I can sing along to music I need to go a little faster but if I can only talk the words it’s just right, small steps, slow as you can, remember we can all run on the spot so you don’t need to go far. I’m lazy, but as long as I’m running and my breathing isn’t labour ed then I come home smiling.
I’ve completed c25k twice, once to start and once to support a friend, both times found week 4 the biggest challenge
Please don't give up. And don't think that because it suggests it can be done in nine weeks that's achievable for everyone. I'd suggest repeating weeks until you feel ready to progress to the next level. And don't feel bad if one run is a disaster and you give up half way through (as I have done on occasion). There's always another day. I wish you the very best of luck.
Hiya, I think you’ve put too much pressure on yourself. You need to enjoy it first and foremost.I have completed C25K and am going to attempt a 10k in October….. and I am nowhere near to doing that yet.
I had a few doubts lately but have decided to start “jeffing” this is where
you run and walk at intervals. I bought a “gymboss” that beeps when I need to walk/run. It is brilliant. You set up the intervals you want, I’m doing 5 minutes running and 45 seconds walking.
Seriously, life’s too short to be stressed before you’ve even left the house.
Good Luck, hope you continue, but only if you’re smiling leaving the house.
Don't give up!! Your husband has clearly been running for ages, and like anything, the more you do the better you get. I see gazelles, effortlessly running km after km, whilst I look somewhere between a radish and a tomato within a few minutes as I lumber along. But.. you know what?! I don't care - I do this for me. I have achieved so much more than many.
I bought some new shoes in December and went to a running shop for a gait analysis - bit scary, as I'm not a gazelle, and gave a slightly apologetic outline of my running history. The guy was so enthusiastic, especially as I'd completed my first ever 10k just days before. I was all a bit "I'm not very good, and I'm not very fast, and I'm really a bit rubbish", but his response was more along the lines of "you're running and you're amazing". Just remember that you are running, and you are amazing too.
You are on the same road as your husband, but on a totally different journey, so focus on you and your achievements. Oh. and get good socks. I love good socks.. 😁
Thank you. Getting my gait done was daunting, my husband made sure I had decent shoes and socks (who knew the socks were so important 😂 ) before I started out again.
Here is a 74 year olds advice, what work for me. Don't beat yourself up take it slow, real slow. Don't measure yourself against other people this is your run and no one else's. Good luck.
Hi, definetly don't give up, looks like everyone who has posted has offered great advice and it seems like slowing down is the key. I hope your have fun on your next run and keep going 🙂
I'm sure your husband means well but..... . I took up running 4 years ago and just short of my 60th birthday. Have to say that at times it was a struggle. Best advice I had was from one of our children. " Dad, why are you running so hard?" So I slowed down and after a few runs I began to enjoy it and gradually, run. by run I got fitter and it became easier and my pace very gradually increased. Most importantly I got addicted and it is for me! There are also family benefits as when I am being a grumpy old man, a 30 minute run in the countryside turns me into much more pleasant company. Other family benefits is just the joy of occasionally running with my children. Still cant believe that happens
Take care, slow down and concentrate on enjoying it. If you can find somewhere pleasant to run, so much the better.
Don't stop, maybe the fact your pushing yourself for a 10k run is to much, and comparing yourself to your husband who has been doing this a lot longer is not helping. Taking away that stress and finding your own limits is what it's all about.
This is your journey not your husband's! Definitely slow it down, run somewhere where there's lots to see to take your mind off the running and enjoy the sights, smile at everyone....and dogs!
Hi there, I think it would be true to say that I endured a lot of C25K, rather than enjoyed it, but every so often I would feel a real sense of elation as I was running, pure euphoria. It used to make me laugh when I was overtaken by somebody walking, that’s how slow some of my runs were, but as long as I didn’t stop during the running time I felt fine.I graduated still mostly finding it a slog. It was only when I progressed through the magic plan to 10K and ran for 60 minutes non stop that I realised I could really enjoy the process as well as the high of completing a run.
Everybody will tell you to run more slowly but it’s your slowly not anybody else’s- certainly not your husband’s. I have run a 10K and the sense of achievement is fantastic, but running longer distances taught me just how slow my slow running had to be.😬 Hope all the advice on the forum helps and that you keep running and graduate. Good luck 👍
Firstly, what everyone else says about slowing down.Secondly, men....
Men are build differently to women as you've probably noticed. They are generally taller and their legs swing differently on their hips, something to do with the shape of the pelvis. If they carry weight it tends to be in the middle. They have more muscle and less fat. All this, and a lot of other details, adds up to allow them to generally run faster than women.
Then there are the societal pressures. Men are encouraged to be athletic, women are encouraged to be decorative (yeah, right, lol). Lots of men do sport as a matter of course. Your husband has been running since the year dot. Of course he's 'better at it' than you, he's had lots more practice.
So don't even think about comparing your running to his!!! It's just not a fair comparison.
Instead you have to think about what you'd like your running to be. I had a Eureka moment about a third of the way through C25K. As I gritted my teeth, hating every second, I thought 'some people do this for fun, why?' Then I concentrated on that 'why' and started looking for reasons to enjoy the experience. I was out, alone with my thoughts, on a beautiful day in a lovely place. I held that thought. I was running, probably only for a few minutes at that time, something I never thought I could do. I built on those positives.
Whether we enjoy most things is a matter of choice, whether it's opera, cold water swimming, rock n roll or the novels of Dostoevsky. Not all of us enjoy all or any of those things, but unless we approach them with an open mind and a positive attitude we never will. Running is like that too, it really is possible to decide you're going to like it but first you need to accept that this will be because of your reasons to like it not your husband's or anyone else's.
Hi Chapman,Gosh you have had lots of very supportive and smart replies, sounds like everyone is behind you in your choices whichever they may be.
The only thing I can add is think of your future self . Everything I do is for my future self . Health, happiness and balance. When I am really not in the mood my better half reminds me why I ventured back into fitness - for my future self. It kinda helps me re-focus.
It may not help you but I thought I would reply in case it does help
Ps - I would never had achieved my current level of running and fitness without this great bunch on here. I have even started attending yoga classes with my wife. This has improved our fitness and put more glue in our marriage - win win.
It felt fab…I made sure I ran slower which I’ll admit was odd at first but I soon started to feel the benefit of running slower. I’m so glad I went out again. Next run Friday morning ☺️
Wow! Fabulous. Of course you did it! I'm glad all the comments helped you. Just one run at a time - slow and steady, with no grand plans other than to finish the programme is the way to go at this. Please hang on to that! You'll do just great! 🤗
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