Gutted to have failed for first time

[Queenabee]

Started W8R1 this afternoon and gutted with myself for stopping at 23 mins. First time since using the app too. For some reason, I couldn’t get my breathing right today and was sweating buckets. Tired legs meant I was dragging my feet too. Need to pick myself back up again to try again in a day or two 😔

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Never use the word gutted or fail in C25K, put that run down as a practice run, take an extra day off running and run that 28 minute run a little slower than you did today, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, good luck 🤞

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

My top tip is not to let a tough run become too big of a deal. We all have runs that go like that. Sometimes we can look back and find reasons for it. Maybe we’re not at our peak physically for example starting a cold, slept badly, ate too little/too much, dehydrated, etc. Sometimes we start off too fast and run out of puff, or it’s a new route with an en expected hill. Sometimes mentally we’re just not up for it. Sometimes there’s no obvious reason and it’s just one of those things.

It doesn’t make you any less of a runner. You’re just a runner who had a dodgy run and that’s a very large club to be in. Honestly, every single one of us will have had runs that don’t go the way we want and that includes elite athletes.

There will still be positives to be found in that run. Focus on those (for example, you still ran for 23 minutes) and think about how to give yourself the best chance of completing the run next time. No need for the f word! You need at least one rest day before going again. Maybe choose a favourite route. Some good music. Eat well and make sure you’re well hydrated. Think carefully about your pace and focus on staying slow and steady enough to talk in full sentences. There’s absolutely no reason to think that you won’t complete the run next time around. Really good luck to you.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

This FAQ post expands on the theme. healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and may help you identify your less than perfect run.

Heavy legs can be symptomatic of poor hydration. As a runner you need to intake a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Rest up, prepare well and

Enjoy your journey.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Sweating buckets? Really?

And, how would you describe your breathing when you had to stop?

[Queenabee in reply to John_W]

Ok, so I say sweating buckets but what I really mean is sweating more than usual as I do not normally break in to a sweat until I’ve stopped. When I stopped, it took me longer than usual to recover. I was wheezing a little while after the run too so think I may be coming down with a cold or something.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

This is a very useful and arguably necessary experience. Just about everyone has a horrible run somewhere in weeks 7-9 where you are just edging up bit by bit - some of them don't sustain a running motion for the required time (and thus need to do that session again), for others it is just a real slog. And it is the runs which follow this experience that make the runner. There will always be rubbishy runs - there may be obvious reasons which you can change for next time, obvious reasons you can't, or it just happens.

Remember that for our purposes (and many health benefits) we're talking about a running motion - not a particular pace nor distance (you could more or less run on the spot if you are getting desperate). You did the right thing in my view in just stopping rather than stopping and starting as it will reinforce the commitment to doing what it takes to establish the skill of running continuously for 30 minutes.

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same"

You'll be a runner!

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Failed? I don't think so. Eight weeks ago you probably doubted you would even be able to run for 10 minutes. Now 23 feels like failure? No, take it as a mark of progress. Put it down to experience and move on, have a day or 2 resting, refocus and off you gp. Itll be fine 😁

[Queenabee]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words of encouragement and great advice. I guess I need to use this as a learning experience as you say, and understand that not every run is going to be perfect. Resisted the urge to go out today to try again, so will just look forward to tomorrow with a fresh outlook, thanks to you.