Week 8vRin 1

[Mikeyboy58]

Well today was run 1 of week 8 and I found this the hardest run so far in terms of breathing. My legs and the rest of me felt OK but my lungs 🫁 wanted me to stop at 26 minutes I really had to dig deep to finish but managed to do it. That Park Run is so close I can almost smell it 😀

[Frenc Graduate]

Well done Mikeyboy58 😊. You dug deep and you did it! Best of luck with your next run 🏃‍♂️😁.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Well done for completing the run. Do you consider yourself to be 'running' or 'jogging'?

I'm curious to know what your breathing was like at that 26 minute point ... were you puffing hard? Out of breath? Bent over double at the end, wheezing? If so, then you are going way too quickly.

From your post, it sounds like you are trying to make sure you hit the 5k mark in Week 9 so that you can justify turning up at a parkrun, knowing that you'll be able to do 5k in 30 mins, yes? You're aware that parkrun is 5k regardless of time? Despite the misleading title, the program is a time-based one, not distance - you are asked every session to run (JOG!) for a specific amount of time, not distance. A lot of beginners think that 5k is the target in Week 9 - it isn't.

You should be going at a pace that feels easy and very comfortable ... what's called a 'conversational' or 'chatty' pace. If you do that, then you should finish feeling like you could carry on if you had to - and trust me, that feels great.

Try slowing down and see how it goes. You never know, you might love it

As for 5k, you have all the time in the world ... you are only at the very start of hopefully is a long and happy running journey - Week 9 of C25K is merely the end of the beginning.

[Mikeyboy58 in reply to John_W]

I'm jogging not running. My pace was exactly the same as it has been for the past 3 weeks. I was finding it harder than previous runs but can only put it down to the fact it was very cold. As for the park run I have no goal for a time or when to do one, the fact that I am covering over 4k currently is purely coincidental.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Mikeyboy58]

Hi Mikeyboy58 , you say My pace was exactly the same as it has been for the past 3 weeks. That doesn't rule out the possibility that you're going a bit too fast. The pace you're after is one that lets you speak in full sentences, not just the odd word, as you're running. Also, you should expect your pace to slow as you run for longer. Enjoy completing C25K!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

If your lungs are telling you to stop, it sounds like you’re still going a bit fast. You’re now running for longer so it’s normal that going at a slower pace will be necessary to keep running comfortably for the increased time. It can be harder in the cold, which is another reason to make sure you’re definitely taking it really steady and keeping that conversational pace.

You’re getting close to graduation now! You can do parkrun whenever you’d like to. Just make sure that you’re running for the time that’s right for you and walking the rest. That’s totally fine-you don’t need to wait until you can run a whole 5k. JohnW is absolutely right about the programme ending only being the start of your journey. Who knows where you’ll be in a year! It’s worth spending the time early on to really nail that conversational pace which you’ll need as you continue your running for ages to come.

Good luck for your next run and enjoy your rest day(s). 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

The cold can make a real difference to our running! Many of us wear a Buff that we pull up to help.. I do certainly! I wear a balaclava when it is really bad; it's not the coldness of the air , it dryness ! Maybe if you have a buff or comfy scarf or breathable balaclava to put over your face and mouth it may help as it can help moisten the air as it’s inhaled

Lots of great info' on why it feels harder to run in cold weather, so, just take it gently, You will get there ...

[MutleyShuffle Graduate]

I have just done the same run as you and also found it hard-going towards the end. In my case I chose a flat route (I normally have hills) so I was going faster than normal. But as dear Jo told me in my ear the other day, some runs are harder than others and there isn't always rhyme or reason...

Hope your next run is better 🤞

[Mikeyboy58 in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Glad it's not just me 😀