5 runs of week 3 and my lungs still feel like they're exploding...

[Cazabees]

I'm wanting to move onto week 4 now but not sure if it's a clever idea? I've done 5 runs of week 3 now (I skipped weeks 1 and 2 as they weren't feeling beneficial) And even though I'm recovering better with each run the final 3 minute run still kills me every single time. I'm left feeling a blubbery heaving sweaty mass!

I know they're supposed to be challenging but surely not to the point that my lungs feel really sore? Should I take the risk and do week 4 anyway as I don't want the benefits of running to plateau

Any advice greatly appreciated!

[bethisrunning]

I think you are prabably ready to move on if you can complete the times, everyone finds it difficult. Have you tried just slowing down a bit? I used to get that lungs exploding things when I used to cycle up a crazy large hill, it seemed like my muscles were just working to hard.

I would move up but just take it easy, go slow, focus on breathing - if you find you are in a lot of pain take a break for a couple of days and try again. Good luck!

[Minuette Graduate]

Maybe you could try doing week 1 and then onto week 2 before doing week 4 or even week 3 again? I think the programme is meant to build up gradually so maybe you'll cope better going back to the beginning?

I know it may feel like a step backwards but in the long run (pardon the pun!) you'll probably benefit

[ribena-berry Graduate]

I can totally empathise with you Cazabees. I started the C25K back in Oct and managed to finish week 6, but then Christmas, alcohol and parties got in the way!

Decided to start all over again in Jan, but jumped straight back in at week 4 and it was really tough to start with. Couldn't believe how unfit I'd got in just over a month. Then, somehow, over the past few weeks something changed & my legs and lungs don't seem to hate me quite so much after each run. I finished week 9 mid Feb and have been trying to up my time since then. Running 5km in 32mins-ish now.

I would keep going if I was you, you're finishing each run which is brilliant.... and you can always repeat a run if you don't manage it all. (I ran week5r2 twice....... trying to put off the dreaded w5r3).

And definitely follow Bethisrunning's advice and slow down. It's become my mantra as I puff along 'slow down, slow down'.......

[didntrunthat Graduate]

If you are able to finish week 3, then the only thing that may be stopping you from moving on to week 4 is fear of failure. Slowing down is great advice, something I didn't understand until the 20 minute run.

If you really are unsure, I would recommend considering starting at week 1, although it may seem too easy, the programme is designed to build you up gradually, this is for many reasons. Lung capacity was something that I felt a big difference in over the first few weeks, even though my legs felt like they could manage more. I decided to run every other day rather than three times a week and got through the programme slightly quicker than 9 weeks, if this is another motivation for you starting at week 4?

[Cazabees]

Hi everyone, thank you very much for your advice. I think your right in the sense that I'm probably putting off starting week 4 - yes it will be tough but I'm finishing week 3 well now so I doubt it will be benefitting me for much longer, so time for a new challenge!

I totally agree with the slowing down - its difficult because I always want to out-do myself more than the run before, but I guess that's why I'm getting the exploding lung feeling. I'll remind myself to slow down and see how I do

Thanks for all the advice again - I shall be starting week 4 tonight!