Week 8 failure and success!

[SolNaveen]

I’m starting to struggle a little, week 7 seemed easy, but week 8 has been blooming difficult, run 2 was a nightmare, I had to keep slowing down to be able to complete the 28 mins. Today’s run has been on my mind since Wednesday, it ended up being a road run, which was quite slow but I did kind of feel ok, well apart from hating hills and the cold weather!

week 9 and 30 mins are stressing me out already. I’m still short of the 5k but not hugely off, I’ll need to shave around 3 or 4 mins .

Anyway sorry for the rambling, needed to vent.

have a great weekend!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

For goodness sake! Haven't you read the guide? If it's hard work slow down, very few people ever get to 5k in 30 minutes, I never will, it's not supposed to have you stressing out

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

It happens to most of us! I was such a slow learner and I ran the whole programme like a sprint until I graduated and finally learned the joys of running at a comfortable pace where I could also breathe….

It’s a process. You’re doing great and having to slow your pace to complete the longer runs is totally normal. Nobody could run a marathon at the same pace as a 5k. It takes practice to find your comfy groove at the start so you feel good at the end. I started to get tired around week 7 and the continuous runs felt like a grind. It’s totally ok to take an extra day(s) to recover if you need it. You’ve absolutely got it in you to make it to the end. It’s just a case of adjusting your mental picture of what that looks like. You don’t need to cover 5k-this is just a timed programme.

Really good luck!

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏 Please don’t stress out! Running is supposed to be anti stressful ! If you are struggling it’s because you are running too fast!! Slow down and enjoy your runs! Many of us after graduating run 5k eventually, but few of us ever run it in 30mins!!! I never have!

Start very slowly especially the first 10mins when your body muscles and lungs are adjusting from walking to running then move into a slightly faster pace . If towards the end you have something more to give then step it up!

Running is a gift to enjoy, the hills and cold weather make us stronger mentally because they are a challenge to deal with. Hope it goes well. Let us know!!

[John_W Graduate]

Well done!

BUT... please note that despite the catchy name, the objective of the program is to be able to run (JOG!) for 30 minutes continuously, 3 times in Week 9 - that's it.

*NO* distance is ever specified.

Doesn't matter if it's 2 or 5 km - you graduate regardless.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You have had some advice... you just take it slow and steady.. do check out my reply top Thejogger too... this is structured plan to get you running for 30 minutes comfortably and injury free...

Just run it and enjoy it

[OldManRunning Graduate]

As I said on another post C25k is a catchy misnomer. The programme is really about getting you active, healthy and happy AND getting you running for 30 minutes. The 5k will come in time and maybe the 5k in 30 minutes too but staying injury free, enjoying and smiling is most important 😁 Good luck

[John_W Graduate]

If it was up to me, I'd lobby very strongly for a rename to either:

"Couch to 30" (C-2-Three-Oh)

OR

"Couch to 3k"

[SolNaveen Graduate]

Thanks for the advice. Managed to breeze through run 1 on week 9, I slowed down a touch and concentrated on the breathing. It massively helped. 2 more runs then park run next weekend👍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to SolNaveen]

That’s a brilliant update! Really well done. 👏