W2 R3 - Not great!: Very disappointed tonight... - Couch to 5K

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W2 R3 - Not great!

jlow profile image
jlowGraduate
11 Replies

Very disappointed tonight, set off all keen, maybe too keen, in my haste forgot to use my inhaler and was struggling to breath on just the brisk walk. Found the first 90 seconds a struggle then had to stop and walk through the second 90. I sorted my wheezy breathing out during the extra walk and did manage to complete the rest. Now I don't know if I should do tonights again on Friday and start W3 on Sunday or put it down to an off day and start W3 Friday!

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jlow
Graduate
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11 Replies

Keep going! I've had terrible problems with my breathing through the whole process, and a bout of pneumonia. I was at your stage in November last year, and taking so much salbutamol to run that my heart would race for hours, and having to abandon runs after 200m because I was coughing so much. After one of these episodes I walked into my GP's, got my peak flow checked and was prescribed becotide, and told not to expect it to work immediately. I have taken every day since, and it has helped so much.

One of the things that opened my eyes was watching a friend play football. He is very fit, can run 5k in under 20 minutes, and regularly cycles hundreds of kilometers. Within minutes of being on the pitch he was breathing hard, and red in the face, and I realised that being breathless when you exercise is part of the deal.

I did have an episode last week of struggling a bit to get my breath out when I was running, and it was useful to be reminded of what is asthma, and what is exercise.

Take the programme slower if you need to (I repeated many weeks, especially around 4 and 5 until i felt comfortable), talk to your doctor and ask for advice. You will get there.

jlow profile image
jlowGraduate in reply to

Thanks Delores, I have decided to do the W2 run again on Friday and then start W3 all bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning :-)

Dolohen profile image
Dolohen

Hi, I did my 1st w3 session tonight (yey!) I found it quite a step up as you have to run for 3 minute intervals (twice) - I'm no expert, but I'd say that it might be worth doing another w2 session before you move on to w3.

Good luck whatever you decide to do & take care x

jlow profile image
jlowGraduate in reply to Dolohen

Thanks Dolohen, I have decided to do the W2 run again on Friday and then start W3 all bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning :-)

Vivwestie profile image
VivwestieGraduate

You did it though, didn't you?

Despite your breathing problems, you got through it. Keep going. Pace yourself, do what feels right for you, but keep going.

jlow profile image
jlowGraduate in reply to Vivwestie

Thanks Vivwestie, I have decided to do the W2 run again on Friday and then start W3 all bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning :-)

pingle profile image
pingleGraduate

Don't forget that even if you have a bad run you are still lapping everyone still on the couch! Seriously though we all have the odd bad day when things just don't work out. You did most of the run and only struggled because you'd forgotten your inhaler so you'd probably be fine with W3 but if you would prefer to repeat a run that's fine too. Very few of us get through to the end of week 9 without repeating a run or two or even a whole week. My 'week 9' was something like week 16! The main thing is to hang in there, don't panic and try again. There are quite a few graduates who have asthma so it might be worth looking at blogs with the asthma tag for encouragement. Good luck :-)

jlow profile image
jlowGraduate in reply to pingle

Thanks Pingle, I have decided to do the W2 run again on Friday and then start W3 all bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning :-)

Pat184 profile image
Pat184Graduate

Hi Jlow, Pingle is right, you did it. Week 3 run will be on Saturday when you can do it in the morning and you will be fine. I know you prefer the morning runs. Mom :-)

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate

Sorry to hear it was a struggle for you Jlow. I think you should do what you think is right for you and how you feel Friday or whenever you next run. There is no harm in repeating the run but you could try W3 and be quite pleasantly surprised by the result!

I think your mum is right and go out again on Saturday morning which you prefer to the evenings.

I have left 2 days between W2R2 and R3 and so will be running it tonight with W3R1 on Saturday....I think its nice to actually start a new week on a weekend morning when I feel more relaxed, re-energised and havent had to cope with a day at work first!

Good luck and I will be looking out for your next blog!

jlow profile image
jlowGraduate in reply to SBG356

Thanks SBG356, I have decided to do the W2 run again on Friday and then start W3 all bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning :-)

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