Week three.

Hi all. Good to see this facility here. This is a great programme and I've been dying to talk about it.

I've done 2 sessions of week three so far. I've found it quite hard actually. I found weeks 1 and 2 relatively easy. This seems to be unusual?

My calves feel like concrete after the first 90 second run, and although I'm pleased to say I can complete it, the 3 minute runs are a bit hellish. Mainly the calves and stitches seem to be the problem. I maintain optimistic though.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? I'm starting to worry about week 4 as I believe it contains some long runs?

[Chewy]

Hi James, I think the main thing is that the programme works which sounds rather clichéd but it really does. I'd like to say that it gets easier but I haven't found that yet; however, you do get better at coping with it which is a result of you getting fitter I guess.

Good luck with your next runs.

[Hidden in reply to Chewy]

Thanks Chewy. I suppose if it was getting easier, it would be doing less good.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Drink a couple of glasses of water before you run, that should avoid stitches. In my experience my calves "relaxed" around week 3. Happy Running James!

[Hidden in reply to DeliaItaly]

Thanks Delia,

I shall try that. I'm not good enough at drinking water. If I can sort these two things, I'll be off like a shot.

[ca66ie99 Graduate]

I have struggled with stitches at times. As Chewy mentioned, it sounds like a cliche but I really couldn't do more than run for a bus at the start of the programme but 9 weeks later (a week on holiday was never going to count !!) I am on W8 and have managed to run for 28 mins.

I promise you that I have never run that long in one go in my life and I simply didn't think I would be able to do it. Some of the weeks are daunting, it hasn't gotten easier for me but the sense of achievement after finishing a difficult week is awesome.

Just take it run by run, if you find a week really hard then simply repeat the week before, there is no shame in that, be proud you've started it and youre no longer just the 'couch' part !!

[Hidden in reply to ca66ie99]

Thanks for that. It's a lot about self belief I guess. Yes, its great to be on week three. Even though it can be hard, I really look forward to running now. It used to be my idea of hell.

[swanscot Graduate]

Doing adequate stretches after a run should prevent them stiffening up, so they are not so tight for your next run.

Take 10 mins to do the stretches here: runnersworld.co.uk/staying-...

[Hidden in reply to swanscot]

Thanks Swanscot. I'll definitely try those stretches.

[Hidden]

I started to get problems at the end of week 3, take care of them muscles, definately recommend some good stretches post run to elongated your building muscles...good luck, hope legs get better

[stridingedge Graduate]

I find a cup of tea 1/2hr before running stops me getting cramp! Not very scientific I know, but it works for me.

[Jadis Graduate]

I'm on week three and have found it the hardest since the very first run. It has doubled your run time from last week htough, so percentage wise its a massive increase. Thats my excuse anyway

Good luck!