Help! - All great until R3Wk6 then I failed miserably...

[Irishlass]

Hello folks, I've been looking at all of these posts for the past few weeks and have found them to be a great source of encouragement and inspiration. I now find that I need some support please! I started c25k six weeks ago using the treadmill at home.

My husband works away during the week and we have a two girls, a 5 year old and our baby is 5 months (I breast feed her) I would prefer to get out for my runs but it's just not really practical at the moment, hence the treadmill.

This morning as my hubby is home for the w/e and it was not raining, I decided to do r3 of week 6 outdoors - disaster! Warm up was fine but I just couldn't run at all. My legs felt like lead, I couldn't get into any kind of rhythm and ended up having a walk instead.

I was delighted with my progress to date and feel soooo disappointed to fail so badly now. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Should I try r3 again tomorrow on the treadmill or do week 6 all over again? Would really appreciate any thoughts or feedback. Can't believe that there is such a difference between running on the treadmill and running outdoors...

Thanks in advance!

[oona Graduate]

Don't be disappointed - you got out there and a 30 minute walk in the fresh air is better than not trying at all! The fact that you're breast feeding while doing this programme fills me with admiration! I fed my three (not at the same time!:)) and I thought I was doing well if I managed to get a shower and get dressed when they were that age!

You must be using up so many calories in your daily life you'll have to make sure you're eating okay if running too. I'm cutting calories to lose weight and get that heavy legged feeling when I haven't eaten enough, so I'm being a lot more careful and am def feeling more energetic.

I've never tried the treadmill but have heard people on here saying its much more difficult to run outdoors.

Be kind to yourself and treat yourself to extra rest days if need be. It's not a race and you don't want running to become a chore! Best wishes.

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Well done on fitting any running in with everything else you have to do!

And well done on that run, it is so easy to give up when your legs feel so tired.

I would leave it tomorrow and try again Monday.

[Irishlass in reply to Deryn61]

Thanks Deryn!

[rolphie2 Graduate]

I had a fail at W8R1 just couldn't get my legs to work or any motivation, so when I did my next run I went back and repeated W6R2 and really enjoyed it and found my enthusiasium again. Keep going and good luck

[londongirln19 Graduate]

You are amazing. How do you find the time to even think about running? Just do what you can, when you can and try not to get dispirited if you don't achieve as much as you'd like to. Be a bit easy on yourself and keep going.

[Samla]

Can I just agree with everything above. I don't have children and I find it hard to get myself out the door some days in jogging gear some mornings!!

There is a big difference between the treadmill and the great outdoors. Outside takes longer to get a rhythm because the ground doesn't move below you in the same way a treadmill does. It's also harder to breath outside (it can be colder or warmer than you're used to). Finally a treadmill is much softer to run on than concrete as well. Do not beat yourself up and do not quit at this stage. You're doing so well!! Either try it again on the treadmill or perhaps just try some gentle runs outside while you get used to it. My legs are like lead every run for the first 3 minutes or so!

Keep going and let us know how you do. x

[Irishlass in reply to Samla]

Thanks very much, this is really helpful. Think I'll rest tomorrow and try again on Monday