Week 1 - tough?

[mrspatch]

Did w1r3 today - decided to listen to robert ullreys version of the podcast. at one point after a 60 second run he said you shouldnt be breathless - well im puffing + panting like a steam train. i am very overweight. wondered how everyone else coped?

[WepreRunner Graduate]

Hi Mrs Patch

Rest assured, a lot of us found Week 1 one of the toughest of the course, as its all about getting out there and using muscles that you never knew existed! If you are struggling to complete the runs without getting too breatless, then just slow them down, even if you end up slower than walking pace, it's all about building up stamina at this stage, speed will come in time. You are meant to be able to keep up a conversation whilst you run, else you are going too fast (though I'm still not sure i could, even after graduating!)

By far the most important thing is that you are out there doing it. I can't promise it will be easy, but if you stick to it, I can tell you from experience that it DOES work and you may even enjoy it

Be sure to keep posting your progress in these forums - good runs or bad, we've all been there!

[mrspatch Graduate]

Omg - keep up a conversation! even by the last run of the 8?

[Itsallanadventure Graduate]

Hes having a laugh..! Not breathless! When i first started this i needed someone standing by with oxygen! it does get better though and you will be surprised how quickly, i sing along to my music now...quietly though..shocking voice! Good luck and keep going ;p

[greenlegs Graduate]

Seriously, doing it slow enough that you could have a conversation, is fast enough. But most people don't believe it, (or are too proud to!) and go faster. So it's not surprising people find it hard work!

The chances are that at a slow pace like that you won't get big distances, but if it means the difference between carrying on or going back to the couch, slower is always good! You can get faster later on (like after week 9). It's working for me anyway.

[Fingalo Graduate]

There are some who have graduated this course and have said they didn't even complete all the running sections in the first week.

As others have said, go as slow as it takes, forget about conversations or any of that, just do the runs as best you can. Every single person on here will tell you one thing for an unmitigated fact, by the end of Week 3 you'll look back at one minute runs and smile that you struggled.

Fast forward a few weeks more and you'll be saying what I've said to other newbies asking the same question.

[magpie363]

Hi Mrs Patch I have just started this week as well. Dont think I could even speak never mind a conversation. I never finished all the runs the first time and finished all bar one the second time but I did really slow it down. If I am really honest I dont even think I know how to run?? Sound a bit weird but have never really have done exercise since schhol 35 years ago I agree though that the important thing is just to get out and just do something. I am not too fussed if I never get passed week 1 just delighted that I am out there doing something xx

Keep up the good work Mrs Patch.

Linda

[mrspatch Graduate]

Phew - thanks for all the kind words don't feel so bad now!!!!! Louise.