Hi guys....

I'm feeling a little down today, because for the first time, I just utterly failed my run.

I was on week 7 Day 3 (25 min run). At about 12 minutes in, I was just dying! And I started walking. I kept trying to run again, but then I'd walk. Run-walk-run-walk. I just could not do it today. I've done 25 min runs 3 times already, but today it just became impossible.

I gotta admit that my eating has not been so good the last few days. I was out of town, and kinda splurging on foods. And during my run, I literally felt like vomitting, which I've never felt before. It was probably the foods.

I think I'm going to try to keep moving on to Week 8 Day 1, even though I failed today. I hope that's the right decision, but I'm not sure. I guess I'll see if I can make the 25 minutes first, and if I feel like running 28 I will.

Anyone else had experiences like this where you've been so successful and then just utterly failed one day? I was so surprised by it. Maybe I've been overconfident? I've never once failed to complete a run since starting this training. I feel kinda sad about it, but i just need to get over it I guess.

Bad runs happen, Kellost! I had a couple when I got new shoes that didn't fit properly, and each run is a new challenge--sometimes it's almost easy and sometimes it feels impossible. Take a day off and eat clean and you'll be awesome next time :) Set a goal of running the longer time and push yourself--you're more likely to make the longer run if you go into it planning on doing the distance.

That's excellant Uber, I'm so happy for you! :carrot: Maybe we are both going to be able to learn to enjoy our runs!
I was running to a song the other day which had a beat that matched my stride and it suddenly felt so much easier. Wish I could find our the bpm of the song and try to find more songs to match.

I'm afraid that I think I've injured myself doing squats at the gym :( On Thursday I did 2 sets and in the shower afterwards I felt some discomfort in the outside of my thigh, just about me knee, but it went away soon after. Yesterday I did 3 sets and felt the discomfort while doing them, and since the discomfort has been there all the time. I've done some research and I think I could have slightly strained my hamstring which worries me. Everything I've read points to that so not sure what to do for the best. I bought the Nike + sportband the other day and am wanting to try a run to callibrate it, but am scared of making my leg worse. I know I didn't do it running, it was definitely the squats, so I'm going to avoid them for a while, but I don't want to end up not being able to run or exercise at all.
Tomorrow is usually my step class but it's cancelled due to Easter so was planning on doing a very short run today outside to callibrate the nike + and then trying a longer run outside tomorrow instead of the gym. My next hard workout isn't til Tuesday so not sure what to do for the best.

LM-- I'm so sorry you got hurt. Make sure you REST THAT LEG!

When I did some funky thing to my quad during a lunge a few weeks ago I was panicking-- it made a loud sound and it HURT. The first day I was actually limping-- but I rested and iced and I was really surprised how quick it healed-- just three or four days. Now I can't feel it at all.

PLEASE PLEASE don't strain it more, because then it will take longer to heal!!!

I read somewhere that there is actually an app that will go through your playlist and find songs that fit with different running paces-- don't remember what it was called-- but it sounded excellent. What I listen to makes a HUGE difference.

Kellost, please stop being down on yourself and telling yourself that you FAILED. You had a bad run. You shouldn't beat yourself up about it, or be angry at yourself or your body. There are so many different factors that go into it!

The only way you can fail is if you give up and never try again. There will be so many more runs in your life, have faith that there will be many more good ones than bad and it will make up for the bad ones in the end <3 And try to just move on, treat your body well, and then try again.

I've been to the playing fields down the road today and my leg was really hurting to start with. I walked to start with to warm up and it took me over 8mins before I got my heart rate up a little. It was so weird to be on grass because all I've done is the treadmill and one run on pathways so far, and as I was walking I thought there was NO WAY I was going to be able to run at all today.
But I really wanted to callibrate my Nike+ so thought I had to at least try.
Anyway, when I started running I could hardly breathe because I wasn't used to the cold air in my lungs, and going by my Nike+ I was jogging at about the same speed I walk at on the treadmill! I really felt like I was going to have to give up after about 30secs but I knew what point I had to get to for the callibration so I pushed myself to keep going. When I stopped I'd actually run just over 3mins lol. Appalling compared to my treadmill running, but I am going to keep reminding myself that I am injured, I've never run on grass before and I'm not used to the cold air in my lungs.
It's given me a big fright though when I think the 5k I'm signed up for in 3 months is mostly on grass and all I could do was 3mins.....
My Nike+ has training programmes on it but I seem to be in the middle of walking to run, and training for a 5k. The walk to run first few weeks are too simple, but the first few weeks of the 5k training are too hard. So I've had another look at the C25k and am thinking that I might either start that again from the beginning outside, or maybe start it a couple of weeks in.
I feel bad having to start again, but I need a way of getting used to running outside with some structure to it so I can feel I'm making concrete progress.

Completed Week 2. Now on to W3D1. Supplemented my workout on Saturday with Billy Blanks Boot Camp Tae Bo and only got through half and I am still sore. Hopefully I will feel better this afternoon to go for my run. Hate these sore muscles. I do squats and lunges all the time but that one just kicked my butt.

tnvols-- congrats on finishing week two!

LM-- I KNOW what you mean about running on grass! The other day I only ran for 3 minutes before walking. It's so much harder! I've decided the next time I run outside I'm going to try the outdoor track, and not try grass until I'm really fitter. Also even tiny gradients make a HUGE difference to me...(not in a good way) Hope your leg is feeling better!

I'm moving on to W8D2 tonight and hoping that it will be UBER-GREAT like my last run.

I really like the idea of repeating the program outside. I was thinking of sticking with the longer runs but incorporating some of the hill programs on the treadmill... but we might get a real sense of accomplishment repeating the whole program, or maybe starting from week 3 outside...I might steal your idea.... especially since the weather is getting nice now.

:D Feel free to steal the idea Uber, I just wanted to find a way to get running outside and feel like I'm making progress rather than going backwards. I've decided I'm definitely going to try it and see how I go. I am going to start again at Week 1 but if I find it ok, I will move onto Week 2 for my next outside run, and so on until I find it a push, then carry on with the weeks as normal. Depending on the weather W1D1 will hopefully be on Wed so will let you know how I get on.
Tomorrow is a gym workout day for me so hopefully I'Il manage another 30mins on the treadmill to officially finish the programme indoors, before I start again outdoors ;)

Ds and I officially started today! We did w1d1 on Friday but that was a test to see I he could do it with me. I want to have mondays as the start of each week so we redid w1d1 today and will start week 2 next Monday. I felt awesome after our workout this morning, though my ds is holding me back just a bit. But I'm so happy that he wants to do this so I am happy to go a tad slower for him.

I have to say that after reading some of your posts that I am glad I am starting out running outside. It sounds like the transition can be difficult.

I can't wait for Wednesday for my next run/walk!!

I started in winter, so running outside was not available to me! I've done about half on a treadmill and half on an indoor track, but outside is much harder for me.

LM-- I love your idea and plan to steal it! Plus it gives me something structured to do when I'm done-- which, unbelievably, is coming rather soon!

Whoohoo!!! I graduated today from the C25K indoors on the treadmill with my third 30min run! Most of it was at 7.5kph but some was higher, and the last couple of minutes although I was dying I upped it right to 8.5kph which is the fastest I've done. Still only managed 3.8k in the 30mins though.
So where do I go from here? Well, I've decided I'm going to keeping going with the treadmill runs for a few weeks and see if I can slowly up the speed a little, and maybe add a few more minutes to get me nearer to 5k. My big new thing though is that I've decided to start the programme again outside on grass this time, as I've got the Race for Life 5k coming up at the beginning of July and the only grass run I've done I only managed just over 3mins lol. I'm going to start with W1D1 tomorrow hopefully. If I find that actually easy then I will move onto W2D1 my next outside run, and so on until I find it hard, then I will continue with the programme as it's supposed to be done. I'm hoping this way I'll be able to see progress running outside as well and gain confidence that I might actually be able to do the race in July lol.

:carrot::carrot: That is so awesome!!!!!! And it is so inspiring to know that people are finishing the program, it gives me lots of hope.
Congrats!

Loving Me CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! YOU DID IT!!!!!!!

And you know, I think I started before you! You have zipped right through.

I ran on the treadmill last night but was very tired and started at ten o'clock at night---- sucky, sucky, sucky run-- plus I didn't use my C25K app, so I "think" I did 28 minutes, but I'm not really sure. I was sweating my brains out, had stomach cramps, and my HR went up to the 160s, all to do the same intensity run that I've been doing all along. I attributed it just to being tired when I started.

LM-- can't wait to hear about your progress on the grass!!! I am going to finish C25K and then follow you outside.

YAY YOU!!!!!

I just got back from doing W1D1 on grass at the local playing fields. Wow lol!
My peak heart rate was about the same as my first 10-15 mins on the treadmill and I really sweated. Although it felt hard compared to the treadmill, the 60secs seemed to be over very quick and I felt like I could have managed a bit longer, so on Friday hopefully I'm going to go back down and try W2D1 and see how I go with 90sec runs. I started off the other day and today running around the very edge of the field, but it is very uneven so today I moved inwards and ran around the edges of the football pitches and that seemed to work much better as it was more even.
It's scary to think that I can do 30mins straight on a treadmill but it's so hard outside on the grass, but I'm just really glad I found out now rather than a couple of weeks before my race or I'd have been in big trouble. And rather than beating myself up over being able to run so little outside it's kind of fun to be starting the C25K again because I have a new challenge to work on, and hopefully I'll have graduated again by race time.
I have come to the conclusion today though that I need to give myself a break, and rather than being **** bent on running the whole race and feeling I've failed if I don't, I need to focus on what I have achieved so far and just concentrate on finishing the race, be that by running or running and walking. Lets face it, 8 months ago I couldn't even have walked that far...

Hmmmm try maybe not running on grass LM. It seems like that would have a sand-like effect, you know? Like make it harder. I found the transition from running inside to outside hard only in the very beginning, now I hate running on the treadmill just because I get so hot and bored.

I think you'll find you actually like it more too, because there's more to look at, and I zone out a lot too when running outside which is nice.

So, I still don't consider myself a C25K grad, even though I can run a half hour straight. I've only done 1 run at 30 mins though. I missed my friday run, and yesterday I had no choice but to run on the treadmill which I hate, so I only got 15 minutes in before I started walking. I did a HIIT session to make up for my lack of running, but I still felt blah. I really prefer to run in the morning. It's cooler outside, it's pretty, and I get a good start to my day. I think I need to make it a routine, especially since the 5K I'm signing up for is only in a month, and I don't think I'm up to running the full 5K quite yet.

Sorry, I'm thinking out loud. I hope you ladies all have a good running week. :)

Wow! That's interesting that you don't find running outside harder!

I've tried it twice-- once on pavement and once on grass/pavement and both times it seemed WAY harder.... but the weirdest thing is that I run on an indoor track and that is easy too. For me, I think it's psychological...

Oodles and LM you guys are almost finished... I hope I get there soon!

I just stopped by to see how all you girls are doing that were here when I was still doing C25K. It's so exciting to see how far you've come!! I'm still running. I actually ran 4.5miles yesterday. I've finally found the place with running were I don't dread going but actually really look forward to it. I'm having a blast....

Keep up the work girls and before you know it you'll all be graduates!!!

Hey uber have you tried running super duper mega ridiculously slow? I find that I start off too fast outside... that's what made it harder for me. I force myself to start very slow, almost too slow, because I have energy and want to go faster. On the treadmill the speed is controlled where outside you have to really control it yourself. Perhaps try consciously running pretty slow, and see how it goes. That's just a suggestion though, but I think you and LM can both do it. :)

So I ran 31 minutes today in the stupid noon sun. I'm getting to that 5K and running the entire thing if I drop dead at the end of it. I'm actually amazing myself at my stubborness and refusal to give up. I'm tired but proud of myself.

And zephyr, it's nice to see you here again. That's really amazing.... how did you get to where you are now? I can do the runs but to be honest, I don't fully enjoy them. I do at first but I get tired towards the end and I just have to push myself. I just want this to be fun!

And that sounds like a really lovely run actually... I wish I could find something like that. Perhaps I can... hmmm...

I actually really struggled even a few weeks after I finished the program. I finally got to the point though that I stopped caring my ipod and stopped focusing on the time. Now I just go and honestly love the quiet. I didn't really start enjoy it until I stopped obbessing over the time. As far as the mileage, I just add a few blocks at a time so that it's not to overwhelming.

It will get fun for you too..promise it will!! You'll get to the point that it's not so much "work" and more relaxing..

Wow Zephyr, you're an inspiration to me. :D
How long have you been running then, when did you start the C25K and how long is it since you finished the programme?
I've completed the programme on the treadmill but when I've tried running outside it's been SO much harder, so I started the programme again outside on the grass the other day. I did W1D1 and although it was hard I think I could have done more, so going to try W2D1 my next run and see how that goes.
I feel fabulous after I've done my run, and during my treadmill runs I get an endorphin run after about 10mins for a couple of mins when I feel like I could run forever, but then it goes and it's just HARD. Overall I don't enjoy running so far and I REALLY want to because I can see the good effects it's having on my body.
I'm wondering if I did the wrong thing signing up for a 5k because I'm so focused on that that I'm pushing myself really hard so I can run the whole thing. Going back and doing intervals again outside is so hard for me because I feel like I shouldn't be doing any walking. I keep thinking I should give myself a break and walk some if I need to, but I'm a perfectionist so finding it really hard at the moment.
I'm just hoping that by the day of the race I'll have completed the programme again outside on the grass and have lost more weight and be fitter so it might be possible.
But I'd really love to be able to learn to enjoy my runs....

I started the c25k the beginning of Jan. and finished it the beginning of March. I found that running outside was easier for me only because it wasn't so monotomous(I know I butchered that spelling). It is much harder to control the speed though! I usually start out faster that I should and when I start having a hard time breath I slow down my run until I can breath without much problem and then just try to keep that pace. I'll bet that if you just decided that you're going to run for 10 minutes outside that you could do it and then just work up from there! Your doing great and look at is a marathon~ slow and steedy and not as a sprint where you'll just get burnt out and then hate it. It does get better..I promise!!

Hi Zephyr-- thanks for stopping by. I can't believe you are doing 4.5 miles and enjoying it! That's amazing and very hopeful, too.

Oodles-- good for you for running in the sun...

And LM, I think you're going to find that you adapt to outside quicker than you think...

Oodles-- I do run really slow and try to pace myself-- on the treadmill I can see my speed, but I run a lot on an indoor track. I'm not sure what the problem is with outside-- I think it's that I get WAY more tired if there is even a very slight hill-- the indoor track is flat. Also, the monotony of the track kind of helps me-- I zone out more. I've finally reached the point where I don't constantly count down the time, and I listen to more mellow music. It's amazing how much better I feel. BUT so far I've only run twice outside and both were a bust. I think I'm going to switch to outdoor track and get used to that, and then try regular road running-- I don't have a good place to run near me anyway....

But I did go for a walk the other day, and I noticed that walking up a hill that would have winded me before did absolutely nothing! I feel like running has upped my fitness faster than anything else I've done!!

I FINISHED! I ran my W9D3 run this morning, and I'm now officially a C25K graduate!

I agree uber about the running improving my fitness as well. I just feel so much fitter than I used to be - things like walking for hours and climbing steps at work are so much easier.

Zephyr thanks for the advice, I will try to make sure I stay running slow outside, but I think I do already.

Uber, thanks, I really hope you're right about adapting quickly as right now I'm just scared I've made a BIG mistake signing up for the 5k lol.

Primm, congratulations on finishing the programme! It's an amazing feeling to know you've progressed so much isn't it!


I went to the gym this morning for my last workout before we go away tomorrow for 5 days. Pleased to say as usual, although I thought I wouldn't be able to keep going, I ended up doing 32mins again and even ran at 9kph for the last minute, my fastest yet! lol I did 4.09k in total so still a way to go to 5k, but it's all progress.
I'm taking all my running gear with me in our caravan and really hoping that this week is going to be the week I'll get much more used to running outside because I'll have no access to other exercise for 5 days. I've got my ipod ready with the podcasts for weeks 2-5 so I can see how I get on each day and move onto the next week if that's possible. I think I'm actually going to give W3D1 a go first and see if I can do a 3min run as well instead of all 90sec ones. I would be so happy if I could be running for 5mins straight by the end of the week, so we'll see.
I'll keep you updated!

Completed W7D3. We moved up from Tucson, AZ to Albuquerque, NM which was an elevation gain of +3,000 feet. Was concerned about the elevation change but it proved to be an non-issue. We've now run four times for 25 minutes and survived each time! Pretty darn amazing . . . never would have thought it possible just 8 weeks ago.

Congrats Primm and Loving Me for finishing the program! That is wonderful!

Ubergirl....for whatever reason, I find the treadmill to be a bit "easier" than running outside, although outdoors is much more enjoyable for me. Maybe try to mix it up (like outside one day, treadmill on the next run?). I've been running mostly outside lately with the nicer spring weather, but sometimes the hills are a killer.

Just want to say thanks to all those posting on here, because it helps so much to read the insights and experiences of others. 3FC is just so great! Everywhere I turn on here, I find support.

Today I finished W8D3!!! I'm moving on to week 9 this Tuesday. Today's 28 minute run wasn't too bad. I wouldn't say it was easy, but it seemed less challenging for some reason. This is in stark contrast to last week, when I completely failed my 25 min run! Crazy! Running is strange like that!

One thing I've been trying to do is vary the places/paths I run. I parked my car further up the road this week, just to have a new running area. I'm getting bored with starting at my house. It was just nice to have a change of scenery.

Good luck to everyone who is training!!!! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Hello Ladies!

I'll be starting today... W1D1. Yesterday I played tennis and was able to jog to retrieve the balls that *mysteriously* ended up on the other side of the tennis courts. I figure if I can do that, I can jog 90 second intervals.

Thanks for the thread!

I finally finished Week 8 today-- I almost kept running and did the extra 3 minutes to do 30. What REALLY amazes me is that now I just don't get that tired-- I think I probably need to start running a little faster. I go really slow because I'm afraid of tiring out, but it's amazing to me that at the pace I am running I feel like I could go all day.

I feel like I'll be at a loss when I'm done...trying to decide if I should sign up for a 5k-- we have a local one on May 15th

Quick update via my phone while we're away.
On Sun I did 7.5mins non-stop and about 13mins total running. Today I did W5D1 so three 5min runs, 15mins total. Today seemed hard but I went first thing and hadn't eaten or drunk anything.
Then this afternoon I've walked another 12k approx and am shattered!
Will hopefully get another run in while we're away and going to try same again and see if it's any easier, hopefully it will be.
Don't think I could do 8mins yet but I'm still further than I thought I would be so happy.

Finished W9D1 today! WooHoo! I actually did it! Can't believe I've been at this for over 2 months and I am on the last week of the program. There were times that I thought I'd never make it to this point in the training. But I'm here, I ran the entire 30 minutes, and I'm feeling great today.

All of you can do it, too! Believe me, if I can do it, so can you! Just believe that you can, and don't quit! That's my best advice.

Congratulations!! :carrot:

That's very inspiring as I did W1D1 yesterday and didn't think I could finish but I did. It's killing me to have to wait until tomorrow to do W1D2.

Great job Kellost!!! You should be very proud of your accomplishments!

So, I'm getting frustrated. I have my first 5k on May 22nd, and had just started training outside and I am currently ending week 5.

I have a question. Are y'all training where there are very steep hills? I'm getting frustrated because I can't increase my endurance enough to make it up the hills without wanting to die.

Any tips? Or just keep trying?

:cp: Congratulations Kellost! Awesome job.

I just completed W8D1 (a week behind you) and am always amazed when I complete each day. I couldn't agree more with your statement "Believe me, if I can do it, so can you" because I'm living proof of it myself. If you have ever wanted to run or run a 5K but have been fearful about doing it, commit yourself to the C25K program - YOU CAN DO IT.

Ubergirl - sign up for that 5K, you will be glad that you did!

Congrats Kellost!!! You did it :)

Finished W9D1 today and it was no problem...!!! Hard to believe I'm almost done.

Now, I'm trying to decide if I should sign up for a 5k on May 15th....
I'm fine with the 30 minutes on the track but I'm worried that my endurance isn't good enough to run on hills.

Do ya'll think a month is enough if I shift to outside?

I completed W3 and W4D1. Did W3 inside on the treadmill because the pollen was awful. Did W4D1 outside and was surprised I actually got through it. Had to keep telling myself that I could do it and I did.

Question though....how do you approach your off days? Do you rest, walk or do another form of exercise? I have done some Tae Bo Boot Camp a couple of days when I wasn't running and other days I have walked. What is the best approach?

W1D2 the bottom of my feet are BURNING. Any advice? I have very crappy sneakers and will be buying new ones this weekend. I just can't take it anymore. I'm sure that's adding to the pain. I'm about to do a 30 minute no-sweat yoga workout by Maura Barclay and hopefully that will help.

Ok, I am LOVING this program! My 11 y/o ds and I are doing great. Today (our day off) we went for a hike and he decided to jog up every hill for fun. I couldn't believe it! This is a kid who has always hated sports and anything that would make him sweaty lol. I can tell that I am really, really going to love running; I feel awesome when we're done and I am itching to get out when it's our day off.

I love coming here and reading about all of the people who have completed the program, it makes me so excited to come and post about my graduation.

HELLO ALL!! I've been stalking the running post for a couple of days and I just started the C25K yesterday. Tomorrow will be W1D2. Its so great hearing all of your tirals and errors and sucess! :)

I just bought new shoes and can't wait to check them out. I do have a questions for you all....

When tracking that 90 secs or 1 mins jogs are you using a watch or stop watch or just guessing? I have a stopwatch on my ipod but its not really the kind you can stop and start, its takes time of the laps.

I'm excited! Keep up the great work!