Just completed W7D1 tonight!! I had to stop a few times for a drink but started right back up where I left off at. I'm so looking forward to getting outside again to run. All this snow and cold weather is really getting old! Bring on spring!!!!!!
Just completed W7D1 tonight!! I had to stop a few times for a drink but started right back up where I left off at. I'm so looking forward to getting outside again to run. All this snow and cold weather is really getting old! Bring on spring!!!!!!
Wow! Good for you!
I completed W4D3 tonight without having to stop. I found it difficult-- I had to talk myself into keeping going on the last five.
Am totally intimidated by Week 5. Not sure if I repeated W4 it would get easier, or if I should just move on.
I'm just about to go to the gym to try W3D1. I've had an awful night's sleep, kept waking up thinking about it. I haven't felt like this about anything else in my journey so far, but this jogging seems SO hard. Maybe it's because I want it so much and it's so removed from anything I've ever done.
If I can get through 3mins today then I will know that I'm improving because I thought there was no way I could do 90secs after 60secs. I think it's the fact that it's doubling what I'm used to today, rather than half as much again from Wk1 to Wk2.
Just wish there was a way to MAKE myself do it, get past this problem I seem to have in my head and my lungs that I can't do it.
I'm just about to go to the gym to try W3D1. I've had an awful night's sleep, kept waking up thinking about it. I haven't felt like this about anything else in my journey so far, but this jogging seems SO hard. Maybe it's because I want it so much and it's so removed from anything I've ever done.
If I can get through 3mins today then I will know that I'm improving because I thought there was no way I could do 90secs after 60secs. I think it's the fact that it's doubling what I'm used to today, rather than half as much again from Wk1 to Wk2.
Just wish there was a way to MAKE myself do it, get past this problem I seem to have in my head and my lungs that I can't do it.
LOVING ME, you definitely, definitely can do it!!!
I did fine through week three, but found week 4 challenging-- I really did not start with good cardio fitness, so I feel like if I can do it, anyone can.
Here are two things that help me.
1. Run slow. If I'm worried about fatigue, I pick a super-slow pace, probably not much faster than a walk-- in running, we heave our entire weight off the ground with each step, so it's more exercise even if we're going really slow.
2. Focus on recovery during the walks. That means, if necessary, walk really slow, until you feel your HR or breathing starting to settle down. If I'm starting to get tired, 90secs is not enough recovery for me if I do a brisk walk, but if I do a slow walk it's enough.
If I'm not mistaken, this program was designed for any out of shape person, not specifically for obese and out-of-shape people. It's MUCH harder work for obese people, but it's still doable, I think. I'm not sure if I'll make it through week 5 or if I'll have to double week 4. Will keep you posted.
Thanks for the encouragement and advice Ubergirl!
I'm so happy to report that I went to the gym and I completed W3D1 without any problems at all!!! I have slowed my jog down from when I first started and speeded up my walk and that seems to be helping. I still feel like a snail compared to everyone else running at the gym, but this is about me and challenging myself and running is something I SO want to be able to do consistently.
After I hit the 2min mark of the first 3mins I got this huge rush of endorphins and I can't remember feeling better in years. I suddenly realised that I really could do it and I know it's silly, but for that last minute I actually felt as light as air! The second 3mins was harder but I knew I'd done it once so I was determined to get through it.
I'm actually looking forward to W3D2 on Saturday now, and I really am beginning to think that I am going to become a runner!
I agree with you about the weight making it much more difficult. I keep telling myself that it will only get easier as more weight comes off, and I keep it in mind when I look at all the ladies running so much faster, they are all probably carrying about at least 50lbs less than me!
Good luck with Week 5, I'm positive you can do it!
ubergirl~ I've heard alot of people say that running is mostly mental. I've found that to be so true for me! When I realized that I could do it stopping just wasn't an option. Now of course, you are going to some bad days that you are really struggling to get through the run and then other good days where it flies by. You'll get there though. Give week 5 a shot and you may not find it to be as bad as you were expecting it to be!!
LovingMe~ Great job on doing W3D1!! Just remember at this point in the game isn't not about how fast your are going or how much mileage you cover it is just about finishing!! So what if you go really slow? (You aren't the only one that is btw) You are doing it and that is what matters!!
The weather/work/my own lack of motivation have worked against me the last few days...I hadn't been to the gym in 5 days! Last time I was there I completed week 1, and I thought maaaaybe I should do another run from week 1 since I hadn't been exercising for like, a week. But I wanted to start week 2 so badly that I just decided I would do it, and if I was too tired then I'd go back and try week 1 again.
Just got back from the gym and I finished W2D1! And it was great! It actually felt waaay easier than week 1, and time flew by much faster for me! There were times when I actually didn't want to stop running when my iPod told me to! It seems strange to me, but I actually can't wait until my next run!
Has your breathing gotten better while running? My biggest flaw hasn't been that my body gets tired, but that I run out of oxygen and it gets difficult to breath. I don't THINK I have asthma, just that my body isn't used to the running. I mean, the only other time I feel out of breath is when I have to climb four flights of stairs, and in those situations I'm able to catch my breath back rather quickly. Please tell me that it gets easier to breath as your body gets used to it
Has your breathing gotten better while running? My biggest flaw hasn't been that my body gets tired, but that I run out of oxygen and it gets difficult to breath. I don't THINK I have asthma, just that my body isn't used to the running. I mean, the only other time I feel out of breath is when I have to climb four flights of stairs, and in those situations I'm able to catch my breath back rather quickly. Please tell me that it gets easier to breath as your body gets used to it
Maybe try to slow your speed down a bit. I have noticed though for me that my breathing isn't as labored now as it was when I first started. Just stick with it and you'll find that the breathing gets easier as the weeks pass.
I finished W2D2 today and I have to admit, it was the hardest day for me yet. My shins started hurting and it was actually more painful to walk than it was to run. Weird. Anyone ever have this issue?
I finished W2D2 today and I have to admit, it was the hardest day for me yet. My shins started hurting and it was actually more painful to walk than it was to run. Weird. Anyone ever have this issue?
Actually yes, that's happens to me every so often, where the running's actually easier than walking because my shins hurt when I walk. Usually for me, that pain goes away after a bit of time, say 15 minutes or so.
I tried w4d2 today and it was awful. For the first time since starting this, I couldn't finish the program and after 20 minutes I had to stop and walk. I walked for 10 minutes and ended my workout. Now I'm having asthma, which I haven't had a problem with since I started running inside on the treadmill.
I'm thinking I need to try again tomorrow and go slower. The sad thing is that I already run really slow, like 4 mph for the 3 minute runs and 3.5 mph for the longer ones. I try to walk at 3 mph but felt so bad at the end today that I had to slow it down to 2.5.
Oh well.... I just kinda feel like I let myself down today.
Has your breathing gotten better while running? My biggest flaw hasn't been that my body gets tired, but that I run out of oxygen and it gets difficult to breath. I don't THINK I have asthma, just that my body isn't used to the running. I mean, the only other time I feel out of breath is when I have to climb four flights of stairs, and in those situations I'm able to catch my breath back rather quickly. Please tell me that it gets easier to breath as your body gets used to it
Yes, for me I can definitely say the breathing has got much easier.
I started off, before I even began C25K, doing 3 x 60sec jogs and by the time I had finished the 3rd 60sec jog I felt like I couldn't breath!
I have taken advice from lots of the girls here and slowed down my jog and that really helped, and I'm now on W3 of C25K and not feeling like I can't breath at the end of 3mins. So I would say slow down your jog a bit and just stick with it, it will get easier.
I tried w4d2 today and it was awful. For the first time since starting this, I couldn't finish the program and after 20 minutes I had to stop and walk. I walked for 10 minutes and ended my workout. Now I'm having asthma, which I haven't had a problem with since I started running inside on the treadmill.
I'm thinking I need to try again tomorrow and go slower. The sad thing is that I already run really slow, like 4 mph for the 3 minute runs and 3.5 mph for the longer ones. I try to walk at 3 mph but felt so bad at the end today that I had to slow it down to 2.5.
Oh well.... I just kinda feel like I let myself down today.
You have definitely NOT let yourself down. You are doing something that is really tough for a lot of people, and as I think Ubergirl pointed out to me, it's even harder for obese people.
You have already come so far, don't beat yourself up over it, just keep trying, you will get there!
I found it difficult-- I had to talk myself into keeping going on the last five. 
Now I'm having asthma, which I haven't had a problem with since I started running inside on the treadmill.
