Kellost, that is me exactly! I have this voice saying, oh just take a couple of mins to walk, you don't REALLY have to run all the time. It's a good job I'm stubborn or I would have stopped to walk several times this past couple of runs. I have my first 28min to do on Tue and I'm already scared. I am going to try taking it back down to my slowest speed or thereabouts and hope that I don't find it as hard as I'm expecting to. I'm still amazed that I can run 25mins straight and love the feeling of euphoria afterwards knowing I've done it, but the run itself is still so hard, not fun at all yet. I do get the odd minute during each run when I think I get an endorphin hit and for that minute I feel fab, but then it goes and the exhaustion is back :dizzy:

Yes, I have to say that running hasn't exactly been fun for me yet either. In fact, were it not for this 5K race or for wanting to finish the training program, I'm not sure how motivated I'd be to run. It's sad, because I was hoping to really like running, but I honestly don't right now. I feel proud of myself when I finish, and I feel a kind of "runner's high" the days I run, which are good feelings! I'm worried how motivated I'll be to run after the race is over.

My neighbor, who runs 1/2 marathons, told me that she hated running for the first 6 months, but now she loves it. I'd like to stick with it, or at least maintain my ability to run 3 miles once the race is over. I'm wondering how I'll fit this in to my exercise plan after the race. I'm thinking I might run once a week on the weekends (for 3 miles or 30 minutes) and do my regular walking or the elliptical machine for my other workouts. I'm not sure how good a plan this is. Any thoughts???

It sounds like a reasonable plan.
I keep having to remind myself of why I wanted to run. We have a motorhome and during the summer are away a lot on a weekend, which means I can't get my usual gym workouts in. Walking just doesn't do it for me anymore after 8 months of gym workouts, so I figured if I could learn to run I could do that wherever we are.
So my plan is to finish the C25K programme and hopefully train to the point where I can run 5k comfortably, do my 5k race in July and then maintain that by running approx 5k whenever we're away. As I say, that's the plan, I just hope I can achieve it.

I'm really starting to like the running, but the only problem I have is that I get really bored-- even though I'm listening to music-- on the 25 minute runs I count down by five minute segments....

I don't enjoy it the way I enjoy swimming, which just feels terrific and very relaxing-- I do LOVE the feeling of getting really sweaty and realizing that I'm ok and can really keep going...

Isn't it funny how we are all different.
I started off loving swimming but when I go once a week now I'm really bored with it, I just do it because I know it's good for my joints etc and it's a rest from my other workouts.
I know what you mean about being bored running as well. I swap my music about but I'm always watching the time. I do wonder if I could get used to running outside if I'd find that less boring because of the scenery etc, but that's another step I need to make to get used to being outside still.

Running outside is kind of a mixed blessing for me. Yes, the scenery is nice to look at it... But I usually run the same couple of paths, so there is no denying how far I have left to go since I am so familiar with the path. At least on the treadmill I can trick myself by covering up the "Time Remaining" and the miles :)

So it depends on my mood. I find that now that I'm not running for weight loss, I am mentally okay with ONE outside (or intervals) run and one treadmill run per week, and it is enough to maintain my running stamina.

You know, I get bored swimming too, but now I only do it once a week or so, and so I really enjoy how it feels-- like getting back into my groove. I think with running, it's still hard for me, and kind of miraculous that I'm actually doing it, so I feel more sense of accomplishment.

I think I'm going to go ahead and move myself back to W7D3, which is where I'm supposed to be. I think I've reached a fitness level where I can do the longer runs at the slow speed, but I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to increase my speed-- right now, I'm too slow to do a 5k--

Teff, I'm HAPPY to hear that you can maintain running fitness with two days per week-- I'd love to keep running as part of the mix-up and I wondered, post C25K, how often I would run to keep up the ability to run 30 min.

My hubby and I completed W1D2 today...it was tough, but I'm so glad we did it!

How do you girls space your 3 days during the week? Do you work out on the rest days?

Off to the gym to try W8D1 soon. I'm really scared again lol, even though it's only another 3mins, 25mins still seems impossible til I get well over halfway.
I wish I could find a way to distract myself somehow.

I'm the same LM, until I'm properly warmed up, which really doesn't happen until about 2 km in, I feel like I can't do it.

But really the difference between 25 and 28 minutes has been the smallest step yet, I think. You'll be fine.

I'm ecstatic to report that I did it, 28mins straight at 7.5kph which works out at 4.66mph. The slowest I've gone when running is 7.2kph and the fastest is 8kph so still very slow, but did my longest run and not at my slowest speed which I'm really happy about. Once I was in my last minute I actually contemplated keeping going and doing the full 30mins, but I remembered what I've read about injuries from increasing too much so stuck with the 28mins.
I've also realised today that it's not until I get to about 2/3 of the way through my run that I actually believe I can complete it. For me so far running is turning out to be purely a mental thing as the time I have to run increases. I'm sure if I wasn't so stubborn and determined that I would have given up many times and taken a walk break, but all the time I'm running I just keep telling myself that I will not give up, and it seems to work.
I'm not sure on the best plan for carrying on training for my first 5k on the 3rd July. I should hopefully finish C25K by the end of next week, but that won't get me up to completing 5k in 30mins due to my speed. I don't know whether to add some more minutes on to get to a 5k distance, or work on upping my speed so I can go further in less time. I may do a week of one thing then a week of another. Anyone any ideas what would work best?

W2D1 is in the books. Had to run it on the treadmill because it was so wet outside but I did it and got through it pretty well. I am confident that I will complete the series this time.

Hi..I'm new to the thread. Just started W1D1 today. It was tough...have to work on my breathing and getting myself to drink more water. You girls are doing great. I hope to get that far into the program. :D:D

Loving Me-- I don't know the answer to your question, but you are absolutely doing great!!!! I'm so happy for you!

Me, I had an UBER bad run yesterday-- 25 minutes. I've been doing 25 minutes--piece of cake-- and then yesterday I was counting down the seconds. I upped my pace by 0.1 mph. I don't know if that's why because it doesn't seem like much difference!!!

One thing that helps me is that I read an article about how less fit people should do a longer warm-up as it helps with the switch from anerobic to aerobic exercise. Now, I do a ten minute warm-up instead of a five minute warm-up, and it seems to help.

Good job tnvols and welcome LaurenElizabeth

Loving Me - not that I know anything but I can see that I will be in the same situation. My plan is to run the 5K distance no matter the time but then work on my speed as I also have until July. Good luck! I will be interested in reading about what works for you.