i just started this YESTERDAY i am so excited to be able to run when it gets warm here outdoors around the neighborhood or at the park or something without getting winded and feeling embarassed.
good thread btw i am happy to see it's a program that actually works!
Hey ladies. So as far as stretching, I only stretch after my run, but it's a good idea to stretch after warm up as well. My sister did marathon training last year and her coach told them to never ever stretch before your warm up for any exercise. A good tip I read in Runner's World today for all you outdoor runners: on really cold days, try doing your warm up inside, that way getting started isn't so miserable!
It's hard to believe I was running in 30 degree weather just last week. It was 60 here today and I was quite warm during my run. I completed W4D2 with a little more speed than day 1, but not much. This is the first week where my legs have felt tired later in the day. Weeks 1-3 were difficult as far as mental hurdles and learning to breathe properly, but week 4 is really starting to challenge my muscles as well.
Speaking of mental hurdles, the hardest part of running for me is the idea that it's hard. Some days I catch myself thinking "OMG this is sooo far, I don't think I can make it." And then I stop (my thinking, not stop running) and really assess how I'm feeling: do my muscles hurt? Can I breathe? What part of me is it that is struggling to make it to the end? And I'll realize that I'm feeling quite fine physically. Sure I'm a little tired, but not more than I would be doing any other cardio. It's my mind that is making this so hard for me. Anyone else really struggling with mental roadblocks in this?
YAY - W5D3 is on the books!! I am so excited - I never thought I'd be able to run for 20 minutes straight without stopping! Yes, I did have to slow my pace down a little bit for a few minutes, but then I picked it back up and finished strong! Thanks to everyone posting their progress here - it is helping me so much!!
Everyone - keep at it!! We'll all become runners yet.
I have found that my biggest problem this week is the mental aspect of it. I know physically that I CAN do it but my brain is telling me that there is no way I can complete it. I've heard over and over again that our head gives up well before our body does!
So if your not supposed to stretch before warm up do you stop after the 5 minute walk and then stretch. I hate the thought of getting through the warm up walk and then having to stop to stretch..
Thanks for the well wishes! Nah, I'm not planning on running races yet. I am planning on working on my speed, and then doing the OneHourRunner program.... 10 weeks!
Don't let your mind talk you down - all of you can do this!
So I tried to run again tonight. It was really difficult. I was doing W3D3. I started out fine, got through the 90 second run/walk and then went in for the 3 minute. I just couldn't get past 90 seconds though so I walked again for 90 seconds then tried again. Same thing...so agian, I walked for 90 seconds before trying to run. This time I was able to manage to get to 1:45. I was so frustrated I just gave up and went to the couch. but after sitting there for a few minutes feeling sorry for myself for not pushing harder I decided to try again. Since my muscles were already warmed up I went right for the 3 minutes. I completed the first one and then the second one came around. I finished the one. I felt the need to push myself a little so I did a third 3 minute run and completed it without falling over or even feeling horrible!
I think I'm going to do one more day of week 3 on Saturday and see how that goes. I'm not sure whether to move on to week 4 or not. I think physically I can do it but mentally right now I'm having a hard time. I'm using the treadmill and it's getting boring. All I think about is the time..how much longer til I can walk.
Oohpujie - congrats to you on graduating C25K!! And thanks for continuing to post to keep the rest of us motivated. (I am sorry I didn't comment on that earlier - I was so anxious to post this morning!) :-)
I think you are a fellow treadmill runner? My plan is similar to yours - I want to get through the program (right now I'm doing it based on time, not distance but then want to be sure to get in the distance) and then concentrate on speed.
Can you tell me where you found the One Hour Runner program? I thought I'd seen it a couple of weeks ago and looked for it today and can't seem to locate a link.
Wiginn, yes I am a fellow treadmill runner... terrible OH winter weather = no way am I running outside haha! The distance is the biggest thing for me, I'm almost running 3miles but I'd like to get to that first before I actually start running in real 5Ks! lol
Good for you Zephyr. What a great feeling!!!!
but after sitting there for a few minutes feeling sorry for myself for not pushing harder I decided to try again. Since my muscles were already warmed up I went right for the 3 minutes. I completed the first one and then the second one came around. I finished the one. I felt the need to push myself a little so I did a third 3 minute run and completed it without falling over or even feeling horrible! 
