I just finished my w6d2. I also took another minute and a half off my 5k time.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH H!!!!!

I am stuck between W5D2 and D3!!!!! It's driving me insane!!!

this morning we went out, but DH's hip was hurting (he has a history of this hip pain) so we stopped. this evening after work we tried it again, I got a stitch at around 10 min, and at 15+ I just had to stop because I couldn't go on like that!

I'm getting really upset and frustrated with myself - I know I shouldn't and I'm getting farther in the program, but I just want to succeed at the 20 min!!

You know, I really was never good at anything sporty. I just want to run. I want to DO THIS and I feel like I'm never going to get there

Keep at it. We will all get there in the end.

Velveteen: I hear ya! I did W5D1 today and it was okay (??)but I sure needed those walks at the end of each 5 minute run. I don't think I can do the full 20 minutes and I am starting to psyche myself out before I have even tried!!

I guess the most important thing is...TRY...and then TRY again... you hae been doing so well, just don't let this set back get you down.

I know for me, the fact that I am running AT ALL is huge so if W5D3 doesn't go well for me, I'll still have to remember that at the beginning of all this, 5 minutes seemed undoable and yet...here I am!

Keep trying! Every step is a benefit...even if the full 20 minute run doesn't happen this week.

Velveteen, give it another week and try again.

C25K progresses INCREDIBLY fast. More conservative programs take 10 weeks to go from not running to running 20 minutes without stopping.

This is not a failure on your part.

Well, I cannot speak for Veleteen but from me...thank you! I feel a little less anxious about the remainder of the week.

Thanks!

You're welcome!

Think of how long it took you to grow however out of shape as you were. Another week or three or five going in the other direction is no big deal in the larger scheme of things.

Yup. What they^^ said. Just keep plugging away and all of a sudden you'll just be able to go and go and not even realize what happened.

I've been struggling with this 5 minute barrier for forever it seems. I went out tonight right after eating dinner. I ran for 8:45 before collapsing in a heap. It was 3/4 of a mile and I averaged an 11:40 pace.

I kept chanting "I am a runner. I am a runner."

Bravo!!


I love this! Thank you all for the encouragement

I haven't run for a week and I think my body actually is happy about that! So I've been going out on 2-3 mile brisk walks each night but haven't done any running. My plan at this point is to either repeat week 6 and see how I feel about that; I may decide to put the whole thing on hold until I drop 10-20 more pounds because I suspect that running for long periods of time is hard on my joints. My back is usually really stiff and sore the day after I run.

I dunno. I'm still in the thinking phase. I might just work on starting over on week 6 and see what I think after that. The 25 minute run really has me intimidated.

w7d1 done! Windchime, I'm still intimidated by those 25 minute runs and I've managed to complete it--twice! Last night went much better than our first time. I think the fact that I had had a couple of drinks the night before our 1st 25 minute run may have affected me more than I thought.

I'm not saying that every minute of those 25 is easy and a joy, but we keep plugging away at it. DH and I also agreed that we may have to repeat a week if needed, which still might happen.

Windchime, maybe you are moving your arms and twisting at the waist too much and that is causing your back pain? DH says that it is a common mistake among runners. I try to visualize that a rope/string is strung through the top of my head that is holding/pulling my body and head erect and that my knees and arms are moving straight ahead to pull me along. It works for me but ymmv. I do think that it is important to listen to your body and take care of it.

We can do this--no matter where in the program we are, we are runners!

you guys are awesome! I have no reason to NOT go on; I know if you all are out there going for it and doing it, I can too!!

today is rest day (and WW day); let's see what tomorrow brings...

LM--I don't think I am twisting or moving too much. I keep my arms bent but relaxed, hands relaxed and I'm really not going very fast at all. I think it's weight--I still weigh a lot (215) and I really think it's the impact that's causing the trouble. I hate to give it up because even though I'm not really enjoying the running (yet), I'm enjoying the accellerated weight loss that the running has seemed to bring! I also think I need a new athletic bra. I have big boobs and my bra is left over from when I was exercising several years ago, so a new bra would probably help.

I think I'll try to start week 6 over again tonight and see if I can get my head back in the game.

Windchime - I bet it is your bra that is causing the pain. Have you tried doubling up your bras? You are tall so your 215lbs is light compared to my 5'6" and 230lbs and a small C cup.

Hi - just jumping in here to say that I started the C25K last November as a total and utter novice - I had never run in my life!! I'm actually training some other girls right now doing it - they are up to Week 4 and I so well remember how they are feeling - I remember feeling the exact same way!!

But, six months after I began the C25K I ran a 10K race!! Yep, you read it right, 10K!!

I'm currently in training for a half marathon and plan to do a marathon next April.

So, if you're sitting there thinking "Who am I to think I can actually do this - I can't run!" - remember that we all started the exact same way. You CAN do it - I promise!