and it was worse than I thought it would be. I knew it wouldn't be easy but holy cow! I know I just have to keep plugging but I got the WORST side ache after a few of the running spurts. Is there anything I can do for that? I need some encouragement. It's only the second time in my life I have ever ran just to run.

Hi - and congrats on getting started! I found I had a stitch the first week, too (and the first day of week two), but as I built my stamina, it seems to have subsided. I found it helped to walk longer if I needed to - in fact, I've been stretching the whole program to suit me, so I do about five days of each 'week' of the program, if you see what I mean.

Also - I am FAR from an expert (or even a runner! ) but make sure you don't push yourself to 'run' too hard or too fast - the program seems to be about building strength and stamina, so let your body take its time.

Stick with it!

Heather

If you're having trouble with week 1, start slower. For the next week, don't run at all. Just walk-- fast, not strolling-- for half an hour a day. Then try again.

I had to tweak it a bit. I went to our track and I did the first 10 minutes as I was supposed to but the last 10 I would walk the length of the track and run the corners. So it probably wasn't THAT much different than when I was doing the timed walking/running.

I need to stretch more because I'm sooo sore! I know there should be some soreness since I've never done this but it's bad. LOL!

So, I'll go on Thursday afternoon and then again on Sat or Sun morning and see if it gets any better.

Where do the side aches come from?

A friend told me that 'stitches' are something to do with lactic acid in the muscles, but it all sounded a bit science-y for me - so I have no idea! If you find out, let me know!

I found a site that says you need to step down with your left foot as you exhale because it has something to do with your liver and your diaphram. I hope this helps because they hurt BAD!

It'sAboutTime,

I had that stitch during the first week, too! but I ASSURE you that it will go away as your body accustoms itself to this new "movement" - you will begin to feel that it gets so much easier.
what I do is that I "jog" slowly, without actually running. my speed may be slow, but the burn I feel is totally great.

leda

Leda - that sounds exactly like how I 'run'. At first I thought 'Gosh, I am so slow!', but then I realised - but I AM DOING IT! It still feels like a solid workout, without killing me, so I'm happy

Heather

Yeah, maybe I'll have to slow my run to a jog this first week. That may help. who's timing me anyway?

Just keep with it!!!

I was a complete non-runner and just like you was intimidated to start. (Some of the most memorable childhood traumas for me were those mile runs we had to do each year for the physical fitness tests.) But now I've completed 2 marathons and am getting ready to train for my third! I'll never be even close to the front of the pack, but I'm out there doing it and that's all I care about.

If you're a reader and like a little motivation, I love these books:

No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running by John Bingham

First Marathons by Gail Kislevitz

Women Runners by Irene Reti

The first book is by a former couch potato who turned his life around through running to be a motivation for tons of people who never thought they could do it. The second two are collections of short stories from people and are so motivational. I have my favorites marked and re-read them when I need a little extra motivation.

Can you share where you found the plan you are using for the Couch to 5K?

sometimes the stitch is from not enough water, or too much. drink some before running, and not too much during. and good luck!

Minty Fresh, the couch to 5k plan is on coolrunning.com. Itsaboutime, try pressing on the area where you feel the pain while breathing out. I've read that this should help with a stich, and it's worked for me when I've felt similar pains myself. And don't get too bogged down in the run/jog distinction, just do what feels good to you and your body. You don't have to be able to run a 7 minute mile, just jog/run the best mile you can right now and maybe you'll eventually be able to that a little faster. Shoot, I get passed by little old ladies and just grin and hope that one day I'll be one of them passing up young women like me.

I’m not sure where stitches come from, but I definitely find that if I drink enough water in the hour before I run (but not chugging right before I head out) and pay attention to my breathing I tend not to get them. My breathing pattern is two steps in three steps out. Some people say that if you start each breathing cycle on a different side that alleviates stitches, so you can do two in three out or three in two out. I don’t know if it works because of the alternating sides thing or just because it forces to concentrate on constant even breathing but it works for me. It’s worth a try at least.

It's gotten better. I went out yesterday and it hurt like he!! so I would breath out big time..like you're saying "hooooo".....when my left foot hit the ground. I felt silly but I got a lot further.

I have to say I am vcery proud of myself and hope I can keep this up!