Want to Do Couch2 5 K...But Don't Think I Can

sparkles212

So much negativity, you've already failed by believing that you cannot do this. You need to find some motivation and believe in yourself....then you'll be able to do it.

Therealobi1

You don't have to run but if you really want to concentrate on just plain walking until your fitness levels pick up. Also seek medical advice first. Good luck

EmmaFitzwilliam

I have exercise induced asthma. Functionally, what that ends up feeling like is when I exert myself, my lung capacity diminishes by about a third.

And even though I was 30 pounds overweight at the time (and, to be brutally honest, the most fit I had been in at least 5 years, and maybe 10), I ran a 5k three years ago. I didn't have a great time, and I walked as well as ran, but you can do it. You don't have to run the whole time.

Couch to 5k is very popular; you might also try your own personal progressive marathon where you log all of your training miles up to 23, and then complete a 5k (whether an official one, or on your own).

Or you can join a relay for life team - as I understand it, some of those don't even require running.

A friend of mine is generally sedentary, though she will amble for shopping and Disneyland. This past Sunday she strolled just shy of two miles in 42 minutes. Not quite a 5k pace, but she's not training for a 5k - she just kept moving.

Instead of worrying about your pace, embrace it. Get yourself the t-shirt that reads "I run like a turtle lumbering through a peanut butter swamp, but I run." One day, if you want to, you will run farther and faster, and the t-shirt will be a great joke.

hoyalawya2003

I have asthma. I have run/walked two 5ks and aiming to do a half marathon this year.

My tips--make sure you have a rescue inhaler. Use it prior to working out at first, it really does help with the feeling of an elephant sitting on your chest.

Do a progressive walking routine prior to c25k. I found one at kaiser permanente, and did a 5k walk. then I started c25k.

Be consistent. I don't make gains on the weeks I only run once or twice. Sometimes I even backslide. It happens. Dust yourself off and keep going.

Some days will suck. They do for every runner, asthma or no. Chalk it up to an off day and get back out there.

If you do c25k (which I highly recommend), you might need longer than 5 minutes to warm up. Don't be afraid to experiment a little.

It also may take a lot longer to complete--repeat days if you need to, as many times as you need to. But balance that with pushing forward--running is a mental challenge as well as physical. YOU CAN DO IT!

Feel free to message and/or friend me. I try to support my running buddies!

FenTiger89

My husband and I have participated in 9 5Ks, the most recent being this past Saturday. We walk 85% of the course with a little jogging thrown in. My first time was 55 minutes and change. I finished at 48 minutes this weekend. My goal by the end of the year is 40-45 minutes. We walk a good bit during the week, albeit on the treadmill at the gym, and when the weather permits we get outside on the weekends. My husband also has exercise induced asthma and hits his inhaler before we get started.

TL:dr - go at your own pace. I have just as much fun "wogging" (walking/jogging) a 5K as those who run them. A 16.50 mile is faster than sitting on the couch.

mochapygmy

Get cleared by a doctor as you are already planning to do. In the meantime consider starting with yoga, especially one where there is an emphasis on the flow of breath. Perhaps hatha or a beginner yoga. You can do yoga at a gym, studio or at home, anywhere really.

You took the first step by posting here now the most important thing in the next step. You will get there by focusing on one small step at a time.

ahealthiercara

I did a sort of couch to 5k program but it was an in person class that also taught me how to stretch, proper form, etc. I, too, suffer from the 'too much too soon' syndrome so having this program helped a lot. If you have a 'Fleet Feet' store where you are, they run a 'No Boundaries' class that is great. I completed the program, ran pretty slowly, and still at the end was doing run/walk intervals but it felt great to finish a race. I took the class again with the goal of increasing my speed and unfortunately took too much for granted and injured myself and was unable to finish the class. I was only a few weeks away from the race and I'd improved so much but I pushed it too hard and didn't stretch enough and I'm still healing from bursitis in my hip a few months later. Hoping to get back to running again when the hip is fully healed. Take it slow, but be steady with it and you'll see progress.