Restarting at week 4...

Heartlight441

I did week 4, day 1 last week and got discouraged at how hard it was and stopped.
Decided NOT to quit and going to restart at week 4 and keep at this week if need be for a bit.

How are you all getting on? Did you need to ever redo a week? I'm trying not to feel guilty or shame myself about this and see my jogging as something to enjoy for life.

NancyN795

I think repeating days or weeks is pretty normal. I started last spring, got stalled on week 5 and gave up. Then, started again last fall using the treadmill but again stalled. Then, I read advice that slowing way, way down was the key and was able to finish on the treadmill, but wasn't running anywhere near 5k because I was so slow. So, now I'm running outside and using an app (rundouble) that does it by distance (so, by the end, I'll definitely be running a 5k). However, due to life and weather, I haven't been able to stick to a strict schedule. (I do run on the treadmill when weather interferes, but don't count it towards C25k.) I am generally reluctant to advance when I've missed too many days. So, I stayed on week 3 for 8 runs and now I'm about to repeat week 6 because it's been more than a week since I've done a C25k run. The reason I stayed on week 3 so long was that week 4 is a lot farther than week 3 and I had life commitments (and weather) that happened right then, so I chose to not advance until life and weather were going to be less disruptive. So, I get that you found week 4 to be really hard.

I figure as long as I get out there and try, I'm helping myself get fitter and healthier and that's what really counts. A few people may finish C25k on schedule, but I bet the majority take longer.

Heartlight441

Thanks for your reply!!

callmecarina

I just finished week 4 day one during lunch and it definitely was hard, but I somehow mustered through! I was running at a 5.5 mph pace on the treadmill up until today, and I took it down to 5 mph, and then during the last 5-minute run at 4.7 mph.

I DID have to repeat a week. In fact, I repeated several. I did all the way up to week 3, day 3 then I stopped for about a week or two. When I picked it back up, I started at week 2 day 1 and even that kicked my *kitten*. But I have been going steady since starting back at week 2, day 1 because I made it a point not to beat myself up about starting over and losing so much progress.

The thing is, people stress SO MUCH the fact that you will need to repeat days and even weeks. SO much depends on each individual's life, and C25K Seems like it's not at all a one-size fits all sort of deal, just like so many other exercises are.

I was hooping with my sister-in-law yesterday and there was one trick in particular that I picked up IMMEDIATELY. She was completely and utterly shocked because she said that took her months to figure out. On the other hand, I still can't make a hoop just circle around my waist for the LIFE of me.

Your mileage may vary, but that doesn't at all speak as to your level of dedication.

YOU GOT THIS!

sparklyglitterbomb

I did week 4, day 1 yesterday and it was tough! I slowed everything way down and plodded through. I'm keeping the faith it will get better tomorrow and Friday. We got this! (right??? lol)

Heartlight441

I am SO happy! I redid the 4/1 and it was way better than when I did it the first time. I think I was just having an off day that day - period (ugh), not enough daytime calories before run and was just overall exhausted pre-run. Yesterday it was still a challenge but I kept self-talking that I could do it. Also helped to NOT keep looking at how much time was left to keep running and just enjoy the scenery. I can do this! I was almost feeling discouraged that I couldn't do this and was slightly pondering to quit. I'm back on this plan and super motivated to keep on!! Thanks

Oh and yes, I kept telling myself to SLOW down. Another runner passed me, and I thought "I must look so silly jogging SO slowly" but then I will work on my speed once I am able to run 5K's in distance. Distance is my first goal - then time!

NancyN795

Heartlight441 wrote: »

Also helped to NOT keep looking at how much time was left to keep running and just enjoy the scenery.

That's one thing that makes me prefer running outside to running on the treadmill. On the treadmill, I can't stop myself from looking at the time/distance. Outside, even though the scenery is familiar it still changes (especially with spring getting high gear now) and it's hard to look at my phone to check the time/distance (although, I kind of know the distance I've gone since the road is so familiar).

callmecarina

NancyN795 wrote: »

Heartlight441 wrote: »

Also helped to NOT keep looking at how much time was left to keep running and just enjoy the scenery.

That's one thing that makes me prefer running outside to running on the treadmill. On the treadmill, I can't stop myself from looking at the time/distance. Outside, even though the scenery is familiar it still changes (especially with spring getting high gear now) and it's hard to look at my phone to check the time/distance (although, I kind of know the distance I've gone since the road is so familiar).

This is toooooo true! Thankfully the treadmill I use has a "hide" function, and I usually can find an open treadmill overlooking the Embarcadero in San Francisco. That helps a lot! Otherwise, when I'm facing a wall, it's a bit more tedious. I've seen other runners cover their treadmills with towels. That seems like a good idea to me if your treadmill doesn't have a hide function!

Happy running, everyone!

kat00_ca

I've had to restart a week before and that was week 6. To be fair, I had a lot going on that week and was just drained and my running kind of sucked. So, I decided to restart week 6 the following week and I felt much better.

Sometimes, you just need to restart a week. The program is not an exact science but rather has the flexibility to adjust to your needs.