Is it difficult to start your 2nd run after walking?

teamAmelia

Do you find it difficult to start your 2nd long run after walking? I find that it's easier to just run for 20 mins than it is to run for 5 minutes, then take a 3-minute break, and try to run again for 8 minutes. Anyone else experience this?

Skye_NS

Yes! For me, it usually happened when my walking pace was too slow. I found that I needed to slow down just enough to recover but keep it brisk enough that my body didn't decide that the break meant 'all done!'. It was a tricky balance to find, but it got easier as the days went by. Week 6, day 1 still kicked my butt though - I went in thinking it would be 'nothing' after I completed the 20 minute run. :laugh: Silly me! C25K doesn't do 'nothing' days!

AmandaForKeeps

I did feel that way on Friday (W5D2). It made me feel excited for tomorrows 20 minutes, though.

yamsteroo

I loved my walking breaks! lol Right up until W5D3.

After that I hated them, they got in the way and even when I tried to do a 5-10k plan that started off as intervals, I didn't enjoy it at all so I found one based around progressively longer constant runs and I love it

rduhlir

There is logic behind the madness. The walk breaks aren't only about giving you a small break, they help your body learn to clear lactic acid that builds up in your legs. That "tired" feeling in your legs, the feeling that they weigh heavy or like they will buckle. Everyone feels it differently, to me it is my legs get "sore". That is the lactic acid that builds up. The walk breaks help your body learn to clear it. As you become more and more better at running the walk breaks might turn into slow jogs between speed intervals. But the function will still be the same. This is why it is recommended to follow the program, even if it seems easy. Just remember, there is logic behind the madness!

PinkNinjaLaura

Tip from my trainer: during the walk intervals keep your arms bent like you do when you run. When you drop your arms straight down to your side during your walk intervals it makes it harder to start running again. I don't remember why. He explained it to me, but that was several months ago so I just don't remember. Picture people who power-walk - their arms are up & pumping, not down & swinging.

teamAmelia

Thanks for the info and tips. I will keep that in mind and test some of them out.