couch to 5K (1st week)

SueInAz

I start W3D1 tomorrow morning. I'm more than a bit nervous about the 3 minute runs because I don't really think I'm ready. I feel like I'm still struggling with the last couple of 90 second intervals in week 2, although that might be yesterday's high altitude run still scaring me. Ah well, if I can't make it, I'll just walk and keep on trying until I can make it the whole 3 minutes!

TourThePast

I start W3D1 tomorrow morning. I'm more than a bit nervous about the 3 minute runs because I don't really think I'm ready.

Just wanted to wish you good luck - you might surprise yourself...

SueInAz

I start W3D1 tomorrow morning. I'm more than a bit nervous about the 3 minute runs because I don't really think I'm ready.

Just wanted to wish you good luck - you might surprise yourself...

Thanks for the encouragement, but nope! LOL I made it about 2 minutes, walked 30 seconds, ran the last 30 seconds. IMHO, when I get to the point where I'm doing little better than jogging in place because I'm wore out, it's time to walk. Apparently, I'm getting old. Hopefully, it'll be easier on Thursday.

TourThePast

Just wanted to wish you good luck - you might surprise yourself...

Thanks for the encouragement, but nope! LOL I made it about 2 minutes, walked 30 seconds, ran the last 30 seconds.

So you ran 150 seconds instead of the full 180 seconds - that's still pretty awesome, no way could you have done that last week.

You should feel very proud of your progress!

TheGoktor

I agree - that's fantastic! After doing W2D3 today, I really don't think I'm quite ready to go to W3 just yet, so am going to repeat today's one on Thursday.

I don't know if it's because we didn't go out until 10.30am today (usually out at 7.30am), or what it was but both of us found the first two runs quite difficult to get going, and they seemed to last for longer than 90s. Runs 3&4 however, were pretty easy (I definitely got into my stride there, and didn't feel out of breath). The last part of run 5 was uphill, and this seemed to be my undoing! Even after the walk, my legs had just had enough, so run 6 was more like a limp!

On the plus side, my chest was fine today, and my leg muscles didn't start hurting until after I got home and did five mins of stretching. I don't know if it's because I did 10 mins of pilates before going out, or whether my muscles are becoming accustomed to the exercise. I used some ice packs on them, and found that the pain subsided much more quickly than on previous days. My legs don't hurt at all now, so I should be OK to do more pilates tomorrow. :bigsmile:

One ache I was really pleased to have however, is my triceps! I never thought that would happen, so I guess that pumping my arms as I run does actually do something after all. Bring it on, I say!

TheGoktor

Well, we both decided to repeat W2D3 today instead of going into W3. I'm really pleased we did because at last my legs feel like they are becoming accustomed to the running, and although they ached afterward, I didn't have the actual pain I've been experiencing. I can't tell you how elated I feel about that!

Question for the more experienced among us; I'm finding now that 90 second runs aren't really making me out of breath. The first one is a bit of a panter but after that, while I do breathe more heavily, I'm not out of breath, and it goes back to normal within a few seconds of stopping. However, it's my legs which protest. I just don't know how to make them more....durable I suppose! :laugh: I don't overstretch them at all, in fact, having looked at videos, it seems my natural running style is more or less the same as chi running. I keep up a moderate pace (until I get to the last run, and then even shambling zombies would overtake me!), not going too fast and overtaxing myself, but still, by the time I've been getting to the end of run 5, my legs are worn out. It's not pain - it's just a stubborn refusal to move much above a walk. I start run 6 and get progressively slower! But then the cool down walk is fine, and I'm sure I walk faster than I run!

Any thoughts? Thanks!

M_lifts

Just wanted to wish you good luck - you might surprise yourself...

Thanks for the encouragement, but nope! LOL I made it about 2 minutes, walked 30 seconds, ran the last 30 seconds.

So you ran 150 seconds instead of the full 180 seconds - that's still pretty awesome, no way could you have done that last week.

You should feel very proud of your progress!

i agree, thats amazing!

M_lifts

Well, we both decided to repeat W2D3 today instead of going into W3. I'm really pleased we did because at last my legs feel like they are becoming accustomed to the running, and although they ached afterward, I didn't have the actual pain I've been experiencing. I can't tell you how elated I feel about that!

Question for the more experienced among us; I'm finding now that 90 second runs aren't really making me out of breath. The first one is a bit of a panter but after that, while I do breathe more heavily, I'm not out of breath, and it goes back to normal within a few seconds of stopping. However, it's my legs which protest. I just don't know how to make them more....durable I suppose! :laugh: I don't overstretch them at all, in fact, having looked at videos, it seems my natural running style is more or less the same as chi running. I keep up a moderate pace (until I get to the last run, and then even shambling zombies would overtake me!), not going too fast and overtaxing myself, but still, by the time I've been getting to the end of run 5, my legs are worn out. It's not pain - it's just a stubborn refusal to move much above a walk. I start run 6 and get progressively slower! But then the cool down walk is fine, and I'm sure I walk faster than I run!

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Not sure about the legs! do you stretch out before you start? I know what you mean about making them last! I think i walk fast than i run too! lol! for some reason i feel running actually slows me down! maybe i need to pick up the pace a bit?! lol!

hopefully the more experienced runners can give u a better idea!

M_lifts

i completed day 2 of week 2 yesterday! having a rest day today and then day 3 tomorrow! managed a further 10 mins jog on the way home too!