Bridge to 10K woes

phillieschic

So two weeks ago, I graduated from the C25K program and decided to move right into B210K (Bridge to 10K). I did really well with C25K, moved through it quickly, never repeated days or weeks, etc. At the end I was basically running for 40-45 minutes straight with absolutely no problems at all. *I have never been a runner in all of my 39 years!

B210K takes a step back and has you running for 10 minutes and then walking for one minute, repeating four times during Week 1. Okay...so I did it. I didn't like it, but I did it. Yesterday, I started Week 2 Day 1: run for 15 minutes, walk for 1 minute, repeating three times.

It killed me.

That one minute break is nothing but a huge pain in the *kitten*! It messes up my stride and my breathing...and I can't get it back. Has anyone else struggled with this program? I'm wondering if this is a mind game I'm playing with myself or if this just isn't the program for me.

As much as I LOVE the structure of the running apps, tonight, I'm going to just run. Basically I will be skipping to Week 6 (the last week of B210K) and running for 60 minutes straight and see how I do. If I have to stop at 50 or 55, I'm fine with that. I know I have to progress to get to the 10K point and right now I run 4.25 miles each time.

Anyone else experience this?

CarsonRuns

No experience with these programs, but a jump from 45 mins to 60 mins is a pretty big jump. Maybe go 50-52 mins a few times to see how that feels before going up to 60. Make sure you do some cut backs in there too of 30 to 40 minutes.

Jugie12

LMAO I read the title too fast and saw "Bridge to 10K *kitten*"

Now I have nothing to offer your post :laugh:

BrownsFan16

LMAO I read the title too fast and saw "Bridge to 10K *kitten*"

Now I have nothing to offer your post :laugh:

I am literally about to wet my pants after reading your post!!! LMAO!!!

And now I have NOTHING to offer as well!!!!! :blushing:

czmmom

I debated doing a bridge to 10 k as well and then just decided to add 5- 10 minutes to my run times. I didn't want to go back to the run/walk intervals. I tried 35 minutes, then 45 minutes, and then I did do a big jump to 60 minutes and was fine. I run 3 times a week(usually) and do a 30 minute run, a 45 - 60 minute run and then a longer run - working my way up to 90 minute run.

Happy running!!

meerkat70

I debated doing a bridge to 10 k as well and then just decided to add 5- 10 minutes to my run times. I didn't want to go back to the run/walk intervals. I tried 35 minutes, then 45 minutes, and then I did do a big jump to 60 minutes and was fine. I run 3 times a week(usually) and do a 30 minute run, a 45 - 60 minute run and then a longer run - working my way up to 90 minute run.

Happy running!!

I did this too. I downloaded B210, but never used it. I finished C25 about christmas time. I'm running a half marathon in just over a month.

LilRedRooster

If you're okay without the walk intervals, feel free to take them out. I wouldn't jump from 45 to 60 minutes, though. I'd go more gradually, maybe doing 50 minutes first, and working your way up from there to avoid injury from doing too much too soon. But don't feel obliged to follow the walk intervals if you feel like you don't need them. I like to think of training schedules as a guideline, and not a rulebook that much be followed to the letter.

bluefox9er

So two weeks ago, I graduated from the C25K program and decided to move right into B210K (Bridge to 10K). I did really well with C25K, moved through it quickly, never repeated days or weeks, etc. At the end I was basically running for 40-45 minutes straight with absolutely no problems at all. *I have never been a runner in all of my 39 years!

B210K takes a step back and has you running for 10 minutes and then walking for one minute, repeating four times during Week 1. Okay...so I did it. I didn't like it, but I did it. Yesterday, I started Week 2 Day 1: run for 15 minutes, walk for 1 minute, repeating three times.

It killed me.

That one minute break is nothing but a huge pain in the *kitten*! It messes up my stride and my breathing...and I can't get it back. Has anyone else struggled with this program? I'm wondering if this is a mind game I'm playing with myself or if this just isn't the program for me.

As much as I LOVE the structure of the running apps, tonight, I'm going to just run. Basically I will be skipping to Week 6 (the last week of B210K) and running for 60 minutes straight and see how I do. If I have to stop at 50 or 55, I'm fine with that. I know I have to progress to get to the 10K point and right now I run 4.25 miles each time.

Anyone else experience this?

Hi Phillieschic ( go orioles),

Like you, I finished c25k last week and have been running 40-45 minutes without any problems.

I downloaded the c210k app as the c25k app by bluefin was very good on the iPhone, but I am not motivated to go with a scripted 'program' as such in order to build for a 10k.

I am thinking if I can run 45 minutes, then increasing this amount gradually until I get to 60 minutes will take me in either 10k territory or pretty darn close to it. Right now, I am consolidating my 5k running by increasing by one minute every 2 runs.

I ran today for 46 minutes, so tomorrow I will do the same, but on WEdnesday, I will up to 47 or 48..and carry on that way. It might work, it might not, but at the same time I also want to *enjoy* my running and not get too entangled with constantly thinking about running a 10k.

Good luck, and belated congratulations on your c25k graduation!

gazerofthestars

Ditto, OP. Why take a walking break when I can go 30 minutes at a good pace without breaking a sweat (okay that may be a little exaggerated but you get my point).

I am a C25K grad, can run a 5K at 26ish minutes. But I am unable to keep my endurance up for over 50 minutes. Finishing my first 8km run last month, the first thing I learned was that you need to go slow. Pacing is important if you have a endurance issues. Otherwise taking walking breaks is not important unless you need to gather your rhythm again. But definitely conserve energy for the long run.

rattler0812

I just did a half marathon this past weekend. I started out small back in January by doing 10 minute intervals until I was able to maintain a specific speed for 15 minutes. Then I gradually increased that time by 5 minutes. My speed would typically decrease when I increased the time. But, I would regain my speed ability. Once I was able to maintain that without too much difficulty, then it was time to increase the time again.

Before long I was using 5k's to evaluate my endurance level. A couple months later I was using 10k's to see how I was doing. Once I felt confident that I could do a 10k well, then the half marathon was a guaranteed success. The key, I think, is to gradually increase your time so as to increase your endurance. Eventually you'll have the endurance to hit the 10k. But, don't hesitate to step up some if you feel that your runs are too easy. It could be a sign that your body is ready for a new challenge.

newhabit

i was wondering this same thing. i am finishing c25k this week and starting bridge to 10k. however, i think i'm going to start in week 4 of the program which is 8 minutes of running 1 minute of walking repeated 4 times. that would give me about 32 minutes of running time. also, only planning on doing a 2:30 minute warm up walk instead of the full 5 minutes they want you to do. i think that's a bit excessive. so i plan on starting the clock for the warm up, doing some stretching and that way the clock will still be accurate.

AmyRhubarb

Yes! Same problem here, the 1 minute walks seem to make it more difficult - I don't like the break in my rhythm. I'm actually stuck with 5 runs left in the program. Illness threw me off for a week, and my schedule, and I just can't seem to get back to it. Part of me wants to say forget it and just go back to shorter distances and work on speed intervals, and run longer when I feel like it, but another part of me wants to be able to "check the box" that I finished the program!

But yes, like you, I had no problem with c25k, even though I had never been a runner. I looked forward to the runs each week, but with the 10k, not so much.

newhabit

Yes! Same problem here, the 1 minute walks seem to make it more difficult - I don't like the break in my rhythm. I'm actually stuck with 5 runs left in the program. Illness threw me off for a week, and my schedule, and I just can't seem to get back to it. Part of me wants to say forget it and just go back to shorter distances and work on speed intervals, and run longer when I feel like it, but another part of me wants to be able to "check the box" that I finished the program!

But yes, like you, I had no problem with c25k, even though I had never been a runner. I looked forward to the runs each week, but with the 10k, not so much.

so then do you think it makes sense to start up at the week 4 point, where the runs are 8 minutes 4 different times?

AmyRhubarb

so then do you think it makes sense to start up at the week 4 point, where the runs are 8 minutes 4 different times?

Not sure we have the same program - my Week 4 was three 18 minute runs with 1 minute of walking in between....and those two walk breaks were what I didn't like. I'm on the 5th week which moves to two longer runs with only one 1 minute walk break. Have only done the first day of week 5 so far, but even with the longer running segments, I found it somewhat easier without walking twice. I did enjoy the single walk break to get some water though.

jadesign19

Bump for later.

natalie412

I did not do Bridge to 10K, because after finally getting to 5K, I did not want to go back to intervals! I graduated C25K at the end of Feb or beginning of March, and just kept running about 5K 3 times a week for a little while, and then started increasing distance. After a few weeks, I realized its OK to take a short walk break if I have to (like going up a hill). Now I am up to usually 5 miles for my shorter runs, and up to 10 miles for my longest run. (Doing a 1/2 at the end of Sept)

If the intervals drive you crazy, don't do them. Just run!

newhabit

ok so after trying to do this program today i realized the same thing - i hate those walking intervals and they totally throw me off. so i think i'm going to go ahead with endomondo and just do some 30 minute runs for a while. once i get that, i will add 10% each few weeks until i feel like i can add more time. sounds pretty good... i'll let you all know how it works. i'd love to run about 40 minutes and if i choose to do a 10k can run an hour... that is about where i want to be with running. not sure about half marathon yet, maybe some day.

joannenabors

I have not used the program, but have lost ~80 w/ MFP and ~140 overall. I just completed a painful 1/2Marathon (and am going to attempt one again in 2 weeks to see if it's any better)... I work out w/ a running group and after 5+ years of people telling me to use the "Galloway Method"... which is running 4 minutes and walk/running 1 minute... have tried it twice and KILLED my best times. Your body actually recovers during the slower time and you can go faster during the other times. Really. Doesn't make sense - but have have friends who do this with marathons & ironman distance races... I just told myself I'm too damn slow to slow down.

Try it a few times.... don't quit after one time. Plus - NEVER add more that 10% to your time or distance, and make sure you drop back 1/3 at least once every 4-6 weeks. Discipline your MIND - and trust the system. I blew it off for years...

JoAnne
JoAnne@VioletCrownRealty.com
Austin, TX

omsmom12

Marking for later