W2D3b...

tinkermommc

So I started and then my husband's work schedule was all weird so I had to take 4 days off after W2D1. So I got running again and got to W2D3 and was struggling. So I repeated it today. I don't feel as confident moving on as I did from W1 to W2. Is this normal or did my extra days off set me back that far? What do you think I should do? Repeat it again or move on to W3? I still have 14 weeks to the 5K I signed up for so I have some extra time. Thanks for your advice!

lodicox7

I would keep going if the tiredness you're feeling is cardiovascular or muscular. If you're feeling some kind of abnormal muscular or joint pain, then I would take some time off. The point of the C25K program is to gradually push yourself to build up your leg and cardio strength, so you shouldn't really find it to be easy. If you wait for every week to be easy to complete you may never get through it, and by moving onto week three, you might just surprise yourself with how far you've come.

The couple extra days off aren't going to hurt or hinder you. Just keep going with the program, and don't let mental fatigue convince you you can't do it! That's my 2 cents. Keep it up!

buckeyegirl0103

I did W2D3 today as well- i struggled more than W2D2....I wondered about moving on to W3 as well. I think what I am going to do is just try it. If I struggle with W3D1, I will just keep repeating it till I get there.....I figure I'd rather forge ahead than stay behind.

secretlobster

It's absolutely fine to repeat until you feel more confident moving forward. The program itself is not a race... In fact it's deliberately designed so that you can take your time doing it and not push yourself before you feel ready.

One thing I will note now that I am able to run for longer distances... The first mile or two is very hard. Your body doesn't find a natural rhythm very easily, especially with a run/walk program where the run is interrupted by periods of walking. What you will be able to do by the end of the program is push yourself past the first mile or two, let your body find that rhythm, and just keep on going. For now, unless you're experiencing joint pain or you are not getting enough air into your lungs, I would keep on going. If what you're experiencing is muscle fatigue, you should recognize that this is part of the process and you can work through it.

I have a few friends in real life who are doing C25K right now and I think the feeling of muscle fatigue (lactic acid buildup) is kind of a new sensation for them... So they would automatically think "I can't go any further" when it was really just a plateau they had to work past.

So again, I would take joint pain very seriously, and you should be able to breathe enough that you're not hyperventilating or about to pass out (if you're at this point, you probably need to SLOW down your run!). Otherwise, I bet your legs will take you further than you think! For most people, it will never be "easy". Even if it feels challenging, unless you absolutely cannot complete the run, keep going.

MtnKat

I would try W3 and see how it goes....you can always back track :-)

Drastiic

I just did W3D1 this morning. If you're struggling, but still able to complete the assignment I would keep moving forward with it. I've heard people say that it doesn't get easier, but you do get stronger. In this program we're basically increasing our stamina, and in order to do that, we have to keep pushing ourselves past our comfort zone into new territory each week.

tinkermommc

No pain during it. Or after really. Just the first week. But breathing is my problem. I have trouble breathing the last running set and wasn't able to complete the last run until today. But maybe that's what I'm supposed to do. Guess I'll press on and see how itgoes!

tinkermommc

So I moved on this morning...pushed and did W3D1!! I did it! The whole thing! I think it was easier than W2! So I guess in the future, no doubting myself and just keep pushing forward!

lodicox7

So I moved on this morning...pushed and did W3D1!! I did it! The whole thing! I think it was easier than W2! So I guess in the future, no doubting myself and just keep pushing forward!

Congrats! That's really great.

buckeyegirl0103

So I moved on this morning...pushed and did W3D1!! I did it! The whole thing! I think it was easier than W2! So I guess in the future, no doubting myself and just keep pushing forward!

Excellent! I was right there with ya this morning! I thought it was better than W2D3- and I actually felt better after this run than the last one! Keep up the great work!!

tinkermommc

Me too! Alittle sore but nothing terrible. Guess W3 is just better than W2 :-)