Bored of C25K and never get anywhere! Am I the only 1?

icemaiden17_uk

Oi oi MFPers!!

I have been starting and restarting C25K since November and I have never managed to complete it! It is really starting to annoy me!! When I started I was only able to go at 7kph and I did get up to 16mins of running but I have never managed that since!! I have a theory that my CV fitness is just not what it needs to be and I have a plan to help it. Is there anyone out there who feels the same and is interested in starting a group to take part in a challenge?

What I have decided to do as I am in no hurry and want to improve my fitness is mix HIIT into C25K!

My plan goes something like this,

Week 1 HIIT, Week 2 C25K Wk 1, Week 2 C25k Wk 2, Week 3 HIIT etc all for a total of 3 workouts each week.

Bellow is the plan that I am going to try to follow. I will start with HIIT at 5:11kph and C25K at 5:9kph. I will also have my treadmill on an incline of 1.5.

So Week 1 HIIT

Walk for 2 mins followed by 1:1 min intervals to 10mins where there will be a 2 min walk followed by 1 set of 1:1. Then 30s:30 to 20mins followed by the preset cooldown.

Week 2 C25K week 1

Walk for 2 mins followed by 1min:90s intervals for total of 20mins followed by the preset cooldown

Week 3 C25K week 2

Walk for 2 mins followed by 90s:20min intervals for a total of 20 mins followed by the preset cooldown.

Week 4 HIIT

Walk for 2 mins followed by intervals of 1:1min alternated with 30s:30s for a total of 20 mins followed by the cooldown.

Week 5 C25K week 3

Walk for 2 mins then 2 intervals of 90s:90s followed by 1 interval of 3:3mins followed by the cooldown.

Week 6 HIIT

Walk for 2 mins followed by intervals of 1min:30s for 20 mins total followed by the cooldown

Week 6 C25K week 4

Walk for 2 mins then 3min:90s followed by 5:2.5 minfollowed by 3min:90s followed by 5 mins running. Then do the cooldown

Week 7 C25K week 5

Workout 1 - Walk for 2 mins then 5:3mins x2 followed by 5 mins running and the cooldown.
Workout 2 - Walk for 2 mins run for 8 mins walk for 5 mins run for 8 mins and then do the cooldown.
Workout 3 - walk for 2 mins run for 20 mins followed by the cooldown.

Week 8 HIIT Increase speed to 11.5kph

Walk for 2 mins then 2:1 min intervals for a total of 20 mins followed by the cooldown

Week 9 C25K week 6

Workout 1 - Walk for 2 mins then run for 5, walk for 3, run for 8, walk for 3, run for 5 then cooldown
Workout 2 - Walk for 2 mins then run for 10, walk for 3, run for 10 then cool down
Workout 3 - -Wlak for 2 mins then run for 25 mins follwed by then cooldown

Week 10 HIIT

Walk for 2 mins then 30s:30s for 20 mins followed by the cooldown

Week 11 C25K week 7

Walk for 2 mins then run for 25 mins followed by the cooldown

Week 12 HIIT

Walk for 2 mins the intervals of 1min:30s for a total of 20mins followed by the cooldown

Week 13 C25K week 8

Walk for 2 mins then run for 28mins followed by the cooldown

Week 14 HIIT

As week 12

Week 15 C25K week 9

Walk for 2 mins then run for 30mins followed by the cooldown

Doing this I hope to be able to get on and do it to the finish befor starting B210K! I am going to up my speed along the way as I feel it is needed. I doubt I will to be honest because I don't want to kill myself!!

So, does anyone want to join me?

BTW I only do 2mins of walking because I warm up on the crosstrainer and stretch before getting onto the treadmill. If you don't warm up first then do 5 mins of walking instead of 2 so you are warm before you start running!! Lets get kicking!!

icemaiden17_uk

Ok! I guess I will be doing this on my own!! Not to worry!! Maybe I should've called my post something else? Who knows!

dad106

I think you just need to start the program and keep going... and if you need to repeat a week, then repeat a week.

What you have looks complicated and kind of ridiculous... Pick a goal of speed or a goal of distance and go from there.

Once you master one, then you can work on the other.

icemaiden17_uk

I think you just need to start the program and keep going... and if you need to repeat a week, then repeat a week.

What you have looks complicated and kind of ridiculous... Pick a goal of speed or a goal of distance and go from there.

Once you master one, then you can work on the other.

That is what I have done! Over and over and over again! I get stuck at about week 5 and then can't get any further! I don't think what I have put is complicated and I would like to know how exactly it is rediculous. Just out of curiosity! It is a plan to help me where i have a weakness that is all! And to make it a bit more interesting!

dad106

I think you just need to start the program and keep going... and if you need to repeat a week, then repeat a week.

What you have looks complicated and kind of ridiculous... Pick a goal of speed or a goal of distance and go from there.

Once you master one, then you can work on the other.

That is what I have done! Over and over and over again! I get stuck at about week 5 and then can't get any further! I don't think what I have put is complicated and I would like to know how exactly it is rediculous. Just out of curiosity! It is a plan to help me where i have a weakness that is all! And to make it a bit more interesting!

Have you actually tried to go further? Or have you said oh I just can't do it, so I'm not going to?

It's ridiculous because you are combining two totally different programs that have two totally different outcomes.

HITT isn't really about improving cardio vascular fitness.. it's more about intensity then anything. While C25K is just that.. learning how to run a 5K.

I think that you need to try C25K again and go slower... and if you did that, you wouldn't get stuck at week 5.

icemaiden17_uk

Have you actually tried to go further? Or have you said oh I just can't do it, so I'm not going to?

It's ridiculous because you are combining two totally different programs that have two totally different outcomes.

HITT isn't really about improving cardio vascular fitness.. it's more about intensity then anything. While C25K is just that.. learning how to run a 5K.

I think that you need to try C25K again and go slower... and if you did that, you wouldn't get stuck at week 5.

Ah! Now I get you!! I don't believe that HIIT and C25K are mutually excluisive though. I have tried to go further and I push myself, hard! I can't do the time at any speed. HIIT is not just about intensity. It is about improving your recovery time and getting your HR up and training it to recover quickly. It does therefore help with CV fitness. I think you are not understanding what I am trying to do or why I get stuck at a certain point. I guess I should've just kept this to myself as I was not looking for judgment, just someone to do this with.

TheLittleKittie

Well, im busy doing 30 DS at the moment but do need to start my running again, so im kinda happy to do the run parts with you whilst I do 30DS daily, if what yu're after is like a virtual run buddy?

nickhuffman74

I think you are too focused on the speed that you are running at. You should be more concerned at accomplishing the distance that you want to reach, then after time and fitness levels improve then work on your speed. Also do you know your pace? I would suggest Nike+ or Runkeeper to announce your pace every 1/4 mile until you are a more accomplished runner.

I know when I was near the end of C25k a few years ago the last few weeks were killing me and I could never figure out why some runs were easy and other times I could barley finish. It was my pace, after getting an app to help me learn how to pace my run I complete c2k5 with no issue.

Now a few years later I can run a 5k at 7:30 miles. So first get the distance and fitness/ then get the speed.

WendyTerry420

I am only on Week two, so I haven't gotten bored yet. I am thrilled at the inch and a half lost in my calves after such a short time though. I am loving it! It's great after all these years (since college) to finally have a muscle that I can see again.

WendyTerry420

I think you are too focused on the speed that you are running at. You should be more concerned at accomplishing the distance that you want to reach, then after time and fitness levels improve then work on your speed. Also do you know your pace? I would suggest Nike+ or Runkeeper to announce your pace every 1/4 mile until you are a more accomplished runner.

I know when I was near the end of C25k a few years ago the last few weeks were killing me and I could never figure out why some runs were easy and other times I could barley finish. It was my pace, after getting an app to help me learn how to pace my run I complete c2k5 with no issue.

Now a few years later I can run a 5k at 7:30 miles. So first get the distance and fitness/ then get the speed.

Excellent point! Pace yourself, or you'll never make it. There is nowhere in the C25K plan that has you running. You are supposed to jog, not run.

Part of what I have been doing is that I mentally count out my time. (I don't have any fancy electronic equipment) That seems to help me keep pace as well.

maddymama

Have you tried running outside instead of on a treadmill? Don't focus on your speed, just completing the intervals at a jog.
I think I would lose my mind if I had to do it all on a treadmill, but happily completed the C25K over a year ago and am still happily running. I only run on a treadmill when it is storming outside or "middle of the winter, snow is approaching" day.

icemaiden17_uk

I think you are too focused on the speed that you are running at. You should be more concerned at accomplishing the distance that you want to reach, then after time and fitness levels improve then work on your speed. Also do you know your pace? I would suggest Nike+ or Runkeeper to announce your pace every 1/4 mile until you are a more accomplished runner.

I know when I was near the end of C25k a few years ago the last few weeks were killing me and I could never figure out why some runs were easy and other times I could barley finish. It was my pace, after getting an app to help me learn how to pace my run I complete c2k5 with no issue.

Now a few years later I can run a 5k at 7:30 miles. So first get the distance and fitness/ then get the speed.

I am not bothered about speed at all! I can't do it too slowly because i can't get the rythum right and I can't go too fast because I'm not fit enough. That is the only speed I am bothered about! I know my pace. I run on a treadmill as I said. I cant go the distance bacause my hr is really high and HIIT will help with that but I don't feel it is a good thing for me to do every CV workout.

icemaiden17_uk

Well, im busy doing 30 DS at the moment but do need to start my running again, so im kinda happy to do the run parts with you whilst I do 30DS daily, if what yu're after is like a virtual run buddy?

This sounds cool to me!! Thanks!! Friend request on its way!

icemaiden17_uk

I am only on Week two, so I haven't gotten bored yet. I am thrilled at the inch and a half lost in my calves after such a short time though. I am loving it! It's great after all these years (since college) to finally have a muscle that I can see again.

That is so great!! I am really pleased for you!! I love C25K as well! That is why I refuse to give up and say "well I'm just not a runner I guess"! Well done you!!

icemaiden17_uk

Excellent point! Pace yourself, or you'll never make it. There is nowhere in the C25K plan that has you running. You are supposed to jog, not run.

Part of what I have been doing is that I mentally count out my time. (I don't have any fancy electronic equipment) That seems to help me keep pace as well.

One mans jog is another mans run. 9kph is not fast. It is jogging speed.

icemaiden17_uk

Have you tried running outside instead of on a treadmill? Don't focus on your speed, just completing the intervals at a jog.
I think I would lose my mind if I had to do it all on a treadmill, but happily completed the C25K over a year ago and am still happily running. I only run on a treadmill when it is storming outside or "middle of the winter, snow is approaching" day.

I can do more on the treadmill than I can outside and I would have to drive somewhere in order to run outside. I live on a very steep hill!! Running outside for me is really not an option at the moment.

dad106

I think you are too focused on the speed that you are running at. You should be more concerned at accomplishing the distance that you want to reach, then after time and fitness levels improve then work on your speed. Also do you know your pace? I would suggest Nike+ or Runkeeper to announce your pace every 1/4 mile until you are a more accomplished runner.

I know when I was near the end of C25k a few years ago the last few weeks were killing me and I could never figure out why some runs were easy and other times I could barley finish. It was my pace, after getting an app to help me learn how to pace my run I complete c2k5 with no issue.

Now a few years later I can run a 5k at 7:30 miles. So first get the distance and fitness/ then get the speed.

I am not bothered about speed at all! I can't do it too slowly because i can't get the rythum right and I can't go too fast because I'm not fit enough. That is the only speed I am bothered about! I know my pace. I run on a treadmill as I said. I cant go the distance bacause my hr is really high and HIIT will help with that but I don't feel it is a good thing for me to do every CV workout.

Um, my heart rate gets to 180-190 when I do C25K Workouts, and I manage just fine.

It's not your heart rate.. It's your speed.

Slow it down and you'd be able to do it.

nickhuffman74

I think you are too focused on the speed that you are running at. You should be more concerned at accomplishing the distance that you want to reach, then after time and fitness levels improve then work on your speed. Also do you know your pace? I would suggest Nike+ or Runkeeper to announce your pace every 1/4 mile until you are a more accomplished runner.

I know when I was near the end of C25k a few years ago the last few weeks were killing me and I could never figure out why some runs were easy and other times I could barley finish. It was my pace, after getting an app to help me learn how to pace my run I complete c2k5 with no issue.

Now a few years later I can run a 5k at 7:30 miles. So first get the distance and fitness/ then get the speed.

I am not bothered about speed at all! I can't do it too slowly because i can't get the rythum right and I can't go too fast because I'm not fit enough. That is the only speed I am bothered about! I know my pace. I run on a treadmill as I said. I cant go the distance bacause my hr is really high and HIIT will help with that but I don't feel it is a good thing for me to do every CV workout.

Running is a mental game as well as physical, I know when my runs get hard my mind starts telling me "You cant do this", "you have ran far enough" ect ect ect.

How high is your heart rate getting?

icemaiden17_uk

Um, my heart rate gets to 180-190 when I do C25K Workouts, and I manage just fine.

It's not your heart rate.. It's your speed.

Slow it down and you'd be able to do it.

I am slow!! I know what is going on with my body. I am not you and I am different to you. I am going to try something new and if you don't like it you don't have to do it. I am not asking for advice or suggestions I have already tried. I am doing a workout based on what helped me before sickness took me out of the gym for 2 months.

meerkat70

I think you do need to focus on distance first, and speed later.

Are you on any of the big running programmes? (Endo, mapmyrun, runkeeper?) It might help to set up a group of C25kers on there, to give you a running community to work with. (Add me, if you're on one of those - I'll give you my name.)

WendyTerry420

Excellent point! Pace yourself, or you'll never make it. There is nowhere in the C25K plan that has you running. You are supposed to jog, not run.

Part of what I have been doing is that I mentally count out my time. (I don't have any fancy electronic equipment) That seems to help me keep pace as well.

One mans jog is another mans run. 9kph is not fast. It is jogging speed.

Ok, so I had to Google it, but it is showing that is about 5.5 mph. If that's correct, you could stand to slow down a bit to increase your endurance. I used to run cross country in high school. Even though I haven't been jogging in over 20 years, I do remember that you don't build endurance through speed. Build endurance first, then speed will come after it.

icemaiden17_uk

Running is a mental game as well as physical, I know when my runs get hard my mind starts telling me "You cant do this", "you have ran far enough" ect ect ect.

How high is your heart rate getting?

Yeah I know!! It is so easy to give up but I never do until I feel like I am totally unable to go any further!! As in I am about to fall off the treadmill because I am so tired!!

My HR is getting up to 190 during the running/jogging stages and I am 29 so that is borderline not good!! It defo doesn't feel good!! About 160-170 is a really good HR for me to work in and that is where the hard HIIT comes in!

icemaiden17_uk

Ok, so I had to Google it, but it is showing that is about 5.5 mph. If that's correct, you could stand to slow down a bit to increase your endurance. I used to run cross country in high school. Even though I haven't been jogging in over 20 years, I do remember that you don't build endurance through speed. Build endurance first, then speed will come after it.

That sounds about right! 8.5kph even is too slow. I can't get a rhythum at that speed it just feels too odd!! 9kph really is optimum for me! I really am not bothered about speed though! That is just the treadmill settings I use! If I feel the need to lower it I will! I have tried C25K inside, outside, slower, faster everything. That is why I am trying something new and mixing it up a bit!

meerkat70

5.5 is *FAST for a beginner runner.

I think that's why you're having trouble getting through the programme. You're racing it.

airbent

Your plan looks super complicated.... I started C25K about a month ago, doing it every other day religiously. I've never run before and right now I'm only at the beginning of week 3 because I repeat days/weeks if I don't feel comfortable. Not sure I want to go more hardcore than that.

on Monday I did week 3 day 1 and the second 3-minute jog I could only do 2 minutes of, it was the first time I didn't finish a running interval and it felt terrible. I'm going to take the advice in this thread to heart and decrease my speed until I can run for longer. I've been doing it at 6mph and it's NOT fun.

icemaiden17_uk

Your plan looks super complicated.... I started C25K about a month ago, doing it every other day religiously. I've never run before and right now I'm only at the beginning of week 3 because I repeat days/weeks if I don't feel comfortable. Not sure I want to go more hardcore than that.

on Monday I did week 3 day 1 and the second 3-minute jog I could only do 2 minutes of, it was the first time I didn't finish a running interval and it felt terrible. I'm going to take the advice in this thread to heart and decrease my speed until I can run for longer. I've been doing it at 6mph and it's NOT fun.

I think it looks more comlicated than it is!! it is just a few weeks with faster intervals mixed in with C25K! Not really complicated!

6mph is fast! Any tiny increase can feel like death!! I found that before!! I do 5.5mph because I am tall and I have really big strides!! 4.5mph is what most people recomend as a start! Give that a go!!

nickhuffman74

5.5 is a 10:30 ish pace. Which to be honest is a pretty fast pace for a new runner. In fact my long distance comfort pace (pace I can run indefinitely) for distances 13.1 + miles, is a 10:00 minute mile. Part of the running game is adjusting your pace when your feel you are hitting that wall. Also what is your diet before you go run? Are you getting enough carbs?

I applaud your plan to spice up your routine, regardless of what anyone in here says its your plan to work. Good luck.

icemaiden17_uk

5.5 is a 10:30 ish pace. Which to be honest is a pretty fast pace for a new runner. In fact my long distance comfort pace (pace I can run indefinitely) for distances 13.1 + miles, is a 10:00 minute mile. Part of the running game is adjusting your pace when your feel you are hitting that wall. Also what is your diet before you go run? Are you getting enough carbs?

I applaud your plan to spice up your routine, regardless of what anyone in here says its your plan to work. Good luck.

Thank you. It is different but where I know I struggle I am sure this will help. Then way I run at the mo I could do C25K at my HIIT speed but I would never get past week 4 or 5 that way! that's why I opted for 9kph. It feels easy for me! If later in the program it doen't then I will reduce it down no problem! I don't care how fast I go as long as I get there!!

I do eat plenty of carbs! it is getting harder now I am gluten and lactose free but I am getting to learn what I can and can't have! I can't function without carbs! I would keel over dead! Lol! I eat an hour before a run because I can'tworkout on a full stomach! And I normally eat within an hour of finishing aswell even if it is just a snack!

ChristyRunStarr

What do you mean when you say you can't get past week 5? You can't run the amount they tell you, you find yourself finishing week 4 and jsut never turning the app on again....what?

icemaiden17_uk

What do you mean when you say you can't get past week 5? You can't run the amount they tell you, you find yourself finishing week 4 and jsut never turning the app on again....what?

I don't use an app! I just follow the instructions! When I say I get stuck I mean I do week 4 over and over and each time I try week 5 I can't do the intervals and I don't get any better!!

Claire594

I don't know why people are being so judgemental. You were only asking for anyone interested in trying your plan with you. I too did c25k plan running outside. I ran slow (under 5 mph) and got to week 7 and was bored. Tried running with my own music but I seemed to stall at 20 mins running. I recently joined a gym and started running on the treadmill. I found I could still only run for 20 mins but at a faster speed (9.5 kph). I missed running outside so I went for a run on Sunday and found I ran for 29 mins non stop. I only stopped as I reached my house again (i run in a loop) but I felt I cud have run further. The only thing I can think is that by running faster on the treadmill I increased my stamina so that when I took it back outside and was running at a lot slower rate I cud run a lot longer.

Despite what people are saying here, I found that doing shorter higher bursts of speed on the treadmill has helped me run for longer outside albeit at a slower speed.

Good luck.