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Finished the program, but...
rainwalkerSK
Posts: 81
So, rather unbelievably, I finished C25k! I was so, so proud of myself. It took me a long time, I had to restart a couple of times and I had to repeat weeks 4 and 5, but I finally got there. But that was two weeks ago. And since then, I haven't been able to duplicate my success. When I try to run, I can't seem to go any longer than about 20 minutes and then I start to feel like I'm going to drop dead. I don't know what my problem is, but it's really discouraging. I don't know what to do: go back and repeat weeks 7 and 8? Just keep setting the timer for 35 minutes and keep at it? I've also thought about restarting the program at the beginning and working on a faster pace (right now I run at about 5.2 mph, which I'd really like to improve). Any ideas? Commiseration?
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I didn't finish but I got to Week 8. It was still killing me. I quit for a few weeks but I'm restarting from Day 1 tonight. I really don't like running though. If I liked it more I'd probably just do the 35 minute thing and keep at it, but I'd never do that so for me it's start over or nothing.0
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I was backpeddling for a while too. Maybe start doing some speed work. Or Mix it up with intervals. If your body is used to the same run over and over, you do start to regress. once I started doing Fartleks and intervals, I was able to pick up my speed and distance again.0
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Maybe try slowing DOWN a little? i don't run very fast at all....... but when I feel like I'm going to drop dead or give up, I lower my pace a bit and I get through it. I'd rather finish it than NOT finish it at a fast pace. (Does that make sense?) i've always loved running though and I've always been the turtle at the back of the pack....... no matter to me! I have a foot injury so I'm just happy as a clam to do it at all.
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First off congrats to you on finishing! I would definitely slow down, particularly given that you're unable to cover the distance atm. Whatever you're thinking is slow, go slower than that. Try bringing it down to 4.5 (or even less) and see if you're able to run the entire time.
Everything I've been reading says to either increase your distance/time week to week, or your speed. That doesn't necessarily make it true, but it sure seems like it'd be much harder to try doing both at the same time.
Good luck to ya with your running adventure!0 -
Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to slow it down, take a towel to cover up the "time elapsed" on the treadmill tonight (was going to run outdoors but it's pouring), and try again to get to 35 minutes. Then I think I'm going to mix it up with some intervals, so I'm doing intervals 1-2x per week and trying to go the distance 2x per week. Appreciate all the ideas
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I started C25K the first week of July. Week 9 for me ended with a 5K on Sept 8th.
I went 'off program' in Week 7 and 8 and started running longer distances and times on my own.
I don't have a treadmill or belong to a gym so all my running has been outdoors.
I was able to complete the entire 5K without walking, and since then I have also run 4 miles on Sept 11 and Sept 13. I'm slow, old, and overweight, but if you keep at it you'll be okay.
52 year old, 225 pound male0
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