Lost Motivation

ShinyDragonfly

Hey guys. I started C25k toward the end of April, was using it as my first step toward marathon training. I would go to my school gym 3x a week and run on the treadmill to track distance and time. It was going great! I finished the 2nd week feeling great and BAM! Finals time. I took a week off to be able to handle finals and decided I'd run 4x a week when I'm home. I stuck to my guns and went out Monday morning to redo W2D3 (rather than step up to W3 when I had a week off). Stretched, 5min warm up, got through 2 or 3 of the run/walk sequences and then I stopped. I didn't feel good and almost threw up. It's the first time I ever stopped no matter how bad I felt. I just wasn't into it this time. I don't know if it's because I'm used to running inside and now I jumped to outside, or if it was because it was freezing out (50's and I don't have good circulation. I did warm up running but my hands were ice and it hurt my lungs. Was freezing from the sweat when I stopped to sit) I was going to start all over with W1D1 but it was another day in the 50's and didn't want to go through that again.

I really need some motivation and suggestions on where I should pick up again. I don't want to just give up, I had such big plans. I'm just not feeling it anymore.

romyhorse

I would start over from week 1 and make sure you wrap up warm, gloves, hat etc. When the temperature is in the 50s I'm out in my crop leggings and T-shirt, but my daughters are quite skinny and have to wear lots of layers to keep warm. Also, try slowing your running down, running outside is harder than on a treadmill so you won't be able to run at the same pace.

likitisplit

The transition from treadmill to outdoors is a big deal even for experienced runners.

Since you didn't get very far in the program and then took a week off, starting at week 1, like Romy suggests, is probably wise. If it's really easy, you can skip days. But it's better to let yourself work too easy than to force a pace you're not ready for. Even disregarding injury, the program's just not going to be any fun at all for you. Once you get your conditioning back, you'll be even stronger.

Once you complete the program, you'll be able to skip a week and not have to make big adjustments, but right now the program is carefully balanced to push you along at an even pace.