Beginner Runners

I started the C25K last week. Finished the 3rd day of the 1st week today. I will be doing week one over again. I can do all 8 runs in it which last 60 seconds each but by about the 6th time, I feel like I am dying and I am slower than when starting out on the first run. I am so looking forward though to the day I can actually run this and not jog with it and then do a 5K. I am about 209lbs and 5'3" and definitely not in shape but I am learning that it's not an overnight process. I didn't gain this weight over night. I am learning to eat right too along with it. Trying to stay away from processed but still eating some and staying away from fried foods and soda. But....this C25K I will conquer and you will conquer your 10K...

running seriously SUCKS at first. my first run (a couple of months ago now) i struggled to run a mile, stopped 3 times, it took 20 minutes! yesterday i ran 7.8km in 37 minutes! stick with it, it gets a LOT easier. more importantly, once you are good at it, it becomes a lot of fun

Don't give up. It will get easier. It is amazing how the body adapts each week to running longer distances. When I first started, I could not run for more than 15 seconds without feeling like I was going to die. Started the C25K many times and gave up before finally succeeding. Since then I have run 7 marathons & a 50k. Recently took some time off due to injuries but back on the trail again with hopes of running a 100 miler in 2013.

Check with local running shoe stores to see if there are any running clubs in your area. Also check out Road Runners of America. I have found it much easier training with a group than going out by myself.

http://www.rrca.org/find-a-running-club/

You should try a Couch to 5k app first... it will start out a bit slower but it's a good way of easing into it and getting your confidence up, and you'll be less likely to injure yourself as well!

I started running in June, and I would run as far as I could (less than a minute) then walk, then run, etc.

I did that for a week, then ran a mile straight for a few weeks.

I have since been upping it by a quarter mile every few weeks and now I am running 1.75 miles without stopping.

For me, that's huge!

Keep it up, it WILL get better, and you WILL be able to run before you know it!!!

I started C25K yesterday. Was able to complete (not going t oo fast). I'm looking forward to tomorrow...sort of:) We can do it!!!

I am using a Simple C25K app. Today I ran the 1st day of the 2nd week. I'm pretty sure I will have to repeat this week before I move on to week 3.

Honestly, with running once you master the breathing it gets a lot easier. You just need to keep going and don't get frustrated. You can do this!

Know what u mean ... I am using the 5k runner app & no matter what I try can't seem to go over 2 min without being out of breath and side pains. Will try ck25 hope that works better as I am not willing to give up my goal of running the 5k
rat race next year.

Keep at it ... In this case being pig headed is a good thing

If you can't run all the intervals - then run what you can and walk the rest.
Aim to run a little more each time. It really is as easy as that.
Don't try to run too fast - better to build up endurance first, speed will come later.

If you give up as soon as you start you'll never succeed!

PS. I breath through my mouth. Not a problem for me.

Ugh, it's so hard trying not to breathe through my mouth. I'll be a lot more persistent next time.

There's nothing wrong with breathing through your mouth, as long as you learn how to pace it and not hyperventilate. When I'm really into cardio, I often inhale through my nose and sort of blow/puff out through my mouth. It keeps my oxygen level high (your muscles need that). Inhaling through my nose keeps my throat from drying out, and exhaling through my mouth helps me power through the tough parts. It's better than screaming.

Know what u mean ... I am using the 5k runner app & no matter what I try can't seem to go over 2 min without being out of breath and side pains. Will try ck25 hope that works better as I am not willing to give up my goal of running the 5k
rat race next year.

Keep at it ... In this case being pig headed is a good thing

Run SLOWLY. It it feels like you are already running slowly - run slower!
I think this really is the key to building up distance.

I was gonna' make sure that you were really starting with C25k and not bridge to 10k, but it sounds like you are!

I just want to say, it DOES get easier. I remember my first week of c25k, I could finish it, but it was SOOO hard. I think you might have better luck if you do the jog x seconds, walk, walk, walk jog x seconds, walk, walk, walk, jog x seconds. So, alternate every "run" with a walk. Try that for a week, then try running on every run.

I remember when doing c25k, the first time I ran 8 minutes without stopping and the first time I ran a mile. I called everyone I knew. I stopped running for awhile, but when I picked it up again my endurance was a lot better. It stays decent, I was running 2 miles (in nice weather). In the current Florida heat I make it 2 miles, with some brief walk breaks, I will be at a 5k by the end of next month as a personal goal.

You can do it! Just keep plugging away and repeat weeks if you need to! That's 100% OK.

And yes, breathe through your mouth!! Most people ideally inhale every 3 steps and exhale every 3. Some do it in 5. But you should be at least breathing in for 2 steps or so to insure you're not hyperventilating. My own pattern is 3 steps inhale, 2 steps exhale (3:2). The military recommends this pattern for extended running, but a 2:2 pattern for sprinting (and most elites run a 2:2 or 3:3). I know that a 3:2 can prevent side stitches, so that's probably why it's recommended.