Couch to 5k HELP!!!!! Please =)

What you're experiencing is TOTALLY normal. Let's face it... transitioning from a non-runner to being a runner is EFFING HARD. I went through the exact same thing when I started, and when I take a break from running for even a month or two, I have to start conditioning myself all over again.

As far as the sweat thing, I honestly think it's a matter of evaporation... or lack thereof, when you're in the gym. I'm a SWEATY girl in general, and when I run 5K outside, I'm half as drenched as I am from the same distance on the treadmill. When you're actually moving, that wind does a lot to dry you off

IMHO, running is more intense than cycling, at least when you're first starting out. Just keep going, stick to your training plan... I can assure you two weeks from now you'll be a completely different runner! Once you're over the conditioning "hump", I think that would be the best time to evaluate whether or not you're "born to be a runner."

Jogging is a much different beast than cycling. There's no impact in cycling and your legs/knees don't really have to do anything to support your body when cycling. So when you get out there and start jogging, it's going to be a huge difference for your body.

You probably aren't burning as much as you are cycling simply because you need to build a whole new type of endurance and skill level from cycling to jogging.

And as someone who trained from not being able to run for a solid minute at 4.5mph to having completed my second half marathon with a handful of other races along the way, running them at an average of 6.1mph, with no walking breaks, I'm here to tell you that no, not everyone was made to run. Not what you expected to see right?

I say that because yes, I jogged, I improved, I ran, and I raced. But I never enjoyed it. I liked the races way more than I lie the running itself and that was the only reason I kept doing it. But I never loved running and was never a fan of how it felt to run. In fact, I've given up my running and am going back to doing workouts that I actually enjoy.

I guess I'd ask why, if you love cycling so much, you feel the need to start running? I spent almost two years doing a workout that I didn't like simply because I thought it was what people who wanted to get in shape should do. And I've finally learned that I should be doing workouts and exercises that I enjoy rather than what I think I should be doing. So if you already know what you love, my honest advice would be to stick with that and find new ways to push yourself in that.

That said,if you really want to start running and want to complete C25K you might be trying to go out too fast during the running/jogging sections because of your confidence from your cycling levels. If you've never run before, start out slowly, if you can't make it through the 60 second sections at that pace then you won't be able to get through the 90 second sections either. Just go at a pace that allows you to make it through and then work on improving speed later.

I just finished coaching a coworker through week 1 of C25K because she really wants to run her first 5K in November. She's about 320 and I pace her out at around 4 mph. Day 1 she felt fine and stayed even with me the whole time. Day 2 she fell a little behind me by a few steps on the last few jog sections and, while she felt good, said it felt like she was going to die on the last one. Day 3, she actually paced ahead of me on some of the jog sections so I paced her a bit higher to match her energy level and she kept up with me the whole time. So even in just the space of three workouts she was already showing very minor improvements and I plan to continue to pace her a bit higher on each Day 3 from now on, to keep that improvement going.

So even if it feels really slow at first, it's still going to be beneficial in the long run. (no pun intended) I actually wrote about my feelings on running in my latest blog post here: http://mentalshrapnel.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/run-running-runner/ (warning, I ramble even more there than I do here. lol)

I'm starting week 4 tomorrow and the 5 minute jog scares the pants off me! But I really do enjoy running now (in my own home) and I cant wait to say I did that!