Help! Need advice--C25K

Colleen1980
Colleen1980 Posts: 148 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Friends!

I need advice. I'm currently doing the C25K program. Today I'm scheduled to do week 5, day 2 (warm up walk, jog for 20 minutes). Right now it's raining outside. I can't go for my run until my hubbs gets home (kids). I'm not afraid to run in the rain, but this rain is supposed to turn into ice/snow soon, and if it does I am afraid to go out and hurt myself.

SO, if I can't run, I plan to use our elliptical instead. Here's my question:

If I have to use the elliptical instead of doing my run, do I still need to do this day of the program, or can I go on to week 5, day 3 next time I run?

If I wasn't on a schedule I wouldn't even ask, I would just redo this day next time I get out. HOWEVER, I'm running my first 5k in February, which I'm really excited about, and I really don't want to get behind in the program, as I'm due to finish right before my race.

In my situation, what would you do?

Thanks friends!

Replies

  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    If I have to use the elliptical instead of doing my run, do I still need to do this day of the program, or can I go on to week 5, day 3 next time I run?

    I guess just do some nice elliptical work that gets your heart rate up the same as if you were running. It's not exactly the same thing but it's better than nothing. If you can do week 5 day 3 time you run then just carry on with that day. Just my 2 cents. It really depends on how you feel. You know better than anyone.

    In my situation, what would you do?

    Run outside in the snow. This was the day before yesterday.

    c6cccbc45f2a11e2a77722000a1fbc49_7.jpg
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Since you ask 'what would you do', my answer is run the bad weather. One of my most favorite things is running through horrible weather.

    If it's simply too unsafe, I would advise you not to skip the day, but rather 'pause' the program.
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    What I would do? Run it on my treadmill in my basement or at my gym. If I didn't have those, I'd run outside as long as it wasn't icy, I mean, it's only what, 30 mins? I ran 8 miles last Sunday in 4 degrees and 15 mph winds.

    If you don't feel it's safe, cross training and doing some elliptical today sounds like a good bet. Isn't the c25k only 3 days a week? I would just switch today for tomorrow (instead of run today, rest tomorrow...I'd rest today and run tomorrow). Training plans aren't set in stone, you have to work them into your life. For example, I was supposed to rest today and do a 5 mile interval run tomorrow....but I have a 5k race on Saturday and want my legs rested before it, so I did the 5 mile interval run this morning and will rest tomorrow instead. No biggie. I'd just fit that run in the next time you can and then move onto the next day after that. It won't kill you to run two days in a row, promise!;)
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    If you feel you can't run today, I would do it tomorrow instead and do some cross training (ie elliptical) today instead.

    But personally, I run. I never let weather stop me and the only time I can see myself letting weather stop me is if it's dangerous - lightning storms, etc.
  • kdkyzer
    kdkyzer Posts: 137 Member
    Yeah, I agree with the others who said to switch days. Training programs aren't set in stone. Hop on the elliptical for 30 minutes today, run tomorrow. If you can't run tomorrow, the elliptical will work just fine for that workout, too.

    There was a time when I would run in any weather...I was outside running one very windy, rainy day, and one of my neighbors yelled out the front door that a tornado was headed our way and I better get inside. 'Course, the tornado didn't come our way, so I cut my run short for nothing ;-) But I'm old now, and am really thankful for my treadmill on cold, rainy, dark, days.
  • kristy6ward
    kristy6ward Posts: 332 Member
    The elliptical is not a good replacement for running. I could easily go an hour on an elliptical, so thought I could run just as easily. NOT SO! It's a different use of muscles. I would not count using the elliptical as one of your 'days' in the c25k program. Do as other posters have said, move your running to a different day, or run outside.
  • Colleen1980
    Colleen1980 Posts: 148 Member
    Thanks everyone!

    I'm not afraid to run in the snow, rain, or cold, but if it is icy I don't want to take the chance of injuring myself because I'm super excited about my first 5K and I don't want to take myself out of the game. :)

    I'll see if it looks icy, if so I'll move my run to tomorrow...hopefully they'll have the streets clean enough by then.

    Thanks for the advice!

Categories