C25K Motivation

I have a confession to make. I hate running; especially as a fat person.

The only time I ever enjoyed it was when I was about 100lbs in high school and I felt like I was flying when I ran.

Now, I feel like a lumbering fat humpty dumpty. Everything hurts, my boobs want to abuse me, my feet swell, my joints ache. ugh.

I was thinking about starting C25k today but I think I will wait until I am smaller. I will keep up with the weight training and other aerobics.

It didn't really click for me until week 5. I had to do week 4 twice just to feel ok about it, but now i'm really liking the running. i found that if I slow down, even a little, I can run the whole time. Don't worry about the distance, you're just trying to get your endurance up.

Just as others said it can be around 3-4 weeks before you seem to enjoy it. I also don't think that it's a bad idea to repeat a week if you feel that would work better for you. I always notice that I enjoy running more when I get the point of feeling good when I run, even if it's just short periods of time. I have been into running a couple of times in my life and I'm getting back into running now. It's the first time that instead of doing a strict C25K I'm just increasing how much I run based on how I feel each day.

Good luck to you! I'm sure that you'll figure it out

I'm currently in week 3 of my C25K program, and I'm just wondering when I'll start to enjoy running. I'll admit, I'm very out of shape, and I don't think I've ever ran more than 1/2 mile at one time (and this was in high school!). I'm starting to think I was crazy to start this program in the first place.

I've been good about making myself go and do the runs, and I even look forward to them. However, I get about half-way through the intervals and I really start to hate it. I just don't see how I'll be able to run a 5k in 6 more weeks - I can barely get through the 3 minute running intervals I'm doing for this week.

Is there some magic hump that I will eventually get over and start to enjoy running? I'd really appreciate any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Thanks

I am in week 4 of the zombie run C25K and I am loving it! The storyline is entertaining and I still get to listen to my playlist in the middle. Last week, I was totally over it. My knee hurt, I was in a bad mood and my schedule got messed up. This week I'm a new girl and just had a personal best record. As some of the others have mentioned maybe you want to repeat a week so that you can feel more confident. Keep at it and you will succeed!

I'm currently in week 3 of my C25K program, and I'm just wondering when I'll start to enjoy running. I'll admit, I'm very out of shape, and I don't think I've ever ran more than 1/2 mile at one time (and this was in high school!). I'm starting to think I was crazy to start this program in the first place.

I've been good about making myself go and do the runs, and I even look forward to them. However, I get about half-way through the intervals and I really start to hate it. I just don't see how I'll be able to run a 5k in 6 more weeks - I can barely get through the 3 minute running intervals I'm doing for this week.

Is there some magic hump that I will eventually get over and start to enjoy running? I'd really appreciate any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Thanks

Keep up the great work you will get there. I am now on week 11 continuing on with the 10K App. But it have been far more than 11 weeks since I started. I did not begin to enjoy running until I did my first 5K. Races are lots of fun and I have won cool prizes afterward like a 3 month gym membership. Sign up for a local charity 5K and just do it even if you walk alot of it. Then you will have something to train for and a person best (PB) time to beat.:flowerforyou:

Keep up the good work. You can always repeat days or weeks. Dont worry about being to big, 3 years ago I ran 5k heavier than I am now. I didnt run it all. I walked/Ran the wholeway. I restarted c25k and Tomorrow I begin week3...my plan of action is to run slower than this past week. Just take it at your own speed. Feel free to friend me and I will cheer as well as cry with you in accomplishing the c25k!

I started week 1 this week and so far I've done the first 2 workouts (with a day off in-between. This is my second day off and I go out again tomorrow). I've always hated running - even as a kid when I was skinny I hated it. I could barely run for the bus. My Aunt gave me a flyer for a 5k Spooky Sprint in aid of the Parkinson's research charity which is happening in October... and I thought I'd give it a go. Some years ago, I signed up for the Race for Life and did 1 training session before giving up. I did the race, but walked the whole way. I felt I'd let everyone down.

This time, I feel different. I don't know if it's because I'm also doing it for health reasons (i.e. I need to lose weight. A lot) or because something has just clicked. I've been out twice, as I said, and I'm loving it. I love the feeling of the wind on my face, and the views from the local park across the moors, and yes, OK, I love the feeling of having finished!! I love the sense of achievement and feeling like I can make a difference by running for a charity.

The first session was hard - my chest felt really odd and heavy and I found it difficult to keep going. Then it started getting easier. I know I've only done 2 sessions, but I can feel a difference. I really hope you can keep going and start enjoying it. Maybe a change of scene? I take huge inspiration in running in the park where I used to go as a kid cos I can enjoy the memories and create new ones. I'm taking it slowly and not pushing myself by trying to run too fast - pacing yourself really helps!

Sorry this is a bit long - I'm just really excited about it!

I found that something clicked into place about week 5 or 6 when I seemed to make a huge leap forwards, and then I seemed to get 'stuck' again for a while, then made another leap in progress.

First off, you might NOT be able to run 5k in six weeks - the programme has you running for 30 minutes which for many new runners won't be 5k. You also might need to repeat some weeks. That's all ok! What I can promise is that if you stick with it, in six weeks you will be running MUCH further than you are now.

It will be tough all the way through because as you get better, it gets harder. But you know what? You will feel like a superstar every time you finish a longer run.

Pacing is so hard and I'm not even close to figuring it out, but it does come with practice. Keep telling yourself 'nice and easy' and resisting the urge to spring off.

I don't really enjoy running, but I do enjoy having run, if that makes sense. Some runs are bad, some are good. But I feel it's easy to measure your progress with a plan like this and seeing regular improvement makes it easier to stick with it.

I am a total c25k convert - it's made a massive difference to me, I'm now doing a 10k programme. I'll be happy to cheer you on if you want to add me.

I wanted to share my story with you!

Tomorrow I do my final work out of the c25K program!!!



My boyfriend - who, like me, is overweight, doing myfitnesspal, and doing a c25k program... but he has been running for about a year kinda doing his own thing - talked me into running because he loved it so much!

After week one of my training, I loved MY RUNNING WORKOUT... not RUNNING... but the whole experience. I loved getting up early, being out doors on the trail (we have a great series of rail-to-trail trails in our area... lots of peaceful time in nature), and the feeling that I just accomplished something.

But I was in pain every night, to the point where I couldn't sleep. I wasn't injured, just sore because my legs weren't used to that type of activity - in highschool (i'm 31, btw), i played slow pitch softball and i had a pinch-runner because once i got to 1st base, my left leg was in so much pain, i couldn't go any further!

After week 4, day 2 i was crying my eyes out to my boyfriend begging him to tell me when it would quit hurting and start being enjoyable! So I started doing some research on ways to make it 'better' for me. Here are my secrets:

1. EPSOM SALT!!! At night i dump a ton of it in a hot bath and soak for about 15-20 minutes, and then go to bed. my legs still feel a little sore when i wake up, but it's to good kind of sore... the 'things are happening' sore... not the painful sore. Also, there is an epsom salt lotion that is great for use through out the day. A fellow overweight runner told me about it... i didn't believe that it was all she said it was, but i tried it anyways and am now an unoffical spokeswoman for the stuff! better than bengay, i swear it!
2. Hydrate properly. Not just water, but gatorade. G2 has less calories. Or - I found this stuff at a vitamin store called cytomax. you mix a scoop or 2 with water. Tastes pretty good and really helps. All of that electrolyte talk is real! I like to drink 8-10 oz before i leave for my run and either carry a bottle with me, or keep one in a little cooler in my car so it's nice and cold when i get back. I can honestly say that on the days when i've tried going with just water, i've struggled.
3. Learn to pace yourself. The point of a c25k program is to complete it... not to set a time record! If you're only running 17 minutes per mile, who cares. you're running. you weren't running a month ago. one day my boyfriend and i went running together (we were to run 25 minutes straight that day). he walked a good part of it while i was still 'running', but we were still neck and neck. i didn't care that i was slow as moses cause i was doing it! me, who couldn't make it past 1st base made it 25 minutes!!!
If possible, run during the coolest time of day... morning is best for me. the heat and humidity (not sure where you're from, but i'm in the pittsburgh area where it gets up to around 90% humidity during the summer) make it much harder to breath. and speaking of breathing...
4. learn to breath properly. this has been the key for me. i found out that most of the pain during running is because my muscles werent' getting enough oxygen because i wasn't breathing right. check out this article: http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/running-air-breathing-technique. i swear by it. in a nutshell, breath in for 3 steps, out for 2. deep, belly breaths in (using your diaphragm), and use a little more force than normal to push the air back out. the biggest benefits are that your muscles get more oxygen and you alternate which foot strikes the ground at the moment of exhale, which prevents injury. The author, Budd Coates, has a book written called 'running on air'. i bought it for about $10 on my nook and read through it just before beginning week 6. I tried it on my first 20 minute run - which scare the living crap out of me - and i finished with ease!

I hope some of this stuff helps. bottom line, yeah, it sucks right now. but give it at least until the end of the program before you truly make a decision about whether to keep it up!

I have a confession to make. I hate running; especially as a fat person.

The only time I ever enjoyed it was when I was about 100lbs in high school and I felt like I was flying when I ran.

Now, I feel like a lumbering fat humpty dumpty. Everything hurts, my boobs want to abuse me, my feet swell, my joints ache. ugh.

I was thinking about starting C25k today but I think I will wait until I am smaller. I will keep up with the weight training and other aerobics.

Don't wait. Start now. It will help you reach your goals and you will feel better and stronger. Don't put off something you can do today!!!

Running really is mind over matter...half of your mind is yelling "quit" and the other half is saying" keep going", you choose! Set small goals, challenge yourself, and reap the reward!

^^ THIS. But I think it's true with ANY exercise program. What's that saying "Even slow progress is STILL progress".

Well said chocl8_757girl!!