Couch 2 5k - 2 days later

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Replies

  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.
  • PinkNinjaLaura
    PinkNinjaLaura Posts: 3,202 Member
    I'm going to reiterate what a couple other people have told you, and that's to slow down. When I first started my jog wasn't much faster than my walk - in fact a fast walker would have been passing me. I was so happy when those 60 seconds were over, and the last couple of running intervals were exhausting. This time you did 2-1/2 intervals - next time see if you can do 5. Then just walk the remainder of the intervals (you can alternate between a fast walk & a moderate walk).

    Also make sure you have good, properly supportive running shoes. After I did my second run my shins & knees were sore, and I realized if I was going to expect my feet & legs to do all that work (I was 90 pounds overweight), I better treat them right. My "reward" for finishing the first week was Brooks running shoes.

    Definitely join the C25K group on here that was referenced - I got so much helpful advice from people who had been through it before, and there's a daily check-in thread where you can talk about how it went, ask any questions you have, read about other people's successes and stories, and get some positive feedback for what you're doing.
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.

    You, sir, are an *kitten*.

    "MISTER RIPPED ABS SAYS PUSH YOURSELF UNTIL YOU BREAK SO YOU BETTER DO IT."

    Having just gotten into running last year, then spent last fall nursing a failed achilles tendon, and this one with plantar fasciitis, I will wholeheartedly endorse the wusses suggesting you take it at your own pace.

    Running's one of the harshest activities on your body, especially your knees and feet, and double-especially if you're overweight to begin with.

    DO NOT INJURE YOURSELF. You'll be out of the game for weeks, if not months.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.

    You, sir, are an *kitten*.

    "MISTER RIPPED ABS SAYS PUSH YOURSELF UNTIL YOU BREAK SO YOU BETTER DO IT."

    Having just gotten into running last year, then spent last fall nursing a failed achilles tendon, and this one with plantar fasciitis, I will wholeheartedly endorse the wusses suggesting you take it at your own pace.

    Running's one of the harshest activities on your body, especially your knees and feet, and double-especially if you're overweight to begin with.

    DO NOT INJURE YOURSELF. You'll be out of the game for weeks, if not months.

    Yes, by all means, I'm the *kitten* and you are the one who keeps hurting themselves running but insist on giving running advice. Makes total sense.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.

    You, sir, are an *kitten*.

    "MISTER RIPPED ABS SAYS PUSH YOURSELF UNTIL YOU BREAK SO YOU BETTER DO IT."

    Having just gotten into running last year, then spent last fall nursing a failed achilles tendon, and this one with plantar fasciitis, I will wholeheartedly endorse the wusses suggesting you take it at your own pace.

    Running's one of the harshest activities on your body, especially your knees and feet, and double-especially if you're overweight to begin with.

    DO NOT INJURE YOURSELF. You'll be out of the game for weeks, if not months.

    Yes, by all means, I'm the *kitten* and you are the one who keeps hurting themselves running but insist on giving running advice. Makes total sense.

    So...then...question for you Elliot. You see some new weight lifter in the gym and it is obvious their weights are too heavy for the exercise they are doing. Do you tell them to suck it up and keep pushing the weight, or do you tell them to download a bit and work up to the weight?
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.

    You, sir, are an *kitten*.

    "MISTER RIPPED ABS SAYS PUSH YOURSELF UNTIL YOU BREAK SO YOU BETTER DO IT."

    Having just gotten into running last year, then spent last fall nursing a failed achilles tendon, and this one with plantar fasciitis, I will wholeheartedly endorse the wusses suggesting you take it at your own pace.

    Running's one of the harshest activities on your body, especially your knees and feet, and double-especially if you're overweight to begin with.

    DO NOT INJURE YOURSELF. You'll be out of the game for weeks, if not months.

    Yes, by all means, I'm the *kitten* and you are the one who keeps hurting themselves running but insist on giving running advice. Makes total sense.

    So...then...question for you Elliot. You see some new weight lifter in the gym and it is obvious their weights are too heavy for the exercise they are doing. Do you tell them to suck it up and keep pushing the weight, or do you tell them to download a bit and work up to the weight?

    If someone has correct form and is not hitting their goal reps in the gym then they wouldn't have to ask. I see what you are trying to say though but it is a completely circumstance.

    The issue OP is describing with the too sore to walk is obviously doms from telling her muscles to do something very very unfamiliar to her. Actually pushing through in this case will cause more blood circulation to all those sore muscles, carrying much needed nutrients, stretching those muscles back out helping her overall with recovery time, recovery pain, as well as making her mentally stronger. So much of the start is running is basic cardio health as well which she could still really benefit from even if she isn't going 100% physically.

    Yeah, I know my original post comes off as "F the world, push until you die" but I actually have reasons behind it.

    As for other people who make the "mister abs" crap jokes who feel it is necessary to attack physical appearance along with logic, screw you man. I used to be extremely obese and a big part of my work ten was cardio so I do actually know how it feels to not make it down a block ad feel like I'm gonna puke. You can make fun of my abs with my post all ya want, I earned them, so kiss my *kitten*.
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    Jenny, come on over and join us in the Couch To 5K group. It's supportive and gives good, solid advice and suggestions.

    I will reiterate what many have said here: slow down. Then slow down some more. I barely shuffled along when I first started. The key is to go as slow as necessary in order to make it through the training session. If that means that you run slower than you walk (it can be done), then so be it. Speed doesn't matter at this point.

    Come on over to the group for encouragement and support.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.

    Lol. Did you copy this from the "bad advice for runners" thread?

    Edited to add: runner for 1 year. No injuries. Completed a half marathon. Mostly by following the advice to slow down.
  • Psalm17v22
    Psalm17v22 Posts: 168 Member
    Don't too hard on yourself. There's nothing wrong with just walking for the first few weeks. Challenging yourself is good to a point, but not so much that you quit working out. The goal is to find the balance.

    God bless,
    Karen
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Screw all the suggestions OP.

    Pop some Advil, do some stretching and get after it. You can slow down or take it easy when you are dead.

    Going out sore right now might suck at first but your legs will loosen up after you push them to do so.

    Lol. Did you copy this from the "bad advice for runners" thread?

    Edited to add: runner for 1 year. No injuries. Completed a half marathon. Mostly by following the advice to slow down.

    That is impressive. Congratulations.
  • cassy_runs
    cassy_runs Posts: 94
    I'm also an overweight runner and I totally understand where you're coming from on this! My first day of Couch25K was discouraging for me because I hadn't really even tried running before that, but I assumed I'd be able to do more than I was actually able to do. I ended up doing week 1 twice in a row because I knew I wasn't ready to move up to week 2 just yet. I agree with a previous reply which stated that C25K assumes a level of fitness that many people may not have- I didn't have it.

    THE MOST IMPORTANT THING you can do as a beginning runner is to TAKE YOUR TIME. I'll say it again: take your time. If you push yourself to do too much too fast, you can sustain an injury that can set you back MONTHS or even end your running career before it really even gets off the ground. I have a good friend who began running (although she was in pretty good shape already) last June and proceeded to run a half marathon that September. She sustained a knee injury and has been restricted from running by her physician. She is limited to elliptical and treadmill activity until the injury is resolved, which could take months.

    Don't look at your first day and say "I only ran 2.5 minutes." Look at your first day and say "I RAN 2.5 minutes, and that's more than I've run in 16 years." Be proud of the things your body does for you. That will help you learn to love your body even before it gets to the shape you want it in. Be proud of that 2.5 minutes. And when it becomes 3 minutes, you be proud of that, too. There are people who will stay on the couch and be unhealthy their entire lives because they don't have the courage to lace up their sneaks and get their *kitten* out there. You are a go-getter and you've plenty of reason to run, shuffle, walk, jog, or drag yourself down the road with your head held high. :)
  • sherrirb
    sherrirb Posts: 1,649 Member
    You can do this. The first week can be really tough when you are heavy and out of shape. I started at 260lbs and the first week I thought I was going to die every time it said "Start running". I made it through week 9 and dropped 25lbs! I did repeat workouts, sometimes even full weeks. You can do this!!

    I did a lot of reading and got involved in a few forums (on other sites) that were strictly for C25K-ers. Everyone said "Slow Down"

    If you cant run a full "run" session in your workout, slow down, you are probably running too fast
    If you can't breath, slow down, you are probably going too fast.
    If you get a stitch in your side, slow down, you are definitely going too fast.

    My run speed is barely faster than my husband's normal walking speed. I run slooooooowwwww. But thats ok, speed will come later. Right now, when I have the opportunity to run, I focus on just finishing. If I end up walking more than I run, thats ok because I'll get there. I am still moving my body and still burning calories.

    I know you can do this! Just don't give up!
  • KLouise56
    KLouise56 Posts: 10 Member
    I'm currently loosely sticking to the C25K training plan.

    I was speaking to someone after one of my runs and he can't run just yet. He walks at a normal pace for the walking periods and walks at a brisk pace for the jogging periods. Once he gets up to walking up to a brisk pace most of the time he's going to take on the running aspect starting at week 1 again.

    I also find concentrating on my breathing helps so much. Takes my mind of walking instead and helps me run for longer.

    Just don't feel like you can't do it. You will do it! Just take small steps with small achievements. Once I complete a week I treat myself to something naughty like a creme egg, even if it has taken me more than 3 times to feel comfortable with a week.

    Good luck!
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    you don't need to run 8 minutes when you start off. My program saw me do this a few weeks down the line. It isn't easy but take it easy lol. Try running for a minute and then walking for a minute. If that is too easy run for 1.5 minutes, if it is too hard run for 45 seconds. The important thing with running is that you will quickly progress if you do it constantly. Doing so much you puke and don't do it again isn't any good :-) Good luck, you can do it.
  • ThighsOfSteel
    ThighsOfSteel Posts: 1 Member
    The February edition of Runner's World has an article this month on how to get started running - and it starts with walking! There are 5 really good programmes from getting started to speeding up so it could be worth looking into, it has a very steady increase of time/distance. I did C25K a couple of years ago and it's great, but you do need to feel able to repeat weeks if you're not feeling comfortable.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Jenny Hadfield also has progressive walk and walk/run programs (jennyhadfield.com). That being said, I was 215+ when I started. I've seen people successfully complete the program who were north of 300 when they started. Repeating runs (or weeks) is encouraged if you aren't able to walk for 30 minutes.

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