I so want to be a runner I have dreams (literally) about running. I read everything I can lay my hands on. I am on week 3 day 2 of zenlabs c25k. My legs are so sore and I am running so slowly, only between 5.5-5.8 kilometres (3.5mph!) an hour. If I slowed down I would be walking slowly! I get all fired up and enthusiastic, but the reality is so different. Ugh..... I looked at calories burned and it was low, I felt a little deflated as my heart rate was over 170 at points, I was drenched in sweat, working so damn hard but feeling like I'm not going to get much further. It's not about the calories burned really, but just that I try so hard and I'm not sure if I can go any slower to make it through the program. I'm after some advice, encouragement and anecdotes of how you managed. I'm 49 next month and I haven't run for 35 years, I am also 260lbs, but down 100lbs already. I think that is part of it, I feel better so I want to do so much. I have walked 5k races before but I want to run. I got so fired up I even registered for a 10k race in September. My mind and heart says 'runner' but my body seems to be saying 'no'. Ugh.....

Don't give up if this is something you really want to do! I also had dreams about running (and not those where I'm running from something scary, but running and enjoying it!). I think you could slow down even more. I've made it to week 7 and I go very slowly - 17/18 minutes per mile. I read where someone said they were running a 20 minute mille at first. Don't worry about being too slow! My husband and my son have both gone out with me and they were able to walk and keep up with me during my running intervals. My husband asked what is the difference in this and fast walking in terms of calories burn. I answered probably nothing, but later, when I'm stronger, there will be a difference. Just focus on building your endurance and don't put pressure on yourself to meet what you imagine as someone else's expectations.

By the way, I'm 44 and weighed 207 when I started. Ive lost about 16 pounds since starting. I've never run in my life! I had asthma as a child and used that as an excuse to get out of PE in school. I would always get a stitch in my side when I tried to run. I think I was trying to go too fast! I'm also doing a strength program 3 days a week (on c25k off days) and I think that is helping my legs to get stronger.

Keep at it! I think you'll be shocked at how quickly you improve. You won't improve, though, if you give up!

FWIW, I started c25k last May at 45. I was pretty thin then but I had smoked for 26 years on and off. The first time out, I couldn't run all of the intervals. Eventually, I got to the point where running for 1.5 minutes was totally doable. Long story short, I quit smoking August 1, then was pregnant with complications that made it so I couldn't run, got back to it in April and just stuck with it. Today, I ran 2 miles without stopping. I couldn't tell you the last time I ran even a MILE straight. Maybe back in high school??

When I started back, I was at a 18 minute pace or so. I had to go slow because I was just 4 weeks out of a c-section. My pace has been like 15.5 minutes this week, running in nasty, humid weather. I'm not super fast but there's been an improvement. Oh, with the calories? I get so bummed sometimes about what seems to be a low calorie burn for working so hard. Today, I did 3.2 miles total, pushing a stroller, up and down hills. My watch said 280 calories, I think! Somehow, it seems like it should be more.

Just being out there and doing SOMETHING is awesome. You really will improve if you just keep running.

You are doing good. Just keep at it. Slow down even more. Speed will come later. Focus on finishing the program with slow runs and you can work on speed next year after you finish running 2/3 half marathons. I'm sure if I can do it, anyone can. I know I couldn't finish week 4 but I came here read thru the comments and slowed down. Also someone had recommended upbeat music and I did download some nice songs. They helped tremendously. Someone else had said when the going gets tough focus on your breathing. That helped a lot. I would slow down but not stop running completely and take deep breaths and just focus on the breathing. Very helpful tip. I do it even now when I'm getting wiped out. Also when you get tired instead of drooping low and take long strides like we tend to do, straighten your posture like someone is holding you up by your hair and take short strides(a tip I read elsewhere).
And reg that sept 10k, you got it! I took multiple walk breaks for my first race, so even if you do intervals you should be fine. I started last dec 26th and am training for a sept half. I ran my first 10k in June. By then, people who had started with me had two 10s down. So I think you will get there.

I'll add a little advice I didn't see anyone else say... If it feels particularly challenging one week, it's perfectly ok to go back a week and repeat. I was incredibly slow when I first started and I had absolutely no excuses. I'm not old; I'm not excessively overweight. Yet somehow I still felt like I would pass out from lack of oxygen. Slowing down helps a ton, but so does sticking to the shorter intervals when you feel you need it. When you are comfortable, then move on to the next week. It is a journey, but you will get there through persistence.

If you run, you are a runner. :flowerforyou:

I've still yet to run a real race but this past week I ran 5 miles straight.

I graduated about 1 1/2 years ago and have yet to run a real race. It's not necessary, if you don't want to, and running is still fun. I run 5K-8K, 3 times a week.
Don't give up on running.

ajones, you're doing great. You realized your "weakness" and you're working towards getting stronger. That's a true runner. You'll get there.