Runners: Is this normal?!?

Sounds like you need more water throughout the day, or yes, you are pushing yourself too hard. Sometimes when I run, I'll feel like that. I have also heard, that it is acid build up. Instead of getting cramps, you feel like you are going to throw up. No, don't push yourself. You can overheat. Good luck, but be safe!

It just takes time. Each time you run, push yourself to go just a little further than the last time. When I ran today, my goal was 5 miles. I stopped to walk after 3.25, ran again at 3.35 and finally threw in the towel at 4.1. Was I disappointed in myself? Sure. But I did better than last time and next time, I'll do better than I did this time. Walking for a few minutes and then running again always helps me push through a tough part.

Don't beat yourself up about it. You'll get there!!

It takes time. Keep it up and keep running and running a little more each time. You'll get there!! 5k's are tons of fun and very addictive....just remember to rest when your body tells you to and stretch everyday!!!

Just keep at it! You may need more time working up to the distance, but your body will get there. Maybe spend some time making sure your breathing is steady? I used to huff and puff and wheeze, but this time around I found if I keep it controlled, my body doesn't HATE the running. Doing a half marathon this spring, and if I need to walk, I'll walk! Don't give up!

I had to repeat weeks to get through it, there's nothing wrong with this.
Especially week 5 with the 3 different days in it, I spread out into 3 weeks of its own doing each day 3 times. that made the 20 minute run so much easier, then as you know, the weeks after that one just progress gently on the 20 minutes.

i'd go back and hit week 5 again, do day 1 until you've got it under control, then day 2, then day 3. then go back to week 6 once you've got the 20 minute run going well.

I think that's the only real flaw the c25k has, is week 5 seems to just go a bit too much all at once.

good luck!

Give it time. Don't push too hard too fast as that is often a recipe for injury. Congratulations on your success thus far. I remember the first 5k I finished running wire to wire: my total time still wasn't as good as previous 5k's I had walked during. Haha.

Agree, I have been training for a half marathon and run 4 min walk 1min. I've been able to go faster on average by doing this and keep up my endurance than if I were to force myself to run the whole thing. Keeping just over an 11min mile average with walking Almost every time out is a little bit easier.

Also I really improved myself by working on the Elliptical. It can help you with it. Just try doing like 1 hr at a time and it will get your run better I swear.

I was going through this same thing when I first started jogging, UNTIL a freind of mine who is a runner told me to SLOOOOOW down and let me tell you that was the best advice. She told me to slow down and work on endurance first and then over time the speed will come. I ran my first 3.3 miles on sunday and it took me 46 mins., not a great time by any means but to know I jogged the whole 3.3 miles was so encouraging to me. Keep at it, you'll get it. I hope that you find the advice/help you need to get where you want to be with your running

I'm a long distance runner, I enjoy running marathons. I don't think you should stop to walk during a 5K if you are well trained and you've done a few 5Ks and have been running for a while. If it's your first 5K I wouldn't worry about a walk break, it only matters that you finished! However, I don't know what kind of training you are doing but it sounds like your diet might be off. It's normal for someone who is new to exercise to feel a tummy upset. But if you have trained for this run I would think you would be past this phase? What are you eating? You may need to have breakfast (whole wheat toast, oatmeal, play around with what works for you), I never go on a run with out eating but a 5K isn't too long and everyone is different, are you well hydrated? That means consuming a healthy amount of water during the week before your run and maybe some watered down gatorade the day before your run. Some people like to have something salty before a run, stay away from acidic foods like orange juice, oranges etc. as these will upset your tummy. If your having something sweet you need to drink water with it, if you have a GU type fuel gel you need to take it with water or you will upset your tummy if you take it with a gatorade type drink. I don't know what you are consuming so it's hard to say. And again, I don't know what you are doing, maybe your going out too fast? Letting the excitment and crowd get to you, play around with starting out slower and watching your pace. I would log onto runnersworld and type in your problem and see what advice you get.