Disappointing 5K
MamaGab92
Posts: 77 Member
So I have been doing the C25K program all summer. I tried to start in March but developed bursitis in my knee so had to take time off to heal. Started again in June and (knock on wood) haven't had any injuries since. I have had a few interruptions and have had to repeat several of the weeks so progress has been slow. I am currently ready for Week 7 Day 3.
When I started this originally in March, I set a goal for myself that I would run in our company's semi-annual 5K in October and run the whole thing. When I started this training, I could barely complete the one minute runs without struggling for breath. I am 50 lbs overweight, 47 years old, and haven't regularly exercised in probably 20 years. Over the course of the summer I have been running (run/walk) three times a week. My heart and lungs feel stronger than they have in years and I can now run for 20 minutes without walking. I am trying to be proud of the progress I've made. But...
Yesterday was the company 5K. When they announced a couple of weeks ago when it was going to be, I realized I would not be ready in time. There is no way I can run a complete 5K. To say I am disappointed is a huge understatement. Plus I am the slowest runner ever. All of those warnings to "take it slow" to avoid injury are things I took seriously. The first five minutes I walked (in keeping with the C25K training) then I ran 20 minutes. That got me to the half-way point of the race. (Yes, 25 minutes to do 1 and 1/2 miles while mostly running -- grrrr!!) I've only ever run at most 20 minutes at a time and that is a new thing. So at that point I was spent and had to start walking. I walked as fast as I could most of the second half of the race and then kicked it in to run the last half mile. My final time was 53:03. There were several people who walked the whole thing who finished before me. (!!!) I wanted to slink underneath a rock. After all of my hard work (and it WAS hard) and despite my progress, I was still one of the last people to finish. I mean, I knew at a 30 minute 5K was out of my reach and I'd probably have to walk some of it, but I was hoping to do less than 45 minutes at least. I knew people who WALKED it in 42.
I'm trying not to let it get to me too much and I'm going to force myself to go out tomorrow for my Week 7 Day 3 run, but it is hard. I feel like my body let me down.
When I started this originally in March, I set a goal for myself that I would run in our company's semi-annual 5K in October and run the whole thing. When I started this training, I could barely complete the one minute runs without struggling for breath. I am 50 lbs overweight, 47 years old, and haven't regularly exercised in probably 20 years. Over the course of the summer I have been running (run/walk) three times a week. My heart and lungs feel stronger than they have in years and I can now run for 20 minutes without walking. I am trying to be proud of the progress I've made. But...
Yesterday was the company 5K. When they announced a couple of weeks ago when it was going to be, I realized I would not be ready in time. There is no way I can run a complete 5K. To say I am disappointed is a huge understatement. Plus I am the slowest runner ever. All of those warnings to "take it slow" to avoid injury are things I took seriously. The first five minutes I walked (in keeping with the C25K training) then I ran 20 minutes. That got me to the half-way point of the race. (Yes, 25 minutes to do 1 and 1/2 miles while mostly running -- grrrr!!) I've only ever run at most 20 minutes at a time and that is a new thing. So at that point I was spent and had to start walking. I walked as fast as I could most of the second half of the race and then kicked it in to run the last half mile. My final time was 53:03. There were several people who walked the whole thing who finished before me. (!!!) I wanted to slink underneath a rock. After all of my hard work (and it WAS hard) and despite my progress, I was still one of the last people to finish. I mean, I knew at a 30 minute 5K was out of my reach and I'd probably have to walk some of it, but I was hoping to do less than 45 minutes at least. I knew people who WALKED it in 42.
I'm trying not to let it get to me too much and I'm going to force myself to go out tomorrow for my Week 7 Day 3 run, but it is hard. I feel like my body let me down.
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Replies
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Try to remember that c25k isn't about competing with other people; it's about getting healthier and competing with yourself. You now have a mark to beat even though you didn't get the result you wanted. Keep working and progressing, even if it's slow, and you are sure to beat your time next year. Then you can have the satisfaction of looking back at how much you've improved. Hang in there. I know you can do it!0
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You ran 20 minutes! That's terrific!
Keep in mind that C25K will get you running for 30 minutes. It will not get you running 5K. That's work you'll do after the program and you will reach that goal. The first time I ran 5K it took me 50 minutes and that was after finishing the C25K program. I'm a bit more "mature" also. It takes us longer to get up to speed but we're doing it. I've been running for 2 years now and am still bringing my 5K time down (currently around 37-39 minutes). You know.....that doesn't bother me at all. I'm injury free, having fun and fitter than I've ever been. Keep having fun and you'll keep running & improving.
Don't compare yourself with others. Compare yourself with yourself a few weeks ago. What I read in your post was that you could barely run 1 minute just a short while ago and now you are running 20 minutes. That is awesome and something to be proud of.
You rock! Keep running. You'll be running 5K before long.0 -
You ran 20 minutes! That's terrific!
Keep in mind that C25K will get you running for 30 minutes. It will not get you running 5K. That's work you'll do after the program and you will reach that goal. The first time I ran 5K it took me 50 minutes and that was after finishing the C25K program. I'm a bit more "mature" also. It takes us longer to get up to speed but we're doing it. I've been running for 2 years now and am still bringing my 5K time down (currently around 37-39 minutes). You know.....that doesn't bother me at all. I'm injury free, having fun and fitter than I've ever been. Keep having fun and you'll keep running & improving.
Don't compare yourself with others. Compare yourself with yourself a few weeks ago. What I read in your post was that you could barely run 1 minute just a short while ago and now you are running 20 minutes. That is awesome and something to be proud of.
You rock! Keep running. You'll be running 5K before long.
Well said!0 -
Not much to add. I bet you would have taken longer if you had not done the programme you have done so far. Yes it is upsetting that you did not do as well as you had hoped, but this sounds as though this is the first time you have entered your company's 5k. If you get a chance check out this link. http://rhysmorton.wordpress.com/2007/01/07/the-difference-between-mountain-people-and-valley-people/. You are a mountain person, you just don't realise it. There is a part of me that is upset that you feel the way you do about your accomplishment. Keep going and have a virtual hug from me. You are doing great.
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Last year I participated and walked the whole thing. My time was 58 minutes. So by running I improved my time by 5 minutes.0
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You still improved your time. I understand you being frustrated, but running is not about running against others. It's about running for yourself. It's about competing against yourself. Also, 5 minutes off your last time is HUGE. Just letting you know. The short distance in a 5K makes taking off any minutes difficult.0
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5 minutes is a lot of time to shave off a 5K. You did well. Be proud of your achievement. 20 minutes is a long time to be running. You're really doing great.0
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I think you did great. Another very slow runner here and I have a 5k in a month, and will just finish the program in time (if I don't have to repeat weeks). I would be thrilled with your time - if I continue at the pace in currently at, it will take me over an hour. I have walked a 5k in under 45 minutes before, but I wasn't 50lbs overweight then. Remember, running takes more energy than walking.
Be proud of yourself, and just think - if you continue running over this next year, you'll smash your time next year!0 -
Last year I participated and walked the whole thing. My time was 58 minutes. So by running I improved my time by 5 minutes.
Fantastic, keep going, you will see more improvement. As others have said, you are "competing" against you, not others. As you run longer you will get faster. I am really pleased that you could report a fantastic success.
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I can understand your frustration, I really can. It is so easy to say to be proud of yourself, be proud of what you have achieved, be proud of the fact that you ran maybe half of the course. And I know that you know you should be all of those things. So all I will say is, keep going. Continue with your training. Don't let this set you back. You have come a long way...you said so yourself. And you will do much better at the next company 5K!0
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I have had a few interruptions and have had to repeat several of the weeks so progress has been slow.When I started this originally in March, I set a goal for myself that I would run in our company's semi-annual 5K in October and run the whole thing.
I think one of the key things with any running programme is consistency, and continuous overload. I've been watching this board for a long time now, and it's a common issue that people are uncomfortable about moving forward and completing. I had the same issue at one stage, but pushed forward anyway.
My main observation would be to take the lessons from it. Finish the programme, and then move on to a 10K plan, which will bring your pace up. If you'd finished the programme on plan, you'd have had four months of running for at least 30 minutes at a time.
You've clearly got the physical capability to do it, given the progress you've already made. You just need to make sure that your head keeps up with the challenge.
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