5K Advice?

patriciaprice334
patriciaprice334 Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm in my second week of training for a 5K in April and I was wondering if anyone had any advice as far as running. I tend to be out of breath and I cramp very easily in my sides. What should I do about it?

Replies

  • hilts1969
    hilts1969 Posts: 465 Member
    How far do you run now, what time do you want to achieve
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    Have you tried C25K?
  • patriciaprice334
    patriciaprice334 Posts: 26 Member
    SuggaD That's actually the program I'm in now funny enough. and hilts1969, the past two weeks I've hit at least two miles, and both were within 30 minutes to an hour.
  • hilts1969
    hilts1969 Posts: 465 Member
    patriciaprice334 wrote: »
    SuggaD That's actually the program I'm in now funny enough. and hilts1969, the past two weeks I've hit at least two miles, and both were within 30 minutes to an hour.

    you hit 2 miles between 30 mins and an hour not very specific, big difference between a 15 min mile and a 30 min mile, one is a quick walk and the other is a crawl

  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    Are you doing the timed version of C25K? The second week is 90 seconds of running, 2 minutes of walking.
    If you are out of breath and cramping, you're probably running too fast. Try slowing down. Running too fast, too soon is the biggest "mistake" made by beginners.
    A simple test is to speak a short sentence while you're running. If you can't speak it comfortably, you are running too fast. Speed happens all on its own over time as you get stronger. Don't worry about it right now.
  • patriciaprice334
    patriciaprice334 Posts: 26 Member
    hilts1969 wrote: »
    patriciaprice334 wrote: »
    SuggaD That's actually the program I'm in now funny enough. and hilts1969, the past two weeks I've hit at least two miles, and both were within 30 minutes to an hour.

    you hit 2 miles between 30 mins and an hour not very specific, big difference between a 15 min mile and a 30 min mile, one is a quick walk and the other is a crawl

    Good point. I've been doing a quick walk. Quick enough to make my legs feel like jelly when I get back in the car -_-

  • patriciaprice334
    patriciaprice334 Posts: 26 Member
    PaytraB wrote: »
    Are you doing the timed version of C25K? The second week is 90 seconds of running, 2 minutes of walking.
    If you are out of breath and cramping, you're probably running too fast. Try slowing down. Running too fast, too soon is the biggest "mistake" made by beginners.
    A simple test is to speak a short sentence while you're running. If you can't speak it comfortably, you are running too fast. Speed happens all on its own over time as you get stronger. Don't worry about it right now.

    Thanks! I'll remember that when I do my training this week.
  • hilts1969
    hilts1969 Posts: 465 Member
    I am not a big fan of programs, jog at an easy pace then walk till 30 mins is up, next time run a bit further etc... once you can run for 30 mins come back, ignore the crap advice about holding a conversation while you run, barring health issues run till you are done then walk
  • debubbie
    debubbie Posts: 767 Member
    i am using couch25k too and I just started the second week. When I tried it several months ago, I was not able to complete the program because I had similar problems to the ones you are describing. At first I thought if I wasn't doing the jogging part at faster pace then I wasn't really running. I was unable to keep up the pace and in frustration gave up. This time around I have dropped my walk to 3.5 mph and my jog to 4mph and this has helped me considerably. I have decided that once I am able to run a 5k without walking, I will work on completing the 5k in a quicker time. Good luck!
  • DangerJim71
    DangerJim71 Posts: 361 Member
    Get the idea of jogging vs running out of your head. Jogging is a myth. Just run at whatever pace you can maintain comfortably for a 2-3 mile period. If you're not there yet do some run walk intervals like the couch to 5k plan has. In 6 months of consistent training you may then start to worry about speed and then in another year maybe achieve it. New runners concerned with pace and speed is a recipe for injury. Enjoy the run. It's a beautiful thing.

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