5K Advice?

patriciaprice334 · February 2015

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?

hilts1969 · February 2015

How far do you run now, what time do you want to achieve

SuggaD · February 2015

Have you tried C25K?

patriciaprice334 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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 · February 2015

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.

5K Advice?

Replies

Categories