c25k - Completed my first 5k!

reyoflightphoto wrote: »

Thanks for writing this post. I am having a hard time pushing through week one of C25k. Every time I do it I feel like I am not gonna make it. I actually didn't do it at all this last week because the first week was so hard for me. Your post is slightly encouraging. I am going to do it, but man, right now, it just seems impossible!! I know it's not. It just seems like it. Ughhh.... Anyway, thanks.

I'm extremely grateful for the c25k program; but i didn't do it only by following that program. I also learned a lot from these forums.

• When i first started, i was running just below a sprint for the 60 second intervals, and gasping for air. It was also tough on my legs. Reading up on the forums encouraged me to go slow, while keeping the running gait.
• I also had to find my right breathing pattern - breathing from my belly, i inhale deep for three steps, and exhale deep for two steps, and repeat.
• Finally, i tended to pump my arms up and across my chest - doing that swings my shoulders a bit, which swings my hips a bit, which throws of my stride. Now that i keep my arms low and going straight forward/backward i keep my torso pointed the direction i'm running, and i feel better.

When you run into a stumbling block, post your frustration on here, or read through other people's posts. It helped me a lot to know that my struggles weren't unique, and that they are surmountable.

And in a few weeks, when you're making progress down the c25k program, be sure to take a few moments to acknowledge how far you've gotten!

mitsimr wrote: »

Ok after I commented earlier I thought "Why not now?" so I got out and did day 1. I feel very accomplished.

Fantastic! Congratulations for starting. Be safe and have fun out there, fellow runner!