c25k's 20 min run...HELP!

cangi1
cangi1 Posts: 50
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
So I have been doing the c25k running plan with no problems...up until this point. I attempted the first longer distance run on Wednesday and did 17 mins. I am not complaining b/c it is much more than I was doing. I figured I would try it again today...only to do 15 minutes! I am not going to give up...I AM NOT A QUITTER, but was just wondering if anyone else kinda of hit a wall with the 20 minute run and had to work on it a couple of times? Also, if you have any tips as I attempt this run again on Sunday, I would love to hear from you!

What was your experience like with the 20 min. run?

Thanks :)

Replies

  • mosneakers
    mosneakers Posts: 343 Member
    I just did the W8D1 28 minute run today and I did fine but I was SO intimitated when I saw that I had to run 20 minutes a few weeks ago.

    First of all, you are doing a great job by spacing out your running. I didn't and paid for it. I won't do two consecutive days now.

    The best advice I can give you is to go slower. I know, sucks to hear, but it works. The point of the C25K is to finish the entire running segments, not build speed or distance run. When you feel like you want to give up because your legs are burning or your 8 minutes in and you tell yourself you're crapping out at 8 minutes, you'll never get to 20 - slow down, don't walk!! You will get to that 20 minutes!

    Also, it's really helped me to not look at the time and to play music that gets me going. Had some Madonna, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga in my ears this morning, it was great!

    One last thing - there is no shame in doing days/weeks over. If you're not comfortable moving up days or to the next week, don't. Master that week that you're currently on.
  • amyrc12
    amyrc12 Posts: 183 Member
    I just finished week 7, and I know when the runs got longer I was really intimidated before I even got started. It took me a while to find a comfortable pace. I was starting out too fast and running out of steam early. After that it was a little bit of a head game. Yes, I was a head case. I let the intimidation get to me - but once I decided to start telling myself i COULD do it - ta-da!! I DID do it! If you need to put an extra week in there with a more comfortable time, and them move up - do it!! I haven't followed the C25K by the letter - I've added some blended weeks in there when it felt like too much. Only you know what your body is telling you - Just listen to it!
    Good Luck Darlin!! You can do it!!!
  • wiffe
    wiffe Posts: 224 Member
    I read somewhere that when you think you want to give up to start counting to 100 and you usually can get through.
  • FryingPanda
    FryingPanda Posts: 99 Member
    Maybe slowing down a little might help also. My wife is doing the same program, but once she got into the straight runs she was running similar paces to me, who has been running for years. Because of that I ran with her once and kept pulling on her shirt to slow her down to a pace I thought she could do the full distance and still get a nice burn.
  • cangi1
    cangi1 Posts: 50
    Thank you for your tips and encouragement!

    I tried slowing down today (as I run on the treadmill) but it was uncomfortable for me to slow down. I have been running at the same pace...5.1 mph...since I started. It actually burned worst when I slowed down to 4.9 and 5.0!

    I really thought today was going to be THE day I conquered this run...I'm not afraid/intimidated...my body just said, "NO!" LOL

    When I do it, I will be sure to post about it! That will be a great day!
  • skeck
    skeck Posts: 46
    I hit a wall when I got to 20 minutes, too! Honestly, I'm convinced that it was 2 different things.

    First, I hit a wall mentally. I was psyching myself out by focusing so hard on getting to 20 minutes. I took a few days off until I got really determined to do it. I needed my mind to be distracted and quit thinking about how I was going to make it.

    Secondly, I was also dieting according to MFP and I wasn't getting enough calories to allow myself enough energy for all that I did. I always ate back my work-out calories, but I needed to eat more beforehand and make sure I used every single last calorie or went over slightly.

    That was me - those might not apply to you - but GOOD LUCK!! You can do it.
  • FryingPanda
    FryingPanda Posts: 99 Member
    When you say burn, are we talking workout lactic acid burn or are we talking tearing jabbing burn?
  • TinaDay1114
    TinaDay1114 Posts: 1,328 Member
    I hit walls all the way -- I've been jogging/running for about 12 years, and for me it's been a challenge the whole time. I think your body hits walls w/endurance. Like someone else said, it could be needing more fuel (calories), could be just needing to stay where you are for a while and build up to more. I also agree with everyone else -- you can hit mental blocks, too. I only got past my 4-mile block this past WEEK, and I've been stuck there for all those years.

    I've also found that when I learned to really control my breathing (measured beats in, measured beats out) I could run longer and longer. I tended to start shortening my breaths or panting when I got tired or frustrated and that would wear me out FAST. I also found I would clench up my chest and shoulders to push myself, and that just made me tired, too. If I concentrate on breathing evenly and unclench everything but my abs, I can go forever. But I still have to remind myself now and then!

    You'll totally break through. Just be gently with yourself, and keep steady. You're already doing so well...!
  • cangi1
    cangi1 Posts: 50
    A workout burn...of course. I'm not hurting :smile: ...but 5.1 mph seems to be a comfortable pace.
  • cangi1
    cangi1 Posts: 50
    Oh okay...I will pay more attention to eating to fuel myself better before my runs. I usually have 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1/2 banana and tablespoon of peanut butter about 1 to 1 1/2 hours before my run. Should I add something to this?

    And I never really thought much about my breathing. I don't think I have a problem breathing...but I will pay attention to it more and see if I am taking shorter breathes than I need to.

    This advice is really help y'all (yes, I am from the South) :happy:
  • lisab42
    lisab42 Posts: 98 Member
    I have been where you are so I understand. I'm 5'7" and when I started running I weighed almost 230 lbs. Everything hurt, my back, hips knees and feet. But I built up over time. Good shoes, running socks and tenacity won out. You can do it. And the thing that it took a really long time for me to wrap my head around was the most simple thing. I had to relax and be comfortable with the fact that I was uncomfortable. I know, sounds strange. But it's true. The only way I can describe it is that my mind was panicking, felt like it was a bird in a cage, trying desperately to escape when I got to a certain point in my run. When I anticipated that point in my next run, sure enough, it was there. But once I accepted it and realized that I could push thru that point, little by little that threshold rose. At first it was 3k, then 5k, then 9k and so on. A year and a half after I started running, I ran my first real race. It was a marathon and though I didn't break any course records :laugh: with a 4hr 51min time, I finished. And you can get thru that block too. It's up to you and look at how strong you are. Remember that on your next run.
  • fittraier
    fittraier Posts: 138
    you can do it! definately think about how you breathe....way back when I started running was in high school and I had some issues like you probably (I am 39 so this was 20+ years ago) and my coach had me find a breathing pattern....once I got that (I still use it today...Funny huh?) I was able to push through my walls. They still suck, but I can. Now I run 3-5 miles 3-5 times a week. some outside some treadmill. I find getting to the 20 min mark, is the toughest then it's like your body remembers everything and you just run.
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