Couch to 5K Running Program (C25K)

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Week 4, Day 1 Pavement run #fail

DoBetterDrea
DoBetterDrea Posts: 85 Member
edited November 10 in Social Groups
Attempted to do W4D1 today, running on the sidewalk for the first time. Not impressed. #FAIL. Up til now, I have been training on the treadmill.

Attempted my first pavement run and could not run more than a minute (barely). Knees and feet do NOT like me right now. I am so mad at myself for not being able to do it. How the heck am I going to be ready for a 5K by April 7th? *sob*

I'm really discouraged right now. Not sure what to do. :sad:

Replies

  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Running on the concrete sidewalks can be really hard unless you are incredibly careful about your form. Try running on the road instead - just watch out for traffic, and run facing oncoming traffic.
  • wombat94
    wombat94 Posts: 352 Member
    Take a deep breath... I agree with the suggestion to try running on the road. It may not seem like it because they are both "hard" surfaces, but concrete sidewalks are a lot harder on your joints and feet than black top is.

    The 5K will be run on roads anyway, right, so try doing that.

    Also, if you haven't experienced one yet... this may have just been a "bad running day" - they happen to everyone at some point. The body just isn't ready for what you are asking it to do. For me it was week 2 day 1 - after I had breezed through week 1, that workout kicked my butt.

    But I came back, tried it again for week 2 day 2 and it was a lot easier.

    If you need to, take a step back and try a run from the previous week outside on the road... I haven't done any treadmill running for the program - I like walking on a treadmill but HATE running on one - but I've heard it can be very different outside vs. inside.

    Good luck and don't get discouraged.

    Ted
  • bankstisha
    bankstisha Posts: 45 Member
    I failed at Week 4 Day on the treadmill, but breezed through week 4 day 2 on the threadmill. I think week 4 is a big jump from week 3. It doesn't really seem like it, but you went from running 90 seconds or 3 minutes, to running 3 minutes and 5 minutes, with a small walk in between. To me, it was a big difference.

    Don't get discouraged, just go back into week 4 day 2 knowing what you are about to do, and see how it goes. If you still have problems after day 3, then stay on week 4 a little longer. I am doing Week 4 day 5 today. lol

    I posted last week about my week 4 day 1 experience and someone said "you are still doing better than those on the couch". best thing to say to me! I felt a lot better after realizing that I am doing better than some! lol

    Now that I've said all this, I'm attempting my 1st run outside today since it's going to be close to 50 here in Ohio. Let's see how this outside run stuff is! lol Good luck to you!
  • DoBetterDrea
    DoBetterDrea Posts: 85 Member
    Thanks you guys! I appreciate all the support. I'm going to try running on the blacktop and I'm going to attempt week 4, day 1 again tomorrow.

    I've learned that treadmill and pavement running are two completely different things. It was really discouraging at first because I felt like I was doing really well on the treadmill and I didn't expect it to be so different. But I will lace up my shoes and try again!

    And most definitely, we're all doing better than those still on the couch! :)
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I do all my running on a treadmill right now. But I set the incline up, so for me getting on the road is easier. Walking, that is. I'm heading into my 4th workout Monday!
  • natalie412
    natalie412 Posts: 1,039 Member
    Its funny, because I always do my run on sidewalks, and I did it on the treadmill for the first time in week 6, and it was harder in some ways, I thought. Definitely felt it more in my shins, for some reason. I guess it is what your body is used to.
  • pukekolive
    pukekolive Posts: 237 Member
    Do you have any riverside walkways near you? I am only walking/jogging for my C25K training and not up to Week 4 but train on a treadmill at home and on cobbled and dirt riverside trails. I find these easier than on sidewalks, also I don't have to cross any roads and slow down.

    If you have any off road trails it might be worth the drive to use them
  • fitplease
    fitplease Posts: 647 Member
    If you can run on a good track, that will be a little easier. Also, how are your shoes? If they are getting worn out, that will affect your running, too.

    You can always go back to week 3 for a couple of days and then retry week 4. It could be that your body is not ready for it yet.
  • paulwgun
    paulwgun Posts: 439 Member
    dont be discouraged im up to 7K on a treadmill and totaly failed 100Meters running outside i will have to start outside soon though as ive signed up for a 10 K race in June :bigsmile:
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