Hi looking for advice please.
I've been working through the c25k and was doing really well. Was able to run 4k in 36Mins at the gym, although i admit to have a min fast walking around the 3k mark. The following 3 runs have been very hard work where the most i have run is 2 1/2 K and then im shattered. I decided that i needed to be outside where i couldnt clock watch but that was worse. I only managed to run for 14 mins in total and that was with 2 short walks in between. Does anyone have any suggestions or idea why please. I was hoping to do a 5K run on 3rd March but the way things are going i dont think i'd manage it.
Treadmill running is quite different to outdoor running and if you are planning to do any events you need to make sure you do some outdoor running as well.
When you are on a treadmill, the pace you run at is controlled, constant and unbroken. With nothing passing by you don't get any impression of how fast or slow you are running.
Outdoor running for the first few times can be very intimidating. You can feel like people are watching you and thinking you are slow. You could just feel slow. The temptation is to run much faster than you have been on the treadmill which will mean you will get tired very quickly and need a walk break.
I would guess you are getting a bit bored on the treadmill and it is very easy to give up when all you have to do is push a button, which is why you clock watch (I used to mainly treadmill run but nowadays I struggle to stay on one for more than half hour yet have run outside for over 2 hours!)
If you really want to do your 5k at the start of March, it is still possible. Look at your C25K plan and maybe go back a few weeks to a point where you run for about 14 mins and start there but outdoors.
This isn't giving up or taking the easy option, it is giving you, your body and your running pace a chance to find out how it all merges for an enjoyable experience. Don't run too fast - you should be able to hold a conversation.
A consistent running pace will come but it will take a bit of time as your running self hasn't had to do that bit before.
As for the giving up option, plan a circular route and that way you will have to keep going for the time or distance even if you walk! Often that is enough to keep you going.
Thank you Runaway Nan, this really makes a lot of sense so will certainly get back out more and go back a few weeks with c25K. The cold weather and ice conditions put me off running outside so i thought the tread mill would keep the training on track until it warmed up a bit but i think like you said the treadmill is controlling my running and pretty much carrying me along. As it is quite hilly where i am too i think it was much more tiring than on a flat treadmill.
Anyway thanks again, will still keep that March run as my target :-)
ive had similar issues, although my runs are outdoors, iv'e done longer runs (5 miles is long to me) with a friend but on my own i struggle to do 3 miles, realized i'm probably bored doing the same route when i gave up yesterday half way through. tried running somewhere else today & did 4 miles easily. if head isn't in the right place my legs won't go. good luck with your race in a few weeks, i'm sure it will be fine, the adrenalin of running with others will carry you through!
Hi, I dont know if this might help but it helped me...I have downloaded some beginners music run2rythym tracks that help me run at a set pace (like on a treadmill). It makes me run much slower than I would without it BUT I have managed to progress the C25K programme very well outdoors.
Thanks Jilly 72 i think you are right im gonna get myself outside now the weather better and hopefully find somwhere not too hilly nearby.
SuffolkCindy, i did get some better music which has helped, i also asked my daughter to come to the gym with me when i trained (She did a sports course and said she'd help me) well she turned into a mini sargeant major and wouldn't let up until i completed 4K so although i was shattered im hoping she'll come again and helpme get to the 5K before the run on 3rd March!!
I started running indoors and could run/walk for 20 mins...then I tried to do the same and hit a brick wall! I found I could only go for a few mins outside. It's harder work to run outside, there are so many variables. In the end I stopped running indoors and started the C25K from scratch only outside instead. I am coming to the end of my first week outside and I am up to 2 miles (30 mins).
Also running with someone else does help!