Dec 31, 2009 8:06 AM
C25K - has anyone else repeated a week? Had a set-back?
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Hi all - I started C25K four weeks ago. Scheduled runs on my calendar after checking the weather (I run outside on the boardwalk and it is pretty nasty here in NJ!). First three weeks loved - it was hard as heck, I hurt the next day but felt great. Week 4 - Day 1 - no problem. Week 4 - Day 2 - big problem. I had run on the treadmill once before (during the blizzard) and hated it, but it was so windy yesterday that I couldn't run outdoors. Disaster. It was really hot in the gym and I couldn't make it through the 5 minute runs, found myself doing 3 mins with walks and about 2/3 through just walked.
So here is my question - how do you shake off a bad day? I don't want one bad day to snowball into a bad week, month, end up back on the couch! In addition I've been watching what I eat, and doing workout DVD's 2-3 times a wek and haven't dropped a pound:-( I've considered doing each week twice (to build up gradually) - has anyone else done that?
Thanks for any input or suggestions - Happy New Year everyone![]()
Avon Day 5K 6/5/10- 41:12
Asbury Boardwalk 5K - 9/25/10
This is just the beginning....
My slowest run time is still better than my best sit-on-the-couch time!
Meg
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts" - Winston Churchill
First, I'll commisserate with you on the weight thing - not only have I not lost any weight, I'm even up a pound and a half, and I've been doing C25k since early November. However, my clothes are fitting better, especially my jeans, so I just have to remember that it will come in time (and to lay off the chili cheese fries
).
Second, yes, I repeated weeks (as you can see in my signature). Week 3 I repeated once, and week 4 I repeated twice, partly because of weather. How do you shake off a bad day? Personally, I find that music really helps me ppush through whatever issues I'm having. I still follow the Robery Uhllery (sp?) podcasts, but I always continue my cool down past when the 5 minutes that the podcast goes for, and I make sure to put whatever upbeat songs I'm currently loving immediately after the podcast so I have something to look forward to. That helps while I'm actually doing the runs, but the other thing that has helped me to refocus after having a bad day is to tell someone about my program - each time I tell a family member or friend about it I get a little more determined to see this thing all the way through. I feel like every shred of doubt that I can make it gets replaced by more desire to do it and claim victory. I've already shattered one person's expectations of what I could do (this person encouraged me to *not* do the 20 minute run because I wouldn't be able to make it - well I not only made it, but in two days I'm set to do my 25 minute run), and I'm looking forward to finishing the program and flaunting it in the proverbial faces of everyone else who thought this was a wacky phase, lol. Finally, one very simple trick that helps prevent me from putting my run off for a day is that I get everything ready the night before: I lay out my clothes, hair ties, hair brush, deordorant, charged iPod, keys, tissues, ID, etc, so I have no excuses when I wake up and feel like going back to bed for more sleep. Like I said, simple, but effective.
Good luck, and I hope you continue on with the program and see how strong you can really be. ![]()
And now Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure. -APWBD
Completed: W6D3
Started Couch to 5k on Nov 2nd, repeated week 3 (1x) and week 4 (2x)
Congratulations on making it to week 4!!!!!
Sorry to hear about your off day!! It's so discouraging when that happens, but toughing through it is what training is all about. You're teaching your body that your mind is in charge. It's weird because, as much as I've been running this year, I dont feel like it's gotten any easier overall. But the will power has gotten easier - if that makes any sense. My ability to be comfortable outside my comfort zone has increased a great deal. Running is HARD and you should be more proud of the runs you complete even when you want to quit...even if you have to walk because you didn't quit. The glorious day of easy running is around the corner...but it doesnt do house calls. Go and seek it out!!
As far as weightloss goes, when I was training for my first half it seemed like nothing changed...then WHAM - the weight melted off. I'd look for other signs of improvement rather than numbers on the scale. Are your clothes fitting better? Do you have more energy? Does a flight of stairs no longer leave you winded? Has your quality of life improved? The scale is so deceptive. If you still feel the need to lose lbs, definitely pay more attention to your nutrition. The C25K is great but it doesnt exactly knock out a ton of calories. Especially early on. Stay with it...maybe I'll be seeing you in the half marathoners group soon ![]()
-Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)
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Fall Schedule:
9/17 Asheville Half
10/16 Nike Women's Marathon
11/20 Philly Marathon
Everyone has setbacks. The key to success, however, is having the setbacks and then continuing on. As for weight loss, we are barely doing enough to burn off a snack, much less the 500 calories/day that is usually an accepted deficit for losing weight. In order to achieve this deficit, adjusting food intake is vital. Your body right now (assuming you are indeed starting from couch potato satus and not marathon runner) cannot handle the kind of workout you would need to achieve the deficit alone. Strength training will help build muscle, which in turn increases your metabolic rate. If you have never been an "eat what you want and not gain a pound" kinda person, you still aren't going to be on this journey. Chin up though, as your body gets more toned, it'll do more on its own, and as you gain the ability to push harder and farther, you will be doing more for your weight loss. Remember, it has taken us years to get to our couch potato status, we must be patient in the reversal process.
First of all, congratulations on making the decision and following through with the first three weeks of the program!! I completed C25K at the end of November, and started the One Hour Runner program, and will be starting on Week 5 tomorrow. I, and a lot of other people, can totally relate to how you are feeling. I've repeated a couple of the weeks in the C25K program, and based on my conversations with others on these message boards, they have as well. You are definitely not alone in your journey. I also know how tough it is when you work so hard, and don't see results yet, but you will. There are a few things that I've learned in this process:
Sorry this is so long winded, but I hope this posting will help you. It's a slippery slope if you start negative self-talk and doubting yourself, so do your best to push those thoughts out of your head, just shake it off and say that you can do this, because you can. Good luck to you!
Thank you everybody:-) I'm so grateful for these message boards - helps to know I'm not alone in the frustration. Going to re-join Weight Watchers - focus on both the nutrition as well as the exercise. And Turtle - It's progress, not perfection - I need to needlepoint that onto a pillow or something - big thank you for that reminder!! I'm such a perfectionist in everything I forget to celebrate the progress.
Avon Day 5K 6/5/10- 41:12
Asbury Boardwalk 5K - 9/25/10
This is just the beginning....
My slowest run time is still better than my best sit-on-the-couch time!
Meg
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts" - Winston Churchill
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