Humidity . . . What humidity?

[syzygy314]

Well, as some of you may remember (or maybe not, I don't really know many of you that well yet), I started the Couch to 5K 4 weeks ago. I've been doing pretty well and actually had myself convinced that I would make it to the end! At least as of this past weekend I did.

Anyway, went out for Day 2 of Week 4 today. It's 3 minute runs, 90 second recoveries, 5 minute runs, 2 1/2 minute recoveries. Okay, It's been rainy and cloudy all week. I did my run on Tuesday, it was misty rain and I made it. The last 5 minutes was tough, but I finished. Today, I thought I would die by the time I was 2 minutes into the first 5 minute run! I have asthma, so before I do these runs, I use my rescue inhaler as my MD instructed. I only need it for higher intensity stuff. By the time I finished this run I thought I was going to have to quit!! I just can't believe that for a Southern girl (I came up here from Georgia via North Carolina) - up here being Rhode Island, where there is really no humidity, I'm having such a difficult time. I can't believe it is affecting me so badly these days! I used to walk (fast walks) 3 miles everyday in 104 degree temps with humidity at 90% for crying out loud! What's happening to me?

Now I'm doubting myself that I'm going to make it to that 9th week and my first 5K! If I weren't so stubborn, I would have stopped running after the 2 minute mark of the second 5 minute run, but, no, not me! I'd rather fall over, pass out and make an obstacle (on the bike path) and spectacle of myself than quit!!

Argh! What a disappointing run today.

Tricia

 

[toughYrun]

I say focus on the good runs you've had and keep in mind that some just don't feel good! It's the same with running as it is with any type of exercise. Some days you feel like you could go on forever and other days you can't wait until you're done. If you've made it this far you'll make it to the 5K!!

 

[andtckrtoo]

Tricia -

As a runner, you will experience days when running feels like walking on air. Unfortunately, you will also experience days where it feels as if you're pushing through cement. And the cement days tend to out number the walking on air days. All sorts of factors play in - mood, what you ate the day before, how you're feeling physically, etc. If you want to do the 5k, know that there will be bad days and try not to get discouraged. Every runner I know (even my favorite marathon runners) have bad days. It just happens. I was training for a half marathon and was up to 7 miles (had never run 7 miles before). I had the absolute worst run of my life. It hurt, I felt horrible, and I just KNEW I could not do it. So I quit - well, I dropped down from the half marathon to the 10k. And the day of the race came and I was so disgusted with myself. Seriously - if I walked half of the half, what difference did it make?! At least I was out there trying. That was in July. I signed up for another half in October and completed it. Honey, you can do it. Just keep at it.

BUT there is more to running - know that if you keep pushing, and you keep running, you will succeed and one day you will have a day where everything clicks, and you experience the greatest sense of being one with the world that you ever have and your will know why we put up with those awful days. There is seriously nothing like running. Slow down on hot humid days. Know that it's okay to take it easy. It's your first 5k. Whatever amount of time it takes to run the 5k will be a personal record for you, so worry less about going fast and slow down to enjoy it. You only run your first 5k once. (But once you run one, I'm sure you'll be back for another - they are addicting).

 

[lioness]

Tricia,

Please don't give up!! What everyone else has said is true. You are going to have good days and bad days. You just have to push through the bad days and keep going. I've been running for almost 2 years and it is still hard for me. Genetically I am not built like runner but I run anyway because I love it and I love racing. There is nothing better than completing your first 5K!

I've been having a heck of year so far. My dad is suffering from dementia and my sisters and I have all been helping mom out. It's been very stressful. I was planning to do a 10K in the town where a live but I was so stressed out the week before that I wasn't going to do it. I just didn't feel like I trained for it and I was not focused at all. I decided to push through and do it anyway. I knew if I didn't do it, I would be disappointed. So I did it but it was a difficult run. Last year it seemed easy (well...easier compared to this year) but I did it even though I was 4 minutes slower than last year. I was so happy that I pushed through it. I believe pushing through the hard stuff will only make you stronger in the end.

Don't quit!!! If I can do this, so can you!

 

[syzygy314]

Thanks ladies! Hopefully, the weather will clear up a bit by Saturday so I can experience this week's run without the humid air clogging my windpipe! For each week I make it through, I guess I should feel an accomplishment as I have never, EVER done any running before. My DH has been doing more 5Ks and did a half marathon just a couple of weeks ago and it inspired me to try! Of course, he was a Marine, so having a "difficult" run for him is a walk in the park! I can't train with him because he's too much of a drill sergeant! So, I go out alone with my iPhone in one hand with the volume up all the way for my coaching cues and my iPod on my arm with the headphones on to distract me with some music and I huff and puff and puff and huff my way to the end!

And by God and all the Energy of the Universe (yes, I believe in the power of the most miniscule particles - known and unknown) I WILL make it to the end of the 9 weeks and run my first 5K this year!!! OO-RAH!!! (Marine wife, here!)

Thanks again! I won't give up!!

Tricia

 

[Miss Lee]

TRICIA! TRICIA! TRICIA! TRICIA!

I'm SO glad you posted this!!! I just signed up for a Couch to 5K training program last night. I'm 54 years old and I've NEVER EVER EVER run before, and I NEVER EVER EVER thought I would . I have a long and illustrious history of hating cardio -- LOL!!

I don't have severe asthma but I sometimes battle with seasonal allergies and exercise induced asthma (mild case), and I'm a bit nervous about getting through the program, too. But listen, we CAN DO THIS!!! We CAN!! WE WILL!! And we'll be so proud of ourselves when we cross that finish line!

I just happened to find a training class that's starting up next week so I registered and paid my money before I had time to change my mind . We will meet for group training walks/runs twice a week, and I think we're supposed to run once or twice a week on our own. I will train with you in spirit and I'll send lots of positive thoughts and vibes your way. Our 5K will be sometime in September. When's yours? Feel free to post or PM me anytime and we can commiserate

You have my best wishes for a FANTASTIC C25K experience!!

 

[spyrosmom]

Go, go, go!!! You're gonna make it, girl!!! I am up to about 5.5 or 6 miles in one shot now. I've never actually run a 5k race (all the people kinda make me nervous, even though I know I can do it). I know what you're talking about w/ the rough days. There are days I never, ever thought I could put down another step, but I kept on pushing. Now, I actually feel as though I could prob go farther (at least some days ) but time constraints generally don't allow it.

I actually found that the walk/run made things harder. An interval run is still much harder than a straight run for me. I find it harder to get into a steady breathing rhythym (I can't spell that word!) if I keep stopping and starting.

The 1st time I did 3 miles, I wore a watch, and told myself I was going to run for 30 mins, whether it was fast or slow (yeah, I'm slow) I told myself if I can Cathe for an hour, I could darn skippy run for 30 mins. I just decided I could do it, it wasn't a cardio issue, it was mostly mental. I would look at the watch - 25 mins to go - crap, 21 mins to go - double crap, 15 mins to go - halfway, 10 mins to go - almost done, 5 mins to go - gonna make it, 2 mins to go - is this ever gonna end - 30 mins done - hot damn!!!! And I finished up at about 3 miles.

And once I KNEW I could, I could. I also channeled into my brain a Cardio Coach saying "when your mind is made up, your body complies" and "think you are tired, and you will be tired" I still bring those to my mind when it gets tough. I also found that increasing the miles after I conquered the 1st 3, got easier than making it to the 1st 3. I also had some good support here, which helped a lot. (Thanks, everybody) I also found that the 1st 5 or 10 mins are the hardest, then I find a good pace, a good breathing rate, settle my mind in, and enjoy!!

I always thought I wouldn't like it, now I consider myself a runner, even if it isn't my primary form of cardio. I like it, and even though I'll prob never be the fastest, I ENJOY it, which is what counts!

Good luck!!!! If I can do it, so can you. I promise!

Nan