Last week I had a tough wog. I take that back. It wasn’t tough. It flat out SUCKED. The day was beautiful, so I attempted the outdoor track. I had high hopes until I looked at my Couch to 10k app. Run 20 minutes. Walk 1 minute. Run 20 minutes again.
Excuse me?
The last wog had been run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute, 4 times. That 1 minute walk was frickin’ important. How can you just jump to 20?!
As I feared, the wog sucked. (Self fulfilled prophecy? Perhaps.) I jogged, kicking my own butt around the track, for 20 minutes, then sat down and pouted.
I attempted it again the next day, with similar results. I felt defeated. And frustrated. And I took 4 days off.
Monday I was back in the gym, but unwilling to let myself have another bad wog, I backtracked from week 11 on the C210k app to week 9.
Run 7 minutes then walk 2 minutes 6 times.
I rocked those 5 miles.
I took pilates on Tuesday and was back on the dreadmill yesterday.
Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes 5 times.
Though my legs felt like logs, I got into it (running at a 10 minute mile pace- 6.0 on the treadmill). It was tough.
I got through 4.8 miles, but man, was I dragging afterwards. I don’t understand. What’s the difference from Monday to Wednesday? The challenge wasn’t all that different.
If that’s tough, how am I even going to attempt 20 minutes of jogging?
Do I need more rest days?
Do I need to eat differently beforehand?
I’m very close to resorting to caffeine-fueled wogs- especially if I have to even attempt to tackle (2) 20 minutes runs. I’ve wogged after a cup of coffee once or twice and I feel like I’m invincible! Before I start my caffeine drip, do you have any suggestions?!
Kendall @On An Inhale says
I think it might be running on a track. It can be boring and similar to the treadmill. When I start to struggle with running (I haven’t run in a few months but I plan to when it is light out in the am again) I change up my route. Make it interesting and keep your mind busy. Go to a downtown area or somewhere really pretty and that might help. Good luck! At least you are out there doing it. The rest will come together sooner or later!
Sara says
I’ve found that 90-95% of my bad runs are due to nutrition and hydration. Maybe you aren’t fueling properly before and during your runs?
Brittany says
I’ve considered that, but I’m chugging water like crazy and tried are a slice of bread with some peanut butter about an hour before yesterday’s wog in hopes it would help. Any suggestions on something specific to eat beforehand?
Sara says
Hmm…my go to meal before a run is always steel cut oats with some PB swirled into it because it keeps me fueled for a long time. Also, I am not a good night runner, I prefer to run in the early morning, maybe because I spend my days running around and by the afternoon/evening, my legs are already fatigued.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Sorry to butt in and I have no clue about this topic but you are still breastfeeding which could make you a little more dehydrated than usual even if you are taking in a ton of water. I found when I was nursing no matter how much water I drank it still wasn’t enough.
Andrea says
“just keep swimmin’, swimmin’, swimmin’…” Having gone from my couch to 2:00:20 half marathon myself, I can confidently say that it WILL happen, you just need to keep pursuing it. My breakthrough happened when I got off the dreadmill and started pounding the pavement. “They” say outdoor running is harder, but I found it much easier for my easily bored brain. Running outside brings so much variety in scenery. Also very important for me is that I keep cooler outside. Running in place creates no air movement around me to help sweat evaporate off me so I just run in place and drip and overheat. Take it to the pavement as often as you can and happy wogging!
Andrea
Brittany says
from couch to an awesome half marathon time?! You’re my hero 🙂
Andrea says
I don’t derserve hero status. I was someone who didn’t have a singular passion in life, something that I was really good at. Dabbled in a lot of things, but finally found my niche in running. I feel better than I have in my life, stronger, healthier, I admire my body now for what it can accomplish, not for how it looks.
And everyone has crappy runs. You just can’t dwell on them. Say, “ok, that was crappy” and move on to the next run. 🙂
Colleen says
I’ve run four half marathons always with 10 minutes running, 1 minute walking. It’s the program I follow and it works great! I can definitely see how a jump to 20 minute runs would be a challenge.
blackhuff says
What kind of exercises did you do on Tuesday in Pilates?
I saw that when I run on Day 1, do strength training (legs and arms) on Day 2 and run again on Day 3, my legs tend to get tired more quickly. But if I run on Day 1 along with leg strength training, Day 2 consisting of arms, shoulders and abdominal strength training only, Day 3 comes and then I can run comfortably. My legs then aren’t tired.
So look at resting your legs entirely on the in-between days.
Brittany says
I think you may be on to something! We had a different teacher in pilates on Tuesday and she WORKED our legs. In fact, they still feel tired today. Thanks for the input!
blackhuff says
My pleasure 🙂
Lee says
I think that some days are just easier or harder than others and there’s no rhyme or reason for it. It happens to me all the time. It’s easy to think that once you’ve “mastered” a certain distance, it’ll be easy to run it every time, but it’s not. When I have a hard/bad run, I just tell myself that it means the next one will feel great.
Brittney says
I agree with Lee, sometimes you just have crappy runs. When I was marathon training sometimes my long runs (even the 16-18 mile ones) would go great, but then I’d have a 4-5 mile run that was AWFUL and I could barely do. There’s just so many variables- sleep, fuel, mindset, etc… that it seems impossible to control everything to ensure that your run will go great. Look at people fully trained for a marathon that end up dropping out for various reasons. Sometimes you just have bad running days and there’s really nothing you can do about it…
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Couldn’t have said it better! Some days are just not your day (and others of course are!) Hang in there 🙂
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
maybe you could just add in an extra week or two to your plan. do a couple days of run 13-14 min/walk 1 and then a couple days of run 17-18 min/walk 1 to build up to that 20. nothing says you have to stick to a certain plan exactly!
Brittany says
I know, but I’m so OCD about following a plan. I know I need to lighten up. I should try to ease into it a bit more to avoid frustration. Thanks!
Caitlin @ ChasingaMile says
I agree with this. Going from 10 to 20 minutes is a big jump! I would try doing the 13-14 min run or even try to run 20, walk 1 and then try to run another 10.
I also agree with trying to get outside but not on a track, It can really help. Keep at it, you are doing great!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
If you find that nutrition isn’t doing the trick, I would suggest throwing in a day or two of spin or Zumba – just something different to mix it up! I’ve started doing that and have seen a huge improvement with my endurance when I run now.
Molly P @Molly on the Run says
I think it has to do with a bunch of things- in no specific order
1.) Hydration- my legs always feel dead if I don’t drink enough
2.) Exhaustion- some days, you just are tired and you can’t change that, maybe try to squeeze in more planned rest days if you’re doing a long wog the next day
3.) Treadmills are so boring to me, time goes by faster if you’re outdoors. Looking at that treadmill time is like nails on the chalk board-just Horrible!
Good luck! Hope it gets better soon!
Shannon says
It sounds like you might be pysching yourself out! You’ve run more than 10 minutes at a time before, so you know you can do it, but now that you have had that built in break, you’re getting caught up in it. Maybe, the next time you try to go from a 10-1 week to the 20, you could think about it like this: You clearly know you can do 10 minutes at a time. So, you just run 10 minutes, and then do one more interval of 10, then take your 1 minute break. It will still FEEL the same, but if you can get your mind off of the 20-20-20-20 number, maybe it’ll help. Much easier said than done, I know, because I’ve definitely had those weeks where it’s like, “you want me to run for HOW LONG!?”
Stefanie says
The dreadmill – haha!
I HATE when I have a bad run. Especially when I’ve been looking forward to getting on the treadmill and kickinf some butt. Most of the time I realize I wasn’t hydrated enough or my prework out snack probably should have been better than a handful of potato chips (don’t judge! lol). But sometimes even when everything is perfect it’s a bad run kinda day.
I agree with all of the suggestions to get outside if you can. I’ve had times when I hit a wall and had a couple of bad runs. I took myself outside (cold and all!) and totally turned it around.
Julie says
A couple thoughts: Are you drinking enough water? When I don’t drink enough water, I can barely survive runs. I realized how crucial it is to be hydrated. Are you stretching well after workouts? Maybe this would help with your legs feeling heavy. Lastly, I don’t think there is anything wrong with drinking a little coffee before workouts, I would just make sure you have enough time to settle your stomach. I drink 1/2 a cup of coffee or less before working out in the mornings, and it helps so much! Lastly, sometimes you just have off days! and that’s okay 🙂
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says
I always had a hard time on the treadmill when I was doing C25K. I know it’s hard with Hailey and winter but maybe try to get outside for the longer runs. You’ll be able to fluctuate the pace as necessary and take advantage of stop signs. You could also vary the pace on the treadmill during the 20 minutes to help with boredom and give your legs a break. Good luck and don’t get discouraged. You got this!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who has bad days jogging.
Katie @ Legally Fit says
It may be in your head. It sounds like a lot but you are pounding out the miles-you are definitely capable of doing it. I got my running start from the couch to 5k. The first time I had to run for 30 min straight without walking breaks I was so intimidated. I told myself I could do it and I was shocked when I did. You can do it!
Danielle says
This is exactly right! What helps me sometimes, when I get in my own way mentally, is to portion out the longer running segments and give myself a “water goal.” During the 20 minute stretches, I allow myself a quick break after 10 minutes to take a swig of water, then keep going. I maybe stop running for 10-15 seconds, but just portioning out the time in my head that way somehow makes it easier. If I just go 10 minutes, I get to take quick break- I swear it works!
Lauren K says
I would definitely say go outside to either neighborhood streets or a park. The treadmill or track can definitely be tough to manage for the longer times! Next, why not try 15 minutes on/1 minute off? I know you want to follow that plan (don’t blame you) but think about how you will handle race day. There are so many people that do a run/walk combo so if you think 10-15/1 might be your strategy there is no problem training that way 🙂 For me, it’s all about time on my feet and mentally knowing that I can handle the amount of time needed to complete the race. You are doing great so keep up the good work!!
Mindy - Clueless Nut says
A bowl of oatmeal with a side of coffee and almond milk always fuels my wogs perfectly. This weekend in my area was a high of 60’s and after about a hour of the aforementioned breakfast, I killed it! Good luck.
Sarah says
Would it be possible for you to split the workout into two segments? So maybe you do the first 20 minute run in the morning and the second in the afternoon? Or maybe that defeats the purpose…
I just bought a 10k app and was shocked at how fast it moved compared to the 5k program. I definitely plan to take my time and redo workouts until I am comfortable.
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud! says
I sadly have no advice for you since I am not a running or wogger (I suck!) but even with my training (crossfit type training) I was feeling sort of sluggish and I switched up my eating to include a little more protein about an hour and a half before i started training and it has helped tremendously!
Christine says
I’m convinced you have 3 types of workout days: Survival days (aka you feel like you are going to die, your body feels heavy and tired, you have negative thoughts and you just try and push through it but you feel miserable after); Normal days ( your typical average days – it’s hard but doesn’t feel impossible, you feel fine/good after); and the ever so rare Training Days (where your legs feel light and your breath is steady – you feel like you can go for longer – you just feel fabulous after). Typically I find those training days are not just about what your fuel with right before your run, it’s what you’ve eaten/drank those couple of days. (i.e. do you have enough nutrients, vitamins, especially potassium – it’s so hard to get your 3500 mg of recommended potassium which is vital if you workout). My advice, on those training days – take it up a notch, if you feel like you can run longer than 10 even 20 minutes, do it! They really are so few and far between (at least for me). Also, try and keep a food diary and when you do have those days take a look over the last few days at what you’ve eaten and how much water you’ve drank. Most important – don’t beat yourself up about the survival days – go back out there and try again. Try and get a friend to go with you to help push through the barrier! Good Luck!
erica says
I think that you should try running on the treadmill at a much slower face. I know you need to run ok the treadmill so you can h ave childcare but I think you should also attempt he longer stretch of running outside where you have more control over your effort. Can yoi try ot in the weekend when your hubby is around?
Another thing I avoid is running back to back days and make sure you are hydrated!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I think they had you jump to 20 minutes WAY too quickly. Just take it slow!
Sabrina says
Try jogging at a slower pace right from the first minute. You might be using up all your juice too quickly.
Urban Wife says
Just from my own experiences, I wouldn’t drink any coffee (or caffeine for that matter) before a run. It just dehydrates me too much. And don’t forget, that running is 90% mental and 10% physical. Or something like that. Good luck!
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family says
I think some days I am just more tired. If the baby is going through a growth spurt and eating more, it zaps my energy. I also carry a 15 lb baby along with laundry baskets and a 3 year old up and down stairs a million times per day. Its like I am doing a 10 hour circuit workout! So if i have a particularly busy day, I swear I am just as sore as if i worked out but its still counted as a workout “rest” day.
Heather says
how fats are you going? maybe if you slow down you can make the distance? good luck!