Say whaaaaaaaaaat?!?
I know.
I’ve never been a runner. It always was, and still is, a very challenging form of exercise for me. To get started with running, I completed the Couch to 5K program and loved it. Really, loved it. So I assumed I’d love the Couch to 10K program just as much.
And I did. For about 10 weeks.
Then the running segments got longer without much a break in between. More than once I attempted the ‘run for 20 minutes, walk for 1 minute, run for 20 minutes again’ segment, and more than once I felt very frustrated when I just couldn’t do the second solid 20 minute stretch.
I wouldn’t allow myself to walk during a 20 minute segment because it was ‘cheating’. I became fixated on the number of minutes until I drove myself crazy and ended up dreading the workouts I had previously looked forward to so much.
Finally I decided this was ridiculous. Exercising should be fun. But instead, I was letting a iPhone app dictate whether or not I was having a good workout. My sense of accomplishment had dwindled, even though I was covering 4-5 miles on most of these wogs. That’s no small distance for me! So last week, I’d had it. I decided to quit. I thanked the program for getting me this far, then I said good bye to Couch to 10k.
So, is that it? Is that the end?
No way, Jose.
In fact, I just signed up for my very first 10k! It’s in 1 month. Hello, Racefest!
I’ve decided that I can take it from here. My goal is to run to the 10k and finish it. That’s it. As much as I want to finish in under an hour, I’m not going to focus on that. After all, I’ll need a goal to shoot for for my next 10k, right?
I’ve found that since making my decision, they joy is back in my workouts. I’m really enjoying Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp because it’s teaching me how to add quality strength training exercises into my routine 3 days a week and leaves me shaking (as seen in this blurry picture)
I’m also spending 2-3 days a week wogging on my own. I’m focusing on mileage over minutes, for the first time, and for now it’s working for me.
I’m also trying to focus on pacing myself, a concept I’ve just recently begun to understand, but that’s for another post. I’ve been long-winded enough today.
Any tips for me on how to best prepare for the 10k?
Courtney @ Pursuit of Healthiness says
Nothing wrong with realizing something isn’t working for you! I’m in a similar boat and I really hated running, until I tried Hal Hidgon’s training plans. I just finished the Novice 10k plan and I thought it was managable. It didn’t take up too long of my day and the mileage built up slowly. I am currently using his novice half marathon plan to build up to run my first half marathon! The miles are going by really easily and I don’t dread doing the work outs. Side note: I’m also combining the training with Tina’s Bootcamp and it’s working really well! Here’s the novice 10k plan http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51122/10K-Novice-Training-Program
Good luck training!!
Andrea says
Ugh…you just said you didn’t like a training program so I really hate to recommend another one…but Runner’s World Smart Coach is really great. It will give you mileage goals to get you where you want to be (based on you telling it your current condition, what your goal distance is, when it is, how fast want to run it and how hard you want to train). But main takeaway from that program are the mileage goals. You’ve already figured out the most important aspect of race training though…have fun. Congratulations on signing up for your goal race and best of luck to you!
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
Yaayyy! No offense to the C210k program, but running 20 minutes for a relative beginner is just ridiculous! I think you made the right call. Jeff Galloway believes in a run-walk approach and has a 10k training program. You could jump in where ever you need to, not necessarily NEEDING to do the long run of 7 miles. Hal Higdon also has some great 10k plans.
I’m thinking of doing the racefest too- it’d be great to find you and say hi!!
Brittany says
I’d love to meet up and say hi! DO it!
faith says
I was going to mention Jeff Galloway as well, not necessarily as another program but as philosophy on the walk-break. I’d been running for a few years when I first came across his training style and it really helped me accept walking as a valid aspect of running. I believe he recommends even ‘advanced’ distance runners to break a minute every mile, starting with the first mile.
katie@newmamamac.blogspot.com says
do you use a jogging stroller or wog on your own? joggign with a baby is tough work!!!
Brittany says
I do both. Usually the treadmill, so I can take advantage of the childcare, but this morning I did 4 miles with the stroller and the dog! Whew!
Lee says
Let yourself take walk breaks in your training if you want. It’s not cheating. I usually take a bunch of walk breaks and then, come race day, the excitement of running the race makes me able to run the entire thing. But even if you don’t, it’s not cheating!
I like Hal Higdon’s plans.
blackhuff says
I agree with you. Exercise SHOULD be fun and if something is prohibiting you from doing it, then it’s right to quit that specific thing.
Good luck with the 10k in one month and yes, it’s all about completing it and not the time you run it in.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Good for you for doing what’s best for both your body and your mind! I really want to do the Peachtree Road Race next year. I think that’d be a fun 10k to run.
Brittney says
I agree with letting yourself take walk breaks if you want to WHEN you want to. You shouldn’t have to run for a solid 20 minutes and feel like a failure if you can’t or don’t want to. You can break it up however you want to. The Galloway method is based on the run/walk philosophy, so definitely check into that. I don’t know how you think us marathoners train- but I for one looped back to my house for fuel, stopped to stretch, and did what I had to do to get the distance done (I stopped during the actual marathon too- it wasn’t a continuous 26.2 miles). The distance was always my goal- not running continuously without stopping. I also agree with checking out Runner’s World Smartcoach. That was always my go to training plan. I’m planning on doing the 10K at Racefest too, so it’ll be fun to see you at the race 🙂
Kelly @foodiefresh says
Yay! I still have to sign up for the half but excited I will have friends there. I think wogging is perfectly fine — you gotta do what feels right to you. Pacing is definitely important. Maybe you’re running too fast, which is why you’re not lasting as long as you would like. You might want to play around with making yourself run a bit slower to see if you can last longer. I don’t want to tell you “start off at X minute miles like I did,” because your body might be much slower/faster. Some people are actually faster overall if they walk/run rather than just run. I am not one of those people. Okay enough rambling — just have fun and if you want to get better at running, focus on slow progress and little victories. You’ll get there.
Tiff says
Though I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you, I’m sure you’ll do great in the race. Happy running is better running. 🙂 Sounds like you made a good decision!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
you go girl! kudos to you for figuring out what works best for you!!
Paulina says
Brittany, you’re motivation is so inspiring.
Jenny says
I think it’s great that you did as much as you did! Maybe that’s all you needed to get a jump start on figuring it out on your own. Now you can do what you want in the time that you’re comfortable with and I bet it will be easier than the program. Coming from a fellow non runner I have found a pace that pushes me just enough but still allow me to run for my entire distance. You’re going to rock your 10K!
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Ha, funny I just wrote a post about running too! I have no advice to give but I’ll take all the advice I can get! Maybe we can run a race together someday (5k not 10k)
Megan @ The Road to Skinny says
I can totally relate! I’ve done C25K twice already and I’m sure I’ll be doing it again once I’m back to working out post-baby. But I think that it’s a problem that it makes people feel like they “fail” if they can’t complete the program totally running that distance. I like a walk/run mixture is much more realistic! Good for you for signing up for a race and continuing to wog yourself!
Dorothy says
Love the honest attitude towards your workouts! Good for you for admitting to yourself and your blog readers that the program just wasn’t working for you, and you knew that your workouts needed to be positive experiences! This gives me confidence that I’m not doing everything totally wrong when I, too, dread a workout or a training program doesn’t work for me. Thanks!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Running has never been easy for me either. I love reading that I’m not the only one out there. Sometimes in this blogging world it seems like everyone runs 10 miles like it’s nothing. That would just kill me! Good luck on your 10k! Can’t wait to read more about it. I’m glad your workouts are back to being fun! They should be! 🙂
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
Excited for you in the race!!!! And so glad you’re loving the workouts. You know I’m a big proponent of doing fitness that works for you and that you enjoy. 🙂
Michelle says
I have a quick question… I want to begin couck to 5k and I am not a runner at all, but I can keep up a good pace while walking. I tried jogging the other day with the stroller and it I wasn’t feeling it. Being that I am not use to running period. Would I be better off starting off jogging without the stroller? I would love to incorporate the babe into my workout routine but I am finding its just too much right now. What would your advice be?
Brittany says
Jogging with a stroller is definitely an odd feeling at first, but the good news is, if you always do it with the stroller, then when you finally jog without it, you feel like you’re FLYING! 🙂 If you want to wog with your little one, I’d recommend walking and just adding in little spurts on jogging every so often. Challenge yourself to jog to the next mailbox, or street sign. It will help mix things up, plus you’ll be benefiting from the intervals of walking to jogging 🙂 Good luck!
Caitlin @ ChasingaMile says
You will kick booty in the 10K! Running for time can be tough, I have been preferring running for mileage lately. Good luck!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
I’m running my second 10K later this month! We have one of the largest races in the WORLD here in Richmond, for the 10k so the whole city goes crazy! It makes it easier to run, because everyone is motivating you!
Do you have the Nike + GPS app? It’s seriously the best app I have on my phone!!
Karen says
I found myself in a very similar situation last year. I completed the Couch to 5k program according to the plan, ran my 5k race and then wanted more!! I quickly set my sights on a 10k and started the Couch to 10k program. I thought it would be ideal since I had just completed the 5k program. I quickly realized that I was not going to be following Couch to 10k! I had just worked so hard to be able to run 3 miles without stopping and now they wanted me to talking walking breaks?? Forget it!! Instead I focused on increasing my mileage just a little bit each week until I finally got to 6.2 miles. When the time came to run the 10k I felt completely prepared and did not regret my decision to quit the Couch to 10k program. If I would have not completed the 5k program I probably would have continued with the 10k program.
Sarah says
I’ve got an upcoming 12k in May and I’m using the Couch to 10k program just to get myself on the road again. It’s been mostly skiing for me for the last few months and while I know I could finish the 12k no problem, I don’t want to feel like death. I actually picked the program when you were saying that it was guiding you to wog 4-5 miles at a time, that IS a very good distance!
Karlee says
I am doing Tina’s bootcamp as well, I love it! Although I am exhausted and my buns are sore. I just quit the gym but I too have started to focus on mileage versus minutes. Going well so far!
Liz @ Southern Charm says
Yay! Programs like that are great, when you need them! It sounds like you have it under control!
I’d say keep strength training, keep rest days, practice yoga and hydrate!!
Maria says
As we’ve probably discussed before, running does not come naturally to me as well (i.e. I’m slow slow slooooow), but I’ve found that I was running at paces that were a bit too fast for my level. So my advice is to play around a bit with your pace and find one that feels comfortable for the long runs, but obviously still a bit challenging. I’ve made the mistake of thinking that every run had to be longer and faster than the previous ones and that’s simply not true! Just run at whatever feels best to you – you made the right decision to change things up when they weren’t making you happy anymore!
I’m on Week 5 of C25K right now and I’m enjoying it, but my first 20 minute run is coming up and I’m scared 🙂
MigraineMe says
I agree with everyone who has suggested Hal Higdon programs and when I use his programs I don’t stick to it 100%. I use this rule of thumb – just make sure you get in the “long run” at some point during the week. As long as you always do the long run, then you are keeping up the mileage to be able to do the actual race. The other rule of thumb I use with running is never run more than three consecutive days in a row and never let more than two days in a row go by without running. So, if you have to take two days in a row off, that’s ok, but just don’t take three days in a row off! That rule of thumb helps me to keep everything manageable, because life happens and life is busy!
Good luck! You will do great! And don’t forget, on race day, the excitement of the race can carry you a long way, along with a fun play list to pump you up a little! 🙂
Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot says
You go, girl! I can totally relate to the mileage over time part of running. If ever I see a training plan that has minutes instead of miles, I throw it out! And I will give another vote for the Smart Coach program! I like it because it takes your current status as a runner to create the plan. It’s not a one size fits all type of thing so I find it to be a great resource!
Also, on the 10K – I still have not mastered my issues with this distance but for me, it’s too far to sprint… I have to be conscious of my pace for the first mile or two but then let myself pick up the pace. I’ve burnt out at mile 4.5 too many times trying to sprint it 🙂 I am sure you will do great though and will have fun! It’s really a fun distance!
christina says
Heck yes on signing up!!!
Katie @ Legally Fit says
I’m not really feeling running lately myself for some reason. These past two weeks I feel like I’ve had to get my runs in bc of the upcoming race- not because I actually want to get out and run. I think I need more sleep haha.
You definitely have to find what works for you! Hooray for signing up for a race- no pressure and you will have fun!
Skinny Fat Kid says
I need to give that a shot. I’m on the couch to 5k but get bored and frustrated. Not to mention, my legs hurt!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
My first 10k, I ran the entire time and really tried to push myself, and it still took me over an hour. So please don’t put that pressure on yourself (I know you said you weren’t, but I gotta say it anyway haha!).
I would say for training, make sure you’re doing plenty of things that get your heart rate up … whether it be run/walking, swimming, cycling, etc. And I think you’ll do great on the day of the 10k! 🙂
Jen says
Training plans are merely guides! I definitely take walk breaks when I need to. I often get beat in races by people who do the run/walk method. No shame in taking walk breaks!
I’m running the half at Racefest! Sooo excited so many people are doing it!
Antonia @ healthinspirations says
I also just recently signed up for my first 10K race which will be in April. I feel like Tina’s bootcamp is the perfect addition to my runs because adding stability workouts can be super beneficial even when you’re running. I’m loving the bootcamp so far and already have a ton of new exercising that I’ll add to my workout routine once the bootcamp is over. Hope your race training goes well 🙂
erica says
I’ve been running semi long distances for 3 years. I’ve done 2 half Martin and a few 10ks, and tons of 5ks. I have never in all of this time run more than 5 miles without walk breaks! For runs longer than 5 miles, I walk for 1 minute at the beginning of each mile. Alternatively you can run 1 minute and walk 9 minutes or whatevs worka for you. You finish runs feeling strong!
erica says
I’ve been running semi long distances for 3 years. I’ve done 2 half Marathons and a few 10ks, and tons of 5ks. I have never in all of this time run more than 5 miles without walk breaks! For runs longer than 5 miles, I walk for 1 minute at the beginning of each mile. Alternatively you can run 1 minute and walk 9 minutes or whatevs worka for you. You finish runs feeling strong!
Carolynn says
I just wanted to say thanks for posting about that Couch to 10k app previously though, because it got me to be able to run in my first 5k race with no issues at all, even though I only got through 3/4 of the program! I did way better than my friends who completed a couch to 5k program! I loved that program (run 10k app!) and I recommend it to everyone who asks me about starting up a running routine 🙂 Good luck with your 10k race!
Lauren says
SO wish I could be doing this race with you! I think you did the right thing by stopping the program because exercise should be fun. Plus, I tend to see more results when I just relax and enjoy it. I think with the bootcamp you will seem improvements in running too! Can’t wait to hear how it goes and we will have to plan another race once I am back in the swing of things 🙂
Katie says
I don’t blame you! I couldn’t get through the Couch to 5k program because it was too timed, and I felt like my workout were staring at the clock and not enjoying the burn.
And I’m actually about to write a similar post about what I’m doing with my weight lifting program. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body and let it be the boss.
Heather says
you are going to do great in the 10k! congrats on signing up!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
I actually ended up kind of quitting the couch to 5k – or more amending it to suit my needs. And when I did, I finally did it and recently reached my goal of being able to run 30 minutes without walking. Today I ran 40 minutes! So exciting! I still need to do my first 5k..
Angie @ Losing It and Loving It says
Good for you for signing up for a 10k. How fun!
I’m also doing Tina’s bootcamp and her personal training and it’s awesome. I really needed to focus on strength training so this was a great start for that.
Bri Carpenter says
I completely understand your frustration with the C210K. I felt the same way with the C25K. Although I think its a great program on the days where my body just wasn’t up for running I felt completely defeated and like a failure when I had to walk during a run sequence. I’m doing the same thing as you right now. Kinda giving up on the program and just doing my own thing and I’m finding I can run longer and I am actually enjoying it more.
Keep up the good work and good luck with the 10K!
Peach says
Rock on! You go! Too many times i’ve tried already structured workout/eating right formats that are laid out for people to do. And I just can’t seem to do it! Now im a bottomless pit of eating and i can’t seem to feel hungry, and im serious! Just keep going girl, dont stop, they say it will be part of your life adventually once you get into it.
Larry says
I joined Jenny Craig 2 years ago and at first did well, But after 4-6 weeks the counselor started to get on my nerves. The gun ho attitude I had stopped and so did weight loss. I was to the point where I was wearing only pants and shirt, no undies or socks, no shoes and removing my keys, wallet, etc just to weigh. then it hit, me… this is crazy so I stopped. Of course now I am back at 195. I am starting again with a new counselor and I am doing the program MY way. The point I am trying to make is you do not have to let any program dictate what you do. Granted, you can’t vary too far, but you can tweak it. If 20 mins is too much, try 15 and work your way up. Eventually you will get there.
Naomi says
A great workout program, can do anywhere, no expensive things to buy and only 20 minutes a day. I know busy, I have three boys. Check out kbfit2020. It is also a way to make money. I haven’t tried that, I just love the program. Dropped a whole size in a week.
TJ Jones says
At the age of 51, I have started running. I am doing some version of couch to 10k, (seems to several with VERY similar names), so far, so good. I completely agree with you, set your own goals, you know yourself far better than an app designer. Good Luck!
Tom Robinson says
Hi Brittany,
It’s funny how the English language mutates and I’m sure you don’t mean to be controversial. When I saw the word ‘wog’ I was taken aback and assumed it was a misspelling. Here in England the word wog was a derisory term for foreigners, particularly of a darker hue, (as in golliwog). Perhaps it’s a generational thing, but perhaps a better term for walking and running could be developed.