I have been sort of cheating on couch to 5k. Well, I guess its not cheating, but I am just not following the program exactly since I can usually do more than I set out to do. Last week, I was doing 3 minutes running/ 2 minutes walking, but a couple times I got up to four minutes running, so I just went with it. This past weekend, I even did 5.5 minutes straight of running! But, then I hit the wall. I know, that is so lame to die after 5 minutes of running. I obviously wouldn't survive the zombie apocalypse with my fitness level. So I was only able to do 5 minutes one time, then walk two minutes, then 3 minutes of running, walk 2, then run 2, and then dead. I am still only at two miles on the treadmill and I have a little over a week to go to the 5k.
So, tonight, I am going to try to follow week 4 of the program so I can not hit the wall so fast and pace myself up to 5 minutes. Tonight's program is 3min running, 1.5 mins walking, 5 mins running, 1.5 walking, then back to three minutes again. I got a real bad cramp last night and couldn't go on, I swear, I felt like I was dying. I hate those damn side cramps, and I don't know how to prevent them or make them go away. I am so worried I will get a cramp my 5k day and not be able to finish. I am starting to get really scared knowing I am only a week away, and sometimes a part of me is saying "its okay, I don't have to do it, I will just skip it this time." But I cant. I have to do it.
On the other hand, Matt is doing wonderful (of course.) He was able to run 30 minutes straight last night. Hes going to be able to run the entire thing while I am back there struggling. But I want him to do his best, and maybe him waiting there for me at the finish will motivate me to get there faster.
Side cramps are often because you're not breathing properly! People tend to try to breathe in time with their steps, and you're not getting quite enough air that way. Try to concentrate on taking deep, normal breaths and see if that helps!
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