Is it normal to celebrate surviving 90 seconds of jogging like you just won a marathon?
Because if it is, then I’m definitely doing this right. Here we go—Week 2 of the Couch to 5K program! The intervals are getting longer, my legs are feeling it, and I’m learning that progress isn’t always about speed; it’s about showing up. Whether you’re following along or just curious about what Week 2 looks like, here’s how it went and what I’ve learned.
What Week 2 Looks Like
Here is the C25K program for Week 2:
- 5-minute warm-up walk
- 20 minutes of alternating 90 seconds of jogging and 2 minutes of walking
- 5-minute cool-down
This is an increase from 60 seconds of jogging in Week 1.
How I Felt This Week
To be transparent, it was a rough week. It took a lot of effort to make sure I made my runs. Due to the weather issues in Starting C25K as a Single Parent: Making Time for You-Week 1, my Day 3 run was completed this week. Because of this, I had two days of back-to-back runs (Monday for Week 1-Day 3 and Tuesday for Week 2-Day 1).
Running two days in a row was rough on my body, especially since I was starting. However, I was dedicated to not quitting when I was just getting started, so I kept at it!
A few other obstacles:
- It was super cold; I had to run with mittens.
- Due to the back-to-back runs, my pace was super slow on the first day.
- I ran on a Saturday and had to bring the kids. Pushing my youngest in the stroller as my older two rode their bikes
Pushing my youngest in the stroller was strenuous for me. It’s interesting because a few years ago, I used to run while pushing my two youngest in a double stroller. I don’t recall it being as strenuous! But I’m older now, and my youngest is also bigger.
Being a solo parent, it would have been easy not to complete my run on a Saturday. Instead of skipping it, I made it into an adventure with the kids. We did the run, then they played at the park, then we went to the donut shop for some sugary treats (and coffee for me).
Despite the challenges, I completed Week 2! Focusing on self-care as a single parent can be difficult. But finding workarounds and integrating your kids into the process can help you move forward in your self-care journey. I hope this inspires you to find creative ways to keep pushing forward.
Takeaways from Week 2
It’s not easy to make time for the training runs. It wasn’t how I would have scheduled my “ideal week,” but I adjusted to fit everything in.
While doing the training program, I’ve listened to audiobooks on real estate investment or property management. It’s super easy to zone out and not focus on how difficult the run is. The audiobook distracts me from the physical exertion and provides valuable knowledge. I use the C25K app, which beeps and tells me when to walk or run.
However, when I have my kids with me, it’s super distracting. They want to talk to me the whole time. This makes it harder to zone out and makes me super conscious of running, making it feel longer and more difficult.
What has helped:
- Focusing on progress vs. perfection.
- Getting it done vs. being fast.
- Embracing the challenges vs. letting them stop progress.
💬 Wrapping up Week 2
Week 2 of the C25K program was challenging. Every run I completed made me feel good about showing up. Building consistency is tough, but being creative and finding ways to accomplish it is slowly building my confidence.
Now I’d love to hear from you:
- Have you ever tried the C25K program or something similar? How did it go?
- What keeps you motivated when building a new habit or routine?
- Do you have a favorite running song or podcast that gets you through challenging workouts?
Drop your answers in the comments—I’d love to connect and cheer each other on! 👟💬
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