Seeking C25K training advice

Hi folks,

I've been going through the C25K program - Sunday (Oct 10th) I completed Week 5 with the 2 mile jog - it was challenging, but I felt as though I could have gone longer.

On Monday I came down with an upper respiratory infection and it has been kicking my butt all week.  Today I'm still a little mucus'y, but at least I can breathe better.  I didn't do any C25K workouts this week.

As I get back into it (probably starting this weekend), should I start off on Week 6?  Normally I'd do this, no problem - but my 5k is scheduled for Nov. 7th.  That means I wouldn't have enough weeks to complete the program in time for the 5k.  

Should I give Week 7 a try (skipping 6) and see how I do?
Should I do more than than 3 workouts a week - more like 4/5 - to get through all of the workout days in time for the race? 

This may be a moot question if I do my first workout after being ill and feel like my lungs are going to collapse :)  Just wondering what the best approach to start off would be.  

Any thoughts/suggestions you have would be appreciated.

Best,
Michelle

I had to finish the 9 week program in 8 weeks.  I worked out every other day.  (that's 4 days a week every other week).  Also, I got behind a couple of times.  If you notice, the last three weeks, you do the same workout every day for those weeks.  I would just try day 1 of those weeks, and if you are able to do it, then try day 1 of the next week instead of day 2.  Does that make sense?

Michelle,
You don't have to complete the program to do your first 5k. I didn't and was very happy with my time. In fact I still haven't completed the program. I keep letting life get in the way.

Be careful with the infection. My boyfriend just got out of the hospital with pneumonia.

Hope you feel better soon. Take it easy. I wouldn't skip any weeks. The program is set up the way it is for a reason-to prevent injury.

Take Care
Kim

What happens if you don't..... Nothing

You give it your best effort, and if you can't do it, you repeat a workout or do a week over.
The program itself isn't a race to the finish.

I see you have a 5k scheduled for Nov 7th, but truthfully that 1 extra week or workouts isn't going to make or break your ability to run that 5k.

However being sick and not giving yourself a chance to fully recover could.  If you are sick and you continue to force a workout, you probably aren't going to be completing it under good form and it may be detrimental to your recovery.

It's hard to take rest days, everyone instantly feels guilty or that they aren't working hard enough or that if they take a day off they are going to lose every bit of base training that they have.  The slide down that mountain will be insurmountable and they will have thrown away everything they have accomplished up to that point.

Let your body determine if you are ready to move on.  If you try to run and you can't breathe then it's not time to progress, find an alternative, go do a leg workout on the weight machines... Cross train.

Have fun and take care of yourself.


Oh yeah if this is your first 5k, you will have some excitement and nerves at the beginning.  These will work to carry you.  Just don't let it take you beyond your comfort level.  It will do a lot to help you get through the race.

Scott

Thank you all for your responses - it was very helpful!! 

I'm still feeling pretty cruddy today - hopefully this stuff passes soon.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I totally miss doing this training.  It's not easy, but I'm enjoying it a great deal.  All in time, I suppose.  :)