Completed (again!)

[Orangey1]

Hi all, I've come back to Couch to 5K a few times, starting from scratch each time. This is the first time I feel I've followed it being more attentive to advice on stretching, focussing on stamina rather than trying to speed up, and recovery days. It has worked and I've just completed though I don't reach 5K - just more than happy to be able to run for 30 minutes!

I have COPD, am overweight, and a couple of years ago had a bad fall, on a pavement, while running, and ended up with a replacement elbow. I thought that was it for me and running, all the confidence disappeared.

This time I took it very slow. My breathing felt terrible and I was tense about falling. I've really improved the management of my breathing by remembering to take my preventer inhaler morning and night and drinking water after it.

I managed the anxiety about falling by going slow, watching the pavement just ahead of my feet, and actively lifting my feet! Gradually I relaxed and am amazed to have now run for 30 minutes three times in the final week!

I just wanted to pop in here to say I think you can do it and good luck! Take your time and listen to your body (I had to take a week out this time for what seemed to be bursitis - ibuprofen gel and rest were my friends).

[Fionamags Graduate]

Well done for overcoming your fears, your puff and re-graduating! I'm on round 3 or 4 and, similar to you, I am following the advice much more closely and it's working well for me. Onwards Orangey - keep at it. 💪

[Orangey1 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thanks so much Fiona, all power to you to!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Congratulations Orangey! I see you don’t have a Graduate Pin next to your name. Click on this link to get one!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Orangey1 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks for the tip

[Scout73]

what a great post to read ! I have just two runs left of couch to 5k. I also am overweight so to reach this point I am so thrilled, but do often feel that I’m fighting my inner critic as I am slow so it’s nowhere near 5k but it is running for 30mins - so that means the world to read I’m not alone and can feel chuffed !

[Orangey1 Graduate in reply to Scout73]

And how lovely to hear this reply! Nearly there, keep going, Scout, you’re fabulous