Can anyone explain how this programme works cos I don't understand it!
Eighteen months ago I decided I wanted to start jogging, and someone said to try intervals. So I started by running 30 seconds and walking 30 seconds for 10 reps, but no matter how many times I tried I just couldn't improve on that.
Fast forward a year to April 2018, and someone else then said to give C25K a go. Ha I thought, I can't run for 60 seconds non-stop .... but I did. And 9 weeks later was able to run for 30 minutes.
In July I ran my first 5k, in August I conquered my local hills (they're not big, but before then they'd been insurmountable to me).
Now I'm unofficially following Ju-ju's 10km plan (I say unofficially, as I didn't start till 3 weeks after everyone else - too busy procrastinating!) And somehow, yesterday I ran for 8km. That's 5 miles! I mean, come on, normal people don't run for 5 miles, it's just madness!
So I've come to the conclusion that this programme, and this forum, magically casts a spell over everyone who joins and turns them into some sort of mad super-human who just wants to run. And if that's not the truth can someone please tell me how in God's name it works? Cos it seems like a miracle!
Written by
Tartancat
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
What a fantastic post ! ! You have put into words exactly my thoughts. Four months ago I couldn’t run for a bus ( I know because I tried to ) 😫 . Last Saturday I ran 10 k ,I mean I ask you that’s surely not possible. I spend many an hour lost in thoughts all connected to running, my family are looking at me sideways wondering if I’ve been taken over by an alien . I’ve heard my husband muttering things like, ‘ but she’s never done any kind of exercise all the years I’ve known her ‘ ....or ...’ your mums just popped out to do a quick 5k ‘ with a bemused expression 😂🤣. Long may it last cos I quite like this new me...Happy Running 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Well said that’s a great post, very true, I’m away on holiday sitting planning my route for a sunrise run , what a change , I had packed running gear first in the case 🏃♂️🤣🤣🤣
Now then Tartan 🙀 cat. (I am Scottish, have a cat, but it's not tartan) I would not say that normal people don't run 5 miles, that's not even 10k, as you say it's 8K, surely you are not saying that any person who runs🏃 for more than 5K is not normal, definitely no way, they are all normal intelligent people.😊No person who joins this program is a super human whatsoever, they join it for various reasons, personally I joined it as a continuation of my fitness regime, not to train for a half or full marathon🏃although some do.
Great post and we have all felt that way. Not magic though - but great programmes, discipline and self-belief (and these fab forums). "Believe you can ....and you're halfway there".🙂
Yep great post and sooo true! I sometimes tell folk I've been possessed! As the old me would never be going for a run, especially getting up early before work or on a Saturday!! Well done with the 8k. I started the program April too... But I'm not that far yet. Good luck and happy running!!
I think it has worked because it is accessible to everyone. C25k removes barriers - like having to run fast, with a certain technique, on set days, for miles, until your lungs bleed.... or you’re not a runner. The ‘go slow and easy for just an extra 60s’ message builds confidence and strength and without a low risk of injury. And telling people NOT to run on repair days, when they want to get out there and feel good again, is genius reverse psychology. Soon you find your sweet spot, but no-one pushes you out of that except yourself, only if you want to, when you start to get curious about whether you can go faster or further for longer. It’s all within our personal control and reinforcing the ‘feel good’. I also think having virtual support in these forums keeps things positive too. Our running buddies are beside us, whether we are doing a 5K in 20mins or nearly an hour - it doesn’t matter, we are all winners. 👏👏👏👏
I see it on the C25k forum - ‘Yesterday was easy so it’ll be fine if I go out today, won’t it?’ And we’re all like, ’NO! Rest up this is all part of the programme...’ which is physiological sense but also increases the desire 🤣 ...
and I should correct my double-negative in my comment about injury too 🙄 there IS a lower risk of injury with C25k
It's true. I injured myself twice when going it alone (3 weeks off for each one), but so far, touch wood, no injuries since doing C25K. I'm being a bit fanatical about rest days and not pushing too far too soon as I can't bear the thought of not being able to run. Mad!
You are right tartancat, it is magic but the magic is that it changes your mindset into wanting to run and then it takes a lot of hard work and determination on your part to do it . And then you feel great when you’ve done it. Keep on running. 🐱
You have joined the madness that is C25K. Isn't it weird? I've joined too although I would never have thought it would happen to me. I ran 5km yesterday with my nephew joining me for almost the first km, then dropping out, and my niece joining me for the last 0.5km. I had every excuse to stop early to join the others, but I'm addicted enough to stick it out to the end of the 5km!!!
I can't explain it either but feel exactly the same, went out this afternoon feeling a bit rough and enjoyed going running on a Sunday afternoon! Next is 7k, how did this happen?!
Couchto5k and this forum changed lives 😊🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Who knew?
50 minutes
Run on the coast 😀
11k today, 161km or 100 miles for January!
How Far Is Too Far?
