Just finished wk 3/2. Looking ahead can't believe I will ever be able to run 5km. Does it get easier?

[GillPower]

[Plinth Graduate]

Yes- sort of! As each week extends what you do , I find each week challenging (just started wk5) BUT I recover quicker each time , and the runs that were hard : eg 60 seconds in week 1become easier. It was during week 4 I noticed I was recovering better! I'm now dreading the third run for this week - but trusting in Laura!

[Ally-d Graduate in reply to Plinth]

It was w4 for me as well when things seemed to click &i was concentrating less on trying to keep breathing & actually started to believe that I could finish this programme. Each run is still definately a challenge but yes, you can do it x

[crox Graduate]

For me it comes and goes, some weeks 10km is easy others 5km is hard, just stick with it.

When I say easy, I mean possible

[Janeymiddlewife]

The breathing gets easier, but I still need to build stamina and strengthen my legs. Some weeks are easier, if I have a difficult run I'll sometimes repeat it. After week 5 you kind of know you can run for longer,, hoping it will get easier.

[gdeann Graduate]

Each week and run were a challenge for me and continues to be so after graduation. The sense of achievement when you finish each run outweighs any negativity you may feel. You will be amazed at what you can do! Gayle

[TJFlute]

Yes....and no. YES, because you get stronger, physically and mentally, and NO, because each time you run (no matter what level) there seems to be a new challenge!

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

Exactly this!

Though I have had some runs that were just enjoyable all the way - slower or shorter ones mostly. For example, today I was on playground duty, and the children were on the school field, so I decided to jog round the field (yes, they thought I was weird!). Only five minutes, at a slow jog - but 6 months ago I wouldn't have thought of doing it - or be able to either. And my 10k last week was probably overall easier than the tough runs in the c25k programme (ie the ones where my head wasn't in the right place!) - though it did go on for a long time!

[DavD Graduate]

I wouldn't say it gets easier because each run still is a challenge to me, but I'm really amazed by the fact that I now run for almost 30min without stoping! I also recover much faster, have more energy, etc... What a change from weeks ago when I was a couch potato! You'll be fine, I'm sure. Trust the programm - you can do it too!!