I have just completed week one but feel that I am struggling, I am thinking it might be best to redo the week before moving on.

[jmcl]

[RuthP Graduate]

Have you tried slowing down? I found I was going too fast and it was leaving me so out of breath. When I slowed down I could manage it better. I felt like repeating week 3 this week but instead tried week 4, which is a big jump, and going slow served me well. Others here have mentioned to trust the program and not psych yourself out of progressing.

That said if you are injured or finding it really tough then there's no harm in having to repeat!

[jmcl in reply to RuthP]

Thanks Ruth your spot on I am psyching myself out of it, because the chances are after another week i would feel the same and then where would I be. I will trust it and go on the week 2 and slow the pace to make it manageable. It was just that I felt I was at my limit and was frightened week 2 would be harder but now I can see a way to manage that.

[notrunneryet Graduate]

If you feel progress from R1 to R3 I would move on.

I have never been 100% with the runs at the end of any week, but I have managed to complete the program. If I could, you can!

[tweedle Graduate]

I repeated week 3 because I wasn't confident that I would manage the step to week 4. What everyone has said makes sense about psyching yourself out and to trust the programme but find a comfortable pace. I also tested myself by running (I use the term loosely) 5 minutes instead of 3 on the final run of the 6th outing at week 3. I knew then that I could manage the next step. It was hard but did first session of week 4 tonight. Just keep going and have faith in yourself. You can do it.

[crox Graduate]

As well as going to fast, you might be overstriding, try to not let your feet come forward of your body

[jmcl in reply to crox]

I am over-striding in an attempt to look graceful, ha Thanks everyone for you help.

[Narmour Graduate]

I don't believe that repeating weeks is productive. As others have said, you will psyche yourself out of progressing. The longer you put it off, the greater your fear will become. There is no harm in trying the next week and failing. In fact, failure is a good thing because it should make you more determined to complete it next time round. Plus,as you go longer and longer without actually failing to complete a run (because you're not actually testing your true ability, rather than you are coping with the programme), then failure will become a bigger deal in your mind. Learn to embrace failures as a target to beat next time.

You will never know that you are ready to try week 2 until you have a little faith in yourself. I would rather spend more time trying to beat a harder week and failing a couple of times, than succumbing to the part of my psychae which tells me that I'm not good enough to do the next week. C25K is 90% psychological. If you believe you can do it, you will.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Week 1 is very, very hard for some of us. Even after I'd graduated, I really struggled with the week 1 podcast.

[caj62 Graduate]

Haha, you made me laugh out loud saying you were trying to look graceful! I usually run early in the morning when there are very few people about, so can do it in my own inelegant way. But if I see someone approaching I make the extra special effort to try to at least look the part! Hysterical but ridiculous. Do your own thing, slow the pace down, don't overstride and trust the programme. If this old bird can do it, you can!

Chris

[jmcl in reply to caj62]

Thanks caj62 for you support.

[Iwant2run Graduate]

After week 2 I was sure I would not be able to do week 3, but at the last minute, I decided to start week 3 instead of repeating week 2, and I'm so glad I did because I've now finished week 3 and enjoyed it. The advice others have given about slowing down is good. As for looking graceful, I am a right old stiffy, and right from primary school was always rubbish at running, constantly humiliated on sports day. Since starting C25K a couple of friends and neighbours have seen me out running and commented on how relaxed I looked! LOL! If only they new how radical this is for me and what major effort I am puting in to it! Still, it's so worth it for the buzz and for the stress relief it brings me. Lots of us are making progress we never thought possible. I bet you will too. Good luck.

[Iwant2run Graduate]

After week 2 I was sure I would not be able to do week 3, but at the last minute, I decided to start week 3 instead of repeating week 2, and I'm so glad I did because I've now finished week 3 and enjoyed it. The advice others have given about slowing down is good. As for looking graceful, I am a right old stiffy, and right from primary school was always rubbish at running, constantly humiliated on sports day. Since starting C25K a couple of friends and neighbours have seen me out running and commented on how relaxed I looked! LOL! If only they new how radical this is for me and what major effort I am puting in to it! Still, it's so worth it for the buzz and for the stress relief it brings me. Lots of us are making progress we never thought possible. I bet you will too. Good luck.

[jmcl]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I started week two yesterday, in the rain and was able to complete it. I slowed down and did't over-stride, if the running part started at the bottom of a hill I just doubled back so I was on the strait, then walked the hill. Will give it a rest today as feet and legs feeling a bit sore but at least I feel positive about myself. Iwant2run - I am also beginning to see how is helps me de stress and I have the same thing with my neighbours if only they could see me wheezing once they are out of sight.

[Iwant2run Graduate in reply to jmcl]

Brilliant, well done. And of course you're right about the hills - nothing wrong with a strategic directional change to help you on your way!

[waletta Graduate in reply to jmcl]

I did this doubling back thing in the first two weeks as well. I felt a little silly in case anyone was watching but hey ho I can do silly.