I found week 1 really easy, when does it get hard? (Please know, I'm not saying this to be unkind)

[jeancuffe]

I know lots of people struggle, and I'm not suggesting anything at all.

I was just thinking, it can't stay easy for ever, can it?

[Narmour Graduate]

It all depends on how fit you are at the start. Some find it damn near impossible at the start, others take a few weeks before it kicks in. But somewhere between now and running for 30 minutes, it will get hard. That's the point of it, taking you to the point of being able to do something that you previously weren't able to do. Assuming you can't do it already, in which case, this programme isn't for you!

[jeancuffe]

Oh, I definitely can't run 5k! I think I am going to struggle in week 3 or 4

[Beek Graduate in reply to jeancuffe]

If you plant seeds of doubt in your brain that you are going to struggle in weeks 3 or4 then you probably will. A huge part of this is self belief and if your head is telling you that you CAN do this you have a much greater chance that you will. It is hard at times for a whole range of reasons but a positive outlook will help you the most!

[jeancuffe in reply to Beek]

I mean, I can't run 5k right now. I am quite determined to get there and believe in the plan

[Beek Graduate in reply to jeancuffe]

As long as you work through all the pod casts you should be able to manage 5k in time. But I must add that many of us us don't quite get to the 5k on graduation! It's more about being able to run 30 minutes non-stop. I didn't mean to sound harsh. I was only trying to say that a lot of this is believing in yourself! It will get harder towards the end. It will also get much more satisfying!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Each and everyone is different and therefore find different parts of the program a challenge. For me week 1 was the worse week of all, I thought I was going to take my last breath, I'm still here though 3 years later. Embrace the easy weeks with glee, embrace the harder one's with determination and finally embrace your new healthier lifestyle you have just set out on. Good luck.

[Sarah-A Graduate]

Firstly well done for starting the programme. I lot of people found the first week tough for numerous reasons - some it's a mental thing, others with the pacing (starting of too quick).

Sounds like you had it down - which is good.

My guess is when you get to about week 5, it will be a challenge, but I wouldn't skip the weeks inbetween - they will all help your stamina and speed. It is a case of building blocks - your muscles and joints may not be ready for longer run just yet, and these shorter intervals help prepare your body and help prevent injury.

By the way I am re-doing the programme and I have found it relatively easy up-until this week (5) which has been challenging, which is why I though it may be the same for you.

[nomoresloth Graduate]

I understand your question perfectly. I did the first two and a half weeks before I found this page (also did the programme without podcasts but with a post-it and a stopwatch to do the correct amount of walks and runs).

I did the first run with the podcasts in Week 3 and thought it was a bit more challenging (to be honest, the first week almost bored me and I was confused that I did so well (never done any sports but am a fast walker and took dogs for a walk on a regular basis... so I must have been fitter than I thought)).

I remember that I was a bit scared of W4 but it still was surprisingly easy. That's not meant to say it was a walk in the woods but I had expected it to be more of a challenge. I think it felt like this because of all the training from the first weeks. It got really hard in W6 or W7 while W5 R3 surprised me again.

Well, what I want to say is that it is easier for some of us (I have no idea why I seemed to be included into this group) but do all the weeks and don't skip any even if they feel easy. They are a great preparation for the later weeks and will help to make those less hard.

Good luck on your journey!