Week one pains!

[Suz76]

Tonight I did w1r2 and my legs felt like lead! I'm massively overweight and massively unfit so I'm fully expecting this to be a struggle - does it get easier?!

[Scarlett_K Graduate]

Yes it does indeed get better, keep going Try doing some leg stretches after you run (you can find some on the NHS site or various other places on tinternet) as I found that helped a lot with the initial aches I was having.

[Beek Graduate]

HiSuz76! Yes it does get better in time. WELL DONE YOU for starting on this programme. Hang in there and you will soon feel the benefits of the changes to your body. It isn't easy some days but do keep going because there are so many benefits to your well-being through being active. Stretches after your runs will help a lot.

GOOD LUCK for the journey!

[ZappierParsley]

I did w1r2 yesterday evening and my legs hurt so much I had a hot water bottle on them whilst relaxing afterwards. Some stretches sound like the way to go don't they? I'm determined to carry on as I feel so much better for getting out and doing this for me. We can do it

[jennthefunkyranger Graduate]

It does get easier When I started with W1 I had to skip alternate runs as I found it so hard, now I'm onto W8 which I can manage without too much difficulty

[newrunner56 Graduate]

Keep going - it's brilliant that you have started C25k. I did week 1 nearly three times, because i needed to! And if you need to do W1R1 more than once, that's absolutely ok. It took me 11 weeks to graduate, so go at your own pace - and you'll love it - I've just been out in wind and rain (i was almost running backwards at one point, it was so gusty) and i loved it.

But make sure you do the 5 mins warm-up and down - they are very important.

Looking forward to seeing you with 'graduate' beside your name x

[josielle Graduate]

Hi Suz76, welcome!

Yes, it gets easier. I am 6 stones overweight, have never run since I left school hockey team, and only hurt during week one (legs, lungs, head, everything!) but the stretches i've been fine since and i'm starting week 5. You will be amazed how quickly you improve and how much of a buzz you feel because you see improvements every time you run.

Be careful though, it's addictive!

[Suz76]

Thank you all so much - I wasn't expecting such a brilliant response! When I went to bed in pain last night I was dreading waking up and trying to move my legs but there not too bad! I feel so proud to have started this and honoured to be surrounded by you guys who are so encouraging and lovely. Thank you xxx

[carole01 Graduate]

I promise you it does get easier. Utilise your rest day to a few stretches and try to treat yourself to a hot bat after your runs. I am in week 8 and feel brilliant for it. Like all of us we struggled in week 1 but soon you will look back with ease! Good luck and well done for starting!

[aliboo70]

It definately gets easier with time! I found it hard going to start with and never expected to be able to run 25 mins now without stopping on week 7. You'll get a real sense of achievement from doing this programme and the great thing is that no one is making you do it, just your own willpower which is something to be proud of! GOOD LUCK!!!

[Dusty345 Graduate]

Yes it does get easier! I am on week 5 and I would never have believed on week one that I could do this. Take it steady and keep going, if you need to, repeat the week until you feel ready to move on. Once you make it part of your routine life it gets easier to keep going. Good luck!

[Hidden]

I only completed Wk1 yesterday so only have limited experience here but I found it amazing what difference my body had to each of the 3 runs of Wk1. After run 1 I ached really really badly, even all of the following day. It was in my knees, fronts of thighs and generally all over my legs. After run 2 the knee aching wasn't there but I still had aching all over, but it was substantially less. After run 3 I hardly had any issues - sure they was a bit of general ache but nothing like the previous 2. I guess everyone is different, but that's what happened for me. I didn't notice that I ran any better between run 1 and run 3 - I was exactly the same: breathing hard-ish on the run sections and very heavy legged but managed them all

I was really surprised at how quickly my body started to adapt and recover from what I was now asking it to do - you'll probably fine the same.

Definitely do some decent stretching of those leg muscles when you walk back in the door. I've also now started making sure I have a protein bar waiting for me and scoff that down after I've done my stretches along with a pint of water.

[seenthelight Graduate]

Hi, Suz76, I have been pleased to see the answers that you have as I have completed w1r2 today and I ache everywhere. It is maybe better than yesterday. I did r1 on Thursday and will do r3 on Tuesday as no time on Monday. I can't believe it will get easier but I feel so proud of myself for starting. Good luck for your next run.