Just want to touch base :)

Hi, tomorrow morning 6h my 2nd run of W2. Dreading it but also want to see how I'll do. Know my legs will wobble again halfway through, but will go on!! Does it really get better I want to know?? I cannot imagine that I can jog longer than 90 sec.

[Beek Graduate]

DO NOT WORRY - THIS PROGRAMME DOES WORK!

As long as you have done all the runs reasonably comfortably you will be fine moving up to the next level.

I know as a newbie you are bound to feel nervous and probably cannot imagine running any further than you do now. BUT SOON YOU WILL!

Most of us on here had awful self doubts at times but at the end of the day you need to stop worrying, relax, start each run slow and steady and you will be absolutely FINE!

And I promise you - IT DOES GET BETTER IN TIME!

Just get out there - keep calm and collected - and you never know, you may surprise yourself and take it all in your stride. Hang in there for the journey - you'll be glad you did!

[Beek Graduate]

Hey, if it didn't get better do you think so many of us would still be bothered doing this?

[Hidden in reply to Beek]

Haha, I have wondered about that a few times

[Hidden]

You will be amazing - you've done the run once already this week

[Hennith Graduate]

Yes, it does get easier - partly because you start to believe that you CAN actually do it and the little voice in your head then tells you less frequently, and less convincingly, that you want to stop! It might help you to find something to think about while you're running. People try all sorts of distraction techniques - making a mental shopping list, planning menus, etc. I used to make general knowledge lists in my head - US states, Beatles songs, an animal for each letter of the alphabet, etc. SO geeky, but it made the run go much more quickly for me. Good luck!

[helcl Graduate]

it gets better - from a runner who couldnt run anywhere near 30seconds to start with - running 4k in 30 minutes now, and pushing my speed up

[Windswept1 Graduate]

It does work amazingly but beware its addictive!! By week 3 or 4 you won't be dreading you will be desperate to do it.

[Rockette]

Yes it does ! I'm doing the same run thurs . As you know it's my second time round , & I know it works ! You will be fine just take it steady & tomorrow you will be patting yourself on the back . Go girl !!!

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

C25k does work Savanna and don't worry if you find it hard at first - the runs you are completing now will get easier.

I hadn't run until starting C25k last summer. I graduated in July and am now regularly running longer distances with one run last month at approximately 19 miles.

Everyone is different so just listen to Laura, stay determined, relax and enjoy the journey.

All the best.

[LSBeech75 Graduate]

It gets better in that you do things you never believed you could! Have faith in what Laura tells you & in yourself. Of course your legs will wobble - that means its working go for it!!!

[aliboo70]

You really will be able to do it! Believe in what every person here on the forum has been through, the ups and down and the triumphs! You will be surprised how much you can achieve!

[moonmar Graduate]

I was exactly where you were 9 weeks (minus a two week holiday) ago. I can remember ringing up a friend who is a sports fiend saying I was dying and unable to run more than 60 seconds twice, let alone several times. She encouraged me and told me it would get easier.

Believe me, you will get addicted. Just keep to the plan, remembering to take the rest days, and have faith in Laura.

[Hidden in reply to moonmar]

Haha, 'dying' is the right description! Thanks.

[Theziggy Graduate]

It does get easier, I thought wk 2 was tough and now, having completed wk7 run2 am amazed at how far I have come.

Do you run inside (treadmill) or outside?

Getting a friend to run with would be a great help, you could motivate each other. I know I did yesterday's run on the running track of my local leisure centre and got the little voice in my ear saying that if I walked for 5 minutes nobody would know lol. I ignored it and trundled on. In the past, several years ago i used to do 5.5K regularly but never ran for more than 5 minutes without walking. That said I had some good times, but was always aware that I hadn't ran continuously though did pick a course where there were many roads, boardwalks along lakes where you weren't allowed to run.

Sorry, I got carried away there. I always wanted to be able to run continuously for 30 min, and to think that just 5 weeks ago I was puffing and panting whilst trying to jog for 90 secs and yesterday I ran for 25 minutes.

I must admit I questioned whether this course would work, especially when I saw W5R3, but whatdyaknow it does work!

Good luck, keep it up!

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

Thanks for the inspiration! I ran outside early in the mornings. I have a run buddy, she started with me and lives near Bedford UK. I'm in Cape Town, South Africa. But all of you feel like my buddies

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

I agree with all of the comments below. W2 seems scary as it is a 50% jump on the previous week but you will do it! We are all proof it can be done. I couldn't run for a full minute 8 weeks ago, but last night I ran for 28! Can barely believe it myself. I also now have a medal for completing a 3k run on Wednesday night - first ever medal for running! All I would say is do it at your own pace and don't give up. You will see the rewards and will feel so much better for it! Well done for getting out there. Good luck