About a week ago I put a post on this forum about my concern and embarrassment at being seen walking in running kit during the week 1 program. It may seem silly to others, but it wasn't to me, and was a real concern that was stopping me getting started. I had an amazing response from this forum, every one of which was supportive, helpful and encouraging.
Today I completed week 1 (run 3) and am ecstatic, if a little nervous about week 2! The one thing I did not worry about was being seen walking, and what other people may think. I thoroughly enjoyed it. That was totally due to folks here. Thanks to you all.
My advice to other newbies on this program would be 1) If you have a concern / question ask it here, 2) Get outside the front door, you'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel on all fronts, even on week 1.
Good luck!
Written by
NickTuson
Graduate
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congratulations and well done. Dont be worried about week 2, completing week 1 means that you are fully prepared for it and you will amaze yourself when the time comes.
Well done on completing week 1. I'm pretty much at the same stage.. Wk 2 R 1 tomorrow morning. I'm not concerned about people seeing me walking... Just them actually seeing me running!!!
That was exactly my experience too! The anxiety before I started was crippling and it was these boards that convinced me that I could do it...... Just come back from w2r1 (in running tights and everything) and do not care a jot who saw me!! Funny how that happens but the wise ones here knew that it Would!
Well done on completing w1 and best of luck with week 2.
No need to be nervous about wk2. I've just completed wk2 R1 and it really didn't seem much harder than last week. I was given great advice... Just think of it as 6 runs, compared to last weeks 8. Helped me!!
Well done. That's the hardest part done - actually starting. You'll find as you progress that the programme is actually well thought out. Each week brings its challenges but they are always achievable. Keep at it!
Fantastic to hear it went well ! Onwards and upwards....
Congratulations on completing week 1 which is probably the hardest week to do!
Good luck for week 2
A very positive and inspiring post. Well done on completing week 1. You will be ready to tackle week 2, as already said, it's only 6 runs this time and (bonus) the walk breaks are of two minutes duration so it's not a bad session at all. You have trained up to it anyway. Glad you are feeling a bit more self esteem about being seen walking in your running gear - I shall be going out today and it's my first post-graduation 'run' but I will be exploring new paths, doing jog/walk intervals (mostly walking) and to hell with who sees me. Thing is, I know what this programme has done for me - onlookers don't, poor things! Good luck with week 2 and look forward to seeing your successful posts. Best wishes.
OK, let's be honest, we have ALL walked at times; more in the earlier days, and [hopefully] less as you go through. My view is that if anyone looks at you as though you are less of a runner because you are walking, I would urge you to ask yourself a question ~ which one of you is running? Are they? I suggest that they are not.
A runner, any runner will appreciate that a walk is needed at times. Joe Bloggs who is waddling along in their named football shirt isn't running. Who is the 'better person'?
Well done Nick! I've got my first run planned for this evening and currently really stressing out about being seen by the nosy neighbours and being laughed at. Glad to hear that after you got going you found it to be ok!
We too have got not so nice neighbours, and I even went a different route home to avoid going past their house, and guess what ... he drove past me on my diverted route! There was I all beetroot and knackered - typical....I was so annoyed, but then I said to myself - stuff it, at least I'm out doing exercise instead of sitting on my butt like him!! Forget about the neighbours, locals etc....remember, you are the one trying and you are the one getting fitter with each and every session you do on c25K. Good luck for your first run tonight....I really struggled with week 1 & 2 and now I'm about to start week 5 - you CAN do it
I found two things that helped particularly. First, if you have ear phones then you can listen intently to Laura in your own world - a degree of isolation. The second was adopting a bit of an "I don't care what you think, because I'm doing this for me" attitude, with a big smile! Forget about all of that and just do it because you want to. Tell us how it went
Well done. You are not alone as you realise! I still feel silly in running gear, especially shorts and before I could run adequately, meaning keeping going without audibly panting or with noisy feet, I sometimes didn't run or waited until dark. I think English people are generally less supportive of those out 'taking exercise' and tend to stare (doesn't seem to happen in France or Germany) but I now think 'who cares' because I'll soon have left them behind!
The headphones do help! Though if you start replying to Laura (which I have done... Though luckily when no one was about!) that might attract more attention than just the fact you are in running gear! The sense of satisfaction you get from each run you complete soon outweighs any self-consciousness.
WELL DONE YOU!! I am so pleased that you've conquered your demons about being seen out running. The benefits that are coming your way are so worth while and I hope that you soon start to feel those benefits!
So pleased that you are feeling ecstatic - just think how good you are going to feel at the end of next week - or indeed when you graduate!
Nothing can stop you now - you've done really well getting out there!
HAPPY RUNNING! (You'll know why this phrase is used so often by us when you get to the end!)
I'm just about to start Week 2 also... well done and sod what onlookers think!
You are so right about how helpful this forum is. Seeing all the encouragement (even though it wasnt for me) as well as people sharing their experience got me outside the front door in my running kit (well less a kit and more cobbled together at this stage!) This is my first post and I have just done the second run of week 1. Good luck with week 2
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Thanks all.
Week 1, Day 1
Week 1 COMPLETED!!!!!!!!
Week 1 completed (again)
Week 1 in the bag
