Just beginning

[Aggiebill]

Hi on week two and feel like I'm not going to be able to do 5k. I am enjoying and following the plan I just can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. Did anyone else feel like this? I just quit smoking too (one month) is this holding me back?

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

I felt like that (though I must admit I've never smoked, but I was very overweight) and I reckon most others have too, it's quite normal. I now run about 70k each month, so it Just shows how wrong I was!

My advice would be to concentrate on the next goal, the next run. The big stuff will take care of itself in time. You'll see.

[cate42]

I am on week three and can't imagine running 5k either. But when I was on week 2 I couldn't imagine running for three minutes and I've been doing that this week. I'm not a smoker but am asthmatic I think a lot of this is about ignoring that voice in your head that says you can't do it. Good luck x

[Debih191 Graduate]

I've just completed two of the week 1 runs (after 3.5 weeks of trying) and can't imagine managing week 2!!!!!!

I'm going to do my third week 1 on Saturday and then have a go at week 2 day 1 on Monday. I'm dreading it!

[mumonamission in reply to Debih191]

Debih191 - I tried week 2 tonight and it was nowhere as bad as I thought. As you know, it took me the best part of 3 weeks to get close to doing week 1. Week 2 is 6 runs of 90 seconds with 2 mins between. Just think 2 less runs than week 1 with a bit longer between to recover and those extra 30 seconds don't sound so scary! Good luck!

[Debih191 Graduate in reply to mumonamission]

Thanks MOM. I've really surprised myself by actually enjoying and looking forward to my sessions. I actually want to go run tomorrow but "Laura" says to rest inbetween runs so it'll have to be brisk walk tomorrow and back to the podcast on Saturday.

I'm even contemplating buying some proper running gear - I have decent trainers but wear my yoga pants, hoodie and any old t-shirt. I think some decent leggings are in order (though as I run along the towpath I am worried my legs in leggings my scare the wildlife away!!)

[Topo Graduate]

I was like you but have just completed week 5 and am pretty sure I'm going to do the whole thing. I was really unfit but I'm getting fitter and I feel LOADS better. Stick with it. One run at a time, going slow, is the way - everyone will tell you to run slowly and not get worried by looking ahead. Just take the next run and do it. Also, keep posting. Everyone on this forum is really friendly and willing you on. Good luck.

[Jase44 Graduate]

I've just finished Wk6r3 which is running for 25 mins none stop I never thought I could do that. Just remember good shoes and nice and slow progression and before you know it you will be looking at posts like this and giving them advice. Stick with it. It's a great program and very very doable I'm living proof. Regards J

[Chloewho Graduate]

It is daunting isn't it when you first start out? I remember coming home during week 2 and lying on my living room floor, feeling sick, head spinning, heart pumping out of my chest, and that was after the cool down walk! I really thought I was going to die, but you just need to be determined that you are going to complete each run, that's all, forget about 5k just take it one run at a time and you'll be fine, trust the plan there are 1000's of people on here who are proof that it works...and I'm a 3 st overweight ex smoker!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

I felt absolutely awful when I completed w1r1. But I've persevered and just completed w8r2 and feel far better than I did back then. It gets easier as you get fitter. I think it's the same for almost everyone. Just concentrate on the next run and don't look ahead. Repeat a week if necessary, so long as you are still running you are making progress.

Having just stopped smoking won't help, but if you keep running you'll probably not put on the weight like I did. Well done for giving up by the way - best thing you can do for yourself, and you'll save a ton of money to spend on running clothes

[useitorloseit Graduate]

You are not alone! I think almost everyone who has done this programme felt like that! Just keep a running diary and look back in a couple of weeks - you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Yes you are just beginning this fantastic change in your life. You've taken the hardest step and started and you've already done week 1. Stick with it, take each run slowly and you will get to the end of the tunnel. Promise!

[misswobble Graduate]

Don't talk yourself out of it! You can do it. You just do one run at time. Don't let your imagination run away with you.

You are quite capable. It's only a short run/walk

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are doing great. Just stick with following the plan and enjoying it and forget about the 5k. Many here did not manage to run 5k in 30 minutes at the end of the programme, but that is not the aim. C25k puts you in control of learning to run for 30 mins 3 times per week and getting the habit ingrained into your life. If at any point you don't manage to finish a run, then simply repeat it until you can, then move on. You are in control, so go at the pace that suits you.

It is tough at times, but it works and can change your life in ways that you cannot imagine at the moment, so stick with it and you will amaze yourself at your own ability.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

For most of us 5K came long after graduation, and although I can run 5K now I'm still nowhere near 30 minutes. The course name is a bit misleading but "from couch to 30 minutes running" isn't exactly very snappy is it? Don't worry about the distance, just follow the programme and Laura will see you right xxx

[resrtas]

Never having smoked can't comment on that aspect. However, if you could run 5k now where would the challenge and the HUGE sense of achievement come from? I have just completed wk 4, did I think I could do this at the end of week 2? no I did not but stick with it you can do it! Don't try to run quickly, I barely jog (!) but i keep going because there are so many supportive people on this site. KEEP IT UP

[Hidden]

although the program is called C25K the end result is really being able to run 3 times for 30mins , if that means you cover 5k great if not no worries ,

I think we scare ourselfs when we look ahead from say week1 or 2 and see week 9 and the end result, try to concentrate on the week you are doing and just next run

Improvemenst are gradual but each week builds on the last , stick with it you can do it!

Oh and i am an ex smoker also (30-40 a day ) it is a great way to beat that addiction and stay stopped

[Chris41968]

Lost count of the amount of times I thought I was going to die, I found one day it was my lungs one day it was my body but then you get a day where they both feel in sync and that's when you have a good run, I always found that if you have a really bad run the very next one will be your best, takes a while to get addicted but when you do nothing will stop you I promise so "man up marine" Hahahha good luck

[Artefactfinder Graduate]

I'm on week 3 and I feel the same....it's crazy to think we will be running for 30 minutes but I trust the program, the NHS and the lovely people on this forum. Just take it one podcast as a time!

[Rignold]

Don't worry about doing 5k or how you will get through W9 or W5 or W3. Just focus on the run you're doing now. My long-term traing plan is for a very long distamce race at the end of the year. Even though I regularly run fairly long distances now, I can't imagine how I am going to achieve this goal if I think about the end bit. It is too far away and too great. But that's fine. I don't need to run that far yet so I don't need to worry about it. All I need to do is the next small step on my programme and then once that's out of the way, the one after that.

Stick with the programme and it will work for you just like it has worked for everyone else.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I felt exactly like you, and I also have given up smoking ( using the texting service).... I honestly did not think I would be able to run for 30 minutes in 9 weeks, I can remember laughing out loud. I did it though and I can run a lot further than that now 2 years on. You can do this, just do what Laura says and she will get you there

[Hidden]

Hi, don't look too far ahead. Just concentrate on what you're doing each week. And listen to Laura. She will get you through it.

Here's something else to think about. When I started this program I hadn't run since school. I'm 64 on Wednesday and I'm 14stone. I Completed the program and I'm doing 5K in 32 minutes. So when you feel like giving in just think, am I going to be beat by a 64 year old.

Good luck and keep going.

[mfamilias Graduate]

Hang on in there! Don't focus on the idea of 5K - I'm only on week two, but hey, I've made it this far, even if I'll never be the female answer to Husain Bolt (who would probably keel over laughing if he saw my rendition of "the run". Just focus on one day at a time - and be proud of what you've finished, rather than doubting you capacity to do the rest. Keep us posted and DON'T GIVE UP.

[WinchesterGirl]

I feel a little like that, although I am enjoying myself. I think I expect to be able to run like Jess Ennis for 30 mins! 😄 I am doing my first wk3 run this Wednesday. Keep going, as others have said, us newbies are doing something positive and doing it the right way, so we hopefully don't injure ourselves.

[MadeleineGenevieve]

I definitely feel like that! Just had a baby!