W3R3

[D2change]

Ohhhhhhhh, that was tough. But I did it. And I did it slow. Probably gonna need to repeat it. I'm about 60 lbs overweight. Any advice for overweight joggers would be appreciated. Not sure I need to advance just yet. Please tell me this gets easier!!!!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

There is plenty of time to complete this programme - if you think that you would like to repeat Week 3 , then by all means do so. I had a few repeats along the way !!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Well done on completing week 3!

Here's the good news..... Theres no shame in repeating a week if you need to, but equally you might just find if you have a go at week 4, you are able to get through it. It's said all the time around here, it's never a race unless you want it to be one. There's nothing wrong with a slow run.

Here's the 'other' news (not bad, you'll note) I find to this day that if I push myself, run faster, run further maybe, then it is never easy. And you know what? It doesn't mater anymore. That feeling you get now at the end of a run - you already know the one, when youve nothing left - becomes, in time, a badge of honour. The wonderful thing about this programme is that you build the ability to cope with it nice and slowly over time. A little bit more each week - that's how it's done - means in time that running becomes better, if not easier. Consider this - if you were to do a W1R1 session today, I reckon you would do it much 'better'. Yes?

One other thing. You say you are overweight. I was too. I lost 50lbs combining a weght loss programme with C25K. Together they are dynamite. I never manged to keep the weight off until I started regular running as well as eating sensibly. If you've already embarked on something then we'll done you, you're doing the right thing and I can say from experience that it works. If not, then I recommend you think seriously about it. This stuff is life changing.

Come on you, you can do this!!!!

[D2change in reply to Rob_and_his_westie]

Awesome advice. Thanks

[runner56 Graduate]

The programme gets tougher as you run further but, and this is the important thing, you get tougher too!!!

You might feel the need to repeat but why not give week 4 a try?

Best advice for any new runner is to take it nice and slow. Listen to Laura. She has gotten a lot of us through this and will get you through.

Good luck

[GoogleMe Graduate]

It's rarely necessary to do any more repeats (after all, the repeats are built into the programme, more or less you are always asked to consolidate your achievement by repeating it twice more) You have completed the week - no-one asks for you to be able to do it easily, just that you should maintain a running motion for as long as Laura tells you to and to walk when she tells you to. It would be different if you hadn't completed a session, then of course you would need to repeat it another time (I had 12+ goes at Week 1 before I cracked it...)

What is it that you are afraid of? Sounds as though you are carrying some gremlins with you.

[D2change in reply to GoogleMe]

I'm carrying 60 extra lbs of gremlins. I feel so out of breath and shape. My legs want to give out. I'm gonna stay with it.

[Sophster]

I'm overweight as well (by more than you as it happens - and working to lose it!) and have just finished W6R1 yesterday. I'd keep going onto week 4 if I were you - I ended up repeating week 5 mainly because I had a horrible cold, but the plan is really good and I think that if you're questioning it more on a mental rather than physical level I'd just go for it!

[Marie70 Graduate]

It will feel easier as you get fitter and build up your endurance. If you can do this run then you can do the next and the next (at the same pace) because that is what the programme has been designed to do. You might think that you aren't ready to progress and that you need to repeat a week but that's the gremlins talking - don't listen!

It IS true - that if you did today, you can do the net one. If you ever struggle with a run it's because you've increased your pace and gone too fast (we've all done that one!)

You CAN do this - don't let the gremlins win. Have confidence in Laura, in your pals on here and (more importantly) in yourself.

[LordOberon Graduate]

D2change, go on, go on go ON! Don't stick. The programme is built for all of us. Only if you feel you've abjectly failed a run will you need to repeat the run (maybe). Keep on running, slowly & enjoy the highs. Good luck & take comfort from this excellent forum.

[Gspete]

I was well overweight when I started. However changing to a healthy diet and regular exercise I got down to a good weight and completed the programme. But yes it is tough at times, and I had some setbacks to overcome.

Lesson learnt, avoid hills to start with!

Adopt a healthy high protein diet.

Do some other exercise - Pilates, yoga, gym?

Keep sharing here there is a lot of support.

Remember why you started and press on to the finish.

[misswobble Graduate]

There are lots of posts about this on the forum so lots of words of advice here

Just stick at the running and healthy eating and the weight will shift.

It does get easier but you have to put the work in or you'll be disappointed. It takes time, you chip away at it, but you'll get there. You have to be patient and have the willpower to change your bad habits. Unless you change things will stay the same

I lost four stones 2 lbs, am running every other day and loving being lighter, more nimble and running in races. Never thought I'd run a race in my entire life, ever but it seems now I just can't stop myself.

I did this by following C25k religiously. Picked myself back up after getting injured twice. I never gave up, just kept plugging away and I got there

So can you but you have to believe and want to do it!

Good luck

[charliesdad Graduate]

Take it steady, I did the odd extra week of runs, rather than move too early to the next level. This has the advantage of seeing and feeling more confident about tackling the next set of three runs, a lot of this is physical, and some of what you are doing is about conditioning you brain that you can do this.

[D2change]

Thanks everyone for the awesome words of wisdom. Us newer folks look to yall for guidance and support. Thank you.