I'm not sure if anyone else has found this but anytime I discuss the C25K program, non-runners seem to know better. They tell me I should just run until I'm tired or mock me for doing walk/run intervals. Those who run on a regular basis and participate in races are very supportive in doing the program and encourage it. Whereas those who don't run at all or don't run on a frequent basis find the need to give in depth advice about how I should be running. Has anyone else found this ?
It almost puts me off discussing the couch to 5k with people who don't run on a regular basis.
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kmcxo
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Yep, exactly the same. I told someone about it when I first started and she said 'oh, setting the bar high then, surely you can just go out and run 5k.' Actually, no, I couldn't even run for 60 seconds. Haven't thought the same of that person ever since.
But you know what? WHO CARES what those people say? A friend of mine ran the London Marathon this year and she told me that her marathon training programme also had run/walk intervals - it's the best way to build up to a distance. A couple of times, I have mentioned C25K to people who looked like they could probably run 100 miles already and I felt a bit embarrassed about it, and to my surprise some of them told me they were also doing it, or thinking about doing it, or had a friend who had done it and raved about it.
Unfortunately, there will always be those people who 'know better', even when they clearly don't. Let their comments and advice float over your head. Don't be ashamed talking about the programme, just take these sorts of responses with a pinch of salt. This is YOUR journey, YOUR programme, and you'e going to get so much out of this that it really doesn't matter what anyone else says. Good luck!
Ignore them - it works and we are all living proof of that. They don't run, what do they know!
I admit I thought running for 1 minute in week one would be easy and even considered missing out the first few weeks - I was so very wrong. I can't recommend the programme enough.
Start slow, stick to the plan, take the rest days even if you think you can do more, and enjoy it. the 9 weeks will fly by.
Until you run, you don't know what its going to be like, and humans generally all like to have opinions on things they know nothing about. Yes that's my experience too, I just smile, take it and then ignore whatever they said. I get my support from here...!!!!
I had a fair dose of that too - just ignore them as half of the time they're just feeling bad as they're not doing any sport themselves. I'd suggest that they come along and take up the programme at the same stage as you. Then they can see for themselves how gob-smackingly easy it is to run short periods when you are totally out of shape. Hey, if they want to share their wisdom they should show us all how it's done, too. I'll bring my popcorn, should be fun viewing.
I'm voting for this one; sod ignorance - race them! (And here's a secret for when you do: your body can go so much harder than your mind tells you it can).
My kids were discussing an "drunken old woman" who revolted them by dancing on stage and showing her bum to all and sundry at the 14th July dance last year. I innocently asked how old "old" was. Reply: "I dunno, 40 or 45...". Sigh.
I have never subscribed to the "that's just jealousy" school of thought on matters of differing opinions, but this sounds as if they want you to fail or feel bad because you're feeling just a wee bit too good for their liking!
I'm sensing some, if not jealousy, then definitely envy. Why on earth else would they have so much to say on a subject they know nothing about? I know some people do this with every subject but this seems to be limited to running. Which you are doing (and benefiting from) and they aren't. And man how they wish they were!
They're probably all secretly reading running books, articles and magazines trying to motivate themselves to try running and that's why they have so much conflicting advice on it!
I find with people who do this that you're doing something right if it gets up their noses.
Show them your heels and leave them behind in the dust! Ta-ra!
Thanks, I think everyone is right with their responses and that I do just need to politely respond to them and take no notice of what they say. I know for a fact the program is working for me and can't believe how far I've come. The best place for support for me right now is on this forum
Funny that 'proper' runners all seem to say "that's a really good idea" or "that's definitely the best way to start..." And it's the non runners who have all the advice !!!
Jealousy, pure and simple. You're doing something active and they just so wish they had the umph to do the same. But they don't, so they criticise. Ignore 'em all. Run wild, run free.
I got that attitude from my neighbour, when I said I could now run for 28 mins, he grinned and said at least you will be the slimmest corpse at the coroner's! And there's someone who is just telling me he's bored & fed up and not doing much, also having a problem swallowing the bread roll he was eating.
I said oh well! at least I would have tried and won't die from choking! Have you made your will out yet!
Don't let those people get to you, they know & do nothing, and just moan about everything...
My brother said "You don't want to run, you want to do this DVD I'm doing" To which, I smiled and walked away.
My Mum then started doing C25k too and he started saying what a bad idea it was and how she'd damage her knees. I told my Mum to totally ignore him. Thankfully, she did and at 60 and 38 respectively we are the fittest we've ever been. He'd definitely beat both of us in a race but if the key to long term health is regular exercise we both easily have him licked
I agree with the other posts, they are uninformed opinions. Perhaps we could invite some of these 'experts' to join us for a run at Parkrun ! I suspect they would suddenly be very busy !
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\"It always seems impossible until it's done\"
Another non-runner runs for 30 minutes..
I did it... non runner to #couchto5k Graduate!
I'm a runner! (well, Laura seems to think so...)
This is a part of me. New runners, the road IS long but always worth it in the end.😀
