Oh my goodness week 5, 3rd run. Ran for 20 mins. Wow, so chuffed. Didn't think I could do it.

[boptillyoudrop49]

I'm 49 and I've been putting off getting started on the couch25k for ages. First I bought some jogging shoes, downloaded the podcasts then a while later got some jogging gear, then some more. By the time I got on with it, I had lost some weight (size 18 to 14) which might have helped. I go slow when I jog, hopefully not ridiculously so but hard to judge. If you're my age and wondering whether it is for you, try it and don't keep putting it off. It really is doable. If I can jog for 20 mins, you can too!

[Pinguette Graduate]

Well done, you must be really chuffed with yourself! I'm 57 and been losing weight too tho still a long way to go, and I agree that this is such a great programme (I'm on week 8 now). And doesn't some new running gear make you feel good?! xx

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Pinguette]

It definitely does Well done perservering to week 8. Not far to go now and you've completed the course! It is a brilliant programme, so glad I finally got cracking on it.

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Fabulous!! You only went and did it!! Amazing isn't it that you actually ran for 20 minutes. I am 52 and graduated now but still remember it. Just get a good rest day and then week 6 awaits, still a little challenging but you can certainly do it. Don't be at all worried about speed at this stage, I was pretty slow and needed to be as the programme is building up to the graduation, running at a slow and steady pace allows u to increase time - very excited for u 😊, also proud

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

Thanks joolie, it's so encouraging to read that so many people have stuck with it and graduated.

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done Bop, it is a great feeling isnt it ?

Keep going, youre doing great ! xxx

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks poppy! I'm a wee bit proud of myself for perservering despite the cold... brrr

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

Well done ☺

Running for 20 minutes is a cracking achievement!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Thanks. Really hoping I don't give up but carry on through to the end and become a real runner - like all you graduates!

[Hidden]

Well done ! I'm 49 too and I graduated in November. It's a brilliant programme. well done for the weight loss. You must feel great

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks kath. Well done completing the programme! There's still some weight that should come off but my goal was to get to a size 14 and for now I'm happy with that. Not ever going to look like all the young Venus and Adonis types on the beach but heigh ho

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant.... I don't worry about the slow bit... my nickname is the grey snail! It is do-able... just graduated today.. and I am 65!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Congratulations! You must be feeling proud of yourself. It is really encouraging to hear all the success stories.

Went for a run today and my legs ached so much. Hadn't expected that, I thought being out of breath would be hardest but I go slow so that isn't a problem. I suppose I must have really weak calf muscles

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Thank you....They won't be weak muscles for long... my calf muscles have really strengthened...and they fill my skinny jeans nicely now... my daughter use to say I had sparrows legs... not any morel Go us!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done - first of the longer runs under your belt!

Watch out for that week 6 now - catches a few people out. Just keep at it - nice and slow and steady.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks for the warning Ully. Can I ask you more experienced runners something? If you were able to complete a run but your legs ached during it, would you have just repeated that week till it got a bit easier or gone straight on to the next week?

[Ullyrunner Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Personally, I just used to move on. I seem to remember that my legs pretty much always ached!

It's really up to you. It's all about building stamina, and if you feel happier repeating that is perfectly OK. It's not a race to get through the programme - entirely at your own speed.

Next couple of runs have walking intervals again if that helps.

[Hidden]

Well done - that was my favourite run out of C25k program as well Good luck with the rest !

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks lucca. Well done making it through to the end

[vixiej Graduate]

Brilliant, well done! And a lovely post...its only once you've done that run that you realise it's a mental barrier. This was my favourite run of the programme, because it was the turning point where I believed I could do it

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to vixiej]

I know. To me at this stage 20 mins seems like a real achievement from doing 1 minute runs in week 1. A full 30 mins is still really daunting though

[vixiej Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

it IS a real achievement! I'd celebrate them all though, big and small

Daunting or not, you'll do it

[Old_trout Graduate]

Yup! Old bags like me are learning that in their sixties!! Age is just a number. What goes on in your head? Me? I still watch Dr Who! and find it as exciting as it was with William Hartnell! Age is just a number, don't be tied by it.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Old_trout]

Some things just have an ageless appeal, don't they? I remember watching Dr Who as a kid but unfortunately I used to have nightmares about daleks. My daughter is an absolute Dr Who freak

[Old_trout Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

I still can't manage cyber men. Truly terrifying!