FIrst week

[Daisical]

I am 58 years old, I am on my first week of the 5k, I went for my third run today and found it really hard, worse than the first run really is this normal? IM determined to keep it up but it is so hard!

[Kaydenmummy Graduate]

It does get better I promise. Although I can't believe you run in this heat.

[Daisical Graduate]

I know I must be mad! I just think if I start missing runs I might stop altogether

[Vanessa291 Graduate]

Hi Daisical, you do sometimes have a bad run, was you hydrated? I find sometimes I have a better run when I have two days rest instead of one. It was very hot today so surely that must have an effect on us. I'm going really early in the morning, hopefully before the sun is too hot. I bet your week two goes swimmingly. Well done on completing week one 🌟🌟🌟

[Daisical Graduate]

THank you I might try and leave it for two days and see if that makes a difference. I am definitely , going to plod on[literally] !

[Natasha-H Graduate]

I'm on week 8 and I found it soooo hard today in this heat but like you am afraid of not doing it if I stop now, so we'll done and hopefully when it gets cooler it will all become a little easier after running in the heat.

[davelinks Graduate]

Well done! That's the way, keep plodding on! Btw your not trying to do the 5k distance are you?

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Not saying it's ever easy but I think we are all struggling in this heat. Keep going.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

It is hard but you get stronger and fitter. So long as you are managing all the runs, move on to the next week. You'll be fine!

[McFitty Graduate]

I found the third run of week one really hard. It was all I could do to put one leg in front of the other by the end! My legs felt like lead and I thought I was running through wet cement. It is so hard, particularly that first week but your body isn't used to it and I PROMISE your body will gradually adapt. At the end of the first week I thought "this isn't for me. I'll never do it" but I kept reading the posts on here and even though I didn't believe it, I kept going/struggling. I am now half way through week 7 and I never in a million years thought that was possible. I've had to repeat a couple of weeks here and there and also add in extra rest days. The advice on here was spot on. I started drinking a pint or so of water before each run (definitely helped) and stretching afterwards (that helped too) but the biggest, and best bit of advice was to SLOW DOWN. I didn't think that was possible as I felt like a lump of lard going at the speed of a tortoise. But you can slow down, there is always a slower speed. Once I had found the slowest imaginable speed, it started to work (I didn't find that until week 5). Congratulations on finishing your first week, plodding on is the way to go

[OldPossum]

I agree with everything McFitty said, I had to repeat the early weeks until I felt ready and the advice to slow down is absolutely the best but I have just started week 6 and am so glad I kept going as the sense of achievement is amazing. Listen to your body and choose the right pace for you and it really will get easier. You CAN do it and it is so worth it 😄

[melly4012 Graduate]

Well done for taking the first step! It's a really hard time of year to start I'd imagine in the heat! Make sure you drink plenty of water and stretch and try to go out when it's not too hot. The C25k programme is just amazing, following it is one of the best decisions you'll ever make. Go slow, listen to Laura, take your rest days and you'll be a runner before you know it!

Remember to go slow! There is no such thing as 'too slow' on this programme. Take two rest days if you need, there's no problem doing that. You'll soon see the progress and become addicted. If it's hard, slow down. Some runs are difficult with no rhyme or reason but as long as you push through then you can move onto the next one.

The forum is one of the best places on the internet. I wouldn't have completed the programme without it. It's full of incredible, inspirational people so do post for advice, encouragement and to let everyone celebrate your successes with you! If you feel lack of motivation post here and people will encourage you to get out there and push you through!

[lightweightkate Graduate]

Hi Daisical - I was exactly the same and posted a similar post to you a few weeks back - found W1 R 1&2 hard but OK and then found R3 really really hard. The advice from the forum was keep going and so I did and I haven't had a run like that since. I am only a W5'er but can't believe I have come this far........keep going - it's a bit addictive and great fun and what I find amazing is that you start doing things that you didn't believe was possible - good luck and let is know how you get on

[poppypug Graduate]

Hi , Yes some are hard, some are a bit easier , but you will get stronger and your body will adapt as you progress.

Keep at it, take extra rest days if you need, no pressure . The weather can be very draining , it is not easy at all running in the heat .

Good Luck , you can do this ! xxx

[Songfish]

Well done you! I've just done wk2/r1 today . My last run felt hard going much of the way but today was so much easier. Not sure why as its longer intervals of running but I'm learning that sometimes 'it is what it is'. Have faith, slow down if it's a struggle & repeat whenever you need to - you'll get there

[Hidden]

Keep going Daisical...good advice on these boards. I am 55, and feel like I'm too old to run, but I am loving it. Last night did W3R1- never thought I'd get this far. It felt so much easier than W1 when I was puffed out. Even after a day at work and a huge meal (my birthday, Nandos and pudding!) . Took my dog with me, and kept her on the lead on the road bits, she was a star! It was good to run when it's cooler. Listen to Laura, keep going, love the advice about running SLOW, and drinking lots before you go out.