starting again: im thinking of starting again, i... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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starting again

badlyorganisedmum profile image

im thinking of starting again, i used to run a bit at a gym a few years ago ago but a mental health breakdown put a spanner in the works , i'm now far less fit and fatter than i was before i started last time

does it matter what speed you do the run at it this because even the slowest jog feels very hard

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badlyorganisedmum profile image
badlyorganisedmum
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11 Replies
Usain_Balti profile image
Usain_BaltiGraduate

Most of us felt like that at the beginning but as everyone here says, there's no such thing as too slow. Even if you only hobble along at walking speed or less it's making you fitter, stronger and making your heart work harder. Congratulations on getting of the couch and keep going, you're doing fine.

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

It took me 5 weeks to find what I thought was my slowest jog! Then following advice on here, I went even slower until my stamina improved enough to go a teeny bit faster towards the end. Slow is good. Slower is better, especially at the beginning. Start again, please start again. I didn't believe I could do anything until I started this programme. The support and encouragement you get from the amazing folk on here is phenomenal. You won't regret it :)

npr70 profile image
npr70Graduate

No speed doesn't matter at all - just go at the speed you can manage. This is a great programme - before I started and even in the early weeks I never thought I would be able to run for 25 mins and now I can - not very fast but it's 25mins! Give it a try - you won't regret it and the people on this forum are very supportive and will help you along the way.

Kmcm66 profile image
Kmcm66

No speed does not matter at all. Go really slow to begin with and you will build up the stamina gradually to run for 30mins. Running is great for your mental health. Trust in the programme, believe in yourself and you will be a runner again before you know it. Slow and steady is the way to go.

Speed is irrelevant on the programme - thank goodness. The best advice I was given was to slow down then slow,down some more. It really does make a difference. I struggled with the one minute runs and can now do 25 minutes. The programme works!!!i am now worrying about speed or distance, just the stamina to learn to run for half an hour !

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Just make sure you follow the nhs c25k program ☺

Run it outside. It's brilliant being outdoors. Much more fun 😊

lightweightkate profile image
lightweightkateGraduate

Go for it - my slow is very slow and when you start it is very hard but the feeling of getting through a podcast is amazing. As someone who never thought she could run for 20 seconds I am working my through the programme just fine. Just do what you can and follow Laura on the NHS podcasts and follow this forum - there are amazing people on here who will be with you every step of the way :-)

thank you everyone , i will have a go - i had kind of thought you had to get to running 5 k by the end of the course to count as finished ? ?

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

There is no mention of speed in C25k apart from going at at steady pace.......oh and of course the misleading mention of 5k and 30 minutes. To graduate you need to run 3x30 minutes, nothing more.

As misswobble says, try running outdoors. The benefits of being outdoors are many, both physically and mentally......way better than the gym.

Go for it.

melly4012 profile image
melly4012Graduate

There is no such thing as too slow! Slow is definitely the way to get through the runs and when you feel like you're going as slow as you can, slow down a bit more! As you probably know, running is great for your mental health. The forum here is full of amazing, inspirational people so do use the forum for advice, encouragement and to celebrate your successes! Take that first step back and you'll be a runner again before you know it :)

that you everyone - it took me a bit longer to start than i planned but i have done a the first two days - i went far slower than i would have done without advice and i actually finished them and quite enjoyed it ! you are all wise people :-)

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