I'm very new to this. I started running because everyone I work with is a exercise freak and I feel embarrassed and quite ashamed of my level of fitness. (I'm 28 and on the larger than I should be..). My boyfriend recommended this so I thought I'd give it a go. I am determined to master the 5k - but I'm worried it will take me much longer than the app hopes.
Basically, I'm currently on week 1, just completed run 3. I just need to ask - is it normal to feel like it's not getting easier? My legs still want me to stop by the fourth run (though I keep going obviously!). Is it a common occurrence to repeat runs/weeks? And should I really be wanting to repeat the basic week? Is it obvious when it's time to move on?
Sorry for the rambles! I'm just worried I'm not cut out for this! Thanks for any responses in advance!
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Sacook
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O well done for getting out there😊 everything you are experiencing is what we have all felt & gone through. Make sure you are not running too fast to start with if you feel tired slow down its not a race. Trust me I'm 59 never ran & have just done 5.5k tonight was it easy no!!😀 I just finishedc25k a few weeks ago and half the battle is believing in yourself... You can do this... Trust the programme ... It works. If you feel you need to repeat a run or a week do so but I honestly think you will be surprised how well you come on. We all have had bad runs & keep posting on here you will get loads of help & good advise! I never made 5k in 30mins but I did make 30 mins continuous running!! Every time you are out there congratulate yourself at getting of the couch!! Running not easy (well for me it's not😂) but you start feeling so good after run its worth the few aches & pains at the start. Enjoy and if you finish a run move on to next one. Good luck😊x
Yes it is totally normal. Take your own time and repeat what you need to. Go really slow when you run and you will be amazed when you feel your stamina start to build. The hardest bit is starting and you have done that. Just keep going one run at a time. Keep us posted we are all here supporting you.
Thank goodness! I'm so pleased I'm not the only one. I made the mistake of taking it too quick on my first run so I have been "jogging" as opposed to flat out running. Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement!
I have just started and have done three runs so far. First one was a practice as I couldn't complete all of the runs. Second one seemed much easier, but todays run was really hard again! I have no doubt that I will repeating some weeks, but to be honest, three months ago I wouldn't have been able to run for one minute, so not worried how long it takes me, I will get there, as you will.
Stick with it, keep posted, we will both graduate next year, just maybe in a few more weeks than it takes some people x
Hi Di-L! Thanks so much for your post and kind words and encouragement! Looks like we're going to be going through this together! is amazingly comforting knowing others are going through/have been through the same worries and problems that I have been having.
Yes! A few months ago I think I'd have laughed at you that I even had the willpower to get through the first week, never mind the stamina.
On days I'm worried I'll remind myself there's two of us doing this together and we'll get through it 😊
You'll soon find your stamina will increase. Just take it nice and slow and steady. You don't have to do it in 9 weeks. Some do, some don't. Just do it at your pace. You'll find you'll get totally addicted and will look forward to the next run and the following weeks challenge.
Good luck and keep posting on here, you'll get a massive amount of encouragement which will inspire you. Remember, they've all gone through it or, like me, are going through it.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm finding all these replies really overwhelming and it's filled me with so much more determination and hope than I had after my run this morning!
I will make sure I don't try to compare myself to others and do what I think is best. I guess I know my body better than anyone else!
just take it slow and steady and respect the rest days...and, as absolutely difficult as it is to believe right now i can promise you that before you can ever dream possible right now, you will be bemoaning the fact that you can't do the 5K in less than twenty minutes or some such amazing time... It happens to so many Graduates too!
Best advice I know is - read the early posts of Graduates. You will see how very much you have in common with us - the same trepidation and 'hoping against hope but doubting it' feeling that this programme will work for you just as we all went through the first weeks and months
I promise you - you are not 'terminally unique' here. And it's really simple every second day or so.... you either run, or you don't. If you do - you might be running on your own but with us lot we never run alone
I do hope you run with us -we are all in this together as you will see when you read posts
Haha that fits sound impossible! However sounds like something to aspire to. Who knows what the future will bring!
That's great advice! I will have a look through the early posts. A lot I've noticed so far are people in much later weeks than I so would definitely be good to see people's initial weeks.
I will definitely bare in mind on each run that you all have my back and are with me, thank your so much 😊 these replies have meant to world to me!
I found I got a lot of inspiration from this forum. It's tempting to feel that you are the only one struggling and everyone else is a born runner, but if you read on here you will see that you are definitely not alone. I think many of us are still pretty amazed that we have graduated, I for one can't actually believe I've done it! I echo what many will have said, go slowly, it's not a race. Look forward to reading of your progress!
It is normal, and thus isn't easy, but almost anyone can complete the programme. A lot is to do with your determination and focus which are equally important. Huge well done for giving this a go, but do it for you, not to prove a point to your show off colleague!!
You have taken the hardest step, although it may not feel like it.. but you have... the first one!
Slow and steady.. you will hear that so much, from all of us.
It is the only way, building up your stamina through the nine weeks, or...however long it takes... ( no rules here). Extra rest days if you need them and listening to your body, which, currently is saying.." What the heck is happening"?
Juts go really slowly.. think snail on a go-slow
Listen to the advice on here, post your runs, successes and setbacks, we will be right beside you.
Plan your days runs to suit you... do not beat yourself up if you have a blip... the rest days are essential and some simple strength and flex exercise on those rest days, or other exercise may help your progress. There are links on the site to strength and flex
We all have our own patterns, three times a week running.. I run Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, fit the programme into your lifestyle..it should be fun!
"People may not tell you it will be easy... but they will tell you it is going to be worth it".
You do not need to repeat a Week 1 run and in fact I would strongly recommend you don't.
Here is why: it took me 12+ attempts to get to 3 successful week 1 runs. But for the rest of the programme I never needed to do an extra run... your assumption (understandably) is that Week 1 is 'the basic', the 'easiest'... but it may well not be... after I'd graduated I went back and gave Week 1 another go and didn't manage to complete it! Because the runs are only 60 seconds, it is too easy to go faster than you need to, it only needs to be a running motion (and I have very belatedly realised that I was also trying to walk too fast for me as well)
Most of us come to recognise that a run involves all sorts of emotional ups and downs... yes you get physically fitter but we also become more emotionally resilient to tolerate that first 5-10 minutes of "I can't do this", enjoy the minutes of "Yippee, I'm a goddess I could run for ever" swiftly followed by "I want to give up, I can't do this" and so on.
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W6R3 failed. :( Advice?
Worried
I have a secret.... I've just done W1 R2. Nobody knows.... except all you guys! 
I'm back and determined!! 🤨
