I can't see the light

[gotalongwaytogo]

Have completed up to week 2 run 2 (actually did 5 runs on week 1 while I waited for friends to catch up to same point). Really struggled with this run. Am 19stone and, although I was 20 when I started I am really feeling it. I am doing the runs and have week 2 run 3 on Monday but cannot imagine moving from 90secs to 3 mins and then 5 etcetc. It seems so massively unrealistic. We have entered in the CR race for life in July and I'm so worried I won't be able to do it and don't want to walk it. I really enjoyed week one but am so scared to move into week 3. Any tips anyone. X

[Rignold]

same advice as always: just trust the programme. Don't worry about waht's ahead, just do what is now. Have you read through the forum much? If not, have a scan through. In any given week there are any number of new runners saying pretty much exactly the same thing as you. Then a few weeks later amazed at how far they have come.

It will be fine. You can do this.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

It would be helpful if the forum could have some FAQs that pop up when you first join. It takes all of us a while to realise there have been a gadzillionmillionbillon* people who have the same fears/feelings/questions as us

* might not be an actual/real number

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

haha. funny you should say that...

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

Que?

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

can't say much more without gratuitous self plugging. But something along those lines is afoot. (Pun not intended)

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It is a good feeling that a gazillion peeps feel the same!! Thank u x

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Thanks very much for your support. I am thinking all these people can't be wrong and then I second guess myself and wonder if more of these people are already quite fit and could run anyway? I am however going to stick at it. Many thanks and good luck on your own journey 🏃

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to gotalongwaytogo]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 Sorry, just someone even thinking I was "fit" and "could run anyway" made me literally smile here

June 1st, over 50 pounds too heavy, Asthma, feet only a degree or two off being catagorised as Bilateral Club Footed, only a year or so off a twenty plus a day almost forty year nicotine habit, 56 years of age but so stupid i did the first few weeks in 100 degree heat....

Seriously, who would have ever put money on me ever making graduation....and beyond.

I wish I had. If I could go back and put 20 bucks on it, at the odds I would have got from bookies who'd know nothing of this programme....I'd be a millionaire now!

You CAN do this

[secksy34 Graduate]

trust the program , if laura says your ready your ready , if you finish a week move on you will be great x

i was in the same mind set a few weeks ago now i cant wait to push myself !

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to secksy34]

I will follow Sarah millican all the way to the finish! Thank u for your support

[Bonkersbrit Graduate]

The only time you should look ahead is when you are out running, (shuffling or whatever) when your head should be aimed up and very definitely ahead. At home, on the sofa, on the forum, in bed on iPad, anywhere else, you should be looking at the here and now and allowing yourself the odd smug look back at yesterday, last week or last month when you couldn't do what you can today!

This program works. Tens of thousands of obese, depressed, asthmatic, previous non-runners can't be wrong.

The main advice in the early weeks seems to be go so slow you are hardly progressing forward! I had a strong head wind one day and actually thought I was going backwards!!

Keep running (I use that term loosely), keep posting so you can be supported by all your cyber running buddies and bask in the glory of what you have already achieved.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😀😀😀

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Bonkersbrit]

Lol! At one point I was convinced I was running slower than I could walk the same distance

I also used to gaze at the 7/10ths lap of the park and fervently hope that someday I could run even just one lap without having to stop to breathe etc. My 10k was over 8 laps and I ran the full 9 just to keep it "even' - and I have asthma and screwed footbones

So, please don't worry you can't do the programme gotalong - you are exactly where most of us were also at that point

Slow...then slower still when you are running, you WILL build up to the rest as you build stamina now, that's a promise

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank u so much x

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to gotalongwaytogo]

Saving you a seat at the Graduation table - don't stand me up now!

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to Bonkersbrit]

Love the head wind part! Thanks very much. Love the support x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

What Rignold says.. it it true... just follow the programme..it all follows on and you will be fine..

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I will do. Thank you loads

[Hidden]

You've said it in your post '....cannot imagine moving from 90s to 3 mins...' Don't imagine it ! Don't look at what's coming up next.... just focus on the run you're on because each one prepares you for the next. Just go as slow as you possibly can while maintaining a 'running' motion and you will get there. Good luck.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Fear is negative and has no place in a runner's mind. Banish it!! If you don't finish a run, repeat it, then move on. Don't hang about for other people, this is your journey and it may be longer or shorter than other people. You are in control of the programme and your destiny and one thing I can assure you..........this programme works and changes lives. Believe in it and more importantly, believe in yourself.

You can do this.........just like approximately a gazillionbillionmillion others already have.

[Dhiny]

I was certainly not fit when I started the program & used to think I was slow. I never thought I would be able to run nonstop for 5 minutes never mind 30. Just keep going forward, don't look at what is coming up in the next run, just take it one run at a time & before you know if you will be graduating. Let us know how you are doing 😊

[Gabby08 Graduate]

I'm at exactly the same pint as you - wk2, run 3 on Monday - and have also signed up for Race for Life. I have no advice at all (obviously) but just wanted to say I feel EXACTLY the same way. Thank you for posting and thank you to everyone who has replied here with advice.

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to Gabby08]

Gabby08 we can do it! Keep me informed how u are going 😆

[Gabby08 Graduate in reply to gotalongwaytogo]

Will do! We CAN do it - even if it's very, very slowly 🐢😃

[Carolinemcd Graduate]

I'm a 19 stone graduate. It's possible. Go slow and trust the program. I worried so much about moving on to the next week that I got stuck on week 2 for ages and now realise just how silly that was.

You will doubt your ability and you will think that running isn't for you and you will think that you can't do it. That's when you come on here and tell us how you're feeling. We'll get you through it.

Good luck, you will do it

[Davoda Graduate]

Usually I don't include my own experience in my reply, simply becasuse it's a bit different.

However the word "imagine" in your post has promoted me to do so.

I was not unfit when I started C25K, I did a lot of walking & cycling. But I never ran, I thought I didn't like it, you know school day memories & all that, I hadn't just run for about 30 years.

But I decided on impulse to give it a go. Every single week I could not "imagine" how I was going to run 90 secs, 3 mins etc, and every single week I came home amazed at what at just happened! My poor husband - what he had to listen to!!!! "I just ran ...."

So those imaginations hit everyone, no matter their level of starting fitness - running is different!

I can only repeat "trust the programme" it works. Go as slow as you need to & maybe even a bit slower & you'll get there. 😀

[Feebeekay]

When I started and was thinking exactly the same thoughts someone told me that all I was doing was joining up the bits of running that I could already do and it helped me see it through 😊

[Mustbemad1]

I just finished week 3 and I didn't think I could even get this far, don't think about it just do it and enjoy it, I am now look forward to starting week4 and I never thought I say that. Just go for it