Skipped a few weeks and injury

[HGVDan]

I started the program and made week 3 no problems other than it been very hard

I changed my route by 400 yards but a lot more scenic route than the road (fields,woods) and hurt my knees to the point I couldn't walk, docs advice no running for 2 weeks,

15 day break and back at it very steady, went straight back to week 3 and was enjoying it.

Did some gym running and other cardio to mix it up a little bit

Got myself a bike and rode a few km's on none running nights again just to mix it up

Went out Saturday and my phone was flat so thought I would use my smart watch and input the intervals to it. After my first run I was feeling good so carried on kept the pace reasonable but kept running

34.36 later I managed 5k running without stopping so proud of myself

I ran again Monday night and got 31.47 so just one more to do and I graduate I guess.

The program is good but I believe mental focus is the main thing it teaches you and you have to believe you can run for 30 mins before you try it

I have also lost 2 stone 4 pounds in 8 weeks that I've been on the program which is sure was the biggesst thing that got me to 5k

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done Dan. A great achievement.

Not carrying that extra 2 stones around will sure make a difference.

Just keep it steady now and remember even when you graduate, you are still a very , very new runner, so no heroics.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[HGVDan Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Still got more too loose tbh

I want to try a park run but family life is getting in the way but I'm enjoying what I'm doing for now

I've upped my cycling to 12k and looking at further again and hopping to get sub 30 5k very soon

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to HGVDan]

Having only just registered your post title and reread your post, I would urge caution. We all come to C25k with varying levels of fitness, so of course it is possible to move through faster if you are finding things easy. Learning to run is about learning how your body responds to demands and as you say controlling the mental aspect too. For the second time today, I will say that it takes many months of regular running to build musculature to the point that we can move forward without injury risk.

You have hit 5k and well done, but please do not overdo it or all that enthusiasm can turn overnight into frustration and disillusionment. I am adding a link to a sorry post from a few years ago, which I hope you will take note of. healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Take it steady.

[HGVDan Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Steady is the key tbh I'm not pushing too hard tbh it's coming quite naturally

I enjoy my cycling and running but I have an active job too so if I've been too active I don't run

If I'm hurting I will rest more and skip a few nights