Hello! Just signed up to this forum. I have just finished week 2 of Couch to 5k .. hoping to keep going with it and most of all hoping I become a 'runner'. Today's session wasn't as good as the others, I didn't follow it completely to plan though and I also took my son with me. Lesson learnt - back to routine next time. I am doing this mainly to mend my mind and smooth over anxiety issues which bang on my brain most days, but also my fitness levels were/are poor and a bonus would be to lose a stone. Does this really enable you to run 5k? I just can't imagine it yet ..
Well done to everybody giving this a go.
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Sadeskin
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Hi technically no the programme enables you to go from a standing start of never running to being able to run for 30 minutes after 9 weeks. Some will achieve 5k some a little further some never get there but do so after graduating. Just go and enjoy the journey and you should have no problem providing you concentrate on one run at a time.
Well done Sadeskin on making that start, it's not easy BUT the programme is designed to be achievable but challenging.
But with determination it is very doable and will without doubt improve your fitness levels both physical and mental (or so I find)
Weight wise well though it is not designed for weight loss it does do that, don't get worrying about what the scales say etc but look at your body, take measurements ie waist , hips, thighs ets
I say ignore the scales as what will happen is your body shape will change, you WILL burn of fat but gain muscle/tone and as muscle weighs more than fat potentially you could even gain weight (but look soooo much better )
The above is from personal experience
Keep running, follow the programme and keep letting us know how you're getting on
Thank you rolysmate for your advice. I don't weigh myself anymore, weight loss will be a bonus to be honest. My main focus is my mental health and fitness which is a first for me.
I didn't follow the programme exactly today and paid the price, it wasn't so good so I have learnt to follow it exact and I am trusting/intrigued to see if it will work for me.
I also get anxious about which route I will pick and who will see me .. music in ears is good for that! I also think that'll get better the easier it gets.
This kind of thing (talking) really helps. Hope your journey is going well, thank you for taking the time to reply
Keep talking, we're all here to help one another and yes it will help and don't worry about people seeing you as most will be envious about the fact that you're doing something
No need to imagine - there's plenty of proof in the forum, people just like you - and me for that matter who started with little or no running experience, and have built up to 30 minutes continuous running - as manofkent62 says the 5k comes when you're ready. I'm about to tackle my first 25 minute run at the end of this week (week 6) and I was exactly where you are 4 weeks ago. I followed the plan and I'm making good progress to the finish - keep it up, and check out other posts - there's lots of good advice and encouragement out there - Good Luck.
Oh that is so exciting! Thank you RunForestR I am delighted for your progress and wish you luck with the 25 mins. So great to hear of your experience and I am trawling through this forum reading similar things, fantastic. Thanks, it so helps doesn't it?
This plan, in conjunction with this forum, will turn you into a runner, who is fitter both physically and mentally.
You will be challenged. You will overcome those challenges. You will learn a lot about yourself and your own amazing abilities. It is exciting and life changing.
For me, the incredible mental positivity that grew out of doing this simple little training plan, was the biggest surprise. Self esteem and self belief will grow. In a short time you will not give a damn who sees you. You will be a runner.
Try to adopt the most positive attitude that you can from the outset. Running is a hugely mental challenge.......more than most newcomers realise........but we are here to help you along the way.
Enjoy the journey. It is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Thank you IannodaTruffe - your words are PERFECT. I will remember them, thanks for taking the time to reply. This is exactly what I would like to achieve. Positive thinking is what I will work on primarily.
When I first started, I'm now on WKR3, I was quite conscious about what other people would think when they saw me running but everybody that I passed always said 'hello' or 'morning' and that kind of put me at ease. Runners are really very, very nice people 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏼
I really enjoy the running time as it gives me time alone out of a busy schedule, (I'm a teaching assistant to 8 yr olds and a mum of 4) and a chance to think about just me, myself and I. Sorry if that sounds a bit selfish but sometimes we all need just a bit of 'me' time!! Keep up the good work 👍🏼
Hi Kimchoc - I am a TA too (KS1 although will be in Reception in Sept) and have 2 children under 10. I totally relate to the 'me' time, I get very little of it so this does provide a little bit of that; even if just half an hour! Listening to music is the best part 😁
All the very best to you and your journey, well done. Xx
What it does is enable you to run for 30 minutes, comfortably...
But...you need to follow the programme slowly and steadily, take your est days, do not push too hard or miss bits out!
Ditch the scales and judge how great you feel as the programme goes on... fitter mentally and physically..the benefits are incredible!! Mind mending... it certainly is... I love that expression
Follow the plan and you will get there, some days will feel like a real HUGE ask, but keep going.
I literally started running 30 mins in week 6...But that's because I got a running partner every Saturday with longer legs. He is a cheeky so-n-so, he kept going further and ahead of me, so I ended up following him to keep up lol.
I did 30 mins by accident in week 6 then I thought why slow down?
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