First timer 😳

[kmc66]

Hi all, did my first run today, face like a tomato 🍅 but feeling positive. Hoping my breathing will get easier as I go along, any advice would be welcomed. 😀

[pilquin]

I’m on week 2 and taking it day by day but the best advice I’ve been given on here is take it slow! It works ! And I try not to think about running just look into the distance and think about something else it works for me. Good luck 👍

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to pilquin]

Thanks pilquin, did you have rest days in between?

[pilquin in reply to kmc66]

Yes I did. Listening to others on here it seems if you follow the program to the letter and keep it slow seems to be the key to success. Having said that I’m only on week 2 😜

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to pilquin]

Well good luck 🍀 look forward to Hearing your progress 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to pilquin]

The only way

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

It will get easier I thought I would die after my first run but I'm on week 6 now. Pilquin is right take it nice and slow, don't worry about how far you are running. Good luck

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Jenny1970]

Hi Jenny, thanks for the reply, it's good to have people to talk to, I appreciate all the replies. I really want to give this a go, I know there'll be times when I'll feel like giving up. Hopefully I can get motivated on here to keep me going if that happens. 😉

[Jenny1970 Graduate in reply to kmc66]

It really helps having people to talk to and most people on here felt the same as you at some point.

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Jenny1970]

Definitely, very encouraging 🙂

[Virginia60 Graduate]

Well done starting on this running journey. That is the hardest step over just getting started believe me! I am doing my last run tomorrow and can remember when I started in May that I could hardly run 1 minute without thinking my lungs would collapse and never thinking I could make it to the end! But I have! The best advice I have had from the lovely people on this group is go slow and that was my first mistake to take off far too quickly. Slow and sure is the best way and that is still my mantra when I start even now! Good luck with the rest of your runs and keep on letting us know how you get on xx

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Virginia60]

Thank you Virginia, it's amazing how far you've come. It's good to hear how you've progressed you've certainly given me hope. I am hoping each run will get easier, especially my breathing . Do you do park runs etc?

[Virginia60 Graduate in reply to kmc66]

I have done about 4 Parkruns but havent done one for a few weeks as have had other things to do on Saturday mornings but am determined to go Saturday week and try and run the whole 5k! When I went about 5-6 weeks ago I walked and ran and each week tried to run more than walk. I really enjoyed it and didnt mind being slower than everyone else. It is a great atmosphere and people are so encouraging. Definitely when you have been on the plan a bit longer have a go. Good luck with your next run xx

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Virginia60]

Thanks, need to get through this week first 😀🍀

[sjs1969 Graduate]

Well done you for getting started AND feeling positive - that's so important as the runs can be challenging. As others have said, go slow and then even slower is you're finding the breathing hard, be kind to yourself. You will be amazed at how quickly the breathing and stamina improve if you keep the pace slow and steady. And you'll find plenty of fellow happy tomatoes here! 😀 🍅

Good luck and keep posting.

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to sjs1969]

Hi sjs, I tend to breathe very quickly, this leaves me quite breathless. I am trying to take deeper and longer breaths, hopefully this will come with practice. Look forward to reading on others progression, this will inspire me 😊 Glad to know there are other happy tomatoes 🍅 on here 😂Thanks for the reply

[sjs1969 Graduate in reply to kmc66]

One of the many great tips about breathing on here - and apologies for forgetting who suggested it - is to concentrate on breathing out deeply and slowly, which I find very helpful - just like when singing, you need to clear out all the stale air to make lots of room for the lovely oxygen-rich batch of inhaled air! 😀

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to sjs1969]

I will remember that, thank you 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to kmc66]

Just breathe Main things is don't stop breathing

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

😂😂will definitely keep that in mind

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Kmc, well done on starting the c25k program. As everyone has said just take the run sections nice and steady. Try to look straight ahead and relax your shoulders down.

Always take at least one rest day between run days. Your muscles need it.

Try doing a few gentle leg stretches after your warm down walk while your muscles are still warm as this will stop yoy feeling too stiff next day.

Good luck with W1 R2...😊

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan I really appreciate all the feedback, goodness knows I need all the help I can get. I am looking forward to my next run now 😊🏃‍♀️

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

You’ve done the most difficult bit, just stick with the plan, and don’t be worried if you can’t do a particular run the first time you try it. Just call it a practice run and repeat it if you need to.

And don’t forget to enjoy yourself 👍

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Hi Maddee, With all the positive stories on here, I'm starting to look forward to my next run now. It's great to know that others felt the same as myself and that you have someone to turn to for motivation. Thank you 😊

[mrrun Graduate]

Go slow. Slooow. Man on the move slow. Sam Peckinpah, rider off the horse in slow mo slow. Then slow down a bit more.

That way you build your stamina, minimise injury threat, improve on your cardio, and get your breathing under control. Your complexion will go to normal colours too.

Win-win!

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Thank you. I look 👀 forward to the day when I no longer look like an angry tomato 🍅 😂😂 and can plan my first 5k run 🏃

[LeeU Graduate]

Well done, you've made the hardest step, just follow the program, trust it and believe in yourself, you'll be fine.

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to LeeU]

Thank you 😊

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Breathing will ease and Ull be surprised how quickly too . In just 5 weeks Ull be able to run for 20 mins honestly it works . X

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Shelby1973]

Thank you, hopefully I will follow in all your footsteps 🏃‍♀️🏅

[Glossy Graduate]

Everyone has given you the best advice, go slooooooow!!

I am another tomato 🍅 when I run. I am not as bad as I was but still go very red and sweaty. I just don't care about it like I used to.

The breathing clicks into place after a few weeks too. Just keep at it, follow and trust the plan and, most importantly, enjoy it!

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Glossy]

😂😂 thank you I have go sloooow !! embedded in my head and I will put this into practice. 😊

[mrrun Graduate in reply to kmc66]

No. Not sloooow. It's sloooower

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

Slow it down. Right down.

Think ‘stumbling dying man in desert’ rather than ‘nimble gazelle-like Olympic athlete’

Replace the thought ‘run’ with ‘slow steady paced shuffling jog’

Stuck with it.

Stay slow and steady.

Enjoy the journey

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to GingerBohemian]

👍🏻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow... and then slower.

Welcome

Take your rest days, follow the programme, listen to your body, ( which will complain).... learn to love the UK weather... and embrace the shades of red... keep posting too ,for great support and encouragement

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

PS

Rest days between runs are essential.. never, ever miss a rest day... a run or a week out

[Wannabefit19 Graduate]

Welcome welcome and whey hey you as you’ve started a fantastic journey .... as everyone says stick with program , take rest days , don’t stress over speed , embrace all shades of red ... I posted being like a red hot chilli in my early days and believe me I felt like one ... could run the minute without feeling like lung explosion was about to occur ....

This running family and the support will get you through the days you feel you can’t do it as the inspiration , advice , support and awesome friendliness is overwhelming... always take rest days or even 2 if needed at times as you do longer runs ... look forward to sharing your journey 🤗

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Wannabefit19]

Thank you 😊

[Helepops Graduate]

Well done for starting! The breathing will get easier as you go along. My problem was trying to be a speed queen when really that isn't important. Go at your own pace and enjoy it. Xx

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Helepops]

Thank you 😊 x

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

I always have the runners red face, wear it as a badge of honour! Slow and steady and stick to rest days as your legs need it. Enjoy the programme it’s brilliant and works (says the couch potato on week 8)!

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thank you & Well done 👍🏻 x

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

Well done! Getting started is the hardest bit. Your breathing WILL get easier. When I first started I couldn't even run for 45 seconds - my lungs were on fire and I felt dreadful. I obsessed about it for a few weeks - reading loads of articles about nose breathing v mouth breathing and breathing patterns but all that actually did was make me place too much focus on my breathing. After about three or four weeks I suddenly realised that my breathing was settling and that happened naturally - not as a result of my reading these articles. So, relax, make sure your body is upright and tall, keep your shoulders back and arms not too tight to your body and your breathing will settle. I look back nostalgically on those first few weeks - the shock and pride I felt as I realised I could do this. Enjoy!

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Thank you, I feel much better knowing that it's normal to feel this way and it will get easier 😊x

[CarolynRuthie]

I’m on week 7 and still red as a 🍅! Believe in yourself and don’t stop. I plod along slower than a snail but at least I’m moving!! Good luck with next run 🏃🏽‍♀️

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to CarolynRuthie]

Yup 🐌 good!!

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to Polly2810]

Love ❤️ it 😂x

[kmc66 Graduate in reply to CarolynRuthie]

Thank you Carolyn Ruthie & well done you, week 7 wow 😳 x