Worried!

[Gemini2017]

I've seen a post similar to mine in that I've a good 5 stone I want to lose. I started Couch to 5k last week - managed to do all my runs, even though it seemed that people were walking faster than I was shuffling! My concern is this... I've looked ahead to weeks 6, 7, 8 & 9 and I feel I've intimidated myself! I can't see how I will ever be able to run for 8 minutes and then 28 minutes towards the latter part of the programme. Will this really be possible?? Or should I just keep repeating weeks 1& 2 until I can run properly...?? Thanks in advance 😁

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Hello and welcome, a great decision to start this programme.

The thing is Gemini2017 , you don’t need to do those runs yet. The programme will build you each week, and at the end of each week you will be ready for the next week.

If you don’t quite finish one run, that’s ok, you just recognise it as a practice, take a day rest and go out and do it again. But you will do it. Just stick with the programme, take it slow and steady, and always take your rest days.

Take a look at some of the previous posts on this forum and be encouraged that so many people graduate.

You can do it!

[Gemini2017 in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks Millsie-J. I knew I'd put the wind up myself by looking! I guess I can't see it yet because I'm so unfit and running never was my thing.... but onwards and upwards! I'm keen to see how I progress!

[VictoriaRuns Graduate in reply to Gemini2017]

Look at earlier posts from graduates who had the exact same fears as you. For a lot of people, it takes longer than the nine weeks too, but you'll get there! Don't stress

[47Jane in reply to Gemini2017]

Hi Gemini - I am in the same boat as you - I took a sneak peak at he end of the training and thought - No way!! I have 4 stone to lose and have never run in my life - but I am amazed at how this programme has jus eased me into it and my stamina has increased. I am officially up to week 4 and love it - however I have been ill and missed a week and maybe a little more so I will just go back to week 2 when ready and go over it again! That’s the beauty of it! You DON’T have to do it all in 9 weeks - you’re doing something and that’s all that matters - and enjoy it!!

We can do it together!! Good luck x

[Gemini2017 in reply to 47Jane]

Thanks 47Jane, it's really encouraging to hear how you've been getting on. Yesterday's run was a pleasant surprise as it was definitely easier than the 1st week... until the end at least! Hope you feel better soon and get back on it! X

[47Jane in reply to Gemini2017]

I finished week 3 and so far it was the easiest week!! We CAN DO IT!! Xx

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

When I started couch to 5k I was 4 1/2 stone overweight. I am now on week 7 and I have managed to complete every run so far. I have lost about a stone (I am watching what I eat as well). You can do this, just go slow and enjoy the feeling of achievement. If you find you can't manage a run have a rest day and try again. You will get there. Good luck and happy running. 😁

[rolysmate Graduate]

Hi and well done for making that start and like many of us before you've looked to the end and found out that the butler did it and frightened yourself.

BUT it really is an incredible adventure and yes you can do it, at times it's hard but that's part of the challenge but it is achievable .

Every run you do strengthens you just that little bit more and prepares you for the next run just remember to take it slow and steady and you'll be fine

Keep letting us know how you're going and we are here to offer support (we've all been through it)

[J9_54 Graduate]

Well Gemini2017 you are very naughty, I bet you squeeze your Christmas presents under the tree too lol.

Don't panic. It is absolutely doable. I'm approaching 50 and when I started this I had not done any regular exercise since school, was a reformed smoker and very overweight. I graduated on Saturday after over 3 months on the program. I've lost nearly 2.5 stones as well, so if I can do it so can you.

Just trust the program, it's not easy but it builds you up gently and each week you surprise yourself with how far you've come.

Keep going and good luck x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Listen to Millsie-J ,, she has given you some great advice... And, very well done for starting this

Your journey your way.. and if it takes a while longer.. so what..more to see on the way

[Pink-Floyd Graduate]

I've got about 4 stone I should lose. I did exactly the same as you and looked ahead when I shouldn't have. Final run was yesterday - very slow but continuous slow jog for the full time. No lost anything yet (but eating a biscuit whilst writing this!).

You can do it. I only re-did one run in the whole nine weeks when I thought I would do a different run and ended up on an unexpected hill which I had trouble walking up let alone run. Redid the run 2 days later on flatter land. Way all tackling even the slightest incline at the moment. I had less of the pounding heart and beetroot face on my final run than I did on my first couple of weeks. I try and imagine how fast I could run if I didn't have all that extra weight to carry - but still eating that biscuit.

[Sortedsusan70]

I started the programme today. I have already lost 7 stone but have about 3 more to go. I am told by my supporters that if a week is to hard initially then repeat the week before. I am really trying hard not to psych myself out! We can do it!

[Gemini2017 in reply to Sortedsusan70]

Wow you've done amazingly!! Well done! We can do it, you're right. Just take 1 day at a time right?!

[Jenny1970 Graduate in reply to Sortedsusan70]

Well done you that's fantastic 😁

[Gemini2017]

Thanks so much for all your positive comments! It makes it a little less scary! I completed run 1 of week 2 today - managed the 90 sec runs easier than I thought I would but boy do my thighs and hip flexors ache now!! I'm curious to see what will happen and whether it work - now I've started I'm not going to stop but feel a little less intimidated after everyone's comments and after today's shuffle! Xx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Gemini2017]

Try these stretches after every run nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Surely you noticed that the intention of the plan was to get you running for thirty minutes in nine weeks. It has to be progressive or, well, you just don't get anywhere.

This plan is designed for people just like you. Countless thousands of people, just like you, have graduated from this course after feeling just like you at the start.

It works. Just follow the instructions, post on here and in a couple of months or so you will be running for thirty minutes............but for the moment all you have to do is a very gentle jog, as slow as you need to be able to breathe, for one minute at a time.

You can only fail this programme by staying on the couch. If you don't complete a run, you simply repeat it until completion, then you move on, trusting the plan to prepare you for the next run.

In a few weeks time you will look back at this post and laugh.

[dennymac82]

I agree with the others! I’m overweight by around 4 stones and I am nearly half way through the program! It’s early days for you but trust the program and even though u feel like it’s impossible take it one run at a time and you’ll do it! Believe in yourself! You can deffo do it if I can! Also add I’m adding to this that I may be 4 stone overweight but I ALSO am having cancer treatment and I am crushing it! If I can do it - you can! Xx

[Gemini2017 in reply to dennymac82]

Ah dennymac82 it always staggers me when I hear of people doing stuff like this when in the middle of having cancer treatment. I know when I was going through it 5 years ago there was no way of have felt able to! So you're quite simply amazing!

I'm certainly of the opinion that if you can do it whilst going through that, I have no excuses! So thank you and good luck with your treatment, I hope side effects are kind to you xx

[dennymac82 in reply to Gemini2017]

Everyone is different but it’s amazing for stress relief!!! Something else to concentrate on xx

[Gemini2017 in reply to dennymac82]

This is true... one of the reasons I want to do this is for stress relief ... and so I can start taking one of my dogs out with me as she's a hyper nut case!!

You're amazing...well done 😁 xx

[dennymac82 in reply to Gemini2017]

Everyone that does this plan is amazing 😊 xx

[womblejogger Graduate]

run because you want to get fitter, run because you want to reduce stress, run because you will ultimately enjoy it... we have all had your worries, i didn't think i could do it when i started and i still have 4 stone i want to shift, i womble along and i am not as fast as i would like to be but for me now it is all about health and distance... so what if you are slow ... you are going a damn sight faster than those sat in front of the telly watching strictly stuffing their faces ... i started the c25k in april my goal is to run the chester half for charity next year, ob the 22/10/17 i ran in the flintshire 5k road race and finished better than i thought ... have a goal other than losing weight and in achiving that you will surprise yourself ... keep on going all of us believe you can do it

[Richard7 Graduate]

I am 50+ and when I started this I was over 6 stone overweight. I have a sedentary job sitting at my desk all day and had barely done any exercise for years. I started this C25K on August 27 and could not do all first 60 seconds runs. I am taking each run slowly and it builds up my strength and fitness and I have lost a stone so far - I am now on Week 8. I too looked ahead and felt daunted but the step ups do work so don’t worry about them.

After week 1 I considered repeating the week but the forum folk convinced me to push on. Each new week felt difficult for me but as the week continued it got better until the next week. But it is those little jumps between weeks that also help us to push ourselves. For me it was and is a battle between mind and body.

My advice don’t worry about the coming weeks concentrate on the current week improving with each run and keeping them at a pace you can maintain.

[Nobbywatts Graduate]

Everyone sneaks a look ahead when they start, I know I did. Don't let it daunt you though, let it be exciting! Follow the plan, take it slowly and repeat as many runs - or weeks - as you need to. You'll get there ... And with every passing week you will be SOOOO proud of yourself and your amazing achievements.

[gillebro Graduate]

Hi! As others have said, it's all about easing into it. And if you ever find yourself unable to finish a run, no probs. Just try again with it until you get there.

Good luck!

[kitt66 Graduate]

Yep, you sound just like me. I'd never run before, I'd say I couldn't run, I thought it was just something I wasn't designed for. However I'm just stating week 8 and while I'll never win races I can run for 28 minutes without stopping.

So as others say, just take it slowly, repeat runs if you can't complete them first time but try not to worry about later weeks. I had a total block when it came to the first 5 minute run, but amazingly when it came to do it I was able to do it because I'd followed the earlier weeks and built up to it.

I'm yet to find I love running but I do now accept that it isn't some special skill only fit skinny young people can do.