I’ve been ‘lurking’ on the forum for the past few weeks and thought it’s about time to say hello and introduce myself … I started the C25K programme several weeks ago but it’s taken me a whole lot longer to get to W4 because I repeated weeks 1 and 2 a few times over as my ankles swelled up painfully in protest at first. I'd have given up if it wasn’t for reading all your inspirational posts on this forum. I gave myself 2/3 days recovery between each run, had my gait measured (discovered I over-pronate!), invested in a lovely new pair of proper running shoes, and then stuck at it, endlessly repeating the mantra “slow and steady”. Actually, I don’t think I could have been any slower and still technically been running, but I’m not a quitter and felt I’d be letting down the lovely Jo Whiley, as well as myself, if I gave up! I’m lucky to work at a fruit research station, so at lunchtimes I’ve stuck to tracks around the orchards where no-one else would see me shuffling along. I read online that it can take 4 weeks or so to build strength in joints after starting new exercise and – hey presto – something happened in Wk3 as I found I was able to complete each run without puffy, painful ankles afterwards. I wasn’t totally a couch potato when I started the programme as I pushbike to/from work each day, can walk miles with the dog and practise yoga regularly. But I hit the big 6-0 earlier this year and as I haven’t run for the best part of 40+ years, I suppose it’s unsurprising that my body protested! Anyway, I’ve just completed Wk4R2 and am starting to believe that even at my age I can do this … I’m actually looking forward to run days. I’m not checking ahead to find out what’s in store in the next week, as I don’t want the ‘gremlins’ to set in; I just want to take each run as it comes and trust the programme. I feel as though I know all you lovely people on the forum and am not doing this alone; I’ll keep reading your inspirational posts.
I'm new here ...: I’ve been ‘lurking’ on the... - Couch to 5K
I'm new here ...
Wonderful job for keeping at it!!!! 
I found weeks 1 and 2 to be the hardest for me (currently at week 7)
I’m glad it’s not just me then ... at first I thought I’d never get past wk2! Well done on progressing to Wk7; keep us posted how you’re getting on
Haha oh i'm one of those... "post every run" type people! I find that it helps a lot to do so!!
Welcome to the forum; it's very nice to meet you
Well done for the running so far, I'm sure that with your sensible and methodical approach (?scientist?) you'll be fine and dandy. Please keep dropping by; you now have lots of experience and advice for those jogging up behind you!
Thanks Helen; it’s lovely to meet you too and thanks for your kind words of encouragement. No, sadly I’m not a scientist, but a rather boring projects manager!
Still logical and a planner- it shows!
This is wonderful to read, and huge well done on your journey so far
Gosh, thanks Ju-Ju. I’m so glad I found this forum; I’m sure I would have given up without reading all the inspiring posts and supportive comments here. I feel as though I know lots of you already 😀
Well done. Sounds like you are on top of it - and enjoying it too. Interesting that you don't want to look forward because of the 'gremlins'.
There's two schools of thought here and I was most definitely in the 'need-to-know' camp. I would much rather be prepared than go out facing the unknown. That would have made me much more apprehensive.
Just goes to show how different we all are really. You are doing brilliantly.
Thanks, WhatsApp. I’m afraid that if I know in advance what’s next each week I might convince myself I couldn’t possibly run for that long! I do have a rough idea from the forum what to expect each week and when things start to step up though. I’ll settle for taking it one run at a time for now 😉
What a brilliant tale of determination, patience and grit! Nice to "meet" you, and well done on your progress. Slow is GOOD! Keep at it - it just gets more and more rewarding. 👏🏃♀️👏
Gosh, thanks Sadie. It’s lovely to ‘meet’ you too and thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Congratulations 🎉 on your recent graduation - you’re one of my inspirations! 🏃♀️
Really?! <blushes copiously> Happy running my dear!
Well done and welcome. It really helps being part of this forum. I have found it so inspirational and encouraging. Good luck with C25k 😀
Thanks, TJMazz. I’m so glad I found this forum. Without it, I’m sure I’d have given up before I got this far. Everyone is so inspirational and supportive. Good luck too and let us know how you’re progressing 🏃🏻♀️👍🏻
So glad you are posting now and not just lurking
You are doing wonderfully...Just take each day as you are doing. knowing each run makes you stronger and trusting the programme
This is your journey and you take it in your own time... and mainly enjoy it Slow and steady is the mantra....because it works.. I am 67....started at 65..Graduated the Week before Christmas 2105... still here and still running, three times a week
Gosh, thanks Oldfloss. Sorry and I promise not to ‘lurk’ anymore; I feel like I know many of you already. Without your mantra of “slow and steady” I definitely would not have got this far in the programme. I’m starting to enjoy it and I’m certainly not going to give up, no matter how long it takes me! I do love reading your lovely, long descriptive running posts; thank you for being my inspiration 😀
Welcome ! Its good to have you here
I had the same problem with my left ankle ( always my left one ) it used to swell up after a run . I used to have to ice it regularly . Then it suddenly stopped and I haven't had any problems with it since . I think it was just new runners niggles .
Good Luck to you . Keep going, youre doing great ! xxx
Thank you, PoppyPug; it’s great to be here and thanks for your kind words of encouragement 😀. I’m so relieved to hear it’s not just me with ankle problems. Thankfully that seems to have passed now and I’m hoping like you it was just new runner’s niggles. I’m looking forward to Wk4R3 now ...
Welcome Pashley! Please do not think that anyone completing the weeks ahead of you are running any faster than a ‘shuffle’ pace. I’m on week 6 and I’m as slow as a snail 😂 pace will eventually come to us all. Good luck with your next runs, let us all know how you get on, we love hearing about people’s achievements 😊
Thanks, Minnow. That makes me feel a whole lot better about ‘shuffling’ along! Good luck to you too; look forward to reading about your progress 😀
Great post. I love the sound of your lunchtime run around the orchards.
Hi Landon. Yes, I’m really lucky to work where I do. We have around 450 acres, mainly of fruit trees, cross-crossed with footpaths and tracks, so lovely paths to escape the office and run.
Welcome and well done for posting. Must say people are really friendly and helpful here. I suppose the thing is that we have all decided that we want to get a bit fitter. I am finding this a lot more fun than the gym. My big 60 is in a couple of months and I am simply amazed by how much better I feel following this programme. TBH legs ache a bit tonight! So once again welcome!
Hi John. Thanks for your message; you're a lovely lot on this forum. Yes, 60 is a bit of a wake-up call, isn't it? (Though it's decidedly preferable to the alternative!) I decided this old girl isn't ready for a rocking chair yet and definitely want to be fitter. The gym's not for me, so instead of spending every lunchtime sitting at my desk I've been following the programme three times a week and, despite a few early set-backs, am definitely making progress now, enjoying the fresh air and my favourite songs at the same time. Happy 'big' birthday when it comes - I'm sure you'll have 'smashed it' and graduated to a fully-fledged runner by then.
Yes people are very friendly and positive here. Quite cheers me up all by itself. Enjoy your running and well done for not lurking. Now for the big question... "Who si your favourite coach?"
Well, I know loads of the ladies here prefer Michael Johnson's lovely deep and dulcet tones, but for me it's Jo Whiley, as I'm a regular listener to her Radio 2 programmes. I did try Laura and the original podcasts during one of my early, abortive wk1 attempts, but the music was truly dreadful. I like Jo's familiar voice with my favourite iTunes on shuffle while I'm running; I never know what track is up next so it's kind of a nice surprise when a song I haven't heard for ages pops up. It doesn't have to have a banging beat for running. Yesterday it was the full 8 mins of The Waterboys 'Bang on the Ear', which was just perfect. Who's yours?
Welcome - glad you've decided to 'lurk' no longer!
Sounds like you're successfully on the way with your C25K journey. Determination and trusting the programme will get you there.
It's funny but I had loads of aches, pains and niggles in my joints when I started and used to feel like I seized up after each run - then at the end of Wk3 it all just seemed to fall into place.
Weeks 4, 5 amd 6 are wonder weeks - enjoy and let us know how you're doing.
Hi Fitter40s and thank you for your kind words of encouragement ... I promise I won't 'lurk' anymore! It's reassuring to learn that others experienced howls of protest from their bodies when they first started the programme; I had begun to think I'd never be able to get past wk2. Anyway, that's all in the past - I've just completed wk4r3 and am feeling pretty good - bring on wk5! (Never thought I'd say that!) I see that you are well on the way to graduating to a fully-fledged runner - good luck with the rest of the programme and I look forward to reading about your progress.
You're amazing! Don't give up! Just keep going slow and steady! You're doing it injury-free now and that's the best way to make sure you KEEP GOING!
Gosh, thanks, Nurseljh. It's reading comments like yours from the lovely people on this forum that have got me this far and, yes, I fully intend to KEEP GOING! I've just completed wk4r3 - so bring on wk5 (never thought I'd say that!). Good luck with your programme and I look forward to reading about your progress
Well done. Keep at it.
Thanks, Grog. It's reading all the comments like yours from the lovely people on this forum that have got me this far. I'm fairly fit from cycling but found running horrible! Now I'm actually starting to look forward to run days (just completed wk4r3) and starting to believe that I'll actually be able to realise my goal of taking part in my local park run by the end of the year. Good luck with your running and I look forward to reading about your progress
Thank you for sharing your feelings! It's wonderful you've managed to keep it up despite the ankles problem. So, well done and nothing can stop you from reaching week 9 because now you're enjoying it! And don't be afraid of running slow: I've just finished week 7 running very slow. When I get tired, I focus on moving my arms (as in Nordic walking more or less lol) in rhythm: it helps getting steady.
Hi Anthie and thank you for your kind words of encouragement. It's reading all the comments like yours from the lovely people on this forum that have got me this far - I've just completed wk4r3. Thanks too for your tip about the 'Nordic walking' arm movements; I tried this today instead of randomly flailing my arms around and it definitely helped my rtythmn. Good luck with wk8 and I look forward to reading about your progress
Did W8 first run this morning sticking to the forum's mantra: slowly but surely and it worked! I even felt better than on the last run of week 7... So, you needn't worry about running too slow: just enjoy and let me know if the thing with the arms works for you. It surely makes a difference for me but then I've had some issues with my back. So Nordic walking saved me and until I found out about the Couch25K, my lower back used to get blocked after a run despite all the stretching (I mean really blocked so that I couldn't walk and very painful. The programme is really great in building up stamina and muscles. Be confident!
Sorry, missed part of your message! WELL DONE and welcome to week 5! Glad to hear the tip about arms worked as well.
Welcome Pashley Pedlar! You are doing brilliantly - it took me over 3 and a half months to complete the programme but it's one of the best things I've ever done. 'Slow and steady' is the best mantra I've ever heard, and it's true - we do get there in the end. Happy running! 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️👍
Gosh, thanks Kimterry. Reading comments like yours from all the lovely people on this forum has got me this far - I've just completed wk4r3. If I can get to the end and graduate C25K (no matter how long it takes me) it will feel like a real achievement - thanks for being such an inspiration!
Hi pashley xx I'm also new doing my final week 2 run today - we also share the same age (fifty ten) I think it's damn hard running but hey what a feel good factor when it's done and dusted - lovely to meet you xx
Hi Boltonbelle - it's lovely to meet you too. Yes, 'fifty-ten' is a bit of a wake-up call, isn't it? (Although much preferable to the alternative!) I decided that this old girl wasn't ready for a rocking chair yet and wanted to get fitter. I had a slow start and found weeks 1 and 2 (which I had to repeat several times) hard going, but something happened in wk3 of the programme (I guess I started to get stronger) and I found I was able to make much better progress - and, as you say the 'feel good factor' afterwards makes it all worthwhile. I've just completed wk4 r3 and am now starting to look forward to the next run day (never thought I'd say that!) Good luck with your C25K challenge and I look forward to reading all about your progress
The big 6-0? 'Aa lad - tha's nobbut a nipper' - as my Dad would have said! Oh well done you for sticking to it. And running round orchards - how lovely.
Don't doubt that in a few weeks, you will be on this forum encouraging newbies to go 'slow and steady', and 'you can do it'. Mark my words!!
Good luck. xx
Gosh, thanks Babs24 - that's lovely! I lost my dear old Dad recently (he was 93) so, yes, I guess we're all just still 'nippers' in comparison. Everyone here has been so friendly and supportive. Thanks again for your words of encouragement and congratulations on your recent graduation to fully-fledged runner; I hope that in due course I can be as inspiring to others.
HI I turned 60 too this year! Started the plan in January but took me months to graduate as I walked up all the hills! I'm still slow and steady but am noticing my stamina is improving - so keep it up you will get there☺ I too started off running round fields so I couldn't be seen - now I don't care 😅 So you are in good company.
Hi Alpacagirl and thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Yes, 60 is a bit of a wake-up call, isn't it (although preferable to the alternative!). I found weeks 1 and 2 really tough going but have just completed wk4r3 and my stamina is definitely improving slowly, which I guess is what this programme is all about. For the first time today, I ventured out of the fields and for once didn't care what I looked like! Thanks again for your inspiration!
Welcome to the forum and well done you for sticking at it. The only advice I can offer is from my own experience and tips from other folk on the forum.
I’ve just completed W5R2 and what a far cry from W1, my fitness levels are way up and I feel so much better for it.
Keep it slow, find a confortable pace and even breathing pattern, you’ll get there.
Good luck and happy running 😊
Hi Ted, it's lovely to meet you and thanks for your kind words of encouragement. After a very slow start (thought I would never get past week 2) I've just completed wk4r3 and find that I'm actually looking forward to starting wk5 now. (Didn't think t I'd ever say that!) Good luck with your running and I look forward to reading all about your progress
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