W5

[OneDayMaybe]

Hi

First time on here. I’m 50 and overweight but determined the future will see me fitter abs slimmer!! So started couch to 5k. I’ve just done my 1st week 5 session with 3x5 min runs. I thought this was massive til I peaked at the 3rd session this week which will see me attempt 20 mins!!! As if that wasn’t enough, I then read people’s account of the struggles in week 7.

Help!!! Words of wisdom needed for someone who has never been a runner and not really exercised for over 20 years til now. Can I really achieve 5k in next 4 weeks???? X

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Yes you can. I’m 56 4.5 st over weight was very unfit hadn’t exercised for 20 yrs. lm on W7 R3 on thurs and lm loving it and achieving all goal posts. Trust the program follow to the letter and you will succeed. Embrace you journey YOU CAN DO THIS good luck and enjoy. Just go at your own pace you have done fantastic so far to get where you are in the program reflect on Where you started to where you are now massive achievement 👏👏👍🏃‍♀️

[OneDayMaybe in reply to Wantorun2013]

Thank you so much. I am loving the fact that I'm doing it rather than loving doing it,but looking forward to the day I enjoy doing it too. It means a lot to get support. Love to hear how you get on to completing week 9. x

[misswobble Graduate]

Yes you can! Take it slow, take your rest days and you will be fine.

I'd never exercised either, was 56 and overweight, ex smoker, drank too much. I started C25k after joining WeightWatchers when a young lady there told me about it. There are now four of us, all WW members and graduates. I raced with one of the quartet last weekend.

If you've completed week 6 then that's it. What comes now will be easier in comparison. Not easy, but easier. Just take it steady and you'll nail it

If you eat healthily, drink sensibly and keep moving then the weight will come off. You don't lose anything much on C25k as you're not out there long enough. Once you run beyond the programme that's when the weight should really start to shift. Walk more too! Walk everywhere you possibly can

Good luck! You can do it!

[OneDayMaybe in reply to misswobble]

Thank you. Weight loss is the next thing on the list - one thing at a time (though I know they should be joined).

It’s so great to hear from ‘normal ‘ people who are actually extraordinary, like you. So well done. And thanks again. I’ll keep going.

[icklegui Graduate]

Hello! You're doing great. You just ran a total of 15, plus some walking (which is by no means free of effort), so 20 min running by the end of this week... does that seem less out of reach?

Pedant though, the NHS plan that most of us follow puts the emphasis on time, not distance. Graduating here means you've run 30 minutes, 3 times, but covering the 5k is not necessary - that can be the next goal if you desire.

[OneDayMaybe in reply to icklegui]

Thank you. I’ll keep going - one challenge at a time! Hopefully I’ll soon start enjoying it. Ha

[stormwarden Graduate]

Forget the 5k element for the moment. Just embrace the fact that you are running for longer and further than you were 5 weeks ago. I have just completed W7 and had one glitch so repeated the 3rd run. I always end up looking like a beetroot and my other half (he's a runner) bangs on about how I need to up my speed if I want to increase my distance to 5k in 30 mins. I totally ignore him and read the wise words of the mentors on this forum. The 5k will come later, I just want to be able to run non-stop for 30 mins.

[OneDayMaybe in reply to stormwarden]

I love the c25k clan. I’ve already learned that keeping going is the priority and speed (if you can ever call it that) comes next. I just hope I can enjoy running eventually rather than just being proud of myself for getting my (too big) bum off the sofa. 😀

[Hidden]

OneDayMaybe your name will have to change, because you will get to 5k one day, it may not be in 30 Minutes - I still can’t do that, but it’s very dry doable. Then we look forward to your user name change!

[OneDayMaybe in reply to Hidden]

I’ll complete my 8 week session then start thinking of a new name then!! Ha.

What a fab community of runners we have. I’m amazed and so happy to have had so much support today. I will do it!! X

[rolysmate Graduate]

Stopped smoking in march ( 20 a day for ever) piled weight on after this (59 at that point)

Didn't like what was happening so started cto5k in june, did it in 9 weeks, wasn't easy but kept going and graduated in august.

September the 9th 2 days before my 60th I ran a 5k charity run and raised £500 for veterans charity.

When I started with the weight I bunged on from stopping smoking I was just shy of 14 stone, weighed myself yesterday and 11st 9lb.

Moving on now to get to 10k, so in answer to your question yes you can do it, just take it slow and steady and you'll get there

[OneDayMaybe in reply to rolysmate]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I’ll get there!!

And we’ll done - quit smoking, fund raising, running. Wow!!

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to OneDayMaybe]

the fund raising was a big incentive, September I had high blood pressure, checked it again the other day and it's come down