How's it going

[KyleMiltonKeynes]

Hi all , just started my journey. I am two runs into week three and am really enjoying it. The thought of running 5k seems so far away and I'm worried things will start to get really tough. Can anyone who's completed give me some advice for this stage please?

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

Standing at the bottom of the hill it does probably look a long way up. The thing is we are made to run and the program helps your legs and mind develop to re-enable it. If you went shopping down the high street you'd wander around for 30 mins without even feeling it. Running will eventually become the same. Trust in the program, it's not that harsh.

Also don't focus on the 5k, the program is badly named, it's really about getting you upto running for 30 mins, i'd say less than 10% of people are running fast enough at the end to cover that distance, but that's fine you will build running legs regardless of your speed and it's more important to run the time and not the distance.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

How long have you got... check this out...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This programme is structured and takes you slowly and steadily to running for 30 minutes : Injury free and having had fun

You are going to be just fine

[ClarkeyCat Graduate]

Trust the programme. Honestly I felt exactly the same as you, I've never ever been athletic and found some runs really hard - I never believed I would be able to manage it all but I stuck at it and now I'm comfortably running 5k without stopping.

It's a lot about realising you can push through the feelings of being tired and out of breath and you come out of the other side of it and manage to do much more than you realised you could.

[KyleMiltonKeynes in reply to ClarkeyCat]

Thank you. Is your username a brass eye reference by any chance?

[ClarkeyCat Graduate in reply to KyleMiltonKeynes]

Possibly! It was my nickname at work (surname Clarke) but not sure if that’s where it started from.

[Anthie Graduate]

No worries, if I may use an Aussie phrase! Especially if you've already enjoyed the first three weeks with no trouble: there's no reason why you should find the next runs harder . Your body is getting adjusted to the three runs a week gradually and even if it can be daunting when you get to the longer runs, you'll make it! Trust the programme and your progress.

I did the programme because, even though already practising nordic walking and some fitness, I was fed up with being out of breath and getting awful headaches after long intense efforts. The cardiologist advised me to practise interval training because my heart is like a diesel engine lol: basically I could run and be fine but only after 1h30 of intense walking... So when I came across C25K, I thought it was exactly what I needed! And I puffed during the first runs, red in the face, but no setback. On the contrary, I got stronger, no more headaches, and my heart doesn't race up anymore, unless I try to quicken my pace. I can now run 30 mns and don't have to go to bed after...

Just keep on running, nice, slow and steady and enjoying it!

[KyleMiltonKeynes in reply to Anthie]

Thank you

[Thewroesbowl]

I would say as a previous runner years before and now in week 3 aged 58, the three minute run seemed daunting, but you do it. Don’t worry about the end just enjoy the journey.