Rookie

I have only just started couch to 5k. Was my first run of the second week yesterday but I failed miserably. I just couldn’t get to the 90 seconds without stopping. Should I re start from week 1 ? I see so many runners in my village and wonder how the hell they do it.

[Hidden]

Just try the same run again. You’ve made it through W1 which is the worst bit. Were you going too fast? There’s no time limit to this, just keep pootling and you’ll get there. Keep going!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I felt such a failure yesterday. I felt so good last week afterwards but down yesterday when I couldn’t achieve the 90 seconds

[Mrsjhw Graduate]

You don’t have to stick rigidly to the plan. I repeated the last run of each week until I could do it comfortably. It took me two weeks to be happy with week one and the same for week two.

[Hidden in reply to Mrsjhw]

Thank you for your reply. It helps so much. I don’t feel alone now.

[sallenson Graduate]

Simples. hon. Slow it down. If you're puffing and panting then just slow it down a bit. Or a lot. And pretty soon you'll be in the same place as those other runners in the village. Don't try to emulate them. Just embrace your Inner Snail and you'll be fine.

Courage too for telling it like it is. Not everyone sails through the first couple of weeks, but sometimes you'd be forgiven for not not knowing that. And don't be concerned that as you get into the longer runs you need to go even slower. Slow is good. Slow is your friend. Wave those snails past you with a smile and a wave okay?

[Hidden in reply to sallenson]

Thank you so much. That’s made me smile. Tomorrow when I do my second run of week 2 I will embrace my inner snail.

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Fantastic!! Seriously, most of the wobbles that happen on here, whether minor ailments or what people call "failure" are down to working too hard.

No failures here. We're all winners, we're all heading for the podium and cake stall and we know that being slow is the best way to learn how to be fast when we're in better shape.

Let us know how you get on!!

[calcath in reply to sallenson]

I intend to embrace my inner snail too. Made me smile 😀

[theoldfellow]

It's worst at the beginning. My first week was terrible. I think I managed one 60 second jog on the first day, maybe 1 and a half.

I did Week 7 Run 2 today.

We are with you every step. Make 'em slow steps, or you'll leave us behind.

[Hidden in reply to theoldfellow]

I think I didn’t expect it to be as hard. I was a runner at school but that’s 32 years ago. I think I thought it would still be there. This bloody middle age business is not recommended. But I must say, it’s good to hear I’m not alone.

[Alanist Graduate]

As the others have said, just slow down and give it another go.

The only way you fail this, is by giving up altogether and sitting back on the couch. There are no time limits, not expectations & no pressures. We all do this in our own pace and all take as long as we need.

I had a lot of trouble with the slowing down advice and didn't really get it until the end of week 7 and looking back I wish I'd worked it out from the start. I also felt a little embarrassed in the early weeks when I would see fellow runners out there, moving along with ease, whilst I was struggling with my 60 second runs. I soon came to realise that rather than these runners looking at me as if I were an incompetent beginner, they actually offered encouragement and a friendly smile of admiration that we have got off our backsides and were doing such a positive thing.

It is harder at the beginning and there will be other tough moments to follow, but the positives that you get out of this program far outweigh those tougher moments.

You can do this, just take your time and do things at your own pace.

Believe in yourself, as we all believe in you.

[littlerua in reply to Alanist]

No matter how slow you go you are going faster than those still on the couch!!!! .... I am on W5 and didn’t think I would ever even get to W3 but I have repeated a couple of the runs and am now finally finding my proper pace. Well done to you for getting off that couch and just smile at those other runners cos if they have any heart they will admire you. 🏃‍♀️👍👍

[Hidden in reply to Alanist]

Thank you for your support. I have felt su much better with all the encouragement and knowing I’m not alone. I’m sure tomorrow when I go, I will feel a bit more elated because of all the positive energy.

[Teddly22 Graduate]

I had the same problem and I was definitely going at it too fast. Slow it right down as the others have said and you will get there. 🏃🐌🏃🐌Let us know how you get on!

[Hidden in reply to Teddly22]

Thank you, I will definitely slow down. I will let you know if my progress.

[Gran4z Graduate]

As has already been said, you aren't a failure, there aren't any here...just carry on, repeat a run/week, whatever you need to do...you are already a winner for starting, slow and steady is the best way forward. You can do it.

[Hidden in reply to Gran4z]

Thank you. The encouragement on here is amazing and so up lifting.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

The guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which explains the advised approach to C25K, including pace and repeat runs.

You are probably going too fast.

Enjoy your journey.