Struggling

[Ducky100]

Hi! I’m trying to do the c25k on a treadmill I’ve never ran before in my life but I’ve managed to get to w4 r2 but I’m so struggling to carry on! I’m carrying a few extra stone and I’m in my 50’s but I’m giving it my best shot. I’ve repeated r2 twice now cos I didn’t completely do it walked a bit when I should have been running (is that cheating??) I just can’t see how I’ll get past this week never mind moving onto future weeks! Anyone else been here?

[KazH01 Graduate]

I’ve been there. I too am in my 50s and carrying an extra 3 stones but now on week 7 having never ran in my life before. I hated the treadmill and kept worrying about falling but getting outdoors was a game changer for me. Honestly people don’t notice you and if they do usually encouraging smiles rather than expected laughter. Try getting outside and you hopefully will see a difference

[Mumsygill Graduate]

Ducky you can do this. I recently graduated and can honestly say I didn’t find any of my runs easy. I’m always envious of those saying how they did and found their pace etc.

I did repeat a couple of runs which many of us do. Mainly due to those bloody hills that I had to walk!! Still don’t do hills!

If you walk a bit when you are meant to run, just repeat that run . You will do it. No one is watching/ timing you on this programme so if takes you 10/ 11 weeks is doesn’t matter. Good luck with it x

[MrskittyC Graduate]

You can definitely do this! I also really struggled at around week 4/5. I think I repeated maybe two or three runs because I hadn’t quite run the whole distance I should have. But I stuck with it and graduated so it really doesn’t matter if you need to repeat runs... the important thing is you’re doing it!

Good luck 🤞🙌✊️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

Have you read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... it is full of tips.

If you cannot complete a run then you may well be going too fast. You should be able to hold a clear ungasping conversation as you run.

There is no point walking a run interval and telling yourself you have completed the workout. The only person you are cheating is yourself. It is a training plan, not a checklist exercise.

If you take each session nice and slowly it will develop your body in preparation for the next one. It is a brilliant plan and will work for you.

You can do this.

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

Hello Ducky! I did weeks 1-5 on a treadmill and now run outdoors except when it's raining when I use my treadmill. I am 50 next year, was 5 stone overweight at the start of this, unfit, asthmatic, and found the first 3 weeks a killer! Fast forward 9 weeks and I am up and getting ready for my graduation run at the local parkrun. So.... Firstly, make sure you are well hydrated when you run, it really does make a difference. Secondly, slow it right down. I mean, really slow it down. On my treadmill I was walking at 2.7 miles per hour and jogging at 3.5 miles per hour in weeks 1 and 2. When I ventured outside my husband came with me and walked with me as I jogged! Now at week 9 I've increased my speed and will continue to do so after graduation until I reach 5k in 30 minutes which is my goal, however the mantra of this programme is 'slow and steady'. As long as you have both feet off the ground at some point in each jog, you're doing it and there is no such thing as jogging too slowly. Treadmills rock!! Buying mine 2nd hand off eBay was the best thing I have done for my health as it got me going on this amazing programme. Keep it up.... You can do this xx

[Ducky100 in reply to oldwheezer69]

Thank you your encouraging words it really does help me. When I’m on the treadmill I’m running at speed 5 and jogging at 6.5 and once I even put an incline on so maybe I am going too fast? I can do the 3 minute runs then the 5 minute runs but by the next 3 minute run I’m knackered then I struggle for the last 5 minute run. I’m 52 and several stone overweight so I’m probably pushing myself a bit too hard I guess. X

[oldwheezer69 Graduate in reply to Ducky100]

Mmmmmmm yes it does look like you're going too fast too soon... Xx

[Fimoo Graduate in reply to Ducky100]

That second 3 minute run was the killer for me too in week 4. It took me five goes at it to get through that week. I noticed a massive turnaround after that and while none of my runs are easy, I'm more confident in myself knowing that even if I struggled I could always repeat any run and eventually I'd get there. Keep it up, you are doing so well! Try slowing down, consider getting outside and forget about pace or speed. Running for 16 mins is a massive achievement no matter what your speed is!

[Berksrover Graduate]

I still do the majority of runs on treadmills but that is because I am in hotels a lot for work, when at home I run outdoors now, thought it would be a lot more difficult, the running isn’t, but maintaining a steady slow pace is,slow it right down, treadmills or outdoors, that’s the surest way to completing a run

[Moreofashuffle Graduate]

49 and 19+stone week 7 run 2 tonight, do all my runs outside on the cycle track. I feel like onslow from the TV series but honestly no one has ever done anything other than a few hellos and one guy who siad wow your running now, keep it up as the few times I had seen him I was on a walking section. I know a few runners at my work all of them tell me running is mostly in your head. Everone on here believes you can do it, outside there are more things to distract you from the aches and breathing and bordom ( i get bored on a treadmill), At the end of the day you are trying to get fitter, well done see you at the finish line where we will all give you a cheer

[cheryl_couch_tatty Graduate]

Yes me too! I did it all on a treadmill and found I had to slow down every week. I got really fed up of going slower each week but that's what you have to do! Keep going!!! But nice and slow!

[Ducky100]

Thank you all for the support advice and encouragement it really does help both me and others who are part of this forum. Think I’m going too fast that maybe the problem so I’ll slow down on the treadmill and maybe start running outside as well? See you on the other side 👏🏻🙌🙏