I started at week for as I’m impatient and also I have been treadmill running for many years. Very shocked how different street running is, in a good way! Will not go back to the boring treadmill! Just wondering if I missed anything amazing in the first few weeks in the way of how easy others find it as you progress? I’m on week 7 and find it challenging but not impossible!
Did anyone else start at week 4 (or later) - Couch to 5K
Did anyone else start at week 4 (or later)
![Ashley0304 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/f0ef5045bd8e3d386aea9ca89dd8d625_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Ashley0304 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/f0ef5045bd8e3d386aea9ca89dd8d625_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Bluebirdrunner profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/eb1e1abfe1d60d255e0666c9da6c5e7f_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Hi Ashley, running outside is an impact sport, the early weeks are there to build stamina, but also to strenghen and build up your leg muscles so that you can progress safely through to thirty minutes of running and Graduation...
The guide to running the C25k program is here...
![GoogleMe profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3488447a9701f91e0a60aca2e3c3bcc8_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Obviously you were not on the couch, but there is a lot to be gained from actually doing the C25K programme (more patience for one thing) I still find the Week 1 session the most challenging of the lot so...
It sounds as though you maybe just needed a little support to make the move from treadmill to the great outdoors. You'll see lots of us have 'Graduate' after our names: that means others know we're posting from a position of having completed the programme. There's a tremendous satisfaction to be gained from doing the full thing - I don't think it is just about building up safely (which may not be necessary for you) It gives you experience of intervals and of continuous running and the early weeks feel more varied to get you well hooked and you're then in a habit by the time you are into the later weeks when it is adding a few minutes at a time... and almost everyone has the valuable experience of a rubbish run!
![Oldfloss profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/105fc46b2ead0530d0e1540d94760674_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Every week is important... right from Week one; check out the link from Bluebirdrunner ...the plan builds us up for all kinds of different runs and as GoogleMe says, those who compete the programme and become Graduates have that satisfaction of having done the whole thing
No run should be impossible, if the plan is followed steadily
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The programme starts at week one. It is tried and tested by many many people. Those who complete the full programme get to graduate. If you start at week four you are in effect doing your own programme not C25k.
If you plan to become a runner, there is no rush to get to week 9. So why not start at the beginning? It will also help your transition from TM to outside running.
Enjoy
![RichardJH profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3602a8ca4c8c484fa6b619b08cba0f5f_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Hi, I was planning to jump some of the weeks , but was persuaded to start from the beginning , and very glad I did. I graduated last Friday with my 4th 5k+ run and will be running my first post grad run tomorrow morning. Injury free !