Week 1, Run 1

[SisterDora]

Just completed my first session. Felt strong but at the moment cannot imagine running a whole 5k. I know my fitness will improve over the weeks but feeling quite daunted.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done for doing the hardest challenge in the entire programme - that first step outside or onto the treadmill.

Don’t be daunted. End of March I was exactly where you are. I’m an older, fat bloke with no exercise in well over 20 years. Earlier this week I ran 5k.

The programme is great, this forum is greater and, if you let us, we will all help you through.

Some runs will be tough. Just go slow and keep going no matter what your head tells you. Many runs will be fantastic and give you a real buzz.

Enjoy the next run.

[SisterDora in reply to Jay66UK]

Brilliant. Thank you. I too am older (53) with a dodgy back and knees. Hoping to get fitter and keep this up so that I can join the Park Runs.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to SisterDora]

You will. Take care of the back and knees - you might find you need to do some strengthening work alongside the running. (Advice I need to take but haven’t!)

[SisterDora in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks for the advice. I am doing twice weekly Pilates classes and strenghening exercises at home. I’m a work in progress 😃

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to SisterDora]

That is exactly what I need to do but I am too disorganised (read s**t scared) to start.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Please check this post out... so much great advice here.

Welcome and rest assured you do NOT have to run 5K.... all you are aiming for, is to follow this safe structured programme to get to the 30 minute runs by Week 9

Many, many Graduates never ever run 5K in 30 minutes... a survey we did on here showed over 70 % never did the 5K withing the programme

Feel better now?

Just take it slow and steady and enjoy every single run... all different, but all following on from the one before...none any harder than the other..( except in your mind) disregard negative scary posts, ( we do not get that many though)... this is a doable porgarmme...

Post often for great support and encouragement... you might run as Irish-John says, on your own, but you will never run alone... we are all right here running beside you.

[Julian1970 Graduate]

I felt exactly the same as you do SisterDora just 10 weeks ago. Please see my post from today and believe in C25K and more importantly, believe in yourself. GO SISTER!

[Mashedpotato]

Hey sisterdora the first run is the hardest in terms of motivation. I’m on week three and couldn’t even imagine running for three minutes. This forum is amazing and keeps me motivated when I’m feeling a bit low. Enjoy it and keep going x