Week 1 complete!

[hmht]

I am new here but glad I came across the Couch to 5K about a week ago.

I wanted to kind of keep a log after each week so one day when I can run 30 mins straight, or longer, I will laugh at myself for ever being worried!

Despite being young I have never really enjoyed sports and have never done much exercise (thankfully I had that annoying metabolism that kept me thin, until this last year) so I thought it is time to actually get up and go!

I have been waking up at around 6 am to do my runs because I kind of felt embarrassed running in public doing 1 min then walk, 1 min then walk, etc. because people who run usually run miles at a time! I have always been person who worries what people think of me... BUT thankfully I found 4 sports pitches surrounded by trees where I can go early in the morning and see no one, or two cyclists that go past a nearby path!

Run 1:

After not running (other than for the bus) for years I could feel myself a little breathless towards the end but other than that it was fine.

Run 2:

The muscles to the left of my shins at the front was aching from run one but I cracked on with this run. Shins hurt a fair bit towards the end of each running stage but I just went with it - I'm assuming its my body building up muscle and punishing me for the years of neglect

Run 3:

Surprisingly my shins didn't ache after run two but maybe I walked it off by being on my feet all day afterwards (I am a scientist in the lab all day)? Either way I am happy! This run was alright but in the last few stages I could feel my shin muscle hurting a little, but no where near as bad as run 2. Pushed myself a little further by running an extra 30 secs right at the end just to see what week 2 will bring! That made me a bit breathless though so hopefully after week 2 my breathing will be a bit better!

If anyone has any tips for stretches, enhancing lung capacity or just anything else please let me know!

I'm going to start week 2 either Sunday or Monday! (it is currently Friday)

I realise some of you would have done lots of running and may laugh at me being breathless after week 1 but we all have to start somewhere!

Thanks everyone and I will be so damn excited if I could run 30 mins solid - just the thought makes me happy so what will i feel when I actually can?!

Have a good day!

[Fernshome]

Week one is the toughest congratulations on starting the plan it really really works I don’t know how but it does I am on week 8 and still can’t believe it is me managing it.....😀

[hmht in reply to Fernshome]

Im glad it does because from this to 30 mins seems impossible but I am going crack on with it and do my best Ah wow well done! you must be happy

[Berksrover Graduate]

You are well on your way now, 3 months ago I was where you are now, probably worse, now, thanks to the programme and this forum I am s graduate, have consolidated, sm able to run 30 minutes and more and am about to start werk3 of a programme to take me to 10k, if I can do it, you certainly can, enjoy it and enjoy your running

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done. Remember this is all about duration not speed.

[Berksrover Graduate]

Ps (and you will get used to this Oldfloss Oldfloss will be telling you to go slow and steady (good advice) and IannodaTruffe will be along to guide you in the right direction

[Berksrover Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

So good they named her twice 😉

[DoingthebestIcan Graduate]

No one in this forum will laugh at you believe me! The support you will get is amazing because we are all in the same boat! Enjoy 😂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Anybody who makes a judgement about somebody walking while dressed in running gear, or stopping and starting, obviously knows nothing about running, so need to worry about what they think.

Enjoy your journey.