I did it 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️!! Actually, yesterday evening but always too knackered to post after! It was a tough one. Slogged my way through though. I am still at point of only keeping up with this on sheer willpower alone, support on here and because it feels cool to see the streak of yellow ticks after finishing runs (I’m a sucker for stickers and badges 😂) Although, it’s getting harder to remember why I’m doing this whilst I’m running! Hopefully I’ll feel more fitter soon. Good news is that my knees are less tender now so maybe i am getting stronger. I see how run 3 goes as I’m considering repeating this week. I’m not sure I’m ready for week 3 although I said this last week about week 2! I am just curious, (I know it’s different for everyone) when was the turning point (from just pushing yourself through to actually enjoying it) for you?
W2R2 done! For curiosity, when was the turning... - Couch to 5K
W2R2 done! For curiosity, when was the turning point for you?
I absolutely hated Weeks 3&4, turning point for me was week 5, I think as it was 3 completely different runs it challenged me and I love love loved it
The first 4 weeks I did not report my runs on C25K just in case that I would not be able to complete the training course. The turning point for me was when I completed week 4 and was very confident on completing the course. After week 4 I posted my progress here on healthunlocked
I nearly quit on week three. My lungs burned, I couldn't breath, and i was going barely above walking speed, praying for Sarah to tell me to stop. I HATED it. But I'd decided that I wouldn't give up, and I didn't. I struggled on week 6, needing to slow down, but for me, I got bitten by the running bug when the app stopped working one run in week 8, and I could just go at my own speed, not worry about time, and check my phone every so often. I'm now going around 6k each run and looking to increase in the next week or two. Would I ever stop?
When they stick me in a box, yeah. But not before then if I can help it.
I started to think I could actually do it at end of wk4 and was starting to like it - wk 1 had convinced me I would die😁
For me once I got into the longer runs with no walking intervals I began to love it ❤
Keep going - and never fear the step up in a new week - you have trained for it and it is within you to do it x
You’re ready for the next one. I’m not sure there is a full turning point... with the step ups your legs are being pushed every week, you mind is ready now. No matter how long you run for you’ll go out some days and it will be tough, so your early runs are excellent training for that. In another week or so you may start to find some easier... and you’re seeing the difference in your knees already, that’s part of the process.
Keep rocking it, you’ll be fine.
Well done for keeping it going, especially when you’re not loving it, that’s real determination! For me it was the end of week 4. It took me a while to get through the early weeks, I had zero confidence so I only ran on the treadmill in the gym but I was finding it boring and lacking motivation. One Sunday morning I was up early and decided that for a change I would go to the park and run there. The park was already quite busy so I walked over the old Deeside railway line (now a popular run/cycle route) and did my W4R3. Running outside was a total game changer for me, I was hooked from that day and the old railway line is my absolute favourite place to run 🤩
That’s so great you find a place you love to run! I can’t for the life of me run on treadmills. So despite being self conscious, I decided to start this outside! I am currently running around a park path a few times a run which can get boring. Maybe a change of scenery will help me but i have gotten attached to my route. I feel if I change it, I won’t be able to run which is silly I know. 😂 Maybe I’ll be brave for week 3.
I know exactly what you mean, we do get attached to our safe routes. I think sometimes the safe option might hold us back from discovering new things but routine can be helpful too, especially in the early weeks to stay motivated. Just go with whatever works for you & if you feel you’re getting bored then that maybe a sign that you need a change of scenery. Either way I’m sure you’ll do great in week 3 and beyond 💪
I'm so glad you asked this question. Seems we need to suck it up for a couple more weeks 🤣🤣🤣
I almost didn’t ask thinking what if I meant to enjoy this by now? But I’m glad I did. Lovely replies. Yes to sucking it up for couple weeks. But we can do this 💪
For me it was probably after W4R2, 5 minutes sounded daunting at first, but it turns out once you pass 3 minutes of running your body is like “oh, so we are running then?” and you get to the end and feel “oh, done it”
This morning I did W5R2 and found that I can now run for 8 minutes without stopping or feeling like I need to stop! It’s just a case of not going faster than you’re comfortable with. I think I’m probably going a bit too fast but the competitiveness in me is making me push myself (I also want to kick my asthma into touch)
Oh I have to consciously tell myself ‘slow down you not fit enough for speed yet. We’re working on stamina!’ I don’t know if it’s competitiveness, impatience or that maybe my natural speed (if that’s such a thing) is faster than my current fitness levels. Congratulations on the 8 minutes run! That’s so amazing!
What a great question and loved reading the replies. I’m at the same stage and struggling to do each run section. I can manage 60s this week whereas I could only manage 45s max last week. I may repeat this week again as it doesn’t seem enough to move forward from. Any comments?
Go you! And welcome! It’s so wonderful that you are starting. Going from 0s to 60s is tough! So don’t worry if you found it hard at first. Most if not all found week 1 almost impossible. And you are already seeing progress which is great! I found going slow and steady with this program is the way to go. Run at a speed that’s comfortable even if it feels like you could walk faster. You are training to increase stamina initially, not speed. I need to remind myself of this every run but you are training your body each week even if it doesn’t feel like it. The program is designed to slowly train you up to running for 30 minutes. Each step up may sound daunting but I’ve been told that if you can complete each run of the week, (no matter how slowly or how many rest days in between), you are ready to move forward! You can repeat a week if you feel you want to but you don’t need to. I suggest giving the next one a go, you might surprise yourself. I didn’t think being able to run for 60s is enough to move forward but the jump into week 2 isn’t as bad as you think it is! If it turns out you are struggling to finish the next run, then repeat a week. Also, make full use of this forum. I never known a more supportive place. I recommend making a full post, more experienced runners can give you more advice. I’m still a newbie 
For me it was the 20min run in week 5. I was dreading it but then found that longer runs are actually easier for me, after about 10 mins my body got used to it and I felt great.
Well I always enjoyed it but weeks 1 and 2 were a real struggle. I’ve just finished week 3 and it’s been the most enjoyable and somehow easiest one so far. I got a pair of proper running shoes which helped a lot and took away a lot of the pain but I think mainly by this point my body’s just getting used to moving on a regular basis. See how R3 goes, you might be pleasantly surprised. Otherwise, there’s no harm in repeating a week.
I'm two runs away from graduation and the defining moment for me was the doctor telling me I didn't need to take blood pressure medication anymore. The stronger I've got the more I've enjoyed it but knowing that the running means not having to take pills is a strong motivator for me. It sounds like you are doing just great - run at your own pace and try some different routes for a bit of variety . Before you know it you will be in week 9!!
Maybe try out running at different times of day, I definitely prefer early morning running, although I am not sure how I will fit the runs in at all when the clicks go back as I live in a village with no street lights. I have had one run when I forgot that I was running, albeit it was a very slow jog downhill, but I do keep that in the back of my mind and hope to get to that frame of mind on some of my future runs. Keep going, it sounds like you have the determination to get you through any tough runs. If you don't enjoy the run, enjoy the sense of achievement for completing each run
Definitely planning change of scene and trying out morning running! Not a morning person though but maybe running will change that. Yes, sense of achievement is what’s getting me through
I still don't know that I enjoy it when I'm doing it and I graduated a few weeks ago and am now running a steady 5K three times a week (still find it bizarre that I can type that!). The SECOND it's over though, I feel fantastic and I'm sure this whole thing is the best thing I've done for my mind, body and spirit in a very long time. It just feel like that when I'm doing it!!!!
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