Couch to 5k

[MP83]

Hi all

Just completed my week 1 day 1 and was just wondering for the peeps who are further along what’s been the most challenging part for you ??

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

To be honest, week 1 run 1! It nearly killed me... I had no idea what pace would get me through a minute, no idea what pace would get me through it and also recover in time for the next one... it’s a beast. Since then I’ve learned and relaxed. There’s some tough runs, but that’s the hardest.

Very well done getting through it.

[joannejojo]

Week 5 R3. Didn’t have a day’s rest. Decided impulsively to do it straight after tea following a day sat at the computer and only managed 15 minutes not 20. But it was more psychological than physical. I wasn’t out of breath and wasn’t hurting - just tired. Day off tomorrow then will re-try on Thursday- but slower, having read all the comments on here.

[Auden Graduate in reply to joannejojo]

Attempting this one in a couple of hours...slightly dreading it ☹️

[joannejojo in reply to Auden]

I did myself no favours with just suddenly deciding to go for it. First time I’ve gone off plan and first time I didn’t complete it. But as everyone on here says, it was a learning curve and still better than lounging on the sofa! Also I’m doing my runs on a treadmill which may be physically easier but I’m constantly looking at the clock and it’s hard to keep going sometimes. Onwards and upwards. I’ll try again tomorrow. Hope yours goes/ went ok!

[Auden Graduate in reply to joannejojo]

Thanks Joanne- it was ok!😀👍 I’m really really trying not to look at clock.... like you I can find myself getting distracted and demotivated. Anyway I went v slowly!

[joannejojo in reply to Auden]

Well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[ArthurJG Graduate]

It really varies because so many things come in to play - some physical but more mental. But the two previous comments make valid points - getting out of the house and being seen running in public is often the hardest psychological barrier to overcome; and you MUST take your rest days, don't try to run two days in a row because you may feel OK at the time but you're damaging muscles if you do that.

[MP83 in reply to ArthurJG]

Think for a few years I was put of doing something like this incase I looked like a idiot or silly doing it now, but now I don’t tend to care what people think more what I think. I’m taking my days rest now and doing my second on Thursday 😊

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to MP83]

It is actually mostly true what they say, that nobody notices a runner. The only exception is that other runners do notice but you have their instant respect just for trying to run at all. Two people I know, one is a marathon runner and one still can do a sub 20 minute 5k in his seventies, but they told me I’d made more progress than either of them this year because I’d gone from not running at all to being able to do a parkrun. Experienced, accomplished runners (I’ve found) have the utmost respect for previously unfit people who start running, how ever slow or inelegant we may think we are.

[glentoran99 Graduate]

Dont start the programme thinking what’s going to be challenging. Just take each step as it comes and beat it

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The next run is always the most challenging.

Have you checked out the guide to the plan?

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Auden Graduate]

I think just getting started and organised to do the runs. Commiting to finding the time. Also learning to slow right down (I’ve always been slow / but needed to go even slower!) be kind to yourself and don’t expect to be hurtling about!

[Bettyb719 Graduate]

As lots have said, the first week was probably the biggest challenge. For me, I did it in a pair of walking shoes that I thought “would do”, and the difference when I bought running shoes in week 3 was amazing! New challenges appear all along the way. For example, I have always run in the very early morning, because I meet fewer people that way, and in the early days I thought people would judge my awkward running that was almost walking, but today I slept in and went out much later than usual, and you know what? It was fine! No one noticed me 😂. I still don’t run fast, but I run. Go for it, and enjoy the challenges!

[MP83 in reply to Bettyb719]

I have to do my runs at 9-10pm roughly with work, sorting kids out, getting stuff ready for next day it’s about only time I can do mine so no ones around to notice me running 😂

[Bettyb719 Graduate in reply to MP83]

Busy person! Well done - it will make you better able to cope with all you have to do! 🏃‍♀️

[Mase54 Graduate]

Deciding to do Week 1 Run 2!! 😂👍

[MP83 in reply to Mase54]

Thursday for me decided to take a rest day rather then push it 😊

[Hidden]

You have just done the hardest part - you have got the ball rolling now!

[MarkyD Graduate]

Definitely making the decision to go out of my front door for W1r1. What would the neighbours think?

[MP83 in reply to MarkyD]

I was put off for years doing things like this because I thought the same way worried about what people was gonna think.

[BooBoo0]

I’ve just done 2nd run on week 3 and I think the first run on the first week was the hardest as I didn’t know what to expect. I feel like it’s building us up so slowly it genuinely doesn’t feel any harder as you go along. Well done for starting