It’s working !

[ButtercupKid]

If you’ve come across me here before you’ll know I’m currently carrying an extra person in fat (I call it Ethel). Consequently I can’t run yet and am resigned to repeating week 1 at 2 walking speeds until I’m fit enough to jog. Out finishing my second go at 1:3 tonight, I suddenly realised that my steady walk now was my brisk walk a fortnight ago, and I can still breathe even when I’m doing my new brisker walk ! So happy 😃😃😄

[Summersprint Graduate]

Well done you. Keep at it. It’s great when you can feel your improving.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Summersprint]

Even a small change makes such a difference. Thanks for your encouragement x

[Summersprint Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Yes small changes make a difference. Your doing great. Be proud of yourself and who you are.

You soo can do this . Be proud of yourself

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Summersprint]

I am ! It seems to hit me every time I’m out there, as the little halfway bell chimes: look, you’re still doing it ! Sometimes I hardly recognise myself 😄

[Summersprint Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I love it when the bell chimes.

All good

[Hidden]

That’s brilliant! Great progress 😃 it’s amazing how quickly your body adapts to the program - so rewarding. You’ll be jogging before you know it 🏃‍♀️ looking forward to watching your journey, all the best with it ButtercupKid

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks ThunderSloth. It’s amazing how much I’m enjoying this, considering I took it on with such fear and trepidation ! Hope it’s all going well for you too x

[rancher Graduate]

Well done, learning to recognise every little improvement is the key to success 😀

[Piglet7969 Graduate]

Well done, keep at it x

[icklegui Graduate]

You have a fantastic attitude! Ethel soon will get left behind

Just to let you know, you can jog as slow as you need to - it's a matter of a different motion to the walking, it can be slower than walking as long as it's the running motion. For when you're ready! Aiming to do the workout walking first is a great baseline anyway so keep going.

BTW I think you said you were under 5 foot, hello fellow under-five footer! (I'd say high five but you know!)

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thanks for both encouragement and advice. I did try jogging on my first attempt at 1:1 but as well as the calf pain I remembered so well from school PE, I was physically aware of the stress on my lower leg bones. In my case, slow and steady is definitely the way to begin. And the tortoise was shorter than the hare, as I recall 😜

[icklegui Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

those hares have big ears - surely they don't count! Tortoises still win though

Are you doing other exercise as well? If no, have you heard of/been suggested the Strength and Flex programme? It's meant to be a good complement to your couch to 5K. Though the podcasts say to do it outside as you can use benches and railings for some exercises, you can find most of what you need indoors if you prefer. We're always telling people to do non-impact exercise on "rest" days and it might really help give those legs a head start!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to icklegui]

I’d picked up the odd vague reference going through, but I’m not brave enough for outdoor stretches yet ! Where can I find the info, please ?

[icklegui Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

the plan is here: nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/s... - most of it's easy enough indoors (one thing ideally needs railings to hold on to but you could leave that out).

there's a forum here healthunlocked.com/strength... - bit quiet there mind! There's a challenge where some of us are trying to start something new in our routines; I am adding in swimming.

But anything extra helps! If you browse the strength and flex forum you'll find a "squat challenge" which starts off at the beginning with the proper form for a squat - squats apparently v good for running . But the best exercises are the ones you do so do what you fancy

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thanks- sounds like a good addition to the plan. You’re a pal 😀

[peanutbutter__]

Great, keep going! It's such good motivation to see yourself progressing.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Oh that’s fabulous ButtercupKid! Bet you’re so encouraged with that amazing progress! 👏👏

Keep it up won’t you? You won’t believe where this programme can take you. 😀😀

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I honestly thought I was going to hate every minute of it. It’s astonishing how much I’m enjoying challenging myself! Thanks for your encouragement x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

And it only gets better! 👏👏👏

[Woggle Graduate]

Good for you. Go for it!

[Hidden]

Yes! Well done, you will be amazed how quickly your fitness improves, your week 1 struggles will soon be a thing of the past! Get ready to say goodbye to Ethel, cos she will soon be kicked into touch - well done!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

Well done ButtercupKid progress is progress , you are taking the right approach and it is working for 😊😊

I am sure you will soon be out there running the program 😊😊

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You people are all just too kind 😊😊😊

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Everyone else has said it all so I’ll just say well done and keep up the good work.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Appreciate you taking the time and making the effort ! Happy running to you 😀