Couch to 5K

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...Can I do it...? 😓🏃‍♀️🚦🏁

Ok it's about 20 days since graduation. I've been running every other day. Still not gone over 4k. Feeling a wee bit apprehensive/worried/stressed out because...

I just entered my name for my first parkrun (of sorts). And i really don't know if i can do it! This is an Under Armour race which has half marathon, 10k, 5k and 1k for children. I entered the 5k and it's THIS sunday morning.

F#$%^^$$##!!!!!

There is no mention of walking. They just state it should be done in 50 mins (or you're on your own). It's the closest thing to a parkrun around here!

If i did not do it i would feel like such a chicken. But now i am panicking! Can i run all this way? Will i be the fool that gives up amongst real runners?

Anyone have any kind or wise or inspiring thoughts for me? 🤤🤤

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Mayanow

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57 Replies

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Easy. You ARE a real runner. If you don't do it in 50 minutes, so what? Just try. Keep a good pace, enjoy the run, and I doubt they'd pack up and go home if your still plodding along.

Give it a go.

No i dont think they will. I just keep having this bad vision of tons of runners and me out of my league and breath!! I'm sure i am exaggerating. What's the worst that could happen?...

Still i can't help it!

I recon they'd all stand at the finish line cheering you on. We've all been where you are and most runners are supportive. Go for it!

That's true! There has to be a first time. I should focus on the fact that i am putting myself out there with a challenge, not previously imagined!

Thank you

You’re doing yourself down! You’re doing regular 4k runs which is great! 👍 I bet you could slow down if needs be and continue on to complete 5k. Another 8-10 minutes maybe?

Try it - see how you get on. You’re not going out to win the race are you? So if you need to walk it won’t matter to anyone!

Have fun! I know you will! 😀😀

For some stupid excuse every run since graduating, i haven't been able to go on to 5k. So i have no idea how long it takes me and whether i CAN do it. I must be able to surely!!

If I can, you can! Have a go, it’s such an amazing milestone so you’ll feel great if you achieve it! 👍

YES! i WILL feel like a goddess! But right now i feel i will just make a fool of myself. (What is wrong with me!!)

It is another HUGE milestone.

You won’t make a fool of yourself, really. People will be self absorbed in their own achievements. Just go out and enjoy it. Whatever the outcome, you’ll have tried - and who knows, you’ll probably surprise yourself! 👏👏👏👏

You are right. You are calm and wise ☺

I am a bit overwhelmed, remembering exactly who i was all these years before c25k: NOT a runner!

But i am no longer that person am i??? 😉

So another personal challenge!

Let's go for it!!!!!!! (Omg........)

Yessss! I’m excited for you! 👏👏👏👏

You are indeed a runner...and you are awesome.... you have competed C25K... that in itself is an amazing feat!

Challenging yourself is fine... giving yourself a hard time is not fine. You will do this... in your own time and your way... Be proud of yourself.. we are!! Remember..

"Comparison is the thief of joy!

Run and be joyful

I missed your comment - the notifications won't load since yesterday.. i don't know why!

Thank you for your encouragement. I should only compare me today to me before c25k! Not others, not other runs.

I liked what you said about not giving ourselves a hard time. You are so right about that! I am never so strict with other people!! Why do we do that?!?!

I hope it goes well. I will be back to report! 😁

So true. Everyone I’m sure is in their own little world. Maybe the other will help you along? Some form of support and just going with the crowd.

I wish i had a 'buddy' for this!

Last year, during my back-to-the-gym period, i tackled the treadmill. Not running, a brisk walk.

So there was a charity 5k run but you could either run or brisk- walk it.

In the exact same spirit, i signed up for it. Had never done that before, no friends wanted to join me.

I managed the 5k and i was so thrilled to have finished it!

It's amazing that a few months later i've signed up to RUN 5k...

So i guess i'm already a winner, considering... ☺😁☺

Yes your doing great! Absolutely smashing it. Obviously your belief in what you can do is growing to along with your confidence

I hope to synchronise the two!!! But thank you. We have all come such a long way haven't we? 😚

Yes we have. A couple of months ago I couldn’t run for 5 mins let alone over 30!!

Funny u should say that cos I just came back from w1 with my 14 yr old daughter (who is refusing any sport or exercise... as i said, 14!). And i am SOOOOO ecstatic because it was sooooo easy for me! I could not believe it. It was like walking. And this is ME who struggled with 1 minute runs 2 months ago!

I am de nouveau AMAZED at this progress. CONGRATULATIONS to us all! 🌷

I bet you were like come on you can go faster! 😂 that’s really good you are getting her out too.

Ahaha i was!! She seemed to be going sooooo slowly! (And nagging endlessly!) And at some point she said:" i can't go fast like you. I'm not a runner!" And i thought, wow she is talking about ME!!!! Imagine that... 😀

Haha. Amazing! Yeah you are totally a runner!!

You get marks for bravery just for entering so don't give up. I would make sure I had my fav, most inspiring music. Remember to pace yourself. Don't compare yourself with other runners. Actually, the chances are you will be as good as or even better than them. You can do it. Good luck!!! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Thank you for that! I definitely am getting marks for bravery here! I know everyone (most people) here do this but this is my first. So well done little me!

Will definitely get my podcast ready for success!

And you know what? Even if i am last to finish, i will have DONE it. Anything over that margin is a huge achievement for me. 😁😁😁

Thank you all for cheering me on!

Well, they can’t make you run... so if you can run 4K in 30 minutes, you can certainly walk one in 20. Maybe if you slow a little you could run the whole thing, but I’d go 2k, walk the next km and then run to the end. So, just get out there and do what you can, and have fun doing it.

That is an idea... thanx. I will bear that combo in mind and see on the spot if i can do that or more!!

I will let you know how i did. Sooo nervous but beginning to be a little excited...! 😀

Please don't feel stressed, surely the point of running is to go to a happy place?

You know you can do the first 4k so what if you walk/jog or walk the last bit?

This is your run and no one else's so 😛 to anyone that is not supportive

Have a great time on Sunday 💪🏃‍♀️

Ahahaha absolutely! My run, my fun!😘

Of course it is happy times and i think that once i'm out there i will be so glad i dared it!

Thank you!

Yeah you can do it. Just check out the route before hand if you can. There is no pressure and if it takes you longer than 50min that’s fine isn’t it? At least you’re getting out there and doing it!! Well done you 🙏

P.s I daren’t do a parkrun yet. So you are super amazing at giving it a go.

You know i thought about that: testing the route. I know it but have never ran there. The problem is it is in the city. They will close all roads for the run but untill then it's all streets and cars...🤔

I suppose i could give it a go though...

You haven't? I thought i was the only who hasnt been on one yet! So i will treasure the compliment! THANK YOU!

Just be safe. Obviously. Not had chance yet. I usually look after the little one on a Saturday and I think it’s the only day they do them. I think they would be quite fun. A lot of people on here say they love them.

I wear a fluorescent jacket when running near roads just to make sure I stand out like a sore thumb!!

Good thinking! I should hunt for my 80s fluo attire!!! Also to keep the audio on low so i am aware of my surroundings.

Oh that's a pity.. maybe you could ask for ONE saturday? 2 hours max? Parkruns sound so much fun from everyone here!

Absolutely get the 80’s gear out!! 😂🤣 you would definitely stand out in the crowd

Ahaha noo i meant for the checking out run! I don't want to stand out against the serious runners!! It's like playing tennis for the first time with a headband and wrist bands!!!

(...Which i did when i was 9ish... how embarassing!!!)

As UNM says if you do the maths, 30 mins to do 4k. That leaves 20 mins to walk 1. You could probably walk all 5k in 50 mins so what's to fear? Do your 5 minute warm up walk, and then run as usual. You may find you're close enough to run to the finish.

You're suffering a bit of "stage fright" or actually "park fright", and once you start that'll all disappear. A few minutes in you'll realise all this stress was for nothing.

Oh i really really hope you're right! I will be so proud.

It is park fright surely. And by thinking of the worst case runario (!), it will hopefully turn out better!!!

Said it before, but THANK you everyone for your words and full-on support! You are amazing.

The last 500m are slightly uphill. I'm developing a fear of hills in the sense that i can't endure anything if not flat. I am SURE it's in my head. I have to get over this obstacle...

HILLS ARE ACE! Love them, they love you right back!

...really? I always dread the uphill! I suppose i should try and look at them fondly? Get the fear to dissolve??

Yes! A nice long one! I like a nice half mile or so long mid steepness hill, or a very steep interval hill. (You know, CLIMB jog CLIMB jog) Aaaand I'm inspired! I know a lovely calf destroyer I think I'll tackle in a bit... 👍😊

The organisers and runners of these types of events are so supportive. They will be thinking “good on you” and remembering that when they started it wasn’t all plain sailing.

I bet there will be other couch to 5k graduates running

Well... the thing is, i live in Athens Greece. I think i am the only one here who's done c25k. There are organised runs, charity runs but no parkruns as such unfortunately.

But you're right. All runners STARTED out one day! They will be sympathetic , i hope! 🙄

Hell yes can do it.. You don't necessarily have to have run 5K to do a 5K race, your regular 4K runs are a great base to do it from ..

You will be Just fine .. don't be so hard on yourself, yeah 1st race can be scary sh*t into the unknown etc but once to start you will do it no problem

Go on do it you won't regret it 😀

I LOVE your conviction!! So hell YEAH!!! I can do this! AHAHA

THANK YOU so much honestly.

Just go and enjoy... walk if you need to..there aren't Park run police behind the trees... it is for fun... so have fun

Aren't there...? Woohoo!!!!!! 😂🤣😂🤣

I will take your advice. It's about me, noone else. This is why love this community. It's alright to stray and worry and so good to strengthen and be supported!!! Thank you.

I echo all that’s been said before. Ignore the other runners (and a few walkers is expect) it’s your run not anybody else’s.

You CAN do it!

Good luck and let us know how well you do.

Thank you!! Yes i will definitely come back to report! I am really wondering about the results!!

😂. Yeah I know! Would be fun to see though!!

I had actually forgotten about it but my mum of course remembers and told me the other day!! I was laughing so much 😂🤣😂🤣

Mums always love to embarrass you. No matter how old you are.

😆😉😂🤣😃 you said it!!!

I was really apprehensive at my first park run ? Which happened to be my Graduation run!

You will be amazed, people at park run or similar events are so supportive, first Km is done before you know it!

Take it steady don’t be tempted to dash off to keep pace with others, you’ll smash it! You’ll be home with you’re feet up with a cuppa in 50 mins 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

That is another good tip to hold on to: not to get carried away in the beginning with the quicker ones! Thank you. I must retain my personal pace.

And i will hold on to that feeling AFTER the run: feet up, cuppatea, done it.

So obviously you did it and graduated in that day? Was it easier than you thought?

It was tough but so much fun, and such a sense of achievement. I never thought I would achieve running a full 5k so was delighted to complete it non stop, just over 35mins 💪

Oh please keep the stories coming!! 😁😁😁

I hope i can do it non-stop.

I hope i can do it full stop!!!!

The first time I ran the full 5K was as part of a race I had signed up to way back at the start of the program. In the end it took me 12 weeks to complete the program and when I graduated I was only running just under 4K. Two weeks later, race day arrived and I just went with the flow, thinking “I can always walk the last bit if I can’t make the whole distance running”. But you get carried away by the event (and bloody-mindedness stops you from walking if you’re anything like me!) - just listen to all the good advice here, especially about not going off too fast, and you’ll be fine.

One final point about being worried about finishing last - there is someone finishing last in an Olympic final, and you would never think badly of them. Someone will always be last, if it is the one who is doing their first ever 5K, then that’s just fine!

Enjoy your race, we’ll all be cheering you home!

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