Just starting out help?

[jjb1983]

I have just started couch to 5k and got half way through the run didn't manage to finish anyone else start out like this? Any tips?

Jjb1983

[Birdierunner]

The first run was the only one I didn’t finish. I don’t know why but I did it again & although it was hard I just kept going. It’s a little bit of mind over matter so try again & you’ll do it! The plan is excellent & just seems to work!?! Just finished week 5 & it’s still not easy but Michael Johnson keeps me going don’t give up!

[jjb1983 in reply to Birdierunner]

Thank you birdierunner,

I have getting to week 2 before and gave up because of how busy I am but now I have some spare time I'm going to try keep it up.

Thanks again

Jjb1983

[embobs Graduate]

Slow right down. That’s the best advice I ever had. This programme really works. Just stick with it! Good luck

[jjb1983 in reply to embobs]

Thank you embobs,

Think I need to learn to pace myself and practice the breathing.

Jjb1983

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome.

Yes, many people. I barely completed the first session... it’s a beast, by far the hardest run to get right. Slow it right down... make sure you can speak in full sentences while running, if you can’t you’re going too fast. If you have the running motion going on, then there’s no such thing as too slow.

Well done you for getting out there and having a go... be proud of yourself.

[jjb1983 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you,

I think I must of been going to fast because I could talk but out of breath talk.

I will know for tomorrow.

Jjb1983

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and full of tips.

Slow down and don't worry if you can walk faster than your gentle jog.......it will build your stamina and strength and you will get faster in time.

Enjoy your journey.

[jjb1983 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you,

I will have look at the tips, and defiantly slow down I must of been going to fast.

Jjb1983

[Tipsy47]

Hi Jjb1983! I have just completed my first run today. I must admit I found it tough, at times I’m sure I could have walked faster than i was ‘running’! Plus some of my route was uphill (will plan better next time!). I felt like giving up too, but slowly slowly did it. Maybe cut back on the speed of your early 60 secs?? Good luck. A days rest then let’s tackle the next one!!

[jjb1983 in reply to Tipsy47]

Hi Tipsy47,

well the reason i was struggling is because i was doing the 1st run in the second week lol.

good luck on your next run hope you find it easier.

jjb1983

[Irish-John Graduate]

I achieved Day one, Week one first try...mind you, it literally almost killed me.

Doubled over in agony trying to breathe through each end of my body, blue tinge around lips and eyes as reported by a random passerby who I barely stopped in time from getting an ambulance for me, dizzy and feeling like the weakest wimp in the world...

Wish I had had the advice and support of this Forum the first few weeks

anyway - points I want to make are :

In a survey we did a while back it transpired that less than 10% of us graduated in 9 weeks/with 5k. Personally I NEVER thought I would graduate untill about week 4 - but it took me about 6 weeks to get to week 4 anyway LOL.

Which leads me to my second point:

I was 56 when I started the programme, have such screwed up footbones that at one point - before I got steel inserts for my shoes - the bones behind my toes were starting to pace downwards and trying to push through the soles of my feet. I'd never run more than a hundred paces in my life because of the constant pain since I could ever remember. I also had two forms of Asthma, Cold-induced and - ironically - Exercise-induced. AND - had been a two pack a day smoker for just under forty years. Add to that a lifetime of totally ignoring my bodily health and being battered, bruised, bitten, broken and stabbed ( and that was just my social life LOL ) and having drank vast quantities of alcohol for over fifteen years...well, there are quite a few of us who NEVER though we would be 'runners' and I am one of them.

I only started the programme because I was suicidally bored and as a result dangerously depressed having been 'retired' from a career that substituted for having a healthy 'normal' life for thirty years. So - had spent about a year wandering pointlessly about and hating that what minimal - absolutely minimal - health I did have was fast disappearing and I was putting on a ton of weight that was nothing short of 'ugly'

Anyhow - I got a new cell phone and was messing with the Apps and came across the preposterous programme that said it would make me a runner. I did not set out to be a runner - I set out to prove I was the exception to the rule and also the challange of seeing if I could even get past Week 3.

Next month I run, and barring accident or my own stupidity ( especially the stupidity of running too fast for me ) in a ten mile event - by invitation of much younger, far fitter and infinitely faster and younger people none of whom, apart from one, knows me personally. All they know is that I run, I recently cracked the ten mile distance, I am sloooow by comparison...but I came from where I started just as hard and as honorably as Usain Bolt from his first tottering steps as a baby

If you want to be a runner, this programme will mould you into one. If you want to change your life for the better - I say very sincerely, running will do that...one foot in front of the other, slow and slower still until you find your own individual pace and distance

Oh - the Asthma? I haven't even known where my old inhaler is for well over a year now

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[jjb1983 in reply to Irish-John]

wow that is such a great story to tell and a very inspirational one too.

Thank you for sharing this with me.

I have found that I was struggling as I was doing run 1 week 2 lol.

jjb1983

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to jjb1983]

Take it easy My biggest regret was that I 'rushed' through the programme That urge to tick off each week and day is strong

However, after graduation I realised I would have built a much better foundation for further progress if I had just taken it all slower - and it would have been more enjoyable

Then a few months on the IC after dislocation my hip led to the decision to start from scratch again - and I swear, once again on day one I thought 'I'll never be able to do this!" LOL. It wasn't anything like as bad as 'original' day one - but it was still a struggle, and that more mental than physical.

As I always say - if we thought we COULD run...we would be doing it years ago This programme is for us Doubting Thomas's and Thomasina's - and it works

[jjb1983 in reply to Irish-John]

This is so inspiring it really is,

Can you work through it each day or is there supposed to be a gap?

Thank you again I really appreciate it.

Jjb1983

[dmb0058 Graduate in reply to jjb1983]

You should take a rest day between runs to give all those stretched tendons and things time to heal. Otherwise it'll hurt and if you're unlucky you'll end up with an injury. I think once you build up enough stamina you'll be able to run daily.

[Gran4z Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Wow - you are amazing. I think that's the first time you've shared your own story here. Thank you.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Gran4z]

Not the first time LOL. I trot it out every now and then to give 'real' evidence that 'if I can do it, just about ANYONE can do it'

Believe me - the Veteranos of the Forum are probably sick of seeing it every now and then LOL Stick around and you will get fed up of my meandering also ROFL!

[Gran4z Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

It's an amazing story, worth putting out there. Real evidence is inspiring.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Gran4z]

Thank you

[Dawngolds]

Hi, it took me about 4 weeks to finish run 1! I’m on week 2 run 3 now! I still struggle but, it’s easier than it was. Good luck.

[jjb1983 in reply to Dawngolds]

Thank you dawngolds,

Well I made a mistake yesterday by doing week 2 run 1 yesterday when it should have been week1 run 1.

So I will start out again today lol.

Good luck with your next workout.

Jjb1983

[Dazeydog Graduate]

Absolutely! And I did W1 three times before I went on to W2! It doesn't matter. As long as you run slowly and keep doing the programme as it suggests you'll make it, even if it is not in nine weeks...

Well done for getting started!

[jjb1983 in reply to Dazeydog]

Thank you,

I done the wrong week lol I done run 1 week 2 so started with the wrong run.

But will slow down,

Jjb1983