There is hope for us all.: A very overweight 5... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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There is hope for us all.

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate
29 Replies

A very overweight 59 year old, inspired by my daughter, has just completed week 5.

It’s really hard to believe, I was honestly struggling with breathing on week 1 that I never thought I would do it.

At the end of the run it was suggested that I might want to repeat week 5, not sure why because repeating a week hasn’t been suggested before!

Do you think I should move on to week 6 or repeat.

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Karenshann profile image
Karenshann
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29 Replies
Dave58 profile image
Dave58Graduate

Move on if you complete a week every time. That's what the programme is designed to be. Well done on completing wk5. Just listen to your body and maybe take an extra days rest between runs occasionally. I'm at the same stage as you

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toDave58

Thank you Dave aren’t we doing well

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Move on.... you completed it... relax and move slowly and steadily into Week 6:)

You are doing brilliantly... just trust the plan, listen to your body and enjoy!

As you move on from here.. try to up your stamina and strength exercise on some of your rest days... It will stand you in good stead for the longer runs:)

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Thank you old floss great advice

Mandyjb profile image
Mandyjb

Congratulations! It is such a good feeling completing week 5. If you managed to do the third run without stopping I would say go for it. I have just finished the 2nd run of week 6 and have fond it quite tough. For some reason the runs feel longer than the 20 minute non stop. It is all mental as you can physically do this now. It is such a good feeling though when they pop up and say 60 seconds to go! I all of a sudden have a burst of energy and then feeling is amazing.

Keep up the good work and take a couple of days rest now before you start the next week as your legs will be feeling it tomorrow!

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toMandyjb

Thank you Mandy, we are doing well, it’s great to hear about others at a similar stage

Bloodhound1 profile image
Bloodhound1

I agree move on. An extra rest day won’t do any harm but keep moving forward . You can do it just follow the programme

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toBloodhound1

Thank you Bloodhound I’m looking forward to moving on

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

You’re ready for week 6... keep going forwards.

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toUnfitNoMore

Thank you, I will move on🤞

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate

🤞🏻 for W6R1! You’re doing great! And this programme is amazing isn’t it?! 🎉🎉🏅

staceypek profile image
staceypekGraduate

Well done! I did this about an hour ago too - feel amazed (and knackered)! I think that bit at the end was continuing on from the previous comment, which was to those who weren't able to complete it - don't be disheartened etc. We're ready for week 6 :)

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply tostaceypek

Well done to you too Stacey, we are on our way week 6

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate

Yay! Well done Karen! I did the same run this morning. Go us! Week 6 here we come x

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate

Yay, to both of us Molly, week 6 doesn’t seem as daunting now, does it?

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate in reply toKarenshann

Not at all, but I’ve looked ahead and it needs treating with respect! 😂

MadLizzie profile image
MadLizzieGraduate

Well done Karen, Stacey, Molly. I also did week 5 run 3 today. Go us!

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate

Yay, to all of us thank you Lizzie

Bonsaiboy profile image
Bonsaiboy

I would trust in the program. I have graduated about a month ago. You will be amazed at what this course does for you. I have never repeated a run even though when I look forward its been daunting but you find you just do it. Just go at the pace that is comfortable for you and don't take much notice of what everyone else is doing. You are you. There's some great improvements just around the corner for you.

Agilityyo profile image
AgilityyoGraduate

How did week 6 go? I am aiming to complete Week 7 Run 1 tomorrow.

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toAgilityyo

I found W6 R3 really hard. I am going to do the same as you tomorrow. Good luck to both of us, let’s post again tomorrow to see how we did

Agilityyo profile image
AgilityyoGraduate in reply toKarenshann

Definitely - we are both doing so well so let's focus on the progress and go into tomorrow full of positivity.

Agilityyo profile image
AgilityyoGraduate

Week 7, Run 1 done :)

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toAgilityyo

How did you find it? I did it but struggled my back started hurting 1/2 way through and found it difficult

Agilityyo profile image
AgilityyoGraduate in reply toKarenshann

I found it okay after the first 5 minutes which seemed tougher than normal. I was up and out by 7am and there was something quite peaceful running as the light came in.

Make sure you rest up for a few days so that your back can try to ease up.

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toAgilityyo

Thank you, I will rest tomorrow then back up at it. My back is fine now that I have taken some painkillers.

My daughter is visiting at the weekend so we are going to run together on Saturday so that should be W7 R3, she said she doesn’t mind going at my pace.

Well done to you, I prefer running early too, it’s quieter and I don’t mind the dark.

Are you running Wednesday?

Agilityyo profile image
AgilityyoGraduate in reply toKarenshann

Hopefully Wednesday and Saturday will be my next 2 runs but if work is busy on Wed then possibly Thu and Sat instead. I can't believe how close we are to finishing this now :)

Ugogirl profile image
UgogirlGraduate

Hi karen I too am 59 and overweight. Last week I finished week 5. When it was suggested to repeat it as we 6 is considered the advanced part of the program I thought hmm. Anyway I run it with my son and his girlfriend who were both ill this week so I decided to repeat week 5 so we all stay in sync. I'm do glad I did. Run 1 with the 5 min runs and 3 min rests was actually enjoyable. I found it easy. Last night I did run 2, the 2 8 mi runs. I found myself actually enjoying the run again. Last week I dreaded the 20 min run but I'm not phased by it tomorrow. I think repeating week 5 for me was a good thing as I feel my stamina improving and leg strength improving. I hope you decide what you do based on how you feel but it's no failure to go back. It's been the break through week for me as I have enjoyed the running for the first time. Good luck to you.

Karenshann profile image
KarenshannGraduate in reply toUgogirl

Really well done, what a sense of achievement we are both feeling

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