Is there anyone else out there who is so un fit they couldn't do all the running in week 1?
I am over weight / gave up smoking a year ago (still have occasional one when I have the occasional drink)
About 8 years ago I was really into my running and could do 5k fine, I ended up stopping due to shin splints and my weight has spiraled out of control to the biggest I have ever been.
If there is anyone else out there who struggled how did you get past it?
I found the first week, the hardest week of all, and struggled to keep up with the brisk walk after my attempt to run for 60 seconds. I thought my heart was going to burst out of my body, and heaven forbid what I must of sounded like with my heavy breathing!!....
But I went that slow, that I managed all of the runs and this is the key to all of this.
It's not about how fast you can run, but the distance, and that comes with time and by following the plan.
I've just started Wk 8 and I'm a totally different person from the gal in Wk 1.
As oldfloss will say "find your inner 🐌" 👍
I hope my waffle has helped in some small way x
I found Week 1 so hard! I’m now on week 7 so just do as much as you can and definitely go slow. You’ll get there 😊
Run as slow as you can! Run one nearly killed me, then I slowed down and allowed by fitness to keep up with my runs.
This made me chuckle 🤭
Fixed my typo 😂
I thought it was a new edition to the plan 🤣
Running AND Slapping! Oh what an image!
I’m game... will try anything once.
I definitely found the first week tough especially the first run, hated repeating the runs 8 times when you’re out of condition. It definitely works if you persevere though, just done week 5 and was able to run 20 minutes even though I’m over 2 stones overweight and 56.
Start slow... slow down and then slow down more...
Just begin the plan... check the post out for Newbies..
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Then keep running and keep posting too.. we will watch for you and support you.
You know why you want to do this... that is why you are here... so.... you get past the struggle...by putting on the running shoes and taking that first step!
You have done that.. so now...just keep going... we are right there with you!
Gosh yeah those 60 second runs nearly killed me. I ran up and down this one strip of grass that I pass on my runs now and I remember and smile 😊 wk4 now, it’s still hard, but not as hard as wk1R1 😉
I thought I was going to die on the first run! Admittedly I’m only about to start week 2 tomorrow and I did have to repeat the runs, but I ended up enjoying the run and thought I could do a few seconds more. Forgot to say I gave up smoking 3 months ago, started healthy eating and have lost 2 stone, another 4 to go but I feel healthier than I’ve done in last 40 years....I’m 53 now!
Fantastic, shelly2310👍
And it's irrelevant how many times you feel like you need to repeat the runs, the key is your out there doing them and enjoying them 👏💪
Enjoy the rest of your running journey 🏃♀️
Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
You are like so many who work their way through the plan and successfully graduate.
You can do this.
Enjoy your journey.
As you can see from previous comments ... we’ve all been there... as everyone is saying just take it slow.. you can do this.. and when you doubt yourself there are hundreds of people on here in the same boat that will give you all the support you need.. couple of months we’ll be celebrating your graduation with you..!!! Good luck
Hi g4444c, I’m very overweight and when I started here in early September I couldn’t run at all. I began by doing the brisk walk at my normal walking pace and the “runs” as though I was walking to catch the post office before it closed. Once I began to jog I counted 16s - so I jogged a count of 16 and then walked the rest of each run. Once I was ready I doubled it, then added another sixteen, and so on. It took me nine weeks to conquer week 1, and I’m now on my third repeat of week 2. This is not a straightforward and speedy process for everyone, though it is for some, but it is always achievable if you just keep going. Remember the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for. The second rule is, Trust the programme. Use the repeat facility: it’s a strategy, not a failure. You can do this, and we’re all right behind you. Enjoy your journey x
That's brilliant. 👏👏👏
It doesn’t feel brilliant when you watch folk start, race through, graduate and race off to Bridge to 10k while you’re just past week 1 😄 But for me, it’s the way that’s working.
We were all the same to start with! Took me 2 attempts to finish W1,I just plodded away and tried my best. I got there in the end,and I'm sure you will too 😉🏃♂️🏃♂️
That’s the plan ! Thanks for your encouragement x
I was exactly the same as you, you might want to check my posts.
Honestly just keep going, it really does get better, it’s not a quick fix, it is slow and can feel painful at times, however, the rewards so far have outweighed the pain and the sense of achievement is tremendous.
I really got past it by thinking “if I can’t do this run, I will just keep trying until I do”
I’m now week 6, I can’t believe it but just take one run at a time
I'm guessing that if you were previously 'really into running' and managed 5k, then perhaps you're going a bit too fast, trying too hard?
Try to aim for a conversational pace, i.e. where you can comfortably talk while JOGGING (not 'running'!) ... aim to finish each session feeling like you could carry on. You should NOT be panting, out of breath, feeling sick etc at the end of any session.
On YouTube, search for "Quick steps: The running shuffle
" for an idea of the type of running pace I'm talking about.
Good luck!
John
Week one was a real shocker for me too! Heed the advice given here. Stick with the plan and don’t be afraid to repeat weeks if you don’t feel ready to move on. There is no rush. Come back to this forum whenever you need support and the lovely people here will be only too happy to help you. Good luck and believe me when I say this plan works!
Incidentally, I love your poetic title ! Was it deliberate, or are you a natural ?
Week 5 Run 1 completed - who knew I could run in the rain???
Week 1 Run 1
Week 1 - Run 2
Week 8 Run 1
Week 9 Run 1
