Move forward or start again...

[Lilgwood]

Hello! I started couch to 5k this week and have just completed my first week of 3 runs! I’m overweight and have never really exercised regularly ( despite trying to go swimming once a week, walking dogs and having a pretty active job! ). I’ve just finished my last run for the week and really struggled. More than the first two runs. I’m thinking of re doing these runs before moving on. Any recommendations if that’s the right thing to do or keep progressing? Any tips appreciated! Thank you.

[Unfit-runner]

Well done! I just finished my first week too. I’m not sure I’ll ever be one of those people powering along looking like they could run forever! Next week increases the runs by 30 secs, so I’d keep progressing if I were you - maybe just go a little slower if it’s really tough, and take a day off in between run days. Good luck.

[Lilgwood in reply to Unfit-runner]

Thank you and well done you!! I have to agree with you however I’ve surprised myself by completing all the runs this week so who knows, we might be! I have to say I struggle to go slower, maybe it’s my long legs haha. Good luck to you too! Here’s to week 2!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

If you don't complete all the sections of a workout, repeat that one, after a rest day. Otherwise, to maintain momentum, I recommend you move on.

Why repeat the workout that you know you can do?

Take the challenge and get outside your comfort zone.........it is empowering.

That said, you are in control, so do it any way you wish.

Keep us posted.

Enjoy your journey.

[Lilgwood in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! That is the motivation I needed hello week 2!! I’ll keep you all informed in a couple of days!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Lilgwood]

You can only fail this programme by heading permanently back to the couch.........there is nothing wrong with repeats.

We call incomplete workouts practice runs.

[Tartancat Graduate]

Well done for completing week one 😊

No need to repeat, every run you do sets you up for the next one - your brain might think you're not ready, but your body will be ready.

Keep it slow and go and surprise yourself!

[Lilgwood in reply to Tartancat]

Thank you! Feeling much more motivated now! 👏🏼

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

There’s two things happening...

You’re building physical fitness to become a runner... and week one is done, great job... you’re on your way.

You’re also building a new mentality... and yeah, you struggled on the runs... but that struggle says to me that you can do this, you dug in deep and used your mental strength to not stop and get to that finish line. On that score, great job.

So, you’re capable of week 2 for sure... it’s your call if you’d rather repeat a week, it is your journey. Personally I told myself what my grandad told me at a young age... when you meet the impossible, it’s time to work. So I decided I’d only repeat a run I didn’t complete. What’s the worst that will happen? Target is 90 second intervals and you manage 70s... that’s progress on week one, that’s a victory... and you get stronger from every run, no, every step you run, so it would make you stronger... and more ready for the next one.

If you cross the start line, there’s no such thing as failure. You can do this. Enjoy your journey.

[Lilgwood in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! I can honestly say your words and everyone’s above have motivated me! Thank you again 👏🏼