Easier or harder?

[ToucheTurtle]

Hi all. Just finished week 1. Does it get easier or harder the further you go? I’m really enjoying it so far but my legs are like jelly and my muscles ache 🤪

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Honestly? Both. As you get fitter the runs you are doing now would be easier. But the runs get progressively harder.

This means the first couple of runs each week are quite hard and the final one slightly easier. And then the cycle starts again the following week.

If you find a run hard, slow down. None of this is about speed. Enjoy the next one!

[ToucheTurtle in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks luv. I thought it would be like that. I really enjoyed today’s run (3) but I really had to convince myself to go xxx

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to ToucheTurtle]

Stick with it and you will amaze yourself what you can do. From no exercise in over 20 years I’m now running 5 times a week and a long run of 10k+ In that. Started here end of March last year.

[ToucheTurtle in reply to Jay66UK]

Wow that’s amazing! We’ll done

[Firetop in reply to Jay66UK]

I second this! Although I’m just one week 5 and I see the long runs start now...yikes!!!! Good luck and keep going - it’ll be worth it!

[Hidden]

I’ve finsihed week 1 too the itches day I start week 2 tomorrow the thought of trying to run 1.5 minutes is a bit daunting as my legs kill too x

[ToucheTurtle in reply to Hidden]

Think I did to stop thinking about it 😂 once I start it’s great but it’s convincing myself to go xxx

[Hidden in reply to ToucheTurtle]

Haha I’ve spent 7 hours walking today most on retail therapy after a Zumba class last night and a 5 mile walk my legs hurt 😱. Looking forward to seeing your progress well done x

[ToucheTurtle in reply to Hidden]

OMG! I bet you’re knackered 😂 Zumba scars the hell out of me. Good luck on your journey xxx

[BethanDavies]

Both! Certain runs are easier than some weeks and other weeks are hard. I remember finding week 3 hard but week 5 easy. You'll notice the difference as you progress and the harder weeks are the ones to power through cause they're making the most difference x

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well done on week one... in many ways it’s the hardest one. The actual act of running gets easier, but of course the runs get longer, so it stays challenging. Challenges are for beating of course. Some time after the plan you’ll run an easy 5k... enjoy the journey to that run.

[RunnerLCA Graduate]

I’m about to start week 9 and can honestly say it’s a bit of both, lungs and legs start to work a lot better but i still have to push myself and tell myself to keep going when I could quite easily stop but I don’t, because I love the buzz I get once I complete it!! 🏃‍♀️💪🏻

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

The demands get more but you get more capable of dealing with them.

Slow down to the easy conversational pace described in the above guide.

You can do this........ slowly.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Day one saw me doubled over trying to breathe through both ends and - as a random passerby stated ' with a bluish tinge around the eyes and lips' ( had to literally stop her calling the Paramedics, no kidding)

I honestly never thought I would run 5K.

For the first seven or eight weeks I yearned to be able to make the 3/10ths of a mile marker in the Park.

But - 'slow and steady' and just keeping on keeping on saw the 5K happening.

And then for almost a year I was of the opinion that TEN k would be 'impossible'

But - slowly and steadily, 10K happened.

Then the 'fun idea' of trying - emphasis on trying - to make ten miles occurred.

And - slow and steady saw THAT happen.

Now I've signed up for a HM in April, in addition - admittedly a year before I intended - I've committed to seeing what will happen when I go out for a FM in October....

And its still a case of wheezing, puffing, panting, groaning and lumbering when I run.

Having never run more than a hundred paces in my life before June 2016 because of two forms of Asthma, deformed foot bones and believing 'them' since childhood that I would never be able to run.....I'm an ex-chains smoking, asthmatic, somewhat crippled, still a bit too overweight 58 year old Runner, and I've never been as proud of anything in my life

Easy? Hard? - dunno.

But - I can definitely say its bloody addictive and a hell of a lot of fun.

Becoming a Runner changes EVERYTHING - Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[Windhover in reply to Irish-John]

Thus is an incredible - and very amusingly written - story 😊. Inspiring too. Really well done,amazing what you've achieved.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Windhover]

Thank you It's an overused phrase but in this case it's true that if I could do it, anyone who survives Day one can

[RunnerLCA Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Love this! 👍🏻

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to RunnerLCA]

Thank you

[Razouski]

Hi Toucheturtle, it is such a mixture. Yes the challenges increase each week, but your body improves to meet them That’s the beauty of the C25k programme, it’s tried and tested. Part of it is physical but a bigger part is about your mind set.

I started running after working with a Macmillan physio following a mastectomy and treatment for breast cancer. She wanted me to start some tiny running intervals as part of my gym work and I adamantly insisted that I’d never run in my life and certainly wasn’t going to start now, especially as a year before I’d had damage to my inner ear which left me with dreadful balance issues (ie I fall over a lot).

Well all that’s history now as I managed to work through the C25k programme to week 8, had a break of a couple of weeks due to having a lump removed from the other breast, but then started the programme again (in two ultra support bras) and soon got to the magic of week 9.

Since then I’ve done the Bridge to 10k and this October took part in my first half marathon.

So if I can do it I’m sure you can. Just take it slow and steady, stick with the programme and remember that rest days are important too.

Good luck and happy running. 🏃🏾‍♀️

[Katnap Graduate]

Stay running slow and steady. When you become more fit and start (shhhh... say it quietly: enjoying) your running you might want to go faster.

Take your time. Complete the programme. Join the Bridge to 10k group where you can do your own thing or take up another programme.

[Fairywhite Graduate]

I did week 2 run 1 yesterday evening. Just go slow!! I did it and I’m not scared of run 2 tomorrow. Believe me, if I can do it anyone can!!!

[TaylorLou]

I completed week 3 run 1 yesterday and found the 3 minute runs easier than the many little ones in week 1 and 2! You can do it!

[Laggard in reply to TaylorLou]

Crikey! I did run 1 week 3 yesterday... the others had been a doddle but that was a challenge... it may have been doing it a different time of day too though.. well done.

[Chester01 Graduate]

I’m at the end of week 2 and enjoying it, def the third of the runs each week gets easier. Make sure you take a few mins to stretch at the end of each run, i’ve Done that and so far haven’t had aching legs!

[Fatbottomgirl Graduate]

Well done for starting. It always seems impossible when you look at the next run but once you start and the adrenaline kicks in you find the ability to continue. As everyone has been saying, slow and steady will get you through. I leave my phone in my pocket all the time so I cannot keep looking at the clock. Instead I try and count the time in my head. I do that so badly that it always comes as a surprise when I'm told to stop running😁. Don't let it get in your head, stick to the plan. I never thought I would be able to run for 30 seconds and I am up to 3 minutes now. Well done for starting and good luck 🤞🤞

[Toffee23pj Graduate]

I am on week 7 25 minute runs! I am still classed as obese (just) at the beginning my shins and calves used to really hurt. Now I don't get any pain. I see it all as psychological. I go running every Mon, Wed and Friday I've made it routine. I got this far in November then got the flu it put me back by 2 weeks in time but 4 weeks in my running.

Making it a routine, listening to music or the radio and being psychologically strong is what has got me this far!

Good luck YOU CAN DO THIS!

[Jellylegs1]

Hi and a massive Welldone you. It does get easier, stretch and strengthen those muscles. If your looking for stretches women's running magazine website have good ones.

Remember you've got this!

[Clappers]

Just done week 2 run 1 and it was harder but manageable. I am hoping each week will be a gradual increase in the amount of running. Just keep going and repeat a run until you feel ready to move on. You can do it!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

As above, both! I’m about to start week 4 tomorrow and some runs are ok, even enjoyable (!?) and occasionally you get one that feels harder or that you really don’t enjoy. It happens but don’t worry the one after is fine again.

Welcome to the programme and do read Ian’s link as it has a lot of info.

Enjoy!

[Ladyvickster Graduate]

Mentally WK2 was easier as I knew I had coped with WK1and I had more idea about how this thing works.

[micey2 Graduate]

Just keep at it, I honestly thought I’d never finish week one, and I’m ready to startweek 7, go at your own pace and enjoy the bits you can and head down through the harder stuff you’ll surprise yourself good luck

[JumpingFrog]

I find some days felt better than others. Sometimes it was struggle others I felt like I could run round the world. As long as you can get rid of the negative thoughts like "I can't do this" and push through you will feel a real sense of achievement. You can do it and as your muscles develop it will be easier.

[wez70 Graduate]

I think it just gets 'do-able'! Each run you face, you think you can't do that, each time it ramps up a little, you tell yourself it's impossible but then you find you're at the end of another week and you did it ... I never ran before I did this, I was unfit, I got back from the first run of Wk 1 and thought 'bugger that!' but when my hub said that he didn't think I'd be going out again it made we ask why not? Nothing was stopping me apart from my head telling me it was hard ... so I went out again and completed the programme. Its 3 years since I graduated now and I'm still running but I'm running for me, and to know I'm doing something to benefit my physical and mental wellbeing ... was it easy? No ... was it impossible? Absolutely not ... good luck and keep us posted

[orcadia Graduate]

I'd agree - it's both easier and harder. Your fitness really does improve so you're able to do more - but you're then running more than walking so you *are* doing more. I would say overall though I'm now (on week 6) finding it's more easier than harder.

[ArtJones]

I am 65 and hadn't run before. Just follow the plan exactly and enjoy. I found that after a week is completed the next follows. I am doing WK 8 - 3 next. I am 65. Keep on and don't give up. Good luck.

[Dubdog]

I’ve just done W2R1 and I used the podcast which I found really helped motivating music and words of encouragement from “Laura” and yes not easy but wow do I feel smug that I’ve done it - I’m struggling to conceive the idea that I will be able to run for 30mins eventually but I determined to prove my self doubt wrong !!! Sending you vibes of encouragement for your journey 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[johnm12 Graduate]

Hi Touche

The programme is very well thought out and progressive. If you feel sore then take an extra day. If you feel you could do much more then don't! The programme really is great. Most of us found and probably do still find that the hardest step is just getting out there .

Above all please enjoy the programme. I like many others have found it life changing. And finally... the admins are well with listening to.

See you out there!

John

[Absrhia Graduate]

Defo was hard yntil about week 3. Much easier after that even though you’re running longer