Trying

[Gempal]

Just started couch to 5k, tomorrow begins my week 2.

Found the first week hard, but once completed really proud of myself. Did everyone find the 1st week hard?

[Granspeed Graduate]

Sure! Puffing and gasping, I was, and ever so glad I hadn’t told anyone I was going to try it. And now I’m on Week 8. 😄 Believe in yourself and the programme. And learn to run sloooowly. Close relationship to a snail turned out to be the key to finding my natural pace. Welcome. 🎉

[Gempal in reply to Granspeed]

Yes I haven’t told anyone either! Thank you!!!! 🏃🏻‍♀️

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Took me nine weeks of repeats to get through week 1, and another three to get through week 2, but I’m on week 9 now ! Take it slow and steady, and if it hurts, slow down again. You can do this x

[Gempal in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you!!

[Yeti5 Graduate]

Hi Gempal

I finished week 1 today and also found it hard ........but we did it!

Here's to week 2

[Gempal in reply to Yeti5]

Yep, getting through week 1 was hard but fantastic achievement for me, but yet not invested in proper attire just yet! 😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on starting C25K, onwards and upwards to week 2

Some people find week 1 very hard because they have never ran at all since leaving school or never have done any exercises at all since leaving school either.

As I used the runs as an extension to the other excerces I had done before starting C25K such as cycling which I have doing since I was 7, also I have a yoga mat.two pairs of 5 Kilogram kettle bells and I do some planks, sit ups and press ups.

I managed to do C25K including the first week with no repeat runs or week's.

Good luck for your running journey with C25K, if you wish you can repeat any runs or week's. 😊 🏃

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

Enjoy your journey.

[Sanguineus]

Week 1 was hard for me too, mainly because I hadn't done any proper excercise for many years. But there were a few things that I picked up that made it easier.

Breathing. Sounds weird I know but I wasn't breathing properly while running which hampered things. It's something I'm still working on but getting better at, big controlled breaths in for a 4 count and out for 4, even when on the walking elements really helps keep everything oxygenated.

Posture. I found in was leaning forward a little, almost as if I were sprinting, but once I forced myself to straighten up a little, engaging my core muscles better (I think) it made breathing properly easier, improved my balance and running form.

Eating more (and better). With all the excercise your body burns a lot more fuel. I found it's better to fuel up in advance, throughout the day then trying to pay it back after. I've started to eat smaller and regularly throughout the day which for me has given me more energy in advance of the runs.

And finally PACE, my very first run was abysmal, I was all over the place, and couldn't finish the program. Turns out I was running too fast, so I slowed it down its better to have a slow pace but be able to do the 30 minute schedule, than go hell for leather and have to stop before the end. If on the first run you feel there's a bit left in the tank you could up the pace slightly next run, but the objective right now is finishing the session, not how fast you do it. Plenty of time later to work on speeding up if you want to at the end.

Keep at it, like me and many many others I'm sure you'll be sitting there in a few weeks wondering why you didn't do this sooner, and be amazed how far you've come.

[Hidden]

Congratulations! Yes I too found the first week hard and thought i’d never make wk2, but I did.

[ethelmary Graduate]

Yes,so repeated for at least another wk so the 2. Nd wk much easier ,but still haven’t done the 3 rd run as I’ve a heavy cold-can’t breathe properly!

[Sybilw Graduate]

I think many/most of us do but unlike some others who replied I actually told everyone I’d started (so that I’d keep going!). I had never run - even at school - and I left there in 1972!! I did it and continue to run so keep on going - this forum will provide all the support/advice you will need. Good luck.

[Jellylegs1]

Keep up the good work ☺

[Domesticbelle]

Yes! Shock to the system but joining this group not only encourages me but also gives valuable tips, such as slow down. That really helped me and now I’m achieving (slowly) and enjoying.

Keep going 👍🏻🙂

[Jell6 Graduate]

Yes, it nearly killed me!.🤯

Make sure you are well hydrated the day before, and go really slowly. Your "running pace " may be slower than you walk, don't worry, that's fine.

Great that you have started, this programme is fantastic 😊

[Silvanus]

Well done for starting .. just keep going you may a feel little discomfort but it will be worth it 10 fold .. resaprosity principle .. what give you get back ten fold

[Wheezy113]

I found it got harder! I think maybe I upped the pace when my coach changed from Sarah. Illican to Michael Johnson. Shall take it easy tomorrow. Good luck.

[Larrykat Graduate]

I found the first week awful, I got to the end of the last 1minute run and thought I was going to be sick. I went home thinking was this the right thing for me, I decided that if I wanted to be able get past the nauseous feeling I would have to persevere, and I did. I now run 30 minutes 3 times a week, it is still not easy, but it improves every week. I am still slow, but don't care, I get a real buzz from my runs.

[SalukiX]

Yes.....anything worth doing is never easy...now on the cusp of graduating, just run 5K in 32 mins so am ever so modestly pleased with myself....you just grow into it (or ideally shrink a bit 😂😂😂)...keep going it is a great mood enhancer...👍👍👍👍

[Size4]

I found the first week hard particularly the first run. I found week two easier and l have just completed it. It’s 90 minutes run with a two minute walk in between.

. I find having some up beat music on and a Banana before I go really helps.

Good luck

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Size4]

I hope that’s really 90 seconds, not minutes, as I am on W8 and would feel a bit daunted by 90 minutes! 😂

[Size4 in reply to Granspeed]

😱 Oh yeah definitely 90 seconds 😂😂 🤦🏻‍♀️