Doin’ Everything Twice!

[MargoPuffyPants]

I’m so unfit but want to change. I’m doing each week twice as I think Couch to 5K’s target audience is about half my age, so did my first 3 minute runs today at my week 5. Felt euphoric with the achievement as I never thought I could ever run for 3 whole minutes! Woohoo!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome and well done getting started. I think the target audience for C25K was originally a runners mother, so middle age and beyond was the original C25K group. Of course it’s inclusive and can be done by kids and octogenarians, maybe older. No matter what age or starting fitness, skipping runs is never good. Repeating may not be necessary, but as every run builds fitness and strength for the next one, there’s no harm in doing so. It’s your journey to 30 minutes and I hope you enjoy it. Congratulations on 3 minutes non stop running, you’re going to amaze yourself lots on the way to 30.

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks! I know if I miss one run, that will finish it, so I’ve been out in rain and snow (well, sleet anyway). It’s becoming a good habit to have 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to MargoPuffyPants]

Great job there... soon you’ll have the opposite problem, I find it hard to not run on rest days now 😂

[Purplemini Graduate in reply to MargoPuffyPants]

You’ve cracked it when you say it’s becoming a habit! As Unfitnomore says, it will soon be hard to have rest days!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Margo,

Well done for starting the c25k program, its great and really works. Your approach is just fine if that is suiting you, and being able to run for three minutes feels brilliant doesn't it. Gently onwards and upwards, taking the running at a steady pace and you will be surprised and delighted at how far you can go!

Good luck and keep posting! 😊x

[Actually Graduate]

Yep I did each week twice too! It takes time to build up fitness. After all, you wouldn't expect to learn a language overnight would you? So definitely do it at your pace and only move on when you're ready. You're doing great !

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Actually]

Thanks! It’s lovely to find such a supportive community - you’re all amazing! 😊

[Knittingrunner]

I started C25k on the cusp of my 66 birthday last year. I hadn’t ever run before so it swas scary and exhilarating. I’m on my way to 10k. Do it the way the way that feels best to you. We are all different.

It’s amazing to get to 3 minutes and you will continue to be amazed by what you can do.

Enjoy the journey. 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Knittingrunner]

Thank you! 😊

[Aakk Graduate]

Hi I've been doing each week 3x til I'm completely comfortable with it. Now that I'm at the far end I am rearranging the runs and doing each run three times, before moving on to the next longest run. This is working well for me, which is what counts after all.

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Aakk]

Great minds think alike! 😉

[Blueberrydog Graduate]

Im 59 and on wk 7 I’ve been having 2 days rest most times instead of one, this has helped keeping me going, that and going slowly. Do whatever keeps you going the biggest challenge is in our head with the gremlins saying we can’t do it! Good luck x

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Blueberrydog]

Thanks for the tip! 👍

[Juststartedtorun Graduate]

Congratulations on getting started & making it work. I was a stranger to running before I started & now I'm on week 9 which I can hardly believe. Good luck & enjoy the plan it really does work.

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Juststartedtorun]

Fantastic! Well done you!

[Jaguar1965]

well done MargoPuffyPants, I think the target audience is everyone, no age- I'm 54 and never run before and was inspired by a lady at my Gym who's over retirement age and she managed it! Its for everyone and you're doing great by the sounds of it- keep it up x

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Jaguar1965]

Thanks! My big bro is 67 and he does a park run every Saturday, so he sort of shamed me into doing it. No regrets so far!

[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

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you 😊

[nif100 Graduate]

I am 65years old so deff not half your age....unfit when I started overweight, could not run but stuck with this programme. I am at week 8 now. NEVER in a million years would I have thought I would stick to this or get this far. Hold the faith there are oldies out there and we are enjoying this lovely new lease of lifexx

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to nif100]

You’re amazing Nif! Fabulous!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Hi Margo, another over 60 here, never run before, there are more of us than you maybe think! I also take two rest days between runs now I've reached 5k. If it suits you to double up, then that's fine. Although, you could go crazy once in a while and push on! Well done for sticking with it through wind and weather. Such a buzz to run for 3 minutes, isn't it!

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Hi Grumpy. 😊 Yes I’m over 60 too but still working full time and more. My job is really sedentary so 30 minutes of run-walk is a shock to the system! It’s great that all of you are out there pushing each other (and me now) on!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

I started this time last year, and I remember it well. I remember thinking, "what do you MEAN, run for another minute?! I just ran for one, and it nearly killed me!" But then you do it and it doesn't kill you, and in fact you can do it again. And then for longer the next time. And before you know it, you enjoy it! If you're stuck at a desk all day, you must be starting to really appreciate the difference by now 😊

[Elsie27]

Hi - I’m 57 & initially really struggled on W1 but today I did W4 R1 & ran for 5 whole minutes which seemed impossible at the beginning. Good luck

[MargoPuffyPants Graduate in reply to Elsie27]

Thanks. Have just done week 3 run 3 this morning and feel fab! I’m still doubling up but I really feel I can crack this now. Thanks for the encouragement 😊