W1R2

[Audreyxxx]

Really enjoying the start but worrying that I won’t get any better, feel so unfit

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You will get better the more practice you have 😊

[Audreyxxx in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you, I hope so

[Trying83 Graduate]

You really will get fitter, I started week 3 today, and I amazingly got through it when alls I kept thinking today was "how am I going to run 3 minutes straight". I wouldn't say it was easy but it wasnt horrendous, take it one run at a time, dont think too far ahead, totally can do it

[Audreyxxx in reply to Trying83]

Thank you for your kind words

[JaoJao]

You will surprise even yourself!

[Audreyxxx in reply to JaoJao]

Thank you

[Twinkle_toes1 Graduate]

Hi Audrey, i just had exactly the same thought after doing wk 1 run 2. So many people have successfully graduated so we must just put our faith in the process. We can do this 👍

[Audreyxxx in reply to Twinkle_toes1]

We can definitely do this 💪 I just want to be able to run properly ☺️

[AndyB73 Graduate]

It's very common to feel like that. I certainly did. You've taken the hardest step of all by starting though. Stick with it, you'll be fine.

[Audreyxxx in reply to AndyB73]

Thank you

[Jonno34 Graduate]

Give it time, do your best and if you have to consolidate by repeating runs. You are getting fitter and every run you do us an achievement.

[Audreyxxx in reply to Jonno34]

Thank you

[Lib75 Graduate]

I felt exactly the same as you and now I run 35 minutes 3 times a week. You do feel fitter I promise ☺

[Audreyxxx in reply to Lib75]

Thank you

[Hidden]

The hardest part of the run can often be getting to the front door. Trust the process and repeat a week if needed. We believe in you 😀

[Audreyxxx in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words

[Scojac Graduate]

I felt like that too. Am now on w5R1. U can do it keep going

[Audreyxxx in reply to Scojac]

Thank you for your encouragement

[Scojac Graduate in reply to Audreyxxx]

Ur welcome x

[JennyB48 Graduate]

It will get better. I am at the end of Week 4 and in Week 1 I was struggling to run for 60 seconds let alone 5 minutes. I never thought I would be able to run for 16 mins but now I can. Stick with the plan and remember not to go too fast. I can walk faster than I jog but it's about pacing yourself and managing your breathing as that makes it so much easier. Keep going!

[Audreyxxx in reply to JennyB48]

Thank you, I think I’m just so worried about not being able to do it that it clouds that I’ve already done 2

[Hidden]

Morning Audrey.

Don't listen to the naughty gremlins in your head!! They need to be squashed flat!!

I'm in Week 3 and listen to the calming voice of the lovely Laura on the NHS app. She encourages me along and keeps telling me I am making progress - I believe every word she says!

Trust the process and keep posting your progress on the forum. Everyone here will cheer you on! You can do it!! 🤗

[Audreyxxx in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I went for Sarah, who I quite enjoy at the moment thank you!

[itshelsbels Graduate]

Hi. I did W6R3 yesterday (won’t spoiler alert but it sounded like a loooooong way to me!) I had the same fears as you (and still do from time to time) but the programme really works. Just enjoy each run as it come along without getting too far ahead mentally. You can do it!

[Audreyxxx in reply to itshelsbels]

Week 6 sounds so far away! I’m determined to do it and I feel good when I run so I won’t stop thank you

[glentoran99 Graduate]

When I started I couldn’t get to the end of those first minutes.. I started July 2018.. last week I ran 5K in 25:36 trust the plan. Your doing great and ignore gremlins telling you that you can’t do it

[Audreyxxx in reply to glentoran99]

Wow well done! That’s really incredible and makes me feel better

[glentoran99 Graduate in reply to Audreyxxx]

Each week feels like an impossible leap, but have faith, the plan works. And the best advice I got.. slow down

[Audreyxxx in reply to glentoran99]

Thank you

[ArthurJG Graduate]

You will get better. That’s exactly the point of the training you are doing. Each week prepares you for the challenge of the next which is why the advice above about not thinking too far ahead is so sound. If week 5 for example looks beyond you that’s because you wouldn’t be able to do it today but you’re not expected to do it today - you’re expected to do it after another month of training and both your body and your mind will be stronger by then. You can do this.

[Audreyxxx in reply to ArthurJG]

Thank you for your encouragement

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

C25K works.......... so believe it!!

This might help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can do this.

[Audreyxxx in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you

[Scaredycatrunner]

I’m definitely not the fittest by a long way but have just finished week 2 - week 3 is scaring me a little but just taking it one run at a time! As the App says “your doing great!!”

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Scaredycatrunner]

Week 3 is just week 2 with shorter walks - you still only run for 9 minutes in total. You’ll be fine.

[Audreyxxx in reply to Scaredycatrunner]

Thank you!

[Agelesslass]

I started 12 months ago like you. Now I’m doing my first half soon, stick at it, you’ll be amazed.

[Audreyxxx in reply to Agelesslass]

Wow that’s amazing! Well done thank you

[Serenity0365 Graduate]

Yesterday evening I also completed W1R2 and yes gremlins in the head were chattering. Fears of falling over, getting run over by a car when crossing road, all remote possibilities. So I am planning to focus on looking at the ground on bumpy terrain and wait, jumping up and down, whilst cars pass before safe to cross. I will push through this and go on to achieve 5K and graduate, as you can and will Audrey.

[Audreyxxx in reply to Serenity0365]

We can definitely do this, I did my run on the treadmill yesterday. Everyone calls them the dreadmill on here but I felt much more comfortable and it felt more achievable! I was much calmer inside

[Laurzmum Graduate]

You will and you can !! Slow down. I know you might think you cant go any slower but you can. I didnt even own trainers when i started and graduated a few weeks ago. Alot of this challenge is a mental one. Slow and steady and you can defo do it !!! Keep going girl 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[Audreyxxx in reply to Laurzmum]

Thank you so much it’s definitely a mental one which sounds silly but it is!

[Laurzmum Graduate in reply to Audreyxxx]

Totally mental challenge. I did 5.5k on monday night. Last night i had a short 2.5k run but when i got to the end of it i thought i couldnt have run a minute longer ,, same pace but different mindset !!!

[Audreyxxx in reply to Laurzmum]

Thank you, I’m going to do my 3rd run tomorrow and see how I feel!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Happy running day! 😀

[Audreyxxx in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you!

[Fingersx Graduate]

You CAN do it ... I could barely run the 1 minute when I started out so please keep with it you will surprise yourself. (I cant believe I managed to graduate but did & I’m still going 💪🏻 !!!

🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

😊

[Audreyxxx in reply to Fingersx]

Thank you! I will keep going!

[Stephixtx]

I have w1r2 to do this evening, I had scheduled it for yesterday but had awful headache after work. I enjoyed being out, but I'm still a little achey. I too feel like I'm never going to be fit enough to complete the course, or even comfortably run for a 60 seconds!

[Audreyxxx in reply to Stephixtx]

We can definitely do it!!

[Caraprice]

That’s exactly how I felt, but it does get easier. I went out this morning and did 25mins without stopping. If you had told me I could do that 6 weeks ago I would not have believed it. Just keep plodding and enjoy each run as best you can, and remember to say well done to yourself with each run you complete. It’s a wonderful journey you have begun.

[Audreyxxx in reply to Caraprice]

Thank you very much

[ReturningRunner Graduate]

Stick with it, consistency is key. Everyone has felt like that at some point

[Audreyxxx in reply to ReturningRunner]

Thank you

[Stevieplink Graduate]

Pretty much what everyone is saying. I did wk2 r1 today the thought of running that extra 30 seconds filled me with dread, but here i am having completed it and surprisingly I don't feel too bad physically. Take it easy and if i can get my 16 and a half stone through it you will be fine

[Audreyxxx in reply to Stevieplink]

Thank you very much for your kind words

[Kevtrev]

I thought the very same and guess what I’m on W3R3 tomorrow and it gets easier and you’re stamina will improve trust the program it works and take different routes 😉🏃‍♀️

[Audreyxxx in reply to Kevtrev]

Thank you

[Kevtrev in reply to Audreyxxx]

You’re welcome And don’t forget to stretch before and after you’re run and hydrate more x😉🏃‍♀️

[Audreyxxx in reply to Kevtrev]

Will do

[Kevtrev in reply to Audreyxxx]

X 🏃‍♀️😒

[Lovemyrun Graduate]

I found the first week the hardest but trust me it will get better as u get fitter and of course the weather will hopefully get warmer which makes it nicer to go out. Good luck with the programme. It works. I graduated on Tuesday!

[Audreyxxx in reply to Lovemyrun]

Thank you and well done!

[Pianism Graduate]

I felt like a complete fraud in week 1 (and still do now to some extent). My only advice, is to take it slow and look after your body - the main thing is to just get through those runs without injury, no matter how slow or ungainly or unfit you might feel. In no time at all you will be getting your graduate badge and thinking of anything under 30 minutes being a short run! I know it sounds impossible now, but this programme is simply amazing, as are you. You've got this and we are so proud of you.

[Audreyxxx in reply to Pianism]

Thank you for your kind words

[Hidden]

Don't worry, Audrey , you've made start and that's good. Keep going and you'll find yourself getting fitter.👌

[Paigerussy]

It definitely gets better. Every new week I find myself being less out of breath even though I run for longer! Stick to it!!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate]

Well done for starting, Audrey. You will get better and you will start to enjoy it more. Every week is a new challenge, but the program is designed to build fitness and stamina, so trust and enjoy