Prepping for Restart - Want to Skip W1

[LazyPanda]

So I'm new to this website and forum but it seemed like there was a lot of useful info here so thought I'd join.

I have tried Couch to 5K before but never been able to get past Week 3. I think i seem to lose motivation after Week 3 and always end up packing it in. This time I am determined to get through it. I am doing Race for Life for the fourth year running this year and, after feeling like I was dying as I crossed the line last year, I promised myself I'd at least train a little bit for this one.

I'm wanting to start at Week 2 as I think I can do Week 1 pretty easily and I really want to get a move on. Am I making a massive mistake in jumping forward a week?

[WalkingWithLabradors Graduate]

I’m no expert but run where you are comfortable and don’t try to go too far forward or fast if you haven’t run for a while...speaking as someone with a shin splint at the moment! 🙄

[LazyPanda in reply to WalkingWithLabradors]

Oh no! Hope you're feeling better soon!

The more I think about it, the more I think I'm going to do Week 1, Run 1 today. I can always do Week 2 for my second run if I do find it super-duper easy.

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

I had an injury in June last year and had to stop after W2R2. When I started again in March this year, I restarted from the same run.

It worked for me, but as I do a lot of short sprints while refereeing, I'm in the habit of running. C25K for me is more about stamina and endurance to help me get through games rather than the running itself, so it's different for everyone I guess.

Simple advice, try it and if it works great, if it doesn't, go back a stage. Worst case scenario, you've added one extra run to your programme,

[LazyPanda in reply to sTrongFuse]

Thanks! That's actually really good advice. I tend to get all caught up in doing things "right" which often means I don't even end up doing anything at all just in case it's "wrong".

The fact is whichever I do I can always change for the next run if needs be.

[sTrongFuse Graduate in reply to LazyPanda]

I know it sounds a bit trite, but just listen to your body and not your mind. Your body knows what it can and can't do (although it does seem to protest more as we get older)

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I’m assuming that race for life last year was the last run you did... and that coupled with the fact you haven’t got past week 3 before suggests to me that you currently have zero running conditioning in your legs, unless you do some other sport that involves running. So, I’d suggest skipping no runs and letting the conditioning build slowly. I’d also advise you to run slowly, making sure you can speak in full sentences as you go... this makes the whole process of becoming a runner so much easier and opens the door to success.

Enjoy your journey.

[LazyPanda in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I have been going to the gym three times a week but doing circuit training rather than any running. I'm just impatient haha!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

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

We are all capable of doing way more than our bodies are conditioned to do, but not without a huge increase in injury risk, which is why C25K is structured as it is.

When you run you create microtears in your muscles which repair and strengthen on your rest days. As a new runner please don't underestimate the damage that the impact of running can do if you don't follow a gently progressive training regime.

What's the hurry? Is it worth the risk?

Enjoy your journey.

[LazyPanda in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks so much for your advice!

[LazyPanda]

So, I do suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder (not as scary as it sounds I promise) which tends to make me pretty impatient and impulsive which I think is why I was so eager to just get up and jump straight in.

However, I practiced restraint and did W1 R1 on Monday and really enjoyed it. Found it 100x easier than the first time I did it (some years ago now) which was a really good motivator and enjoyed doing it. On to W1 R2 this evening

Thank you to everyone who posted advice. It was much appreciated and helped me come to a better decision than I could have done on my own.