Are there any tips on sticking with it?

[Hanjin]

Hi, i’m a newbie to this running lark. I started C25K once before & ended up letting it slide after W3. I find that initially i am really focused & determined but then it disappears. Running has never been a strong point but last year i was running 2 miles (allegedly) on the treadmill in the gym. I then suffered an ACL injury which stopped that. I have just started C25K again & have completed W1 with no real problems. However, i am worried i’m going to fall into old behaviours & i will end up letting it slide again. Does anyone have any tips on how to stick with it? It is such a psychological thing for me. It is almost a self protection thing against failing.

[JaoJao]

Stick to this forum for posting your progress and getting support. Have a good playlist for your runs.

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

I know that 3 weeks & quit thing well! Luckily for me (out of a real need to get fit) I didn’t quit this. You might have quit last time just before you’d really feel & see the benefits. A great motivator for me was the improvements to my general health and fitness, and specifically my lung capacity and strength, stamina, inch & weight loss, & a more toned body. So try and focus on how you feel & how you did on each run, and how that’s changing you.

Have you found a pace you like to run at? If you’re running too fast, it might be too much of a slog and unpleasant to do. You can do c25k slowly, build strength & confidence as a runner and then address pace, distance or duration after graduation.

All I can say is, nearly 6 months from starting, i haven’t felt this good in years. There’s a feeling of strength and general wellness that I didn’t even know I lacked, but I feel great and it’s helping me make other positive steps & changes in my life.

If that appeals - stick at it! Also this is a really kind and supportive forum, so if you feel like quitting again, post why, and people can chip in and help to encourage you.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Get into a routine and stick to it. Also, keep reminding yourself why you started in the first place. If it is to get fit then there's no point doing the programme and then stopping because you've got to keep fit. Only you can motivate yourself to keep at it, but coming on here and posting regularly will keep you on the straight and narrow.

The benefits are huge and will, in all likelihood, add years to your life. That surely is something worth working for 🙂 That and the pert bum and rock hard thighs 😉

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Do one run each week in the ParkRun.

[suebuzz Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Hi Tash99 - can you do that?

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to suebuzz]

Do what you like in the ParkRun! People walk it every week. I did run 3 of each week in it and could run it all by week 7. Just do your run and do whatever you can to the end. I think by week 6 I started doing the warm up walk before the start but up til then I did it when the ParkRun started. Everyone zoomed off but there are always walkers and as soon as the running starts, you overtake people. Anyway the tail walker always stays behind the last people. Love ParkRun.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Hey Hanjin!! 👋🏽👋🏽! I posted every single run! The good ones, the funny ones and the ones that weren’t so great too. The support from the group is phenomenal and you’ll always find someone is or has experienced the same as you do. Think of it as an adventure and although your running buddies are virtual, it is inevitable that they’ll be someone running out there at the same time as you! So you’re never alone in many ways.

When you have those doubtful days just promise yourself you’ll go out and see how it goes. No pressure. If you’ve gone out there, it’s never failure. It’s a run. Every one is to be celebrated. I had many of those doubtful days, but taking the pressure off worked, as I never came back without a run complete in the end. That was one of the most exciting things on the journey. Even if I did, I’d already let myself off the hook anyway you see. The win was already there by just stepping through the door with my kit on! “Out there, don’t care”! was my mantra! Saw me right through to graduation and still used now. 😉❤️

[Lagger Graduate]

If you can’t complete a run keep trying until you can then move on. Good luck!

[caroldavies071969 Graduate]

I loved having Strava to track my runs, having friends follow my progress and commenting helped too.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

Keep posting here.

Enjoy your journey.

[Hanjin]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I really appreciate it. I have just completed W2R1 & boy was there a difference. Towards the end i was finding it a lot harder than the W1 runs. I think if i am still finding it hard on R3 then i’ll repeat this week again. I am not confident enough to venture outside yet. I either do it at the gym or listening to music/watching tv at home. I know it is different running outside to running on a treadmill. At the minute just doing it is a goal & being in a comfort zone helps with that.

[kel110]

Hi... keep going! I was literally crying with pain during week two...I came on here, got some good advice and have now somehow made it to nearly week 7!!! Some runs feel difficult but keep your pace and breathing steady and you will be fine!! Also, I find it easier to run with my own Spotify playlist 😍 as for running outside- I was so self conscious but ended up buying a sports cap so I can run incognito 🤣🤣 BEST OF LUCK!!! YOU CAN DO THIS 🏃🏃🏃

[suebuzz Graduate]

Hanjin you can repeat as much as you like - this is your journey and there is no rush to achieve- take it one day at a time. I find if you go out with no pressure or expectations then you feel great when you achieve. Good luck and try not to give up.