Hope v reality

[Fatgirlscan]

Just week 1 c25k. How can I be finding it so hard it's only expecting ,60sec runs for goodness sake. How can I be so unfit. How did I let myself get like this? I think I will do week 1 again as no point in moving on untill u feel I'm progressing

[TortoiseRegretsHare Graduate]

I think you will be progressing, even though it doesn't feel like it and you feel completely unfit. It's quite strange how hard it is at the start, and how difficult running even for 30 seconds, let alone 60 feels. But even doing that, you're progressing - it's not sitting on the couch, after all. It builds really gradually. There was no way I believed I'd ever run for 5 minutes, a few weeks ago. But I have - and then 20 minutes. So don't get despondent!

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Don’t repeat! The only run that needs repeating is the one that you didn’t complete! Trust the plan! Even though you feel that you did badly, if you completed the run, you are progressing!

Well done for getting off the couch! You can do this! 🎉🎉🎉

[Comfortnotspeed]

I think maybe you are progressing, but it feels hard at first. It’s ok to redo. You’re moving forwards all the time. Good luck 💪💪

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You don’t realize it but you are getting fitter we repeated week 1 then had a break and did it again and it was easier so we moved on to week 2

Good luck and keep posting it’s a good record of how far you go

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I could have written that exact same post a year ago. It’s best not to look back, we all took choices that lead us to peak unfitness... heck we had a lot of fun along the way! No regrets... just a bright happy healthy future. You’re progressing... your mind has already changed, and the runs you are doing are enabling the physical changes to happen. Last year I was sweating and out of breath bending over to pick up laundry... this week I ran 10k and my fitness tracker says I never got into vigorous exercise... I was so proud of that... and you can do it too. Hope... well, that’s related to possible... and right now like every new starter 30 minutes is impossible. It won’t stay that way... as you work through the plan just think how impossible it was to run 60 seconds, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 20 minutes, and that 30 when you started... and then smile because you just did it. Feeling you’re progressing is one thing, and a valid reason to repeat a run/week in my opinion... but if that’s coming from fear of the next run, then you need to be careful not to build a mental wall. You can do this... you can do the impossible because you have an inner awesome... it’s time to let it out.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Well done for starting. You’ve done the hardest run, that first 60 seconds. You can repeat week one, or you can have a go at week 2 and see how it goes, and go back to week 1 if needs be. Don’t beat yourself up, you’re out there doing it so already headed in the right direction. You’ll be amazed at how fast your stamina builds up 👍

[AndyB111s Graduate]

I'm only on week 3 so not qualified really to advise you, but the course works (as so many have proven). So i'd have a go at week 2 just go as slow as you need. If you can't manage it then yep revert back to week 1, then try week 2 again. The important thing is that you're off the couch and running. Good luck 👍

[Decker]

Maybe don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Just move to the next one. If you want to repeat one then go for it. No big deal. Be kind to yourself, you’ll get there. 🙂👊

[backintime Graduate]

Firstly I don't know how fast you're going but slow down lol. You'll hear "slow and steady" a lot around here. You can channel your inner snail. : )

Also make sure you are drinking enough water every day (not just the days you run), it really does help

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Did you check this out...?

Slow and steady is the mantra... and do not despair many, many folk felt just as you do!

Many ran near hospitals or GP surgeries

Repeating is not a great idea unless you fail to complete the run... unless it really was agony...Move on and take it slower than a slow snail on a go slow... every run will make you stronger

You're going to be fine... well done you!

[Hazel10 Graduate]

I also had these exact feelings - but, you have literally taken the first step - I have continued to worry that I can’t do it, week on week but believe the training, believe you can and you can. Just remember one thing, you ARE doing it... you will be able to do week 2 when it comes. I am slow but I am a runner and you will be too. Be brave and get a playlist sorted and go go go!

[HelenLo]

I felt exactly like that! Keep going, and keep following the plan, you’ll be amazed.

I nearly gave up after the first run of week 2, I thought if I’m struggling with this how on earth am I going to cope with the coming weeks.

I’m now on week 6 and I haven’t looked back, I even enjoy it now 🤪

You can do this I promise you 👍

[Running_Giraffe Graduate]

Like everyone else I was in the same boat. I feel weeks 1 to 3 were actually the hardest and that's maybe down to how unfit I felt trying to complete them. I started each of those weeks thinking "I'll never do this after struggling last week" but the training plan is set out so good that you do progress each week and before you know it your on week 7, 8, 9 and 60 seconds is a breeze. You've got this!

[QuirkyDelacroix Graduate]

Keep going! My hardest runs were at the start when I was running too fast with long strides. You will find your rhythm and pace. It gets easier.

[MrsCDN Graduate]

90 seconds seemed horrendous to me a week ago, yesterday I did my first run of week 3, it wasn’t easy but I did it

[Fatgirlslim19 Graduate]

^ what they all said. It seems impossible at the moment, but you can do this! We have all made that first run and felt like we could never manage anything more, but we have! Trust the programme, run slower than you think you should, and soon enough you'll be looking back on this with such a sense of achievement.

Well done for getting started, you're amazing x

[Pianism Graduate]

+1 for everything above. It feels almost impossible early on because you just aren't prepared for what you are putting your body through. But the programme is beautifully designed and will get you there. My advice - only repeat a run if you didn't complete the previous one. The peogramme has repeated runs designed into it where they are needed. But equally, don't beat yourself up if you need to go slower. All the very best with it!

[Markco93 Graduate]

Trust the plan! I think we all feel the same emotions as those you have expressed. Concentrate on the run you are doing and don’t worry about the runs to come. I try to break runs down into little bits and concentrate on those small steps, so run to the next road junction or the post box or the shop etc. Once you build up some more runs you can start to tell your self I can do this because I’ve done it before 😀. You have made the biggest step starting the plan, don’t be put off now. Keep coming back for support as often as you need it 👍

[Jell6 Graduate]

You only need to repeat what you don't complete.

Move on, be proud that you are now in week 2, honestly I was the same, I thought I was going to keel over, but I didn't.

Just make sure you drink plenty of water the day before you run, and go very slowly, you may feel that your brisk walking pace is quicker, but that's ok.

Well done for starting, as you can see, we are all here for you 😊

[sigasiga Graduate]

Great that you've started C25K - that's the hardest bit. If you've already done Wk 1, congratulations and you don't need to repeat - you can just move on to Wk 2. The programme moves at a rate you can keep up with, and in a few weeks 1 minute will seem really easy! Keep going, acknowledge the progress you're making, and happy running!

[Tazzy_wazzy Graduate]

I’m on my last run of week 1 today and I’ve found it tough as well. Take it steady, you’ll be ok 👍

[Shuffler1]

Hi I was the same, I ran week one for about 3 weeks till I could manage to run the full 60 secs 8 times! Took a few weeks to compete week 2, managed on treadmill (hate running in the rain!) But didn't want to move to week 3 till I managed week 2 outside, tried week 3 on treadmill and couldn't believe I managed a 3 min run, only managed 2 mins the next run but definitely progress when I couldn't run the 60 secs! I'm sure people can walk faster than I run but I'm trying and noticing my heart rate coming down too so must be helping, weight bit hasn't changed and if I could lose a bit (eventually a lot) it would help too but I need to sort out my eating too! Keep at it it's hard to stay motivated but at least we're off the couch! X

[Serenity0365 Graduate]

C25K is all about Time rather than Distance. So if you run 100 metres in 60 seconds that's OK and "qualifies" for moving on to the next run. We can run like snails if we want to, it counts. Try going as slow as you can without walking. You are doing great 👍

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

Fitness helps but it's not actually be and end all. A lot of it is getting your body used to doing something new and building "muscle memory".

To give some context, I've been a rugby referee for more years than I care to admit, so I'm used to the idea of running, but due to the nature of the game, it was short 15-20 second bursts to keep up with play, and the rest of it at walking speed or at a full stop. I would cover about 5k during the course of a game in that fashion.

I also walk between 5-10k daily as I religiously try to do 10,000+ steps a day just to active.

Based on that, you would think I found week 1 of the programme a breeze; but no. Like you, I found running continuously for a minute very difficult. I found the repetitions mind-numbingly tedious. I was convinced the podcast had become a broken record and was never going to get to the final repetition, I always seemed to have one run to go.

I will be honest, I found week one to be really tough and much of that was mental because I was certain I should be able to manage it. When I succumbed to tendinitis in week 2, part of me was almost perversely glad I had an excuse to give up.

I never did learn to like the intervals, but my enjoyment of the programme grew as I was able to run further each week (and with fewer reps). By the time I got to the longer runs (25 minutes plus) , there was no stopping me.

The simple truth is, all of us on this plan are learning (or have learnt) a new skill. None of us are "naturals" so we learn the hard way irrespective of our level of fitness when we start out.

The important thing, as some have already said, is that if you are succeeding, move on. Only repeat the runs you didn't complete. You will get there, and the inhabitants of this little corner of cyberspace will be cheering you own with every step.

[Blackcat66 Graduate]

You have been brilliant to do what you have! You've broken through a mental barrier. I'm only on week 6, so don't feel overly qualified to speak, but would echo the advice I've read on here - if you can complete the run, no matter how hard - move on to the next one. I was 101% certain I would fail week 5 run 3, and would tell people I was only doing 5 weeks of the programme, but I managed the 20 minute run, and it was easier than the run before it. It is a really clever programme. Having said that, if you feel that you would have more confidence repeating week 1, then go for it. The point is that you are out there, giving it a go. You can amaze yourself! In fact, 6 months ago would you have imagined you'd be doing this?

[Bikermo9]

Unlike what most people say I did each week twice even though I never actually failed any runs .I had never run before and wanted to take it slowly so I completed the couch to 5k in 18 weeks with no injury's or aches or pains.That worked well for me so whatever you feel is best for you

[j-runs Graduate]

Hi I couldn't do 60 seconds so started on 20 secs, then 40 secs, kinda did 2 pre-weeks. I've now just finished week 2 - can't believe I have run 1.5 minutes! Take it easy and just do what's right for you. It should never feel like agony, just a challenge. All the best.

[Fatgirlscan in reply to j-runs]

Thankyou it's confusing isn't it some are saying don't repeat others are saying move on when ready. I have one more fun tomorrow to finish the week then I'll decide where to go from there. I'm also joining the gym so hopefully can improve stamina

[IloveMichael Graduate]

I really thought I would die in the first week so you're not alone. As everyone has said, keep going - even if it's a struggle, don't repeat if you've managed a run. Take it slowly and trust in the magic of the programme. My only tip is to have Michael Johnson as your running guide: he knows how you feel and will tell you how well you're doing in his wonderful supportive voice!!

[Moonkittens]

Keep going Girl! I've just completed my 2nd week, and today was the hardest run for me, the humidity, tiredness, and in general end of a long week but I went out and ran. My husband informed me I went 2mins quicker than the end of week one!!! I was delighted, even though it felt so much slower to me. You can do this, just believe it x

[Itsonlynineweeks Graduate]

You can do it! Believe in yourself, the battle with running is mostly mental. I didn’t think I could do it. I had a 4 month gap between week 1 and 2. I’m now on week 6. Follow the programme, ignore that inner voice that says you can’t, download a play list that works for you. Turn it up when the doubt kicks in, You can do this. 🏃🏼‍♀️