So it begins!

[Ember22]

Hey everyone!

After putting it off for ages, I finally began the C25K programme and completed my first run yesterday!

I'm so unfit and there's a long way to go but I'm hoping I can stick to it and make it to the end! 🤞

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on starting C25K with week 1 of C25K, you will enjoy the next 9 weeks, however, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish, good luck. 👍 🏃 😊

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! 😊

[Hidden]

Well done for making your first run.

Keep going, we are here to support you..

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! 😊

[Pdb48 Graduate]

Well done for starting i am in my last week and never thought i would make it as i had lack of motivation and was very unfit but i had great support on here... All i can say is stick to the plan, no skipping ahead, keep it slow and steady and stay hydrated especially on off days.. Enjoy your small victories and enjoy it...

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Pdb48]

Wow that's amazing, well done for being so close to completing the programme! How have you found it along the way? I'm hoping that hearing from and talking to others on here about their little journeys will help to keep me motivated. Believe me, I have no intentions of skipping ahead, I'm so unfit it'll take all my efforts just following it as it goes along 😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Ember22]

You are correct on saying that you are not skipping ahead, a little advice about also not looking ahead at the runs you have still to run, just wait for the instructions from your coach as you do the program.

[Pdb48 Graduate in reply to Ember22]

A few runs have been tough sometimes just getting started, then feeling flat when others get the running bug, your mind playing tricks on niggles/ pain when running and tough times during a run bit all in all it has been a fantastic worthwhile thing to do.... Enjoy

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great for getting started. C25k is an amazing plan and really does work you'll get lots of encouragement and support on here good luck 😊😊

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you so much! I'm quite looking forward to it 😊

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

Well done, that’s brilliant! I got to week 7 in August then got a minor injury which has made me have to hold back - I’m just running again now, back at week 5 to be safe. The reason I’m telling you is that I would never have believed I’d be someone who would be so desperate to get back to running! Honestly, it’s the most exciting thing 😃 Have fun and keep posting on here - you’ll get lots of encouragement 😊

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

Oh no, sorry to hear you had an injury but I'm glad you're back to running again now. I can't imagine ever desperately wanting to exercise so I hope I feel the same way as I progress through the programme. I've never been very good at sticking to anything really so fingers crossed I can stay motivated with the help of all of you lovely people on here 🤞😊

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to Ember22]

Bet you can! Enjoy it! 🏃🏼‍♀️👏🏻

[Fruitloop123]

Well done! When I started I couldn't run 30 seconds. I did 20 minutes on my week 5 last week. It wasn't easy but I did it! Keep going x

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Fruitloop123]

Thank you. Wow that's so good, well done you. I'll do my best 💪 good luck with the rest of your running journey x

[DaneUser Graduate]

Well Done you will amaze yourself

[Trixibelle154 in reply to DaneUser]

So true!

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to DaneUser]

Thank you, I hope so!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome and great job getting started... that truly is the hardest bit. You can do this... enjoy your journey

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you 😊

[Dadthefish Graduate]

That’s brilliant. If you’re anything like me far from worrying about making it to the end you’ll become addicted to it and make yourself do it. I’m fairly overweight although I’m shifting it as I go but have just completed run one of week seven yesterday and that’s from someone who got out of breath just going upstairs a few weeks ago! So I’m sure you will do it, it works if you follow it to the letter. Really well done for making a start, you’ll be amazed how quickly you get through it👍

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Dadthefish]

Thank you so much. Wow that's amazing, well done for getting to this point 👏I really hope I start finding it addictive. I'm definitely enjoying the head space and me time when I've been running so far 😊 It's good to have half an hour to myself away from the kids 😂

[tiggs1 Graduate]

The hardest run for me was the one you did yesterday so well done!

I am doing W6R2 tomorrow and have loved the journey so far. As others have said hydration, rest days and go SLOW have been the key to my success

Good luck!

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to tiggs1]

It was definitely hard for me too to just get out the door and start but I'm so glad I did it!

That's brilliant well done on getting to this point. I'm taking everyone's advice on board and I'm hoping this will be a success 😊

[Scitechy Graduate]

Well done!

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Scitechy]

Thank you! 😊

[Puppy-love Graduate]

Well done. You’ve done the hardest part. Most of us started off unfit but the programme is amazing. It prepares you for what comes next so don’t worry. You’ll get amazing support on here so do keep updating us on your progress and ask any questions. I’m no expert - I graduated just two weeks ago - but I am completely hooked on this running thing. Good luck. Enjoy the journey. 👏👏🏃‍♀️😊

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Puppy-love]

Thank you! Everyone already seems so lovely on here so I'll definitely keep posting and asking for advice. Well done on graduating, that's amazing!! I keep hearing that it gets addictive. I really hope I can learn to love running 🏃‍♀️

[Zumba-kitty Graduate]

Well done!

I started my journey yesterday too, just keep going. You can do this! 👍🏻🏃🏼‍♀️

[Explorergirl50 Graduate in reply to Zumba-kitty]

Well done, you can do it.

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Zumba-kitty]

Thank you! It's good to hear from others that are at the starting point too. Good luck, you can do it!

[SLeighF]

I started today and am feeling exactly the same way! We can do this...and it will be so worth it in the end!

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to SLeighF]

Definitely! Well done for starting, good luck!

[mog7 Graduate]

Well done! You've already taken the bravest step by heading out the door and doing your first run. Keep a steady pace, keep your head up, and enjoy the rest of your C25K. Good luck! 🏃

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to mog7]

Thank you so much. I felt so self conscious to actually step out and start it but I'm glad I did it 😊

[2Tired2Run Graduate in reply to Ember22]

When I started a few weeks back, I disguised my real intentions by taking the dogs! 😂🐕🐕. But just last week I was brazenly joffling in public on some beautiful Welsh beaches .... I'm so hooked now that I just don't care how slow, fat and unfit I look to others .... I'm just loving it .... you just may do too 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️. Well done for starting 👏

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to 2Tired2Run]

Haha unfortunately I don't have a dog so I can't do the same 😂 Wow it sounds like you have some gorgeous places to run close by, I bet that makes it that little bit easier to get out and do it. Thank you! I really hope I love it as much as you seem to. Exercise is never something I thought I would enjoy!

[2Tired2Run Graduate in reply to Ember22]

You're welcome to borrow one 🐕😂. Sadly the Welsh beaches last week were a - wonderful - holiday experience. Back home now and back to joffling along a local disused railway trail or more usually the local football pitches, so nothing especially picturesque! I am loving it though, feeling very surprised (and totally chuffed if I'm being honest) with my progress ... I really didn't think I could jog for 30 seconds when I started 5+ weeks back ... now I believe I can graduate in time .... you can too .... believe😀 oh and please keep us posted as the group love to hear how peeps are doing 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to 2Tired2Run]

Love the word joffling. That so more describes the way I move than the word running!

[Zumba-kitty Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

I was just thinking that too!

In future I’m going to joffle! 😀😂👍🏻

[sTrongFuse Graduate in reply to Zumba-kitty]

I'm not sure if lolloping is a natural progression from joffling, but that's kind of where I'm at.

[2Tired2Run Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

It certainly sums up my efforts very nicely 😂

[Explorergirl50 Graduate]

Congratulations on taking those first steps. You can do this.

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Explorergirl50]

Thank you 😊

[Trixibelle154]

Brilliant! The first is the hardest - I did my 2nd wk 1 run today and could feel the difference between the 1st and the 2nd.

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Trixibelle154]

Thank you! That's great! I did my 2nd run yesterday too and I also felt the difference between the two. I dare saying I'm actually enjoying it 😆

[Inforthelongru Graduate]

I’m overweight and was very unfit. I’ve graduated a few weeks ago which I wouldn’t have believed possible all those weeks ago. You’ll smash it. Just follow the program!

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

Congratulations on graduating, that's brilliant!! Thank you 😊

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to Ember22]

In 9 weeks you’ll be the one giving encouraging vibes to a new runner

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

I hope so!

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

I started in March, graduated in May, built from there and now run three times most week, with one of the three being in the 10k+ range.

The plan, if you follow it, will get you to 30 minutes; after that depends on what you want to do. For me it was to be able to run 80-90 minutes, which I now can.

Don't worry about the distance you cover. Most of us can run about 3-4k in 30 minutes when we graduate. Couch to 5k is a bit of a misnomer, but it rolls off the tongue better than couch to 30 minutes.

Don't worry too much about 9 weeks. A "week" isn't necessarily 7 days, it's however long it takes to complete each block of three runs successfully.

Just take it slow and steady; you will learn to pace yourself as the runs go by.

Most of all, just enjoy it.