Does it get any easier

[Motivateme1]

I have just completed the first week of couch to 5k and to be honest quite enjoyed it. I am wondering how long I can last. When I have run before I have never got past that point where I am so out of breath that I can’t run anymore. Does it get any easier & how do you get past that point so you never give up?

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Yes it gets easier.

18 months ago I was exactly where you are. On Sunday I ran the Manchester Half Marathon. That’s after decades of no exercise.

Just have faith in the programme. It will lead you by achievable steps to the end. Yes, you will struggle at times. But it will be worth it.

Enjoy your next run.

[Motivateme1 in reply to Jay66UK]

Thank you, that has given me faith to carry on and will motivate me through the struggle. The programme is the best I have ever tried. Well done for running the Manchester Marathon. I will be so proud of myself if I ever get that far one day.

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

It does. I graduated in May with a distance of about 4k, I ran my first 5k a few days later in a time of 39:22, and last night I went below 30 minutes for the first time. Just trust in the programme and let it guide you there in manageable increments...

[Motivateme1 in reply to sTrongFuse]

Thank you, that has given me inspiration. You are proof that it works 😊

[2718281 Graduate]

I don't think you ever get past that point... but if you follow the program and learn to run slowly you will increase your endurence so that "that point" keeps getting further and further

[Motivateme1 in reply to 2718281]

Thank you, I will keep going & have faith in the programme.

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

Well done for making a start. I’m in week 9 and despite having had to delay due to injury, I’m loving it! The plan is genius. I found that staying sloooow meant I could keep going, but also realised that breathing fast doesn’t mean I need to stop, it just means that my body is doing what it needs to do to get more oxygen! Enjoy your progress 👏🏻

[Puppy-love Graduate]

Congratulations! You’ve done the hardest part by getting out there. The key, as others have said, is to go slow and then go even slower. And trust this brilliant programme.

I started in July, having not run since school. I completed C25K at the end of August, two weeks after my 60th birthday. I now run 3 times a week and I regularly exceed 5k. Yesterday I finished my run with a couple of circuits on the track where I started the programme just over 3 months ago, remembering how desperate I was for each minute of running to be over. It gets much easier and on the tough days, come here for encouragement. Good luck.

[Maz1234 Graduate]

It does get easier and within 9 weeks you will be able to comfortably run for 30 mins without stopping. If you start getting tired and feel like giving up just slow down. What stopped me giving up is the high you get every time you complete a run.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Hi,

I’ve just completed W2 and can say that slow, slow, and slow again is the way to go 😁

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

If you run slowly 🐌( check out Japanese slow running on YouTube) take your rest days and drink plenty of water on run and rest days you will do it for sure!!! I did!! Trust the program and believe in your self!! You can definitely do this and enjoy it too 😆🏃‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on pacing..........you should never be running fast enough to get out of breath.

Enjoy your journey.

[Motivateme1]

Thank you everyone for all your help and advice. It’s nice to know that you are all out there and I’m not doing this alone! 😊