Mixed feelings - completed week 4

[TeeP]

Me and my friend started this programme at the beginning of October, both age 51 and office workers. I have always been averse to running but have to say I am amazed at how I seem to manage them, not easily I have to say though. Last night we completed week 4. The first 3 and 5 min. runs of it nearly had me passing out my breathing was 'all to pot'. I though that was it - this isnt for me.... but carried on with the help of my friend and did it. The last 5 min run felt great. I hope to keep this up. Not lost any weight yet but feeling better mentally.

Looking ahead - wondering if run 3 of week 5 is a mistake.... 20 mins !!!! any tips welcome.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Great stuff, well done!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Well done for hanging in there TeeP! C25K isn’t designed to help you lose weight - the only way you can do that is to move more and eat less (or at least eat more of the right things!) - but you’ll certainly feel fitter at the end of the 9 weeks and that’s a great feeling on its own! And don’t worry about that 20 minute run in week 3 - you’ll be ready for it! Just take it slow and, if you need to, break it down into manageable chunks as you go, eg 5 minutes at a time. You’ve got this!

[TeeP in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thank you for those supportive words and the tip of breaking down the 20 mins. fingers crossed !

[Jell6 Graduate]

Have these🐌🐌🐌🐌, if your breathing is all to pot you are going too fast.

Also ensure that you are well hydrated the day before you run.

You will be ready for week 5, its magic !!!🧙‍♂️

[TeeP in reply to Jell6]

Cheers for the tips, really hope to crack it !!

[Annieapple Graduate]

👍👏🎈Well done TeeP but if you are having trouble breathing slow it down even if you have to let your friend run ahead.

Slow is good & gets you to the end of each run. It’s especially important at the beginning of your run!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi TeeP and well.done on getting so far!! Determination is what's needed throughout the programme and you def have it to carry on like you did and complete the run that felt hard...I and many of us on here have found some of the runs throughout the programme hard, no one said it was easy and your body is getting used to doing things it hasn't done before...even now, 2 and a bit years on, not every run I do is w enjoyable but the determination I have keeps me going because I know how it feels when I complete what I set out to do. W5r3 is another one that many of us on here have looked at and thought 'no way?!' But we have done it...maybe not the first time, maybe not the second...blimey, I think I had 3 goes at it but the determination I have got me through and here I am, still running. Don't overthink the run, start off slower than slow and stay there, sometimes snails pace is the only way to get through...but you can do it, the programme is preparing your body for these runs gradually...let us know how you get on. Good luck

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done to you both for starting c25k. Running with a friend had advantages and disadvantages. It’s good to have someone to support you, but not good if you are trying to keep up with someone who is able to run faster. Try slowing down on the next run and you will have no problem running that 20 minutes.

[shelly1965 Graduate]

first of all well done for continuing, just take it easy and listen to your body, try to slow it down, and if you struggloe with one week, then no shame in doing that week again, goodluck.