First Run

Finally managed to download music & app to start running! Thanks to my husband for technical knowhow & loan of his old headphones. I'm not sure I did the walk/run right but it was a first step. I had to miss the last 2 runs & walked briskly instead. Hopefully the next 2 runs in week one will follow the plan!

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Hi Whiter, welcome along ! Like you I found this tough at first. In fact I only managed the first 20 seconds of the first run when I started and had to begin as a two-pace walking programme. It took me nine weeks just to achieve the requirements of week 1 and five months to graduate. From that I learned to take it slow and steady. If it hurts, slow down more ! I learned always to repeat runs when I didn’t conquer them first time - if you don’t have the stamina the first time, you won’t have it the next time, and you can feel like a failure instead of a learner. And lastly I learned the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for ! You can do this - we’re right here with you, and if the running isn’t fun, the forum makes up for it ! Have fun out there x

[Hidden in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you it's good to know I'm not alone. Happy running.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

And you ! 😀

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great for getting started Whiter. When you go out again after a rest day repeat wk1r1 and don't move on until you complete it fully.

Just go slow and slower again if needed and remember to drink lots of water per day and not just on run days about 2-3 litres it really helps.

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

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on getting started.

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

Repeat any session that you do not fully complete after a rest day.

Enjoy your journey.

[RunningMigster Graduate]

Congratulations and starting on a truly great program.

I think Buttercupkid has pretty much nailed it there.

It's a 9 week program but I strongly suspect that most people dont do it in 9 weeks. Truth is, life gets in the way, people gets cold etc, etc. So dont stress about it.

The other thing is, despite the name, its really not about running for 5k. 90% of people dont make that, and there are many happy graduates who will never do 5k in 30 minutes. It's all good. The real objective is to get you running for 30 minutes. It doesn't matter how far.

So enjoy your runs. Dont worry about what you can or cant do, and keep coming back here to let us know how you're getting on.

[Hidden in reply to RunningMigster]

Thanks for the encouragement. Happy running and have a great New Year.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Happy new year!

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Well done! Don’t worry if a run takes a couple of attempts, you’ll get there in the end. Just take it super slowly and you’ll be surprised how it helps 👍😁

[Hidden in reply to Wenderwoo]

Thank you for the excellent advice.