My story so far.

[PeteJog]

I am 48, 6’2” and 17 (and a bit) stone.

My wife decided to do the Couch to 5k, so I said I’d do the program with her, we have a little un so we can’t actually go out together. She did the first two runs and got very deep blisters, I completed the first week, which I found harder than I’d expected, and said I wouldn’t move on without her, so did week one again. It was clear her feet were going to take some time to heal, so we agreed I’d start week two. Did 2 then 3,

Looked at the schedule for 4 and saw it was double the run time with half the break time, and thought, I’m not ready for that, so repeated week three adding two minutes to the last run on R1, putting the last two runs together and running through the walk time (so a 6min run) on R2, and doing R3 back to back (an hour). Went on to week 4 with confidence. Completed that with no drama. Legs are aching less after the runs now and I feel like I could continue running when Mr Johnson tells me to slow down. I have done week 5 run 2 tonight, but have R3 coming up, which I am concerned about. But I feel I can just go for it without repeating tonight’s run again.

I hated running at school, but find I am loving this. I feel eager to run the night after a run (on the rest night) but less so the night after. I’m not managing to run every second night, but have not had a break for more than three nights. The weather has been terrible!

My wife says she will start the program mid March (she’s currently recovering from a minor operation) and I am looking forward to supporting her and sharing the journey.

I am amazed at what I have achieved so far and at what I can now do. Really looking forward to my first park run, which I don’t plan to do until we are both ready.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done for doing c25k Pete and glad to hear you are enjoying it. My advice is to stick with the timings on the app as the programme is carefully designed to add running time with the recommended +10% each week. Plus the rest days are essential at this stage. If you can complete each day’s run then just Move on to the next stage. It’s a brilliant programme. I hope your wife’s blisters heal soon - compeed plasters work well. It sounds like she may need different running shoes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Super stuff! But, as Dexy5 says, do please stick to the programme... it works, That way you will reach Graduation injury free and be ready to run with your wife when she is ready too

[LittleIreland Graduate]

I find that hilly double skin socks work in helping combat blisters. Have used them for years when fell walking.

[PeteJog]

Thanks for all your support. Blisters are healed now. We used the compeed plasters, but they seemed to stop everything drying out and healing, so we stopped. Everyone said (including me) to set herself up with properly fitted running shoes from day one, but ....... .

I was thinking it was ok to repeat runs. Week 4 is 78% more running that 3. Just trying to ease that jump for myself a bit. I will and stick to the program going forward then. Thanks for the advice.

[Forest_Run_Beginner in reply to PeteJog]

It's definitely O.K. to repeat runs if you think you need to but it is also O.K. to try and run and mark it down as a practice run if you struggle too much. There is no such thing as a failed run, if you can't make it to the end, then it's a practice

The 3rd run of wk5 does seem to be a huge jump but if you look back at some old posts on here (from 2 or 3 years ago), it actually shows that the biggest jump of the overall running time is from wk 3 to wk 4, which you've already smashed!

The other posts that are telling you to stick to the plan just mean that it's best to increase your running time in line with the plan rather than trying to 'go rogue' and adding in extra running as this is what can lead to injury.

Give the dreaded 3rd run a go, you might have some doubts to begin with but keep it slow and keep going and you'll be done before you know it.

Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Happy running

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

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

Enjoy your journey.

[MrWomble Graduate]

I just did W5R3 last night and can tell you that it's all in the head - if you've got this far, you'll be fine!

[PeteJog]

Thank Womble. Done the run tonight. Body feels great. I honestly don’t think I have run solidly for 20 mins in my life before, not even at school.