Week 1 done and dusted

[Lazyass]

Hi, glad I came across this group. I have completed W1R3, and repeated one run as felt like I struggled. I managed to run for the 60 secs every time, so think I will push on with week 2. How important is it for the rest days in between, or if you feel you can do more is that okay?

[Beatlesforever Graduate]

Well done! It's a brilliant feeling, isn't it? I've just completed week 1 as well. Having been through the programme about 3 years ago, rest days are very important. It's easy to get overenthusiastic but you need to take it slowly and be careful to avoid injury. There's an FAQ somewhere with all the info, and also suggestions for other activities for the days when you're not running 🙂

Enjoy your journey, even the tough bits, and always remember that this forum is great for support and advice🏃‍♀️🏃

[MartinKH Graduate]

Well done Lazyass on ;

1/ starting c25k

And

2/ having a great user name 🤣

Your enthusiasm is great and will stand you in really good stead for the rest of the programme, however rest days are non negotiable and have to be taken. They’re very important not just to rest but to give your muscles time for necessary repairs in time for your next runs.

Well done again, and happy running 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️👍

[Lazyass in reply to MartinKH]

Thanks MartinKH I was trying to tell my husband to follow the instructions but he decided that every day would be better lol.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Lazyass]

IannodaTruffe has given you the physiology... and there's some psychology too. Any fule can go on a health kick... but that's not the point of the programme, to boom... and bust, but to develop a habit of running continuously for 30 minutes. So, provided the programme is followed, it offers just as much to gungho people who are already fit as the unconfident and unfit. (And yes as IannodaTruffe says, you can use that non-running day to do things which will support your running)

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

When you run, the impact creates microtears in your muscles, which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. Without rest, repair and strengthening are compromised and injury risk increased.

If you want to be the best runner that you can be, then do non impact cross training on your rest days, which will be far more beneficial than running every day. It is not recommended for new runners to run on consecutive days until they have a minimum of six months regular running on their legs.

Enjoy your journey.