Hi guys! I’m definitely not a natural at running and whilst I start week 3 tomorrow I cannot see how I could ever run 5k without stopping! I’m not an inactive person at all, pre lockdown I would go spinning 4 times a week no problem, however I find running so difficult!!
Does it get easier at any point?🤣Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated😄
Your body is adapting. Strong runners would probably struggle to adapt to cycling for a few weeks. Inspirationally almost every thread on here starts with im not a runner or I can't run to within weeks look at me I'm a runner. Trust the process and trust yourself you've got this .
If you can spin you can run
Run slow, keep your head up. Breathe and and believe.
I feel like i should take Mark that line haha
But seriously enjoy
You've got this
It very much does get easier. Every time I progress to another week my instinct says this is too much for me to handle but it ends up better than I imagined. You might have to push a bit hard towards the end.
It really does get easier. If it’s any comfort I too was a gym class bunny and thought I was reasonably fit- but I soon realised running was a whole new ball game! The programme is so well designed that even though everyone looks in horror as the runs get longer, your body is ready as long as you have followed it faithfully and done all the usual stretching hydration etc. Take it slowly on the runs - so slow that you are not out of breath, find your rhythm and go for it. Enjoy!
Well done, the main thing is you are carrying on and even if it is tough you are completing the sessions. Just keep doing what you're doing. None of us could even conceive of running for 30 minutes when we started! Sounds like you've already got a good level of fitness, so you will get there! It does get easier, because your body adjusts to running, although the programme is meant to challenge you! Good luck.
You are probably used to exercise being higher intensity than the programme needs you to be.
In one sense it is unhelpful to look ahead - all you need to focus on is doing as you are told right now in your ear - running motion or walking motion and not stopping.
However, in another you are quite right, the idea is to be able to run continuously for longer, so the pace you are looking for right now is whatever you are going to be able to sustain.
You are fit, with strong legs so your body can do this, just a matter of training the mind to rein back in all sorts of ways.
I have never exercised a day in my life until I started the C25K in lockdown and I just completed my W5 R2 last night, so if I can do it I reckon just about anyone could 😊 I was amazed I could run 8 minutes non stop and still felt great! Each run gears you up for the next run and you end up amazing yourself. So rest assured you will run that 5k. As to whether it gets easier, realistically I guess you will have easy days and hard days and that’s all part of the C25K journey. Positive thoughts (as I believe this is a mental challenge more than anything), some stretches, hydrate lots, stick some decent music on for your runs, a smile on your face and off you go 😊 good luck 💪🏻🌈🏃♀️
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, minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.
Those who spin seem to believe that all exercise has to be extreme. To build a solid aerobic base you need to run at a conversational pace.
Enjoy your journey.
It's as simple as putting one foot in front of the next and repeat. Run slow and it will be all systems go.
Week 3 to Week 5 Transition 
Week 1 run 3 
Starting week 5
Week 3
C25K Starting week 3 - which speed
