When will I feel able?

[HelenofTroy123]

I’ve completed each run so far, I’m doing week 6 run 2 tomorrow and I love the feeling when I get home and sometimes even half way through but I still can’t see myself as someone who can run 30 mins or more by themselves off their own back. Will this come within the 9 week programme? I still feel as if I’m just a unfitty big girl putting on a show! I run to Michael Johnson, what happens after? I can’t always have him in my ear telling me two more minutes and that he’s really proud of me 😂

Hope this makes sense and someone gets what I’m trying to say

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are two thirds of the way through the plan and with each run you build your stamina and endurance and in a few weeks from now you will be running for thirty minutes.

This may be so far from your own personal experience that you do not in fact realise exactly how incredible your body is in its ability to adapt and change you from an unfitty big girl into whatever you want to be. All you have to do is follow progressive and well structured training plans to get you there.... ......... and to turn you into a runner, there is no better route than to follow C25K.

You are in the process of changing your life........you just have not realised yet.

[melly4012 Graduate]

4 years since graduating and some days I still feel like you describe (although it's much rarer these days than it was during the programme). Stick with the plan and you soon will be that person who can run for 30 minutes. Perhaps look at some running quotes on pinterest or google - there are some good ones floating around which remind us why we choose to run. Some of my favourites are:

"Strength doesn't come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't"

"A 12 minute mile is just as far as a 6 minute mile"

"I used to be envious of people that run. Now I am that person"

"One of the greatest moments in life is realising that two weeks ago your body couldn't do what it just did"

"I run because I can. When I get tired I think of the people who can't and what they would give to have this simple gift that I take for granted and I run harder for them"

As long as you love it and you feel great on returning from those runs, you're most of the way there.

If I were you I'd try not to worry about after graduation just yet - just focus on reaching the end of the programme first and then you can consider your options (of which there are many) afterwards. For now enjoy your last few weeks of the programme.

[clairelouiserunner]

HelenofTroy123 "I can’t always have him in my ear telling me two more minutes and that he’s really proud of me" This made me laugh so much! I dont have an answer - I'm only W5R1 but I do know that music helps, and hopefully when I graduate I will have a playlist that I will use when I run to keep me motivated! 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate]

2 years on from graduation, I promise you can do this on your own. I must confess, I took Jo Whiley out with me for a couple of weeks after graduation just to make sure though.

[Jenny115 Graduate]

I am starting week 8 today and I used to think every week that I wasn't ready to move on to the next week, but I managed it. I am amazed that the body that was huffing and puffing and genuinely struggling through week 1 and 2 has now got 4 25mins runs under her belt. Trust in your body - you've got this!

[Jell6 Graduate]

I replayed week 9 several times after I completed the programme. Then I started setting a timed run on a different app.(I still do!)

You can definitely do this 😊

[Queenie17 Graduate]

Hi there, well done so far🎉

Keep following the programme and you will succeed. I graduated about 4 weeks ago and sometimes still use the app(wk 9 r3)if I feel I need some encouragement.For me every run is different whether its the weather or how Im feeling that day, so I use whatever I can to motivate me, hope that helps. Good luck.

[HelenofTroy123 Graduate]

Thanks all - I think maybe I need to get out of my head and just go with the programme! It was working fine for me up until week 5 run3 where I got a massive mental block and then started reading up on it all! I just need to trust the programme and work in getting to the end and then seeing from there what and where I go

[Reggit Graduate]

I’ve just done 7.1 which is the same run as 6.3

I found 6.3 easier than 6.2, I think because I could settle into a rhythm and keep plodding on.

I don’t know if you have music on when you run, that’s something I find really helps me get over the long duration runs.

Keep it in your comfort zone and you’ll have no problem. Just think how that 5 minute run in week 3 or 4 sounded terrifying (it did to me) and now you don’t think twice about it.

[Runnermagnolia Graduate]

I can relate so much to your description! I graduated a couple of weeks ago and am currently picking runs from the Nike running app according to my mood. I often go for “just another run with coach Bennet”. He gets me through it and in the background I play The Fratellis which has a good bouncy rhythm that I find running uplifting! I still feel amazed that I can do 5 k but have yet to enjoy a run but live in hope. I also love the feeling when I get back. I love the idea from melly4012 that she thinks of people who can’t run to inspire her - I think that might help me. Good luck just keep doing it I guess!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Runnermagnolia]

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

[Runnermagnolia Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Ian. Just about to go 😱and will try that. Hope it works - will get back to you.

[GetFitMum71]

Hi there. Reflect on your achievements. You are doing this because you love the feeling it gives you. This is your time to enjoy. Not think about all the other stuff on your to do list. This is not a show for anyone but a way to give you Inner happiness and inner strength that you can do things that you thought were beyond you. I have a Peleton and they have a class for out door running and a whole lot more. Be warned it costs but something you might want to look up in the future. Good luck and best wishes.

[Sybilw Graduate]

I think you’ve done a bit of fitness training and now just need your brain training to catch up. The training that says - start knowing you can do this and knowing that no one looks at you and judges (other than to appreciate you’re doing what they’re not!) We are all also saying well done and we’re proud of you.

[Lifluf]

Well you could keep playing Michael's voice after week 9. Or you could make yourself a really nice playlist as you consolidate. Believe in yourself-your doing it! We all need to keep working at it and improving afterwards. You'll just get better and better.

[Run5000m Graduate]

I did 2 consolidation runs on my own then took Michael out again to spur me on, 4 weeks post graduation now and am still enjoying it. Mind you it was really hard in the rain this morning. Keep doing what your doing and worry about after graduation when you've graduated. 🙂

[soapsudx Graduate]

Trust me it will get easier, I completed it last week and I couldn't even run for 30 seconds at the beginning! You will always feel like you wont be able to do it, well i have anyway haha. You just have to push on and think about what you are looking foward to when you get home, a nice bath, chocolate, the sofa haha. It may sound weird but I always, when im struggling sing Stuck with you by JB and AG it may sound stupid but it keeps me running, even after i puked up some pringles lol