Week 1 FAILED 😭

[16091992]

Hi ive just completed week 1 but im really not happy with it because i didnt complete all of the 60 second runs, i kept stopping, can i do week 1 again and spend 2 weeks on 1 week if you get what i mean? Im really overweight and very unfit. Thank you

[packersruns Graduate]

I repeated W1 and W2 twice (so done 6 runs in total for each week) so of course! It's your journey, so whatevers easiest for you

[Feltip Graduate]

You havent failed at all, you've succeeded in doing more today than yesterday, more this week than last week, more this month than last month......

Build on your success. Of course you can repeat a run/week its YOUR program

I'm unfit, I'm very over weight I'm only in week 2 I've been told to trust the program and I moved to week 2 without knowing if I would cope, and I did

Having said that if you aren't completing a week then repeat it, I repeated week 1 4 times in the very beginning thinking I'd never progress, until I found this lovely forum, it gave me the confidence to move to week 2

Slow slow slow and you will progress, good luck

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Feltip]

Aww listen to you! Loving how you’re already feeling more confident, trusting the plan and getting on and doing it! And look how far you’ve come! 👏👏👏👏👏 👍

[Feltip Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

I sound like a pro!!!

Just passing on the great advice I was given 🥰

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Feltip]

So nice to see! 👏👏👏 well done lovely 😀

[iic25kii Graduate]

You've made the most important move which is getting out there and doing it!

Take it your own pace. I've just graduated in 13 weeks as the pace of it caught up with me during week 5. I discovered I needed 2 days recovery between each run to help my knees.

It's your journey and your choice. Some people repeat weeks and some people go back to previous weeks.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get there!

[Kat332zz Graduate]

It’s not a fail. You got out there and did some running. Just repeat each week until you can do what the program says. I repeated the whole program after injury and found the first few weeks easy the second time around, when I’d been really struggling the first time. Keep up the good work.

[3Sud Graduate]

Well done you! Take your own time, it's your journey 🏃‍♀️ keep it going, you're doing great 👊

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Hi and welcome! You have NOT failed. You got up from the couch and went out to run. Every time you do that, you have succeeded! The program is such that you have to complete each run before moving on, because that’s how it builds up your stamina. Next time you go out, tell yourself you ARE going to do this and start off slowly. Most of us gets set out far too quickly, it’s not a race. Think really slowly and then slow down some more! I swear my slow running was barely faster than my brisk walking! It doesn’t matter! You can do it!

[Cmoi Graduate]

You gave it a go, didn't manage everything you'd hoped, and are reacting by saying "Right, I'll give it another go"? That's not failure, that's determination! Go for it, you'll get there

[Hidden]

You totally haven't failed! You're getting out there and pushing yourself. Feel proud! There's nothing wrong at all with repeating a week. Just try to keep your pace really slooow (even if it feels like you can walk faster!), and you'll build up your stamina and there'll be no stopping you! 👍

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

Well done on getting out there- we don’t use the F-word on here ( either of them!) because there’s no such thing, it’s just a practice run.

Lots of people repeat runs or weeks until they are happy and you really do need to be able to complete the runs in a week before moving to the next.

Like everyone says, the key is slowing down. We all make the mistake of going too fast at first, but it’s about stamina not speed- if you are out of breath you’re going too fast!

Trust the programme, it works, but do it at a pace that’s right for you and you will get there. And we’re right here behind you to cheer you on 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Sniffy25 Graduate]

I think you get the message, slow it down and don’t give up, you made the hardest decision by starting the programme, we all say we are going to do something but actually doing it is a different matter so well done.

Everyone here gives great advice and guidance, we are right beside you all the way. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, fears and those good feelings and believe me you will have plenty of those.

I find deep breaths, through the nose and slowly out through the mouth, getting more oxygen really helps me, breathing technique isn’t easy at the start so try doing 5 deep breaths at a time, perhaps when you stop in between the runs for the walk.

Enjoy your next run. 💐👍👏👏👏

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Hey lovely!... 👏👏 🏃🏽‍♀️ well done for having a go and YES!

You can stay on the weeks and repeat weeks as and when you need!

I couldn’t run for barely 20 seconds at week 1... but this plan is magical and trains your body so you eventually can!

Stick with it and trust the plan, go at your own pace and once you have completed the particular week as stated then you move in...

best of luck and well done for starting!

You will not regret it and the people on here are super supportive! Your little running family 🏃🏽‍♀️

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Oh nooo - I didn’t even notice that you used the F word... 🙈

you absolutely have not... chalk it up to a practice run...

😀

[f1madman Graduate]

I understand the frustration, and it's easy to dwell on the negatives, we're all prone to it.

But you've not failed, far from it, you've gone out and ran 3 times, probably the most you've done in a long time, right?

You probably just need to slow right down, don't be afraid if your running pace is barely any ore than your walking pace. You can do this try running much slower and see what happens. Redo week1 run3 first and see if you can complete it fully before attempting week2.

Oh and the guy who invented C25K regularly restarts his own C25K programme when he hasn't ran for a while. You can re do any week as much as you want and take as much rest as you need in between runs. There's no rush.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Well done for starting 16091992 (38 years old [EDIT: 28!] in a few months I assume ?)

What was making you stop? Were you out of breath?

Please watch this - it should give you some confidence I hope:

youtube.com/results?search_...

[16091992 in reply to John_W]

Hey, no im only 27 😂 i dont think it was due to to been out of breath although i was, but my legs was just burning andmy feet was killing me, ive been using sketchers so i think some new foot wear is needed. Thanks for the reply!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to 16091992]

My maths is sh*t hot today isn't it? HAHAA

OOOOOOPS

You definitely need proper running shoes. But don't spend loads - no more than £60. And you can find plenty in the £40-50 bracket. Look at SportsDirect, Decathlon and DW Sports. Try lots on an buy for comfort, not style and always buy at least 1 size bigger than your normal shoe even it it feels unusually roomy around the toes.

[16091992]

Thank you all so much for your kind comments, i will keep doing week 1 untill im happy with it, im very very self conscious and hate running whilst people are around but i will not give in 😬😬😬

[Spain5k]

Of course you can! You know what? If you are "really overweight and very unfit", you might not actually be ready to run/ jog. You could try just walking the route with Laura for a week and then try one run and then two, I mean take it really slowly.

I think it's really commendable that you've taken up the challenge in the first place and have not just given up completely but have come on to the forum to ask for advice, so well done and carry on in some form or other. I really agree with packersruns who says "It's your journey, so whatever's easiest for you"

[SofaJockey]

It took me 4 attempts to complete all 8 x 1 minute runs for the first time.

The key was that I slowed down. Slow running.

I too was troubled by running in front of people. That sensation does go away in time.

[PhoenixRise Graduate]

You haven’t failed! An attempt at running is better than no attempt so be kind to yourself. I hated every single second of week 1!

I’ve also repeated weeks/runs that I wasn’t happy with or where I sneaked in a cheeky walk ...

Do what is best for you and don’t get disheartened. No one is judging!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

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.

Enjoy your journey.