First week!

[Juliepooh69]

After far too much thinking about it, I started my C25k last week 😀

My main worries were not being able to do it, and being seen by someone I knew, but a cap and sunglasses helped with that one!

I've finished my first week, and although I can't say I 'enjoyed' it, I did have a great sense of achievement.

I've enjoyed reading the posts here, and they have encouraged me to go on.

I realise now that I'm not the only one struggling at times.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's adventures and progress.

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Welcome! And well done for completing your first week. You did it! And the sense of achievement only gets better!

If you are anything like most of us, you might be trying to run too fast. It’s meant to be a slow jog. If you can’t speak without gasping, you’re going too fast. Doesn’t matter how slowly you run, as long as you are making the movements of running, this magic program will work in building up your endurance!

You’re not alone in worrying about being seen by other people! I think I stopped worrying about that by the end of the second week. They will just be full of admiration that you are out there getting fit! I was worried about wearing Lycra leggings and shorts at 66 years old. Do I care now? Not a bit 😀 they are all just jealous of my runner’s physique 😂.

Make sure you come on here and share your journey - this is a fabulous, welcoming forum and you will get loads of motivation, inspiration and support! Good luck, you’ve got this, you’ve definitely got this!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Great !

The first week is often the hardest .

And I think we all go through the ' I hope nobody see's me ' thoughts 😁

Trust me, after a while you couldn't care less haha.

As has already been said , keep it slow !

Once you feel it's too slow then slow it down again 😬

You should be at a pace where you could comfortably chat if someone was next to you !

Keep well hydrated, and do the warmup and after run excercises that are suggested in the guide !

Post about your runs on here !

You will find a lot of support on this forum .

Most of all, enjoy the program.

And trust that it works !

It's magic 😬

[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 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.

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

Enjoy your journey.

[PhoebeJane Graduate]

Well done! You have taken the hardest step. And trust me, you will soon not care about anyone else looking at you or bumping into someone you know. What you are doing is amazing and every non runner will admire you for it. You will start enjoying it after a few weeks. I couldn’t even imagine I would be running 8 weeks ago and I have just completed w7r3 today. And I think I am actually starting the enjoy running every second day. Keep going! You are doing great!

[sally1993]

Hey Julie! Just as some of the guys have pointed out we are doing this at the same time which is very cool! And we even have our lovely doggies in our pictures which is even cooler. And sounds like we are both overweight and fed up. Twins.

[Juliepooh69 Graduate in reply to sally1993]

😂😂😂

[Papillon17 Graduate]

Well done on completing your first week, follow the programme, drink plenty of fluids and run slow very slowly. You can do this.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

The first day was terrible for us, at the end of the first week we were amazed we were still going out three times a week, now we are a lazy pair that goes for a run and grins all the way round sometimes we run far sometimes we run faster and sometimes we mostly walk but this programme kept us going and the amazing people here cheered us on

Good luck

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Well done Juliepooh69 don’t be worried about being seen, I think you may be surprised by people’s reaction when they find out, I was and a few of them have now decided to give it a go.....Good Luck to you 👍