When does it get easier?

[WeeLK]

I’m currently on week 3 and will be doing my second run tomorrow. I’m still finding it a bit sore when running/jogging. Does this eventually ease up and the runs start to become pleasurable? 😂 If so what week did you see a change?

[PhoenixRise Graduate]

Well done for getting to W3! You’ll be pleased to know that yes - it does eventually ease up and become more pleasurable! For me it was around W5/W6 ...

Are you stretching and drinking plenty of water? There are some great links for advice re: both that you can find in this forum.

[WeeLK in reply to PhoenixRise]

Thanks for the reply! This is the first time I’ve posted on the forum but I’m finding it really helpful reading through all the posts.

Great to know that it eventually eases up, maybe in a few weeks I’ll start to feel a difference then. I was starting to worry that I would never run a 5k if my legs still feel like they do! 😂

I drink lots of water and do stretches before and after but I just do random ones. Maybe I need to look more into how to stretch correctly. Thanks for the tip 😊

[RunGirl1989 Graduate]

It does ease up, hard to say when it will happen to you.

Make sure you are doing your warm up before run and then stretching afterwards.

Key part for me was starting on strength exercises.

[WeeLK in reply to RunGirl1989]

I think the strength exercises will definitely help.

I’ve been trying to do some online videos on Pilates or general strength training on my days off but have let it slip a bit! Will try and do a bit more and see if it makes any change 😊

I am pretty unfit and didn’t really exercise at all before starting the programme so I suppose it’s to be expected that I’m hurting - it’s still early days!

[RunGirl1989 Graduate in reply to WeeLK]

Yes, your body tells you this way to stop as it was so comfortable woth doing nothing.

You just need to keep on going and your body will follow x

[nowster Graduate]

Are you taking your rest days? Maybe throw an extra one in before you start Week 4.

[Blossom- Graduate]

As above, read the info about how to do this - go slow, slower, hydration,dynamic stretch warm up and static stretch after, rest days, etc etc... You got this! It'll be week 9 before you know it! Enjoy!😀

[Irish-John Graduate]

It gets easier, believe me. Buuuut - it gets harder also LOL.

I never, ever, thought I would actually be able to run a mile - 3/7ths of a mile without having to stop was my "impossible dream" for at least the first six or seven weeks of the programme.

Nowadays, a mile is like walking down my (short lol) driveway to get the newspaper.

HOWEVER - this running lark is the most seductive, enjoyable and -Thank God -healthiest addiction I have ever encountered or personally been hooked on

So, three times a week at present I'm out there running "not so easy at all" and attempting to get ready for my first FM attempt this coming October 😬 And THAT is reminding me how I felt when I started C25k - it's "impossible" lol. But - with the the bit over four years of ups, downs, sideways and every time out running, it's now the "experiencing" rather than the "physical act of running" that I can discern and enjoy. It borders on the transcendent quite honestly at times

Because it DOES get to be fun, and on so many levels I never had any idea of when I started. As you go on, you too will also find that "Running" is a heck of a lot more than just "running".

Or maybe more appropriatly and definitely more realistically, the difference between running for the Bus and enjoying the feeling of successfully crossing the finish line in your first Ten Miler event

Right now, you are building up stamina, and it is "hard". If you read the beginner posts of Graduates, you will see we all really didn't have much if any confidence. And when you think of it - every graduate here did the programme because they thought they "couldn't run", if we had we wouldn't have felt any need for a programme!

It took me 16 weeks to graduate, and I still haven't ever done 5k in 30. But my only true regret is, I wish I had been able to do this at a far younger age, it's added a hell of a lot to my life and circumstances over the last four years and that's no exaggerating.

Take it slow and steady, keep it fun on at least some level and sooner than you can imagine you too will be hooked in the best possible way

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[nowster Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

"this running lark is the most seductive, enjoyable and -Thank God -healthiest addiction I have ever encountered or personally been hooked on"

So, so true.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to nowster]

Yep - far less chance of getting sectioned, incarcerated or having chunks bitten off me like my previous hobbies 😁

[HappyNoodle Graduate]

Well done on getting to week 3 🥳🤩. Everyone has given good advice dynamic stretches before, static stretches after and strength training a couple/few days a week. There are lots of different ones you can find online (look at ones for runners) so you should find ones you like 😀 good luck with the rest 😍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on your progress.

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.

When you can run for 30 minutes in a few weeks time, the early weeks will seem very easy.

Enjoy your journey.

[healthy-laughter Graduate]

Hi, I did my first W3 'jog' today and, like you, can't say I am enjoying it yet, but I am constantly surprised I get to the end of each session still moving, so I'm holding on to that! As an exceptionally overweight, unfit, non flexible mid lifer aches and pains are standard, but I am doing the cool down stretches on the support part of the app and I think they are helping. Reading the impressive chats on here I don't think I am really running, just moving slightly differently to my brisk walk, but I'm hoping it all helps. Keep going and hopefully it will get better.

[WeeLK]

Thanks everyone for all your great replies! They’ve been really helpful. I do pace myself and had a look at Japanese slow running so have been trying that out the past few weeks.

I done W3 R2 today (in the pouring rain may I add 😂) and it was my worst run ever I think! My usual route was flooded so I had to do my 3 minute run up a massive hill. My calves are very tight now and I’ve been doing loads of stretches to try and ease them. Hope I’ve not pushed myself too hard 🙈

I know what you mean Irish John about it becoming addictive! I think I got addicted after W1 because I’m always looking forward to my run days even though hurts. I must be mad lol. Hopefully the further through the programme I go, the better it will get ☺️