New to running but loving it so far!

[Bina68]

Hello all, I finished W3R3 today and am feeling rather smug! I’m 52, had a heart attack in June 2019, heart surgery in November and am now trying to find myself again, having put on 3 stone. Whoops!

We are going on holiday next week, so I’ve decided to re-do W3 as I’ll be running somewhere new and I don’t want to risk upsetting my holiday by failing! At the moment the thought of running for 5 minutes seems impossible, but then I have to say that 3 weeks ago I was knackered after a minute, so who knows.

If anyone has any tips for increasing my “oh yes I can” gene, I would love to hear them. My biggest failing is assuming I can’t do this, so I need to beat that.

Many thanks for reading, and for any replies.

Stay safe and positive 💜

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

O yes you can, take all the runs slowly, congratulations on completing run 3 of week 3, you are allowed to feel smug, but only for a short while after any runs or week's that you have completed.

Onwards and upwards to week 4.

[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.

Follow the link in the guide to the post about mental approach.......it makes all the difference.

Enjoy your journey.

[MontyMooDog Graduate]

Best advice I can give you is follow this program and take it slow. This may help. Good luck👍

youtu.be/9L2b2khySLE(Not working as expected?)

[nowster Graduate]

There's no shame in repeating a week for confidence, or having an extra rest day or two. Enjoy your break.

[Hidden]

My motto is take it slow and slower where necessary. That’s exactly what I’ve done, as that’s what I read on here early on. Just to say, I’m doing my last run this week and I couldn’t run for 30 seconds in the first week...

So, have a great time...

Good luck, you can do this! 😊

[Chilscot Graduate]

Well done on completing W3R3. You can definitely do this, just take each run slowly. No heart surgery for me but I'm 45 and had a heart attack in February this year, I'm about to tackle W8R3. YOU GOT THIS!

[Rocky1122 Graduate]

If you’re honest with yourself this one question will do it......

‘Will I feel better after 30 mins extra on the couch or 30 mins of fresh air and exercise....?’

That’s the one that get me out of bed and running.....

Good luck

[AliK0871 Graduate]

Congratulations an inspiration to all my cardiac patients. Keep going YOU CAN AND WILL DO THIS and the buzz you will get when you tick another week off is great. Enjoy your holiday

[Sybilw Graduate]

It’s great that you’ve realised so early that your brain needs training as much as your legs, lungs and heart. All I can suggest is that you look at the number of graduates and realise every one of them test the program just for you. And most of us were sceptical too. Many were older, had medical conditions and yet here we are - graduates. If you’d like a specific - I started at 63 having never run before (even at school and left there in 1972!!). I’m also a serial starter - not finisher. I told everyone I was doing this (accountability) and complained/celebrated on this forum. You have more support than you could ever wish for - you can do it!

[Lynne1916 Graduate]

My OH had triple bypass surgery dec 2018. By March 2019 was back out there doing c25k again. No looking back. Good luck!!

[PandaCory Graduate]

Brilliant! When I can't be arsed I tell myself "it's only half an hour " & that gets me out the door. Once I'm out I can often go longer/further and the feeling of smug achievement is amazing 😉😉🏃‍♀️🏅. Don't stress about repeating if you need to - take your time & you'll get there!

[zinza]

Are you also trying to loose weight? If that's the case I suggest you take a look at the Weight Loss NHS community. They are going to help you to improve your diet plan.

Have a nice day.