9 weeks my a**, but still doing it! (and that's what counts)

[Darwin_s_underdog]

Hiya,

I have been doing C25K for over a year now and I am on week 5 day 3 (5min walk, 20min run, 5min walk) currently. And I am so proud of it! To be honest, after having been a full couch potato for over 15 years, I never imagined I would happily go for 'a run' and keep continuously going for 20 minutes.

As I said, it's taken me a year to get this far, and (don't laugh, it's true!) my jogging time is actually SLOWER than my walking time, but I never thought I'd start -sort of- enjoying it even.

According to my Garmin watch I get 150 weekly minutes of moderate exercise done in 2x 30 minutes sessions (I guess because my (un)fitness still gives me a high heart rate), but you won't hear me complaining about that!

I guess my message for everyone who is just starting out is:

- Take the term 'week' and 'day' in this workout programme with a grain of salt... and realise that it doesn't matter if you don't feel ready for the next level yet, just keep repeating the level you are comfortable with until it becomes somewhat easy for you and then move on. To be fair, even if you did only 'week 1-day 1' for 3 days a week, every week for the rest of your life... so what?? At least you're doing something... that's more than you did before, right?

- My goal is still to jog a continuous 5k one day. Even if it takes me 60 minutes to finish, I will be happy if I can do that without walking in between. I will start building up the speed once I have accomplished that. (At this rate probably sometime in 2023?! LOL)

- Anyway, use C25k, but if it's too hard to move on to the next 'day', just set your own goals and more importantly, just... keep at it!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

As long as you are enjoying your running that is the main thing, I was just looking at the results of recent 5K events near to where I live, there were about 10 runners who completed that 5K +60 minutes, so don't worry about the time you run your first 5k.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

The enjoyment and the excersise are what matters , you have obviously got the determination !

And time is irelevant 👍

[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.

Enjoy your journey.

[Darwin_s_underdog in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, some very useful advice in there.

[Sussex13 Graduate]

Well done for your determination and tenacity to keep going, I agree wholeheartedly as I haven’t been able to run every other day myself due to being so unfit and some injuries. I allow 2 clear days and sometimes more depending on my body and how I feel. I’ll next be on W5/R2 which is a step up so will need some energy.

You’ll definitely be able to run continuously if you keep going.. you’re doing brilliantly! 💪

[Darwin_s_underdog in reply to Sussex13]

Thank you, you too! Keep at it, you can do it.