Just started doing C25K - I have completed week one but did four of the three runs as really did not feel confident.
I am still struggling a bit although I admit it is getting slightly easier. I am 55 and a stone and a bit over weight and although I used to walk a great deal I haven’t done any real exercise for years.
I suppose I am looking for a bit of support from those who have been down this road (literally) before.
I really have to force myself to go out the door... I am hoping there are others who have felt this way and yet are now very confident!
Many thanks
Written by
Wonderland1
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Think we’ve all been there! You’ll be fine. Take it really slow. Stretch after each run. Few simple exercises on non run days can help. But main thing is trust you can do this. Difficult bit is starting. I found by week 4 that I was into the flow and it became easier. Still keeping it slow.
Weight wise it tends not to make a huge difference but you can certainly tone up and reduce inches/cms.
Enjoy it, difficult bit getting out, go slow and use this forum. I found it really helpful
Thank you! Really appreciate the reply. Runners pass me by but they are always friendly - I guess everyone had to start somewhere. Will keep going and checking in.
One stone overweight? Lightweight! I'm probably 2 stone plus overweight and I'm 57. You will be the one overtaking me soon. Seriously you can do this. I did 5 runs for Week 1 and my mistake was going too fast.
Week 1 and Week 4 were the hardest. I started in September and graduated at the end of November. I managed t run around 3.5km at my graduation. The aim of the programme is to get you running 30 minutes. My first 5K took 44 minutes 7 weeks after graduation. I am doing my 6th 5k on Sunday. Giving up smoking 7 years ago, was the best thing I have ever done for my health. Doing C25K was the second best, but much much more enjoyable and actually a lot easier!
I’ve posted a few times to trust the plan. I started last May and over the piece lost 4 stone through changed diet and running. I’ve now finished the C210K and now comfortably run 5K a few time a week. Trust the plan, take your time and be sensible with pace and you will get there. Good luck, it’s a great feeling when you nail the first 5K, regardless of time.
I am a bit older than you and am carrying about the same amount of ‘baggage’. I was full of trepidation when I started the program but I was also determined to graduate so I just gave it a go and kept going. At around Week 3 or 4 I posted something on social media in the self-knowledge that if I gave up after that everyone would know. It worked for me. Of course there were times when I thought “What the living hell have I got myself into?” but those times were always followed by a sense of immense achievement after I’d been out and completed another run/week.
You’ve come to the right place for encouragement and support. Trust me, if I can do this - you can. It just takes grit and the guts to try. I’m sure that you have both in abundance 😊
After starting C25k as a newbie last month and struggling to complete WK1, I felt just like you, not confident at all.....😥 however, after reading all the helpful advice on this forum and learning from other people’s experiences, I am pleased to report I have made it to WK5!
I didn’t like running to begin with but now I love it…wow can’t believe I just said that, especially running in this awful weather and sub- zero temperatures, 🤨🥶
If I can do it, you can too, the best advice I can give you is just pace yourself, it’s not a race, go at what you feel comfortable with even it if means only jogging a tiny bit more than your brisk walk, you will soon build stamina and find it easier as you progress.
Also…rest in between runs and rest even more if feeling injured in any way. Good luck and keep us posted on how you get on.
My story is probably similar. I do project work, a lot of it is working away, live on site, work at a desk eat, drink, sleep, eat work repeat sort if thing. Quite sedentary and getting thicker round the middle. Abt 2 years ago I walked 50 metres to the camp clinic as was not feeling great, when I arrived I was tachycardic and my bp was high. Sent to a cardiologist and given 3 different tablets.
I had always promised myself I would never be one of those who took several daily tablets, so I started at the gym. I used to start with 20 mins cardio do a set of work on a muscle group then another 20 mins cardio. This was OK for a bit but I got bored with it. I needed a goal, C25K became that goal. I started on the treadmill, largely because it us very hot here in summer, I had some sort of injury around week 7, took some time off, restarting in week 5. I finished it a few weeks later. It was cooling a bit so I took to the pavement which was very different but more enjoyable. I pushed on to get my first ever 5k. I then ran in a few races and stretched my distance andd am now looking toward a half marathon.
I am a similar age at 57, I had and still have excess weight, probably about 12lbs. I would never have thought I would come this far. The health benefits alone are immense, I take no tablets my BP is good, my cholesterol is manageable without statins, I feel fitter, more energetic mentally in a better place, more confident ,better about life and a bit proud if myself.
You have got this, stick with it and you will be glad you did.
Hi, well done on completing your first week, I was 3 stone overweight when I started really nervous, im on week 4 now I'm not very confident yet but but just getting confident I had to force myself out the door the first week too, dont make the mistake I did and look what's coming on the weeks ahead, an u will be fine, slow and steady an we will get there.
Oh I know that feeling. I had no confidence id be able to.do week one let alone any others!! I go very slowly (someone on for put me onto Japanese slow running on YouTube) and I have had to repeat runs many times but I've just done first run week 4 and I'm pretty shocked at myself. Still don't think I'll ever finish program but then I never thought I'd get this far.
I was absolutely like that in January 2020 and now am enjoying running. When I first started, I never could believe I would ever be able to say I enjoy running. And now I’m doing 10k or more. And loving it. So good for me, especially my mind. So do keep going, it’s worth it. I had set times when I had to do it so that made me do it. If I waited until I wanted to do it, I would never have done it! I also did it with a friend which certainly helped. So keep going. make yourself do it, and if you need to repeat, do so. Good luck xx
Hello Wonderland1! Well done on completing week 1 😀👍. Especially as I read your post wrong and thought you were 55 stone, not 55 years old 🤣. I’m 52 and absolutely love it, and still get nervous before I run. But I always manage it and always feel amazing afterwards. You’ll steam through week 2. 🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️
Starting is the hardest thing and you have done that so well done! The next hardest thing is getting out of the door each time (especially in this weather). You are also doing that ! Hang in there. It does feel good afterwards.
I’m on W3 and like you found the first run hard. Self conscious in the main. I’m 60 and was 7kg over weight....dropped 4 kg since starting C25K and watching the intake. Feeling fitter than I have in a long while. Just stick to the programme and don’t over for it 👍🏻
Congratulations for starting c25k.I think that most of us can honestly say that we never thought it possible after trying to run for 3 mins and constantly hoping we would be told we can walk now.
But.... I'm seeing all those people that graduated last year during 1st lockdown graduating 10k and working towards half marathon.
Yes it's possible even for our age and carrying a little excess weight (mine was 1 stone and I've lost 9lbs through just running)
If your finding a run a real struggle then go slower, it's surprising how much slower than slow you can go.
Also don't think you've got to get to 5k in 30mins by the end of graduating. My fastest 5k is 30.07 and I graduated last May. Speed doesn't bother me, its enjoying those runs and the immense powerful feeling you experience as you finish.
Stay posting and the forum will support you all the way. 😅😀
I think hardest part is going out the door ! But it becomes addictive and you can’t beat the feeling when you have finished. I’m on week 5 now and I never thought I’d get this far! Don’t put yourself down and try and enjoy it being out in fresh air for half an hour is going to lift you even if you fast walk or don’t make the runs. But I promise you will feel proud of yourself xx
Good advice, yesterday was pouring with rain but I forced myself to go out and actually... in a weird way enjoyed it! Certainly made the warm house all the more welcoming.
Well done for your achievements so far, ie, you knew you needed to bring exercise into your life and you have. Then, having found C25k, you've equipped yourself to try it and you have started and completed w1. You have also done this in the midst of a Pandemic and while carrying extra weight! You have the right mindset for sure, just carry on as you are take it as it comes, I have often heard people say 'there are no bad runs, only test runs', so just try again until it comes right and it will.I started in my 60's and didn't think I'd do much, but am almost at 7k, now!
Best wishes and I look forward to hearing more about your runs as you progress. ☺️
Yes, go slowly - really really slowly. You won't yourself any favours going quickly. The whole point is to be gentle on yourself. And 5k is NOT the goal, but simply 30 mins, 3 times, in Week 9 - nothing more or less.
You can do it you just need to be determined. The breathing gets easier, the distances come and the length of running will drop into place. Any exercise is good exercise just take it slow and it will come.
Hi, I have been in your running shoes, except only 53, lol and I am stone and a bit over what I’d like to be. Trust me when I say those first weeks are so hard and seem impossible, but keep pushing that little extra, some weeks I would repeat a run if the next week seemed impossible. Believe in your self and the plan will carry you through. I started last April and graduated 9 weeks later, amazingly. I kept up running 5k 2-3 times a week until getting covid in Dec. I am planning to start again when the weather improves a little as my asthma has been triggered again. I will start at the beginning knowing the plan works and the motivation and support of everyone on here will guide you. You have done the hardest part by getting out there. Well done you 👏 stay positive
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