I DID IT. Flat grass instead of echo pavements, loud music as no cars to worry about, slower pace and 2 sports bras! Nailed it with your support! Thank you.
I'm only on week one but already feeling demotivated by how tough it is. I feel I'm too heavy to thunder down the street, but I know I need to start somewhere. It should be R3 tomorrow. Any tips?
Oh dear you poor thing, everyone here started at week one and felt something similar, most like us went off too fast and got really puffed out, you are doing great, keep going, almost no one is taking any notice apart from all of us cheering you on. Slow and steady is the mantra,
Well done for starting first of all. I remember it well and used to do every run as if I was being chased by a lion, now I run slow. Don't be hard on yourself, you don't need to thunder down the street. Slow is good... just trot along slowly, even if its only slightly faster than walking pace...you'll get there x
Hello and welcome to the forum and the program!
And well done on making a start .
Have a read of the program by guide here
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
It's full of really useful information to help you through the program .
Most people start by trying to run too fast .
You are aiming for a slow jog as explained in the program guide .
Ideally slow enough to be able to talk while you run !
Have a look at this video .
Well done for starting that’s the hardest part over. Slow pace is the advice I’d give.
As everyone suggests, go slowly, don’t thunder. 🙂
Posture may help dispel feelings of heaviness when running, check any tendency to drop forwards, but run tall, head up, shoulders back and chest out - this should help with your breathing too making it easier.
You’re doing great, well done!
Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.
If you read the guide to the plan you will see you are advised to run at an easy conversational pace. Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.
Counterintuitively, it is easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.
Say this sentence out loud to yourself "Am I going slow enough to enable me to speak this sentence in one out breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.
Hello! I am only on week 3 and definitely not a fit or running sort of person before now. I found week 1 hard but weeks 2 and 3 are feeling much more manageable, because each bit of running is longer there are less of them which feels easier :)I'm going extremely slowly and enjoying the scenery, feeling good to complete each run and already feeling like it's made a difference to my fitness, so keep going and you'll soon find the positives!
In a word! You can do this!
Runners can be all shapes and sizes!
Runners all run at different speeds!
You're no different!
So go get week 3 and show it you are a runner👍
Even if you think you can walk faster than you are running, stay slow! Week one isn't easy. Ok, for some people who are already active in different ways, it might be easy. But if you are coming at it straight from the couch, like I was the first time, it's definitely tough. Each run is short, but every time you have to start running after a walk section, it's an effort, so don't underestimate your achievement. If you completed the last run you are ready for the next run. If you feel your body hasn't recovered from the last run, it's ok sometimes to leave two non running days between runs (I am ancient so I do this a lot 😁).
When you get to week 2, it does feel easier than week 1. Week 3 feels easier again, just have a look at the links to the stretches, they will help you, and stay slow, and you can do it!
I know the feeling! I'm much more of a plodder than someone light and gentle on their feet! Despite that, I completed c25k and have run up to 10k, so it can be done. Others have already said about staying slow. Kind of linked, but worth mentioning, is to take notice of the size of steps in the video posted - they're small. Small steps means less chance of landing on your heel, reducing the likelihood of injury, and it's gentler on your knees etc. Hopefully it should feel less like thundering like that 
Good luck!
Oh dear, please don’t feel demotivated HogEar! Think why you started the programme, we all have different reasons - from wanting a new challenge or getting fitter or maybe just reliving the glory days of a running youth. Think about how you’re doing this , are you going off too fast? You might not think you are but you can always go slower! So try it - slow right down so that you can hold a conversation ( or at least utter a few words without collapsing!). Make sure you keep well hydrated, drink plenty of water and not just on run days. If you need to, take an extra day between runs especially when the runs get longer. And don’t forget each run prepares you for the next one. It’s certainly not easy, especially if you’ve never run before but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it wouldn’t they?! But it really is do-able, I’m proof of that - and if I can, you can too!
Thunder and lightning!
W8R1 More run than plod 😱
W6P1 (P = Plod) - The Leveller!
Thunder, lightning and heavy, heavy rain...
Will there be thunder and lightening?
