Any obese runners completed C25K?

[Hound]

Hi everyone!

I've just started week 2 of C25K and looking for a bit of reassurance from you lovely people please.

I've done C25K before years ago so know it works, but I was about 4 stone lighter then and - not surprisingly, I guess! - it's feeling harder this time. I'm worried I'll not be able to do the longer runs at all. Any other bigger runners made it to the end in the 9 weeks?

Thanks very much

[BrokeyNotSoBusted Graduate]

My wife did C25K several years ago and was obese. First attempt was only 2 or 3 weeks but she hadn't been active at all so we spent a month building up walks first. Second time round she had found it particularly hard on her ankles and shins in the early weeks so changed to jogging round a football pitch which helped. It's only now that I'm doing it, that looking back she probably wasn't going slow enough. She did need to redo a week (can't remember which) but did complete the programme and carried on afterwards until around 40-45mins. The running helped her control diet as well.

Also there is a guy that runs near my home that would be a good few stone heavier than me (and I could do with losing a couple) and I swear someone sprinkled pixie dust or something on him.... Runs a few miles, quick, feet seem to float and never seen him out of breath.

Just take it slow and steady, listen to your body - if it becomes painful, stop.

[Hidden]

I’m not a “big” runner and I only just graduated a few weeks ago but running was all new to me and I’m still learning.The only advice I can give is to take it slow really really slow and repeat any weeks that you feel you need to. It’s not a competition and no one here is judging you, go at your own pace, check into the forum often and you will receive all the encouragement and information you need.

You’ve got this, keep running keep smiling.

[Post-Op-Jogger Graduate]

Yup!

I ran slowly and it felt really good to finish. Like you it's my 2nd time and I'm also a lot heavier. It's now 6 weeks past graduation and I'm still running and loving it. Blood pressure has vastly improved. I feel healthier. I'm much less stressed at work .. Stick with it! It's worth it.

PS: To encourage myself not to stop once I graduated, I asked two of my friends to enter a race with me in June. If I stop now I'll be letting myself AND my friends down.

[Scoochie Graduate]

I was 6 stone overweight and in 1st lockdown when I began c25k. My advice is to go slowly and don’t worry about the longer runs. I repeated weeks if I didn’t feel ready to advance, only increasing when I was physically ready. It took me a few weeks longer, but who cares.

You’ll be surprised about how little notice people take of you. The only thing I made a point of was to go out in the morning or later in the evening simply because the weather is cooler and so I wasn’t fighting the heat as well as my mind.

The longer runs will come as you gain confidence in yourself and your ability. The plan is not set in stone, but guidance and support. I’m sure you’ll get there, I’ve got faith 👍👍

[Adebris]

Hi Hound, I completed C25K and ran both Bristol and Cardiff 10K's before lockdown . all whilst my weight put me in the clinically obese category. ( It did help me lose some of the weight though). Take it steady, do it on your own terms. don't worry about other passing you or if you have to pause and redo a week or two before progressing. just listen to your body and the feeling you get when you graduate is fantastic Good luck

[Hound]

Thanks everyone, that really helps!

I'm running with a few others so I've been worried about falling behind them - but stuff it, I'll do what I can do, eh, and focus on graduating 😀

[Hidden in reply to Hound]

Don’t try and keep up move at your own pace and forget what others think or say.

[Mariannedreams Graduate]

Hello, yes me. I'm about five stone overweight and graduated last Sunday. My tips are not to go too fast and remember to breathe! Also, make sure you're wearing the right shoes. It might be an idea to get a gait analysis done, if you haven't already.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Somebody replied to you but posted as a subject instead: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...