Getting ready to start C25K

[Yogijojo]

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded with advice about getting started. (I was struggling to jog/run for 30s before my legs got really heavy.) I read through suggested documents etc and watched the slow jogging video (I actually bought the book and found it really interesting!) and my main take was to go really slowly, land on the widest part of my foot and keep hydrated. I also discussed starting the program with my partner and he suggested doing laps in the back garden to try and get a feel for pace. He watched me and confirmed that I was probably trying to go too fast. So I have been practicing jogging in the back garden, timing myself as I jog and then walking until I feel comfortable and then going again, the intention being to jog for 8 minutes in total. The first couple of times I did this I was jogging for around 30-40s each time and accumulated a total of 8 minutes jogging in around 19 minutes. Tonight I challenged myself to jog for 1 minute intervals for a total of 8 minutes. My Fitbit auto-recognised this as an aerobic workout and I did it in 16 minutes 13seconds (I did 5minutes walking to warm up and cool down too). Admittedly my jogging phases are really slow but it has given me the confidence to start C25K week 1 in a few days time!

Thanks again-without all the advice and reading other posts I would probably have given up and thought jogging just wasn't for me. Excited to start 'properly' soon!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That’s a lovely successful story of learning how to start, I’m a lover of really slow running and can now carry on for ages, good luck starting, you’ve done good prep

[misswobble Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Me too! It’s lovely 🥰. A long, slow run is a joy and i hope I can do it til I shuffle off 🏃‍♀️

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Oh me too

[Liono Graduate]

This forum really is a gold mine of information and helpful advice, best of luck with your C25K journey 🙂

[Crow277]

Excellent good on you ive been getting great advice here aswell. About to do w1r2 tomorrow i did something similar except on a treadmill to find my pace i still think im a lil fast but managed to get thru r1 good luck on your journey

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

You really don't need to time your pace as that can be very unhelpful.

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.

This works regardless of all other variables, such as gradients, tiredness, etc. As the duration of the workouts increases you may have to reduce your pace to complete the session, so forget pace for now.

Many people have to jog slower than they can brisk walk and that is just fine and will build your stamina.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Have you read the guide to the plan? healthunlocked.com/couchto5... It is full of tips