I actually felt like a proper runner!

[marshaeth]

Did my week 6 run 3 yesterday with my 15 year old son who is also doing c25k. Didn't manage to run continuously for 25 mins, had to walk every now and then 😔 but when the app said you've got 4 minutes left, I upped the pace a little. I'm a very slow runner but for about a minute I kept up with my son and I felt like I was running properly, unlike my normal snails pace dragging my feet along the floor! The fact that I could do that, albeit for a short space of time just shows how much I've come on. It actually felt great...until I could barely breathe 😂 I'm actually looking forward to week 7 run 1 on Monday to try it again!

[OldManRunning Graduate]

Well done marshaeth, speed is relative, in your case a relative too 😁

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulatins to you marshaeth and your son on running run 3 of week 6 of C25k, as you did not run the whole way I would suggest you do it again and try not to walk at all, however, as the 3 runs of week 7 are also 25 minutes it will be OK to start week 7.

[marshaeth Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I'm doing a course as a group. We all move onto week 7, no repeating weeks or the course will finish and I won't have got to week 9. I was actually quite pleased that I run what I did considering 6 weeks ago I couldn't even run a minute, I have to admit to feeling a bit deflated now being told as I didn't run it all to do it again and try not to walk. This is a massive achievement for me to get to this point without giving up completely, if I have to stop and walk a bit does that really matter?

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to marshaeth]

I'd say: Celebrate your achievement, marshaeth , and enjoy going along with the group!

I made some suggestions in my other comment on how I got around having to walk as breaks - you could experiment around with that... The most important thing, imo: Keep moving, keep smiling (to adapt Tim's saying a bit)!

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to marshaeth]

Hi marshaeth , sorry you're feeling deflated. You have indeed achieved lots, well done!

To be fair to AlMorr , the advice he gave you is the advice that would be given to anyone doing the NHS C25K, i.e. if a run isn't completed as per the programme, consider it a practice run and give it another go. Obviously that can be more complicated if you're doing C25K in a group, depending on the set-up.

Do remember, too, that you should be running at a comfortable pace, and that while it's great to have the company of your son, you shouldn't be comparing yourself to him or trying to keep up. It's not speed or style that makes a "proper runner", it's going out for a run that does.

Enjoy the rest of C25K!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to marshaeth]

👍 🏃🏾

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

Congratulations, marshaeth , on completing week 6! 🥳

I've found that running a bit faster at the end when I had the energy really helped me on the next run. Maybe you'll find that as well! The key, for me, was to start out slow - often slower than I wanted to. When it seemed like I couldn't manage, I'd slow down. That helped me keep on running (though it probably was at a slower pace than I can walk 🙃). Maybe we need a slogan like "snails run, too!" to help us remember that running is running!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Absolutely it's a great achievement ! Well done .

And please don't feel deflated, but

bear in mind though that what has been said already by AlMorr and Cmoi is absolutely true to complete the program as laid out you would re run any incomplete runs .

You asked : if I have to stop and walk a bit does that really matter?

Well if you consider the aim of the program is to develop your fitness and aerobic capacity to the point where on week 9 you are able to run the 3x30 minute runs without walking.

So of course all previous runs are designed to build you up to that before moving on .

If you need to walk on the continuous runs then your fitness is not yet at the stage where you are ready to move on .

And that's fine !

Many people re do certain runs or even weeks if necessary .

And there can be many reasons for this !

Pace and/or Hydration would be my 2 main suspects.

So yes, it is important that you build up your stamina to this point and any group should be supporting you in this aim .

It's about fitness development, not ticking off 9 weeks .

Only you can decide which is right for you .

Enjoy the process!

[runningKayaker]

Congratulations, marshaeth! You are doing great!

A few years ago I started running with my boyfriend. After a few weeks, I could not keep up with him. I started to feel discouraged and ended up quitting.

This year, I decided to give running another try, but this time, on my own. Being able to control my own pace without constantly comparing myself to somebody else was very important, and I'm one run away from graduating from C25K!

My point is, I always hear people talking about how exercising with a peer can help you keep motivated, etc. However, this may not always the best path for new runners. C25K is about going far, not fast. Finding the right pace for you is an essential part of that.

My suggestion to you would be maybe try running on your own and see what you think. Alternatively, if spending this time with your son is important to you, maybe make an effort to not compare yourself to him that much, and understand that your C25K journey will be different from his. And that's okay.

Happy running! I hope you can find your pace!