🔔 Round 3 - ding ding ding! 🔔

[rose-finch]

Hello all!

I am new-ish; this is the third time I am embarking on a C25K programme - although the first time using the NHS plan.

This is due to two unfortunately bad bouts of Covid. 🤒

I love the healthy, happy feeling that running offers, that I imagine a lot of us experience. I am hoping to reach half an hour of non-stop running by June and still enjoy it!

I have decided to begin on week 3, as I can run for 15 minutes non-stop already.

I am looking forward to reading about others’ running journeys.

Rose-finch.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Sorry about you getting two bouts of Covid rose-finch, well done on restarting C25K at week 3, I am sure you will get to run for 30 minutes non stop by June if not earlier, I wish you healthy happy running 🏃🏾 👍

[rose-finch in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you very much Almorr. 😊 I am looking forward to being able to share the victory!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hello and welcome....!

I am guessing from your post that you have already completed C25K?

If not, it maybe a good idea to start at the beginning of this plan and move forward?

Do please, read the pinned post.so much great info' there...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

A fair few of us having had Covid are on the track again and the mantra for many of us has been very much, take it gently!

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto......

Not sure when you last bout of Covid was , but we put this post out, which does have some useful links and some useful replies too

[rose-finch in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you for your reply and the information, Oldfloss. I’ve completed the runners world C25K programme twice before, repeating it after getting Covid once, and then stopping for the second time after getting Covid again, most recently in November 2022.

Due to post-viral fatigue, I have been building my fitness up through slow running 3x a week since January. I have been able to run for 15 minutes 3x a week for the past month so thought Week 3 may be appropriate but I have heeded your words and warnings on your brill Covid post! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to rose-finch]

Well being me..i would err on the side of caution... take it gently and see how you go. We have just got to try to keep our running friends safe!

[rose-finch in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss 😊 x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the forum! Covid can really knock the stuffing out of you. Sorry you’ve had a tough time. Hope you’re feeling fully recovered now? I had fatigue for a long time and it’s often hard to not do to much on good days so you’re not really wiped out on the days afterwards. Take it steady!

This might be me misreading your post-do you mean you are already running for fifteen minutes right now or you were before you had your breaks for covid? If you haven’t run recently, it’s probably worth starting with week 1, run 1 as   Oldfloss suggests and if that feels super easy, skip ahead to run 1 week 2… see how it goes. There’s no rush. If you’re running fifteen minutes at the moment, week three seems a good fit.

Running is magic and I can totally relate to your description of feeling happy and healthy doing it. I’m absolutely sure you’ll be where you want to be before you know it.

Really good luck to you! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

EDIT: It’s probably obvious I’ve cross posted with all the replies! Apologies!

[rose-finch in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hi missunderstanding - I realise I haven’t been very clear! I can run for 15 minutes, 3x a week, at the moment with a 5 min warm up walk and a 5 min cool down walk. 😊 However, the thought of running for more than 15 mins makes me feel nervous (no idea why!) so I thought Week 3 might be a good place to start.

Thank you for the advice and support, I’m really looking forward to one day re-reaching 5K!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to rose-finch]

I can totally relate to that! Fifteen minutes is my safe, I know I can do it distance that I always use as a comeback run after a break or injury. I can run for a long time now (I built up to half marathon distance after couch to 5k) but I still sometimes get nervous going out for anything longer than half an hour! Our minds aren’t always logical!

What helps on runs where I’m doubting if I’ll get to the end is to break it down so at the beginning, I’m just thinking about starting steadily and settling in, then maybe a bit of focus on my music or the surroundings, and then when I’m at a suitable point I switch to “it’s only (however many) more minutes and you’ve done that before-you can do this”. The other thing I do is check in with myself regularly (at a quarter, half and three quarters of the way through the run) and ask myself if I still want to continue. That helps me to feel in control and that it’s ok to cut short if I need to that day. Having the couch to 5k commentary is a great idea!

You’ll get there. ❤️

[rose-finch in reply to MissUnderstanding]

thank you - it’s comforting to hear that even half marathon runners can feel nervous sometimes! I will definitely practise the checking in with myself, which isn’t something I’ve tried before, as well as the permission to stop. Whilst I am trying to shift a few pounds, I am running for cardiovascular health and want that to stay as the focus over calories burnt! Thanks again 😊 x

[Teaching]

I'm glad you are doing something you love. Keep moving and you will get there. I wish you luck.

[rose-finch in reply to Teaching]

Thank you Teaching 😊