Newbie

[Bumble200569]

Hi all… after having the c25k app on my phone for months I have finally started… I completed run 1 this morning… honestly thought I was going to die. I haven’t run since I was in yr 11… I’m now 53… to be honest it was a killer BUT I feel great now 😊 … tell me it gets easier??

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Welcome to the forum and the programme And well done for starting 👍.have you read the programme guide?

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

It's packed with really helpful information to help you through the programme

It gets easier in so far as you get fitter, but of course this is a progressive training program so the fitter you get, the longer the runs get .

But is it achievable? Absolutely!

Enjoy the ride 😊

[Bumble200569 in reply to Instructor57]

thank you and yes I’ve read the program guide.. I’m already excited for Tuesday haha!

[Week7 Graduate]

Not going to lie. It is tough -but things do improve. You will get lots of really good advice from those more knowledgeable than me on this chat but my personal experience is that it was tough but doable. Just keep plodding as slowly as you need .Just one foot in front of the other. I did c25k during the first lockdown when I was 53 and am still plodding along - Well, actually I am currently on a covid induced break at the moment- I am missing my runs sooo much . Desperate to get out there again but just walking the dog around the block sends me back to bed for a rest! ) .

Running has led me to so many adventures.... this running thing is truly life affirming.

Keep running and posting. You won't regret 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️

[Bumble200569 in reply to Week7]

thank you so much for your reply… running is something I’ve wanted to do for so long but wasn’t brave enough… I see people all the time and think that must be their happy place.. hope you get better soon and are back to it… x

[GrumpyOldJogger]

Apart from the occasional bus, I hadn't run since I left school 58 years ago, but I decided to give C25K a go. At the end of the first run I felt like I'd achieved something but was also pretty adamant I didn't want to repeat the experience. Nevertheless, two days later I had another go, and by the start of week two I was totally hooked. I still haven't got to the end of the programme yet, because I keep repeating weeks, but it's become an essential part of my daily routines. In fact I have to be stern with myself about not running every day.

[Bumble200569 in reply to GrumpyOldJogger]

ahh thank you for your reply… yes I understand the ‘ I’m never doing this again’ 😂 but I will… I know it’s only been day one but I’ve had a spring in my step all day.. when I usually would of taken a nap today I haven’t… your reply has given me motivation… that’s what I want , to love it and be hooked

[GrumpyOldJogger in reply to Bumble200569]

Glad to hear it. Keep us posted 👍

[Bumble200569 in reply to GrumpyOldJogger]

will do 😊

[Cmoi Graduate]

Well done for getting started Bumble200569 !

I started C25K as a non-runner with the sporting achievement of a tin of tomato soup, accompanied by horrible memories of school games lessons.

I didn't find it got easier. However my definitions of what constitutes easy, or achievable, or even difficult, changed very considerably. (See my profile, if interested.)

Stick with the programme, believe in yourself, and I think you'll be amazed at what you can do. Happy running!

[Runnin-g Graduate]

Well done on starting & I love your enthusiasm. It definitely got easier for me, somewhere around 4-5 weeks in, I found I was less out of breath. Stick to the program, make sure you’re running slow enough to be able to hold a conversation (getting faster will come later if you want to) and you should find it becomes easier as your body adapts. Enjoy 😊

[Kirst13 Graduate in reply to Runnin-g]

5 weeks was my turning point too. I repeated all the weeks up to then several times, but, from week 5, I haven't looked back. 😁

[Running_at50 Graduate]

Well done on starting your running journey, you've done the hardest part and got out there. I graduated last August but winter is not my friend and my running stopped. I have started c25k again and I'm on week 7. The best advice I can give is take it slow. I'm still really slow but that's ok because I'm quicker than those on the couch! Happy running 😁

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

Well done on starting C25K you will not regret it. I was 59 when I started and had never run before. Not sure what I expected or even whether I would continue with it but I completed it in 9 weeks and have never looked back. Trust the programme, you will think you can't run for 30 minutes until it suddenly dawns on you that you can! Enjoy!

[Bruch1 Graduate]

Well done on starting C25k. Having had hip problems as a child I had never run before embarking on the program last November when I hit 69 yrs old. I'm now regularly running (albeit not very fast) 5k three times a week. I've got the running bug and so will you. Good luck. Everyone here will be rooting for you. 🏃‍♀️

[BR808 Graduate]

Inspiring! I have been procrastinating massively. But I’m off work for two weeks now and really feeling like getting out there finally! I’ve been reading ‘Depression hates a moving target’ and that combined with your post this morning is making me feel like I should really try and get going! I know it’s going to be a big battle in my head and challenging days ahead, but I really want to try.

[XenaZelda Graduate]

Hi Bumble200569, well done on starting, i also had the NHS C25K app on my phone for quite a few months before i actually started, and i remember being so out of breath after the first 60 second run, then thought "its not long enough to recover in 90 seconds and then have to run for 60 seconds again!!!", but i soon realised:

1) i was going too fast

2) running up a slight hilly road is not good for brand new runners

3) good proper running shoes

4) control the breathing

It does get better as you start to get fitter, look at me i recently graduated and can run for 30 minutes which i never thought in a million years i would do and i am 60 in a few months.

[Lozza52 Graduate]

hi bumble - I’m the same age as you and started my journey 9 weeks ago. I was the same- huffing, puffing and hoiking my guts up for the 1st few runs. It’s not been easy but the advice on here is amazing. Basically- slow down, then slow some more, keep your feet low - it’s ok to shuffle!! I want to reassure you that it does get better - I’v just finished run 1 week 8 and have only five more runs till I graduate - I never thought I’d get this far - I’m even starting to enjoy it! Trust the programme and have faith - you’ve got this! 💪🏃🏽‍♀️

[Cassie_7 Graduate]

Well done for getting started, I wish I had begun years ago! I am on week 5 and I am loving it! I have to push myself out of the front door on grey/rainy days but I actually am so pleased that I did, having been out. Even on cold grey days, I enjoy the run. As Instructor57 says, it is progressive and the runs do get longer. I always make sure I take a rest day (or occasionally two days) between each run and I jog slowly. There is no point in running quickly, or competing with others and becoming exhausted.

[VS1975 Graduate]

well done & good luck. You’ve got this. The hardest thing is over (getting off the couch) take your time. Tortoise & the hare! As long as you keep putting one foot infront of the other & not stopping. you’re on track. I’m on week 7 this week.

[Vizviz]

Well done for starting the programme, that is the hardest part done. You will be amazed how your body adapts as you get fitter. All of us that have done or are doing the programme have felt like we were half way to hell during the 60 second runs and thought there is no way we’ll complete the programme. Just do it at your own pace and repeat runs where necessary. Use the Facebook forum where you will find all the love and support you could ever dream of. Good luck and remember you are part of an amazing family now with thousands of people routing for you.

[Bumble200569 in reply to Vizviz]

thank you 🥰

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

It gets easier.

[nowster Graduate]

I was a similar age to you when I started C25K three years ago. I also had had the app on my phone for several years. It glowered at me from time to time.

And then lockdown happened. We were allowed out for 30 minutes to exercise. I had no excuse any more.

I had never ever run before, not even at school. My flat feet back then meant I ran with my legs going in all directions like windmills.

Does it get easier? Yes and no. It's a stepped programme, so the difficulty of the runs increases gradually over time. However, as you progress you will get fitter.

Some of us have tried several times, myself included.

I ended my first attempt on the third run, totally out of breath, with a cold sweat, a stitch, palpitations and nausea. I gave it a few weeks and started again. I got to the end of week 2, then read the little leaflet that came with the medication I was on at that point. "Do not do strenuous exercise." So I waited until I'd completed that, and a few weeks beyond. I then did four Week 1 runs spread over two weeks, and from that point on did a run (almost) every other day.

That was three years ago, and since I have done over sixty parkruns, over a dozen half marathon distances, and (up until my trip on Friday) had run every day this year.

Best of luck!