I feel guilty that I failed the first run

[Louise_inz]

so I’m trying to get fitter and lose weight (I need to lose about 10 pounds maybe 15) I tried to go out today I only managed 3 of the runs. I’m also anemic so I know that won’t help but it’s very mild. I at least managed to walk the entire time briskly so I suppose that’s good at least. I just feel bad at how unfit I am it’s only run 1 week 1 and it’s already too much for me.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Hi, if you managed a few runs and then walked briskly then that's a good indication.

We would normally suggest that you are able to do 30 minute brisk walks before Starting the programme.

I can't help but wonder though , are you trying to run too fast ?

Certainly most do as they start the program!

Your run sections should be slow enough so that you could hold a conversation if someone was running alongside you !

If not, it's simply too fast .

Take a look at this .

youtu.be/9L2b2khySLE(Not working as expected?)

P S

There is no such thing as a failed run, it's just a practice run !

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

You have already done the hard bit by getting started. As Instructor57 says, keep it really slow and just do what you can to start with. I started C25k following an injury which kept me rooted to a chair for weeks. It was hard to start with, but I got there by keeping the pace down. In fact nearly every running injury I have had has been caused by trying to run too quickly. This is the perfect time of year to start, and people on this forum will be right there to support you on the way.🙂

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

The hardest part is getting out the door and running, so you ran 1 minute 3 times, and didn't give up but carried on walking, that's a huge success. Now you know what it's like so the next time you will know what to expect, take it steady, this isn't a test, it's a way to get fitter and stronger, have fun in your running adventure.

[ForeverYoung21 Graduate]

I found that half of the challenge with C25k is actual mental, and having the belief that we can do it. I did week 1 & 2, then went back and did them both again. It helped me, as i then felt like I had already made progress, and I was ending the weeks the 2nd time feeling more positive. Think about what you HAVE achieved with that run, not what you haven't. You will only get better from here!

[backintime Graduate]

I second the "run slower" suggestion, you might feel you can't go any slower, but it doesn't matter if your running is slower than your walking

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

Turn it around-yesterday you didn’t run an all. Today you did three runs! That’s something to celebrate!

You’ll get there. It’s frustrating when progress is slower than you’d like and I’ve always found it really uncomfortable realising that I’ve become less fit than I’d hoped, but you’re on the path to getting fitter and stronger now. It’ll take time but you’ll have so many little victories to celebrate along the way. Every journey starts somewhere and you’ve taken the first steps.

The advice about slowing down is spot on, and it’s really worth looking through the programme guide. Come back for cheers and support ❤️

[OldManRunning Graduate]

Well done Louise-in, don't feel bad about yourself. You managed a couple of important things, you decided to do it, you went out and did it, and you showed your commitment. I'm sure it won't be long before it will be less walking and more running. Listen to your body and you'll end up surprising yourself 😁

[Carners1 Graduate]

Join the club 😊 I remember after my first 1 minute run, I thought I was actually going to die!! But...if you stick with it and take the advice about taking it slowly, you will get there!!! If I did it you definitely can!!! It's changed my life and it can yours!!

[ManchesterSeahorse Graduate]

Don’t beat yourself up, where you’ve started is where all of us started at the beginning! We all have good runs/walks and not such good runs/walks that’s life. You have done the most important thing you’ve started to take control and to get fit. I say Very Well Done 👍

[Heidicat2]

can I just add - needing to lose a few pounds isn’t what’s stopping you, I need to lose a LOT more than that and I managed all the way to week 9! Like others have said what really helped was not thinking about running as going as fast as I could but simply maintaining a running action, at whatever speed is comfortable for you. It really does work, I started counting down the seconds of each minute run but a couple of months later - 30 minutes at a time!

[Dogforlife]

I agree with all the comment, you have done fantastic dont beat yourself up - i felt the same when i started and now i have knee injury so feel even worse, but trying to get of the couch and today even though knee still hurts i used my exercise bike to do it in stead of running you keep going x

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

All of the above. You will work up to completing all the Week 1 runs.

Many on here will remember how hard that first week felt, it is certainly not just you. But if you can, persevere.

The programme really does work, but amend it for yourself so that each stage is more gradual if that works for you. You could, for example, decide the next two runs will be 3 runs and walk. Then next week try for 4 runs and walk etc .

Hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised that you are getting more able, just spread out the 9 week programme into a longer and more gradual process.

[Seaside22 Graduate]

you can play a psychological trick on yourself by thinking of jogging rather than running. Doesn’t sound as scary! Works for me. Best of luck with the program: as others have said, you really have already done the hardest part by actually starting.

[HanHan8]

The fact that you got put and did it is the main thing, however long you went out for moving was less time on the sofa!

[John_W Graduate]

Hey Louise_inz

Well done for making the decision to start and for getting out there - that is often the hardest bit... harder than the program itself!

How concerned are you about doing this in the 9 weeks?

How much walking were you doing before starting? How many steps per day?

[Trying9 Graduate]

I found the first two runs the hardest of them all. I seriously thought I was having a stroke on the second my head was pounding so much. Definitely was trying to go too fast for me....got wiser and went slower thanks to this forum. Made it through the whole programme without a repeat but made sure I went REALLY slow. I had the mantra ' just keep moving your feet' tho sometimes it felt like I wasn't going forward. Getting up and out there is a win , better for you than sitting on the couch! Keep at it. WELL DONE YOU.

[Dreambird Graduate]

Hi Louise - no you haven’t failed - you have started this fabulous programme which really works. You’ve already had lots of replies with great advice - I just want you to know you can do this - slowly and gently does it - take as long as you need and gradually you’ll find your legs are listening to you and will carry you through the weeks

Let us know how you are doing - we’ve all started from where you are now and the support from everyone on this forum helps so much through the tough times.

I haven’t posted for ages but having moved house a year ago, lost my running mojo and started C25K a second time last October, graduating again in March I’m back enjoying my running - slow and steady!

Run safe and well everyone 🏃🏼‍♀️👍

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Well done. You've started. That's one of the hardest runs of the program. Follow the advice, on here and you'll be grand. Beware, though, it can be addictive!

[Irish-John Graduate]

If I had been sane back in '16 there is no way I would have finished Day One. I literally as close as I ever want to be having a heart attack or expiring from a monster Asthma attack!However - lessons learned. I can be stubbornly stupid, and the programme needs to be taken slow and steady within individual abilities 🙂

Went on to run (and survive lol) a FM five years later - slowly and steadily. 🙂

Won't be doing another one mind you, just enjoying far shorter runs these days - but it's proof the programme works 🙂

Wishing you many happy miles in your future 👍🏻