My experience so far.

[Tortoisenotthehare]

Hi all,

At the start of the summer holidays, I decided to finally stop thinking about making a lifestyle change, thinking about exercise, thinking about diet, thinking about what I'd look/feel like a year from now, thinking about past failed attempts, thinking about all the reasons not to make a change...and just started the C25K program.

This took a fair bit of swallowing of pride for me having been a regular runner in the past of 5 and 10k distances (not spectacular times). However, I remembered how I would often push myself to do too much too soon and often ended up injured/burned out or both.

I'm now in the middle of week 5 and really enjoying it. I never used to be an advocate of a warm up walk and thought walking intervals were pointless. Thankfully, my perspective on this has changed and I'm (touch wood) niggle/injury free so far.

I've found the running intervals and gradual progression manageable to the point where on many runs I feel like I could do more of I wanted. In the past, I'd be absolutely exhausted and a crank for the rest of the day. I'm a little apprehensive but also up for the challenge of week 5 run 3 so will see how that goes.

The biggest challenge will be when I return to work and how I schedule the runs in around work/family/volunteering commitments. I'm hoping to start going out early morning to set myself up for the day. I know that saying to myself I'll head out after work just isn't feasible based on past experience.

If anyone is on the fence about starting the program, I'd definitely say give it a go. Good luck!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Very well done, hope you can get out early in the mornings, I used to say to myself ,,"It's only half hour" and that helped me.

[Tortoisenotthehare in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks for your reply. Yes that's a good way of looking at it. I will have a chance to practise this mantra later this week.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

W5 R3 is the best run. If you've not run before - all of a sudden - you're a runner! The sense of satisfaction, etc... You'll be glowing all day. This is where you realise that it's, (mostly), all in your head.

This one, W1 R1 and W9 R3 are probably the Key runs of the program.

[Penwithpink Graduate]

Weird, we were discussing this in my slimming group last night ( those of us who do this) , we all seem to be morning runners - you feel quite virtuous as you ve put the effort in early in the day and it’s done so u can stick to plan cos you do not want your effort to be wasted by cakes or biscuits etc !!

I’m lucky I’ve always been a morning person but I do feel for those who aren’t especially with the shorter days coming along x good luck x once you do get into a routine it’s easier xx