So, like the title says I’m a new runner starting the C25k programme tomorrow! A bit about me…
I’m 23 years old
I have historically had a bad relationship with running, I get tired so easily and end up being grumpy, sore, and bored
I’ve set myself a goal of being able to run a park run eventually!
Any tips, tricks, or support would be hugely appreciated. It seems like a monumental task at the minute, but I’m hoping I can stick with it and make a permanent hobby out of running.
Anyway, hope everyone has a great week! 🦙
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FantasticLlama
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You've done an amazing thing! Nearly 4 years ago, I did my first run too and never looked back. Be kind to yourself and patient...this is important as you go through the weeks. As long as you keep going and are consistent, you'll see change. It's an exciting adventure ahead and one you're in charge of 😊 sending best wishes and positivity 🙌
Thanks so much for the reply and encouragement! I think you're right there, the consistency is what I've struggled with in the past, but hopefully having more structure to my runs will help push past that. Glad to hear it worked for you- knowing that it's tried + tested is a great morale boost 😁
Hello Fantastic Llama ….fab name by the way. Well you’ve come to the right place so a big huge welcome ! You have took the first step to your running journey by just telling us that tomorrow you will officially become part of the C25K community…well done!.
So first of all don’t over think everything as this could lead to you becoming despondent.
Take everything at your pace, nice and steady ,don’t worry about anything.
One thing I would say to you is …that we’ve all been where you are at this moment and to make that first step is daunting but you will soon get over that and as you become more confident….and you will, you will start to just enjoy the freedom and brilliant feeling of achievement. Some days will be harder than others but don’t give up. Enjoy the programme and make every moment count for you because this is your journey.
Everyone on this forum is ready and waiting to help you, encourage you and offer any advice where ever and when ever you need it. We are a smashing bunch and love helping each other.
So good luck tomorrow for your first run of C25K . Look forward to reading your post. Have a super time.👍🏃♀️🏃♀️👏👏😂
Hey hey Folkylass! Thanks for the username love- what can I say, it was inspired 😂😂 I completed my first run this morning and you were totally right, the sense of achievement was great! I'm a little nervous about the later weeks when the runs get longer, but I'll take your advice and not overthink it. Thanks so much for the support!! Loving the vibe on here 🏃♀️🦙
Hello FantasticLlama welcome - you’ve found a great community here to cheer you along as you start your journey. How exciting!
The main piece of advice I would give you is slow down!! Especially at the beginning it’s always a tendency to go faster than you should - a good rule of thumb is if you are out of breath so you can’t hold a normal conversation while you run you’re going too fast! ( or for me, sing- I use that term very loosely)
The other thing is don’t skip the warm ups and cool downs they’re really important, have a rest day in between and don’t neglect your stretches!
Last of all, follow the programme, it works if you do it properly. I did it in lockdown, more because needs must as I never thought I would enjoy running, but I got bitten by the bug. Do whatever works for you - I loved doing C25K with my running playlist at first but now I mix it up and listen to podcasts too or sometimes not anything at all.
Oh and one more thing - don’t get hung up on your pace or distance when you get further into it - that’s for later. Most people are nowhere near 5K at the end, it’s a catchy name but a bit misleading, not many can run 5K in 30 mins, ( I think I was about 3.5K) 5K is something to build up to when you have graduated.
Do keep us posted on your progress! Good luck and enjoy 😊
Hi SweatyHettie (love the name). Thanks for such an encouraging reply, and it's really great to hear that the programme worked so well for you!! I'm hoping it'll become something I love soon enough, miracles can happen I'm sure! That was great advice, I definitely started a bit quick on my first run, but remembered what you said and slowed down for the rest of the sets. It definitely felt more comfortable at a slightly slower pace! Defo good to know about the distance, too. I think I ended up doing about 3k today in total with the walking + running, so 5k seems leaps and bounds ahead of me. Still should be a good goal for the future!! 😁
Well done for committing and the best of luck to you!
There’s a great FAQ in the pinned posts, well worth a read. My tip is that as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you are still running, it doesn’t matter how slow you go. I run on grass and dirt tracks to reduce the impact a bit, that can help too.
Hi RumblingChest , thanks for the luck! That's great advice, and I might do the same with the softer surfaces. I'm definitely a bit worried about the impact factor (I've got a bit of pronation on my ankles!) so will give it a go 🏃♀️🌱
You will absolutely smash couch to 5k, and the best part is, you're doing it when you're young. I only wish I started at your age. Just take it nice and slow, hydrate, rest and most importantly keep seeking advice and tips on here. Do all of this and there is no limit to what you can achieve
Thanks Lookslikejames !! I appreciate the positivity, I definitely need to get into the mindset of just going for it and smashing every session 😁 The community on here seems fantastic, so really looking forward to (hopefully) being able to share my successes in the future.
The running community in general is amazing, and this group embodies it perfectly. And some sessions will suck, and you'll think "I can't run", those are the best ones because you learn more from them.
I started running a few years ago and I'm currently sat in Chicago having just run the marathon. This is the start of your journey and I hope you fall in love with running as much as I have. There's no limit to what you can achieve 🙂
Oh get you! That’s a fantastic achievement, well done. It’s ace that the running bug has taken you to cool places like that. I’m excited for the next run now (omg)! 😂😁
I've just completed my 2nd run of week 1 so I'm at the same starting point as you! Feeling very pleased that I've managed 2 runs without dying!!! Hope it's going well for you too.
Hey Kitten23 . It's fab to hear that someone else is doing it at the same time as me!!! Please keep me updated on your progress, we can do this! Run 1 was all fine (also very glad not to have died, because it felt like a very real possibility beforehand 😂😁), so fingers crossed the good vibes continue. Good luck with the rest of this week! 🦙
Hey Stepp ! I know right, everyone has been so welcoming and more, which is fantastic. Felt really encouraged going into my first run. Keep me updated on your progress, we’re in this together 🥳
I started, aged 48, in March 2019 and graduated in May. I did about 3.5k on my final run which is pretty average (very few people manage 5k in 30 minutes by the end of the plan, it took me about another 5 months).
From there, I ran my first Parkrun a few weeks later. Building up slowly, extending one run each week, I managed 10k in August and half-marathon in November of the same year. I was running 3/4 a week after that until I had covid in November last year. Now, here I am back on Week 1 again.
The key is don't overthink it. Each run prepares you for the next. C25K has its own time-flow where a week isn't necessarily 7 days; it's simply the time it take to successfully complete a set of three runs.
Take it easy and take it slow; so long as you are actually moving, there is no such thing as too slow.
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