struggling

[jimbop]

I’m 61 and on C25K for the 4th time, this is the furthest I’ve got, I’m at Wk 7, I’m slow but not worried about good times. Just want to actually complete this time 😬

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Week 7 how wonderful! Well done!!Being slow is good!! If you want to get to graduation keep it slow and steady. Breathe normally it’s not a race! You didn’t say what you are struggling with?? Many folk struggle with running too fast or motivation in this colder weather. Getting your gear ready the night before a planned run and warming up inside are two things that are key! Walk fast to keep warm but when you start running start extra slowly for the first 10 min then run at a pace where you can breathe and talk normally. If you start too fast you run out of steam and it feels much more difficult! Hope it goes well! Do let us know if there’s anything else we can help you with!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Wk 7? Then you have absolutely got this - well done!👏🙂

[Bruch1 Graduate]

Brilliant! Well done. Week 7 is fantastic. You're almost there. Good advice from AnnieApple to take it slowly. Getting your gear ready the night before is good motivation too as everything looks at you imporingly when you get up in the morning and you can't disappoint!!! Warm up well. We're here to encourage and support so keep us posted. 😊

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

In what way are you struggling?

[ktsok Graduate]

What’s the struggle?

Bar an injury occurring, if you can run 25 minutes, you can run 30. The mind can sabotage our endeavours too! There is something quite tempting in not finishing something, particularly if it’s a familiar pattern, or if there are fears about what next? Leaving the comfort of C25K.

Keep it slow and steady, even slower, even steadier - you can get there. And then you can choose another finishing line.

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

Fabulous. Well Done. You have put in a lot of time and effort to get yourself to this point. Of course it isn’t easy. One’s body has had to adjust rapidly to activity and the brain somehow tries to sabotage the effort by denying it’s possible /worthwhile or telling itself that it is too painful.

Maybe try not to overthink it all. You are following a programme that will get you to the finish, so trust it.

Do a warm up routine before you set off so your body feels ready. Set off slowly after the warm up walk and maintain that speed even if it feels like a shuffle, that does not matter. Enjoy the sensation of nearing the end of this challenge. If you are using the App, the encouragement and praise from the coach at this point gets fairly addictive!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Madwife60]

Well done for getting to week 7 - I bet it was a fantasy at week 1 so remember how far you’ve come. My experience was to keep going SLOWLY - if you need to stop and walk that’s fine it just means you need a little more time. I graduated 18 months ago but I still have days where 20 mins feels an uphill struggle and others (with a good wind behind me) when I feel I can carry on for 50-60 minutes. Some days I’m faster than others and some days it’s a real plod. Both are ok because both are better than sitting watching Netflix and any exercise in the fresh air is a bonus. I still take around 40 mins to run 5k and at 65 I’m not really expecting much more speed as the tank gets older each day.

Be kind to yourself - celebrate what you’ve achieved and if you have to repeat runs that’s fine too. Look at it like your driving test - you might get it first go but if you didn’t you improve your skills each day and have another go

Good luck and keep trotting along

[jimbop in reply to Madwife60]

Lovely! Thanks Madwife. I worked out yesterday that it (currently) takes me 18 mins to run a mile, yay!! I’m not convinced that’s any faster than walking for most, but nevertheless I’m pleased with progress 😊

[hamit Graduate]

Run slow enough like a 🐌 to finish comfortably. Have an Excellent Day.