Here again

[Fatboynotyetslim]

So 5 years ago I started the couch 2 5k, I did it for a few weeks and one thing turned into another and a few injuries later I was back to eating and drinking with the couch 2 5k a distant memory. In October 2023 I changed jobs, with that came a bit of reflection.I was back upto 140kg and suffering headaches and breathlessness. I put this down to bloodpressure which was raised and I was urged (again) to loose weight. I was advised that running or cardiovascular work can drastically reduce blood pressure aswell as improve heart health. So with that, Fatboy not yet Slim began the Couch 2 5k, again.

This time is different. I've carried on and persevered.

Here I am 4 months on, after week 2 I pulled muscles in my hip which put me back a bit, took a few weeks out and tried again, had a few more pulls and strains and carried on. I got to week 3 in January and repeated it a few more times as, being built for comfort, I didn't feel ready to progress.

I am now in week 5 and just completed run 2. Running twice for 8 minutes. I'm not yet at 5k but if I look back to Christmas I couldn't run non stop for 3 minutes, let alone 8, but here I am.

On Friday just gone I did my first run of week 5 and covered, with the warm up and cool down, about 3.6k so did some brisk walking and made up the 5k for the first time. It felt good, an achievement I've not managed for near on 25 years. To top it off I did it in less than 50 minutes.

My next run on Wednesday is for 20 minutes, it's a massive jump, but I've come this far and done it, I just have to find my pace and I can do that too.

If your reading this, all I will say is keep at it, if you've got this far we'll done, I know from being unfit and unhealthy, how much you have achieved. If your not here yet, you will be, I've doubted myself all the way through, convinced myself my heart will give up or my body won't handle it. If you've past this stage we'll done you, you've done so well and had the determination to carry on.

It's not easy especially when running does not come naturally, but keep at it.

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done 💪🙂

Keep going! Steady as you go. No need to push the pace

Have fun out there 😀

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Awesome, running, keeping fitter, is the best gift you can give yourself, no need to rush, steady wins the heart race.

[Pinkpig20 Graduate]

You have done so well. Small steps are still progress and it’s ok to repeat weeks of the Couch to 5k programme if you don’t feel ready to move on. I did! It is harder at the beginning, but I hope your progress encourages you and your post in return will encourage others. Well done. Keep it up! 😃

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏 We are so proud of you for making this progress & for encouraging others to do the same! Here is our link to some FAQ that may help you. Do keep posting & let us know how you are getting on!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Lots of messages in there about how things can get derailed. You are doing so well this time round but please dump the thoughts about measuring (rather than feeling) pace and distance - you already know that it is establishing a regular habit of being active that is going to help you long term.

People who fall by the wayside are not lazy people - more often than not it happens because of doing that bit too much... and fiddling about with the programme (a lot of us are wired to resist doing as we are told and try to rationalise subverting it). Get the confidence the right way round - if you've completed a week, you are ready to move on to the next week, rather than checking your pace and distance. That said, there's not much (if anything) wrong with extending your C25K session with a walk 'cos it's a lovely day or whatever... but your health might be better served, if you are not already doing it, by walking on your 'non-run' days and doing some strength and flexibility work too which will help avoid injuries.

Great investment in your health and wellbeing!

[Cherie65 Graduate]

Well done to you! You have been so determined. Keep your faith - you CAN do this. Please, please start your run slowly and keep it slow (if not slower!). What helped me was reading a helpful comment from somebody on here who said "It doesn't matter if you are running slower than your walking pace". That made me slow down enough to be able to complete my runs. I wish you all the best for the rest of the programme.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow and steady as you go and very well done you!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate]

That's brilliant. You are an inspiration! So impressed by your determination!!