Going into Week 5

[HappyHan]

I’m new here, not really sure what I’m doing. But HEY, I’ve just completed week 4 now going into week 5 of C25K! don’t be fooled by this smile, as I absolutely hate running. Do you ever start to enjoy it? I’m always up for a challenge so I push myself to do it but I would like to enjoy it at the same time 😂

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Well done for getting this far!

I'm very curious though. If you 'absolutely hate running', why have you chosen to do C25K?

[HappyHan in reply to John_W]

thank you, because somebody told me that I couldn’t do it, so to prove them wrong I’m doing it 😂 but I also want to become more fitter and healthier.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to HappyHan]

To enjoy your runs you must live up to your username HAPPY Han, so to be happy running take all your runs slow and steady, perhaps the reason you havn't enjoyed your runs up to now is that you have ran too fast and not taken enough liquid before you run, take all the runs slowly, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish to, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, no running on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, good luck for your running journey with C25K and hopefully you will start enjoy all your runs, good luck and onwards and upwards 🏃🏾 👍.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Everything that AlMorr says, slow down and smile, you might find yourself enjoying it

[Trailslogg Graduate]

Yes, less pushing and more light jogging might do the trick. I try to keep in mind Micah True (Caballo Blanco)'s advice in Born to Run: "Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast. Start with easy because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad." (There's more, but the basic idea is that if you stick with easy, then focus on light and smooth, the speed will follow).

Try going at a pace that feels initially ridiculously slow - when you find your rhythm at this slow pace, there's a chance it's going to be magic... Though I must say, only now that I'm in my fifties I don't care enough about what other people might be thinking when they see me going at a snail's pace - when I was your age I was too self-conscious to go slowly!

[drl212 Graduate]

Push yourself to get out the door, but go at the pace which feels comfortable for you!

I think as you get further into the programme you'll start thinking, 'wow, I really can do this' and that will motivate you to go forward. The joy will hopefully come then!