Did anyone else have to repeat Week 3

[WarwickshireRunner]

I haven't been running for six years due to medical issues. So I decided to give C25k a go. I found the first two weeks comfortable but found week three was a massive step up, especially having to run for two lots of three minutes. I'm, therefore going to repeat Week three but I feel like a bit of a failure, especially as in my younger years I could easily run for two hours without stopping! I've registered for a 10k at the end of September so I really can't afford to have to repeat too many weeks of C25k to often! Anyone got any tips about improving endurance and motivation?

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

hi WarwickshireRunner ..welcome to the forum..& the programme…it’s almost 7 years since I first completed c25k and it took me sooooooo much longer than 9 weeks!! I repeated some of the weeks, more than once…and there are plenty of other runners on here that have done the same ..& do you know what? That is absolutely ok..my advice to you is to keep it slow…and then slow down some more…running slow will enable you to run for longer…plenty of water to stay hydrated and a good nights sleep..lots of things can have an effect on a run…running for 2 hrs when you were younger is great…but…we change…and things take a little longer and maybe we can’t do things the same…but you never know??

With some practice & perseverance your runs can get longer..once you’ve completed the c25k programme there’s the bridge to 10k programme that should get you ready for the 10k you’ve signed up for…

Don’t be too hard on yourself…you’re here…& you’re running, so enjoy yourself and take your time to build it up gradually…and try to stop looking back…you’re not going that way x

And…I know you’re not new to running but there are plenty of pinned posts on here to read as a guide…here’s one of them….

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

Not a failure in my view.

You haven’t given up at the first hurdle. You have been realistic in acknowledging that it was tougher than you expected so you are going to give yourself time to adjust to running rather than push on too quickly and finding yourself discouraged or injured. You will build up your running stamina.

I don’t know whether in the time you have 10k is possible (or wise) as I’ve not tried-however, you can break it down in to bite sized chunks-concentrate on getting to the 30min running as your first mission.

On your rest days could you do some other exercises to get yourself in good form.?

Please don’t go too hard too fast at this stage before your body has adjusted to the new regime. It would be better to run 5k of your 10k challenge and walk the rest than find yourself injured now and unable to do the rest of c25k let alone participate in the 10k.

[drl212 Graduate]

Slow and steady was my motto whilst running the C25K. I've often said that my brisk walk pace was faster than my running pace for the longest time. But I got through the programme.

Absolutely feel free to back-up and repeat a week or a run until you feel you are ready to proceed.

I did about 6 - 8 minutes of stretching before and after the warm-up/cool-down walks. I think that was very helpful for me. (I still do them).

I think you are doing really well! You'll get lots of support here so do come back and let us know how you get on.

[JRT16]

I’ve repeated a number of weeks and just spent two weeks in week 7! I’ll probably redo it again this week until I feel confident to move and in all honesty I’ve felt prouder of completing those runs than when I’ve breezed a week! Keep going 😊

[WarwickshireRunner]

Thanks for all of your positive replies, I now feel much more motivated and less despondent.