Please bear with me I am relatively new here. I don’t want to sound arrogant but most of us newbies look forward to running getting easier as we move through the program and beyond. It sometimes feel like the whole thing is a punishment. Like a speeding course or similar. Do we want it to be easy? Isn’t that what drives us on. The challenge. Is there a feeling of anti climax when the program is done. Did you have to re motivate yourself to move on to the next stage. I’m just interested to know from more experienced runners here.
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Baggieboy61
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🍏 I struggled when I first started running at 67 … felt like a pseudo runner but then in about week 8 I fell in love … the best time for me was after graduation … I discovered the free App NRC with excellent coaches, fun guided runs and podcasts, challenges and plans.. Running has given me so much… confidence, fitness, freedom, discipline headspace, new outlook, sunrises…. and so the list goes on…
My golden rule is that if it feels like too much hard work I slow down until it doesn't.Once you can get past the idea that the only meaningful measure of your success as a runner is your speed everything improves.
If it isn't hurting...it isn't making you feel bad
Yes it definitely gets easier, sometimes. We can make it harder by going too fast. Keeping going is the trick, not getting faster, so ease back if it's too hard. I've just run my 3rd week 8 and it felt tougher than the last few outings. I've had encouraging improvements since taking c25k on though.
I'm still an undergrad so can't to talk what it's like moving on to the next stage. Getting to the half hour is still ahead of me. Looking further I'd like to crack that by getting out a few times every week and then perhaps run for longer. Easier does have a good ring to it at the moment. Fitter and stronger sounds better though and as they improve perhaps then my desire to challenge myself will follow.
The trite answer is that it's as hard as you make it be.
Many new runners push themselves harder than they need to, myself included. I decided that I was going to count myself amongst the few who actually did 5km on their final C25K run and, even though I did it, I also gave myself an ankle sprain which meant I had to start from scratch again six weeks later.
That was four years ago now. It's taken me a while to realise that a run is a run, however far or long it is, and you are allowed to go slow or stop to enjoy the view. Yes, I'll push myself occasionally, but the fact that I haven't done a sub-30 minute 5km run for several months doesn't bother me.
The important thing is to find ways to keep it varied and interesting so you don't give up from monotony or boredom. Getting yourself moving regularly for at least half an hour a few times a week is far more important than any other target. Distance or speed milestones are a bonus but nowhere near as important.
Going forward, see if there's a parkrun locally.
Maybe there are some running clubs too. They usually cater to members of all sorts of abilities, not just to the future Usain Bolts.
I’m coming back to C25k after a multi-year break from running (and plus 15 kg) and I know from experience that the early runs are ” harder than running a marathon” (see link below). I posted that way back in time and still believe it (I’m now on W3R2).
Consistency is key. And to be consistent you need to have some fun in your runs which means don't go out too hard. With fast runs you will tire yourself out and will feel totally wiped out all the time. There is also the danger of injury and believe me you don't want to get injured. So take it easy, slow down, and also incorporates rest days. Rest days are non-negotiable!
As others have said, if it feels like a punishment you're probably going too fast and risking an injury (or maybe running's not for you. I have to remind myself that not everyone loves it).
The key is keeping at it, even if it's a gentle amble. Over time, the gentle amble lasts longer, and over more time the gentle amble gets faster.
"Is there a feeling of anti climax when the program is done.?"
For me, no. There was a feeling of achievement and a feeling of liberation now I wasn't tied to a structured programme. I just kept ambling three times a week for a couple of months, then started adding a few minutes to one of the runs each week. The motivation came from looking back at how I felt in the legs and lungs in week 1 and how much better I feel now.
Priceless advice as always. Sometimes it feels like I am ploughing a lonely furrow. I often put a question out there and the replies and responses are always what I need. Looking forward to w8r2 after work today.
I started at 60. Was really amazed at how well the programme worked from those terrible first run/walks...to the sense of accomplishment...and enthusiasm.
Consistency and persistence are two things that will make some really positive things happen both mentally and physically.
It gets more enjoyable if not easier at some point, for me that was some weeks after I finished the programme in 2019 , this year I have been unable to run for months and without it misery awaits.
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