Can you start a couple of weeks in if you already do exercise?

[thunk_bug]

I'm fairly fit and do exercise fairly regularly but have never been able to get into running. Would it be best to start from week 1 (which is easily what i already do on a treadmill) or can I skip and start at week 3? Has anyone tried this?

[Legion Graduate]

Hi thunk. I've just completed week 1. My guess is that you'd be better following the programme from the beginning, if only so that what Laura says makes sense. Maybe you could try doing week 1 once or twice and move on to week 2 early if you find it a doddle, and so on? That's what I would do, if I was fit enough. Best of luck with c25k.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

The programme is set out as 9 weeks and the early weeks are to get you used to jogging and get your breathing right. I would do all the weeks, perhaps if you find week 1 & 2 really easy just do 2 of the 3 runs. I was pretty fit and active before doing this but still found it was different from any other exercise I already did and lets face it what is there to lose except a few days, what is there to gain, successfully completing the programme. Good luck.

[happierswimming Graduate]

I would start from the beginning if I were you. I could run 2 miles before starting the programme and I swim and dogwalk every day, but I really wanted to run 3 miles and I never could keep going for that last mile. The podcasts were a great help with showing me exactly how to pace myself and I'm really pleased I didn't cut any corners. It's only 9 weeks and fun Go at whatever pace is comfortable for you and if you are fit it will be faster than most of us! Enjoy your running!

[newrunner1 Graduate]

Hi. I too was fairly fit and like you have always struggled with running. Last time I ran was around 8 years ago - I gave up after a few weeks due to my lack of stamina! I entered this programme at Week 4 and am proud to say that I completed the final run of Week 9 yesterday, managing to complete 5K in 31 minutes 15 seconds! It wasn't easy by any means but I don't think that starting at Week 1 would have made it any easier for me personally. The programme is after all 'couch' to 5K, so whilst I would never suggest that someone new to exercise skips the earlier weeks, I'm sure you would be fine. At the end of the day you know your own body and if you find the first run of Week 3 (or Week 4!) difficult, you can always rethink. Good luck!! The programme is amazing and I'm sure you'll soon be hooked

[thunk_bug]

Hi all.

Thanks for your advice. Newrunner I'm glad you said that because I would quite like to skip the first couple of weeks. I already to interval sprint training which is very similar to the week 3 programme anyway. Might try a week 3 run and see how it goes... and if I'm feeling confident I'll go on to try week 4. I think it's 5 and 6 which will be the struggle because I can do the interval runs but can never seem to break the barrier into a longer run

I have always wanted to run.... it's so frustrating being able to do all this exercise but never being able to run far!

Congratulations to those of you who've finished... and good luck with week 2 Legion!

[newrunner1 Graduate in reply to thunk_bug]

Hi thunk_bug,

Just wondering how you got on??

[thunk_bug in reply to newrunner1]

Hi newrunner

Yea not bad thanks. Tried week 3 as a tester on the treadmill and outside, and it wasn't too challenging so I'm going to go for it and try week 4. Fairly tricky trying to fit 3 runs in around the stuff I already do though (boot camp on Friday usually writes me off for the weekend... I'm lucky if I can walk never mind run!) Determined to crack on with it though, I'm sure I'll find a routine that works soon.

However, the music is awful... Anyone who has graduated by listening to the whole 9 weeks of the pod cast deserves a medal! Think I will have to resort to listening to my own music and timing the intervals.

I've also decided to split my runs between the gym and outside. I find outside adapts me to the weather and inclines better. But on the treadmill I run faster throughout because I set a speed and stick to it, whereas outside I'm sure I slow down towards the end

[newrunner1 Graduate in reply to thunk_bug]

Yes I think finding a routines important. I'm not a morning person however have managed to get into the habit of getting up an hour earlier in the mornings so I can run before work - it's cooler and most importantly fewer people around to see me looking sweaty and red-faced!

I stuck with the podcasts for the whole nine weeks, was too knackered to care much about the music :-).

Don't know if you have a smart phone but there's a great app on there, 69p to download, mapmyrun. I downloaded it onto my hubbys phone and he carried it for last run of week 9. It tracks your speed, distance, elevation and then works out average pace, calories burned etc. It updates you with voice prompts re speed and distance as you run.

I've taken that with me on my last two post-grad runs - I think you can have your own playlist running in the background but I haven't tried that yet.

Did all my runs outside however have joined a gym in the last few weeks so may give the treadmill a try - just terrified of falling off!

Anyway good luck with the programme - it's amazing how quickly it passes!