Week 1, 4 runs but still a struggle to finish 60 secs.

[GreatOutdoors31]

After downloading the podcasts and scrolling past them for a month on my phone I finally decided to start the program. Absolutely love having the podcasts to guide the whole run. I ran Sun, Mon, Tues and then again this morning (Thurs). I only took a day off yesterday to go and buy some proper running shoes. I have been reading the blogs where they say how important the rest days are so I will not run tomorrow either, I will probably go for a walk instead though, this is so addictive.

Only thing is even after my 4th run this week I am still panting like a hippo at the end of the 60 seconds, it isn't getting any easier and I am not sure if I can make it through the 90 seconds of W2. Which week does it start to get easier.

[happierswimming Graduate]

Can't tell you which week it starts to get easier I tell myself it's supposed to be vigorous exercise so I puff and pant my way through, too! However, I have found it best to concentrate in the early weeks on making my walk really brisk (just short of breaking into a trot) so that my run isn't so much faster than my walk. I also adopted that brisk walking pace for my everyday walking (short, fast steps rather than strides) and it makes a great difference to stamina. It will really develop heart and lung capacity so the runs aren't so bad. Try slowing down your runs and you will get through them. Look forward to hearing how you get on

[Grammadog1947 Graduate]

Those rest days are important. I think they give not only your body but your mind time to mull over what just happened, heal the damage done, and figure out how to do it better the next time. If you feel you must do something in betwixt, do something non weight bearing....cycling (slowly over flat ground for short distance), swimming, even weight training (concentrate on upper body strength, don't stress muscles that are already going "Whaaaa?") Five or six weeks from now you will realize that somewhere along the line it DID get easier...not EASY....but easier.

Success to you....

[Legion Graduate]

I did four runs in week 1, but I did have my rest days, and felt ready to move on after that. Week 2 is proving to be more of a challenge, but I suspect that I have been overdoing it on rest days (yes, it is addictive!). Give yourself those rest days in between and then see how you feel. I've managed two runs of week 2 so far, and found it tough... but not impossible. I expect I will do at leat one extra day in week 2, as I can't quite picture myself being ready to move on after only one more run, but I'm going to have a proper rest day tomorrow, so I will see how I cope with run 3 on Saturday. Best of luck to you. You can do it.

[FranB]

Every time I have finished one week I always think I'm not ready for the next podcast. I've stuck rigidly to what the programme has told me, including all the rest days. I never set out confident, but so far I've managed every run ok. I think slowing down the pace when necessary has helped. Just finished Week 4, not sure I'll get through week 5! Keep going - if I can do it, 55 and overweight, so can you! Good luck.

[pingle Graduate]

When I started I huffed and puffed like a steam train and looked at my watch every 15 seconds (really) however somewhere around week 4 the breathing started to sort itself out and heavy legs became the rate limiting step. Now 2 weeks post graduation I find it's more of a mental game. This programme is designed to challenge and push you right up to week 9 and beyond so don't be surprised if every week feels like a stretch. The point is - it is not too much of a stretch - you can do it. Getting good shoes is a great step and it's brilliant that you are enjoying the podcasts. I hated every run for about the first 4 weeks being buoyed up only by swearing and bloodymindedness. You do need to take your rest days however, especially at first, to allow your body to adapt and repair itself. It's fine to do other things, cycling, swimming, dancing etc on 'rest' days if you feel like it and walking is perfect. The bug did bite eventually and I now look forward to each run and feel great afterwards and much better in general. Good luck and let us know how you are getting on!