Should I repeat week 1?

I have just completed my third run of week one. I definitely found it got easier by the third run (I thought I might die halfway through the first!) but if I'm honest I was seriously unfit before I started and I have found it pretty hard going. I'm just wondering if I should repeat the week one run a couple more times before launching into week two? I'm worried that trying to do too much too quickly will demotivate me and I'll end up not doing it anymore, but equally I don't want to keep doing week one's run if it's best just to keep going. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Has anyone repeated a week and how did they find it? Thanks so much

[back_to_18 Graduate]

I'd say give week 2 a try and see how you get on.

When I did week 1 (I've just finished week 5) I thought I was going to die when I finished the third run. However, when it came round to week 2 the following week I definitely felt it was easier.

If you try week 2 and it seems too hard for you you can always go back to week 1 and repeat it but, who knows, you may feel that week 2 is within your grasp.

Hope that this helps!

[happierswimming Graduate]

Very well done and welcome If you've finished week one, no matter how hard it was, you will be ready for week 2. Each week the programme will push you but just trust it and you will be able to get through. Go as slowly as you need during the running sections and make the walking parts (including the warm-up and cool-down) fast enough to be just short of a trot. They are going to build stamina. If you get those parts fast enough, the run just needs to be a little faster. Think of the walk as part of the programme to get you fit, not a time to rest! And do a bit of exercise on your "rest" days- walk, cycle, swim, dance, anything except run. You'll soon be feeling much better!

[Greg_M Graduate]

I think you probably answered your own question when you said you completed week one and it was easier at the end.

I don't think there is anything more you can ask or expect of yourself than that

Move on!

The program is designed for those of us at an unfit point in their life and the step up is mostly pretty gradual.

At some point along the way you may struggle to finish a run, but don't worry about that it only makes you a proper c25k gang member at that point you might want to consider a repeat (or you might not) but so far all I see is success I think? Go week 2!

[Legion Graduate]

If you got through week one, then you are ready for week 2 (believe it or not). I have this uncertainty at the end of every week, but I still manage the new week when I start it. Half of this is the mental challenge - convincing yourself that you can do it. After a couple of weeks, I found I began to trust in Laura when she said 'you can do this, you are ready'. Repeat any time you feel the need (I did one extra week 1 run and realised I should have moved onto week 2) and don't go too fast. Well done for taking the hardest step and getting started. Good luck with your running.

[Cornish_Piglet Graduate]

I am in a similar situation. Just completed my W1R3 but have only managed 3 x 1 minute runs with the rest being about 30 seconds. I am tempted to repeat W1 once or twice more to complete more 60 second runs, or should I push on to week 2?

[Heartmummy66 in reply to Cornish_Piglet]

What did you decide in end

[NewbieLisa Graduate]

I had the exact same concerns, was seriously overweight and out of shape when I started. Believe it or not, it builds on itself and as long as you can finish the week, you are good to move on. Don't worry, it gets better as you go...I just ran w6r1 today. Trust me, you can do this.

[NewbieLisa Graduate]

I had the exact same concerns, was seriously overweight and out of shape when I started. Believe it or not, it builds on itself and as long as you can finish the week, you are good to move on. Don't worry, it gets better as you go...I just ran w6r1 today. Trust me, you can do this.

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I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for your comments and encouragement. Did week 2 run 1 yesterday and amazingly..... it was ok! I couldn't believe that I was managing to run for 90 seconds as in week 1 getting to 60 felt like a real push. Even when Laura said "you might be getting tired now" I was thinking "actually no, I'm ok!". I was struggling a bit by the end and the last run definitely felt longer than 90 seconds (!) but I am so pleased I did it.

Managed to twist my ankle slightly on some uneven ground but there were some people walking a dog watching me so I just carried on running through it which may have been fooish! Anyway it feels ok today so I think I was lucky.

I am so glad to be doing this (even though I still really HATE running!) and am so grateful to be able to get support and encouragement from this forum - I genuinely felt I had chums spurring me on after I read all your responses at the weekend so thank you to you all