Before I begin: Hi everyone! :) I've decided... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Before I begin

shortrainbows profile image
23 Replies

Hi everyone! :)

I've decided to start the C to 5K program. I'm 5ft3 , weigh 13stone 4 and rarely exercise.

Bought myself my first ever pair of running shoes today, they felt really comfortable.

So, going to start tomorrow. Wish me luck.

~ Short Rainbows

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shortrainbows profile image
shortrainbows
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23 Replies
Clare7645 profile image
Clare7645Graduate

Good luck :-) remember that this is the start of a journey and it will have its own ups and downs. I 'graduated' on Tuesday by completed week 9, run 3 and if you'd have told me mid September that I would be able to run for 30 minutes none stop before Christmas I would have never believed you.

Trust in the plan and don't worry if you have to repeat week, it's not a race to the finish :-)

Keep us updated on your progress, you'll find lots of support in this community :-)

DeliaItaly profile image
DeliaItalyGraduate

Good luck and welcome to a great community :-)

Pat184 profile image
Pat184Graduate

Well done you for getting out there, take it slow and enjoy Good luck.:-)

Cazvs profile image
CazvsGraduate

Good luck and enjoy yourself! I just finished week 2 (having a few days off due to evil lurgy) and it's been ace so far. Everyone on this forum is really supportive.

BrenMcW profile image
BrenMcW

Good for you, taking the first step is the hardest, just keep your head up and enjoy the ride.

kazzers profile image
kazzersGraduate

Good luck :-) If you follow the programme then it will get you through , I am in week 7 and i can say with confidence that i can now run for 25 mins with out walking !! I could NOT have done that 7 weeks ago , the support on here is amazing :-) keep us all posted

Deryn61 profile image
Deryn61Graduate

Welcome and good luck. I am 5ft and was around 13 stone when I started this last december. This programme is the best thing I have ever done, and if things get tough this community is an amazing resource of help support and advice. And if I can do it (aged 51 and having avoided running for 35 years) then anyone can :-)

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate

Welcome to the community shortrainbows. I did the same as you and bought proper running shoes (after a gait analysis) to ensure I stuck to it and haven't looked back! This is a wonderful place to be inspired, motivated and encouraged through every step of your journey so keep posting and before you know it those 9 weeks or so will be over and you will be running and enjoying it! Just follow the plan, believe in it and in yourself and you will be fine. Best of luck! Sue

Beads profile image
BeadsGraduate

Good luck!

BigEd profile image
BigEd

Wadup shorty! Just relax, take your time and follow Laura's instructions. There are no rules so if you need to repeat runs or even weeks, need to rest longer or find someone to run with then go for it. A running buddy is extremely useful especially if they are more experienced and can help you. There is loads of advice on here so take advantage of it and have fun, Ed x

rubbishrunner profile image
rubbishrunnerGraduate

Welcome to the programme and enjoy your first run! Looking forward to hearing how you got on :)

redfacewoman profile image
redfacewomanGraduate

good luck the first two weeks are the hardest to be honest even though i run 5k three times a week i still dont know if i could easily do week one or two! they help you build stamina - good luck enjoy i'll be checking your progress - oh yes and WELCOME to this brilliant site :)

Fingalo profile image
FingaloGraduate in reply toredfacewoman

This post has confused me a bit, like the OP I'm about to start this and the first week seems quite doable, this from someone who at 48 has never ran for anything in his life! By my reckoning there is only about 6 minutes of actual running per session?

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55 in reply toFingalo

Yes, w1r1 is intervals of 1min running and 1 min walking repeated for 8 runs. If you are as unfit as many of us were at the start you will find this hard but doable. And you will get a great feeling of satisfaction from doing it. By graduation you will be running for 30 mins nonstop which again is doable, following the programme . Having got used to running non stop it can quite difficult to go back to short intervals as it breaks into the rhythm you create for yourself when running for longer periods.

Fingalo profile image
FingaloGraduate in reply toAnnieW55

I think it's 60 running & 90 walking but I take your point about getting out of your rhythm.

ange123 profile image
ange123Graduate

Good luck! I'm on week 7. I actually started C25K in August, but I've had the odd week off for one thing and another (like getting married!) and I've repeated a week sometimes. And sometimes I only manage to get 2 runs done in a week and have to roll over the third one to the following week. There are no hard and fast rules - it's all about you. The important thing to me is that I can now comfortably run for 25 minutes and cover a distance of almost 4k. I couldn't even do that when I was at school! This program is fantastic - you will have ups and downs but it will be a fantastic journey. Best of luck and welcome to the community :)

mo-mentum profile image
mo-mentumGraduate

Hi Shortrainbows

Get out there, do it and then tell us how you get on!

You've probably just made one of the best decisions in your life! You'll go through uphoria, self doubt, breathlessness, weight loss, and confidence gain. Not to mention making friends with all of the lovely supportive people here!

There will be runs when you think you can't go on. But trust Laura - she always pushes you hard but never asks the imposible. Imposible only resides in your own mind.

Then there will be the day in a early 2013 when you look back (wearing your shinny green GRADUATE badge) and think - "I did it!" and "I'm going to keep doing it", and "how will i push myself now" and "oh, i'd better buy some new jeans, as these are hanging off me!!"

Welcome to the club and happy running Mo ;-)

teeandtoast profile image
teeandtoast

Hi Short rainbows

Good on you for starting this program. I'm now on wk5 and have found it and this site such a positive step in my life. There has been some loosening of my pants - very nice outcome :-) - but I am enjoying this.....which is crazy because I have never run, can't run, am overweight and unfit yet somehow this is changing.

Take your time, be proud of what you're doing (its sometimes intimidating for me as I don't look like a runner :-) ), listen to Laura and enjoy it! Oh and come here and share as it helps and this is such a lovely supportive site!

Go Rainbows!

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

Welcome and good luck. Like most of us on here I couldn't run before starting this programme and now can run for 30mins plus without stopping. As everyone says, just take your time - don't try to go too fast and listen to your body, take those extra rest days, or repeat runs, if you need to. There is always someone here on the forum to answer any queries, offer support and generally share the joys and the pains of getting to be a runner.

hevskii profile image
hevskii

Good luck!!! Just trust the programme and go at your own pace :-)

Keep posting progress on here, it's a great community!

shortrainbows profile image
shortrainbows

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments and encouragement :) I feel really welcome. Off to post about my first try!

smhall profile image
smhallGraduate

Welcome, short!! I wish you the very best as you work your way through this program!! You may be quite amazed at just how quickly your body adapts to running and how quickly you improve!! Believe in the program, but more importantly...BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Keep us posted and Keep Running!! :-)

Steve

Greg_M profile image
Greg_MGraduate

Welcome and best of luck hope you get as much of a kick out of it as I did - I am two years down the line and still going.

There will be Ups and downs along the way, a niggle or two and quite likely a bout of routers in the street as you berate yourself for not doing as well as you think you should (though maybe that's me!)

Be patient, its a long game but there are, many cool things along the way.

Welcome aboard.

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