Help

[shakylegs]

I am new to this running lark. Have comleted week 1 and am scared to go on to week 2 incase I cannot do it - should I repeat week 1 again I ask myself or is that the easy way out.

[angelinably Graduate]

Just go for it, you've already completed week one move onwards to week 2. You've got nothing to be scared of, you've already taken the plunge and done week 1. Its going to be hard and difficult but you can do it.

[rolphie2 Graduate]

Just do it, if you have completed wk1 then you are ready to move on to wk2. I know it seems daunting but you can do it, I'm not saying it will be easy but you can do it. Let us know how you get on

[SBG356 Graduate]

Nothing to be scared of....you have done the first week so now just go for it. If you complete it great, if not its not the end of the world is it; you can just give it another go.

Have more faith in yourself and the programme which doesnt stretch us beyond what we are capable of. Take it slow and easy and you will be surprised at what you can achieve even though you may not think you can. Dig deep for some positive thinking and you will be fine, promise!

Best of luck!

Sue

[shakylegs]

Thanks for all your positive comments and will start on week 2 on monday - will do one more week 1 run on Saturday to get me in the right frame of mind! Will let you know how it goes.

[Fingalo Graduate]

I feel your pain:

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

But as you can see, I've decided to go for it.

[shakylegs in reply to Fingalo]

OK i am convinced - may do one more of week one and then will go for the next step! You are right about taking in the scenery...best to look around and not count the steps as the minute passes quicker. Thanks for you thoughts and will keep you posted.

[Fingalo Graduate]

I'll post a blog on Saturday's first Week 2 run, it might boost you or frighten the life out of you, depending....

[shakylegs in reply to Fingalo]

fantastic and await news.....try and make it sound attractive otherwise monday may come and go! Good luck!

[Fingalo Graduate]

If you look at the blog of my first run, you'll see I'm painfully honest.

That said, I've almost convinced myself it can't possibly be as bad....

[gdeann Graduate]

Hubby (smhall) and I made a decision right of the beginning that we would continue on each run/week. Our goal was, as long as we completed each run, regardless how difficult, we would move on to the next run. I am very happy we chose to do it that way. There were times I wanted to quit, but I kept thinking of everyone here on the board, and knew that physically I could do it. The biggest challenge of all, is keeping the mental gremlins away. I echo what the others have said, you can do this!!!! Gayle

[Jeddahpm Graduate]

When I started I almost dropped dead after running for 60 seconds. The next week I was counting the seconds till the end of the 90 but once I slowed down, started to trust the program and myself things really improved. The body definatley adapts quickly but the mind often struggles to follow. Having said that it is important to find your own way through the program in a manner which suits you. I have read lots of people are doing it lots of different ways, adapting it to suit them. But if you can have a go and believe in yourself then your body will tell you if you need to adapt. There is a difference in finding it hard and just about completing it and physically not being able to finish a run. A great quote I heard was "get comfortable being uncomfortable" lol. This program requires me to prepare mentally for each run, have a mantra of how amazing I'm doing during on a loop in my mind (sad I know) and do my very best to settle into each run. I am on wk 6 now but did not look too far ahead, just took it run to run so as not to sap my confidence or energy thinking (well panicking really) about things too far ahead. I am now completing wk 6 this weekend

I know everyone says you can do it but you really can it's just finding what's right for you. Have a good old read of lots of wk 1 and 2 blogs, you are sure to find yourself among them.

Best wishes

Jems x

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to Jeddahpm]

Brilliant post.

[Jeddahpm Graduate]

P.s. check out the awesome blog by Nicki Jayne on this very subject, some wise words!

[shakylegs]

What a lot of great people out there - thanks again and will work on getting my head around it and hope that the legs can keep up.

[smhall Graduate]

Welcome to the program shaky!!!! I absolutely agree with what many have already posted. First, I will echo the thoughts of the lovely and wonderful gdeann (that's my wife!!) The program is designed for you to be able to be successful. If you can complete all three runs of a week, without walking during the run sections, move on! You did it...you were successful!!

I absolutely love the quote Jeddahpm shared, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable." Remember that every week you push yourself a bit more. The program is designed to push you EVERY week. The brilliance is in the fact that it never pushes you more than you are physically ready for.

You spoke of running another W1 run later this week. My only advice on this is again to follow the program. It is designed for you to run 3 days a week and rest 4 days a week. This isn't an accident. Your body needs the time between runs and especially between weeks to repair itself and prepare for the next run. My suggestion is to run, rest, run, rest, run and then rest two days. Part of becoming stronger is allowing your body the necessary time to recoop between runs.

In closing, believe in the program, it works! More importantly, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!! You can do this...YOU WILL DO THIS!!! Set your mind to it and your body will follow!!!

Keep us posted and Keep Running!!

Steve

[willnevie Graduate]

You can do it, you really can. You might not always find it easy but even if you're shuffling along you're doing a really good thing and getting better with every run. It isn't always easy but you can do it. I ran 5k in 31mins this week. I ran 7k last week but when I did week one I felt as if I was the only person who couldn't do it. Just persevere and it will happen! Good luck xxx

[rubbishrunner Graduate]

Not really anything to add to the advice - if you have completed all the runs in Week 1 successfully then move on to the next week, however daunting it seems! What's the worst that can happen? If you don't complete a run, you can just repeat that one ... happens to the best of us! Anyway, good luck and keep us posted - you will surprise yourself!

[shakylegs]

Wow what a great communuty of runners out there - thanks and will be on week number 2 as of monday. May even treat myself to a new pair of running shoes as making do with a rather old pair of worn out trainers at the moment. Thanks for all your positivity and will be reporting on Monday as to how I get on. Thanks to you all for making me think I can do this. Have a great weekend - all of you!

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to shakylegs]

Proper running shoes will really help you too and after spending out on them it will be an additional incentive to carry on!! Try and get a gait analysis done to get the correct shoes for your type of stride - that will help.

Have a good weekend too!

Sue

[shakylegs in reply to SBG356]

thanks and will certainly ask about gait analysis - so much to learn!

[Ifatfirst Graduate]

Hi,

Just remember that although the runs in week 2 are slightly long - there are not as many. I found the 8 runs in week 1 a bit daunting. The first step - that is breaking into a run - is probably the most difficult. Good luck - I bet you surprise yourself.

[shakylegs in reply to Ifatfirst]

well now on track and have done the last run in week 1 - have not been strict on the day off inbetween runs but will be from now on - MOnday will be week 2 and as you say the difficult bit is often breaking into the run. Lets hope I am surprised - thanks for your support.