Im new to this does it actually work?

[lealea93]

Ive never been physically fit and want to start running to develop my stamina but whenever Itry and run I get out of breath does this really help?

[Jula]

I am a recent graduate. I have tried different things over the years inluding running and nothing worked. Currently I can do a 5k in 27 minutes. Previously when I ran - I used to go out, empty lungs and come back completly drained and injured. This is not the case anymore. I do advise to follow Laura's instruction to the word do not ever over do it. I managed to shed nearly 3 stones over the last 6 months. So give it a go - take a week at a time. If you feeling low come back to this forum, there are enough blogs to lift you up.

Good Luck.

[lealea93]

Really wow! Well done you! Ok ill give it a go wish me luck! Lol

[pingle Graduate]

I couldn't run for 60 seconds when I started C25K nearly a year ago. I'd never been fit in my like and I'm 45. Now I can run for 30 minutes comfortably. Also I've lost some weight (without really trying), I'm less stressed, my clothes fit better and I have a great new hobby. What's not to like? I would echo everything Jula says. Follow the programme, take your rest days, don't be dismayed if you don't complete a run, just do the run/week again until you can. Everyone gets bad days. This is a great forum to encourage you and get advice from others. Come back now and again and let us know how you are doing. I look forward to your graduation blog in about 9 weeks!

Good luck

[BrownEyedGirl]

I tried the C25K programme after a long illness and I was bent over throwing up the first time I tried. I went back to walking for a while first to build up my stamina.

I have since restarted C25K and it is going very well. I just did Week 4 run 1 this morning and I can't believe I ran for 5 minutes!

[Cazvs Graduate]

Yep! Couldn't run for the bus before without gasping and the other day I ran over 2 miles. The trick is to keep a slow, steady pace. It can be difficult at the beginning but you get better at pacing yourself as you go along.

[crox Graduate]

Sure does, I've gone from struggling to run from 30 seconds to 5km (struggling to recover from xmas though :-> ) and 112kg to 90kg since march last year.

[genevan Graduate]

Go slowly, follow the programme, repeat runs/weeks if you want, and you will amaze yourself! In August I could not run for 60 seconds, less still repeat that 8 times in a row. Yesterday I ran (slowly) non-stop for 60 minutes. It works, absolutely it works!

Let us know how you get on .... people here are really encouraging and have all been through the ups and downs of the programme. A lot of it is in the head, not the legs!

[mrslazy Graduate]

You will probably end up with 100's of replies. It is an amazing programme and each step I thought I would never achieve, but each one I did. You need to follow the programme running 3 times a week and must take rest days. If you find at the end of the third run you aren't finding it comfortable do an extra run before moving on. I think I did this once but you will soon see the pattern and realise your body is responding and you will know to listen to your body. Enjoy the programme and the many benefits that will come too that are a bonus surprise!

[mark909 Graduate]

When you say 'Run out of breath' do you mean you get something like asthma where you literally can't breath or that you just don't like the feeling of being out of breath. When you exercise you're exerting your body more so you need to breath more to cope with the demand for oxygen. Running will improve your cardiovascular fitness (as well as loads of other things) so as your fitness increased you won't feel as out of breath as you did before. I was amazed to find that after I got past running for 20 mins that your breathing actually changes and you end up breathing the same as you would when walking. Give the program a go. If you get really out of breath you are going to fast. Even if you start off running just above walking pace you will improve with time. It's just a case of improving your fitness in stages.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Same as all the above! Especially following the programme, taking rest days etc.

But most of all, if you feel really unfit to start with, go SLOW! I couldn't do the week 1 runs to start with, because I was trying to run, instead of jog really really slowly (slower than I walked, honestly!) Once I'd figured that out, and I was taking small steps, not big ones, and landing on the middle of my foot rather than heel or toes, it became completely manageable. I'm now beginning to go a tiny bit faster, just for some of it, and that does puff me out, but mostly still very very slow, so I can still easily talk while I run. (And I call my jogging running. I am a runner. Just a sensibly slow one, for this stage of my running journey.)

It isn't easy - but nothing worthwhile is really easy - but it isn't really hard either, most of the time. And it is so very satisfying. Five weeks into it, and I wish I'd started years ago.

[MaryDerry Graduate]

I can't encourage you enough with c25K. It really does work! I am 60 and had never done anything like running ever in my life. But I decided to try this as I want to run a leg of the Belfast marathon next May. If I can do it, anyone can. Honestly, I now love it and will keep at it. You will too. It makes you feel great to think you can actually do this!!

[linda50]

yes it works im busy recomending it to every one never thought id enjoy running. take it at your own pace and enjoy

[Skibunny69]

Yes it works.. .... having just graduated I can now run without getting out of breath. But loooking back at week 1-4 I think I didn’t get into a breathing rhythm due to walk / run . but I kept to course as I knew my leg muscles needed to build up stamina and recover between sessions. It will happen give it time.