Well, I did it! I have completed Week 1 of the C25K programme.
When I started on Monday I thought that I would never be able to do it. I could hardly breathe and found that I was doing everything the tips told me not to - don't hunch over, don't look down, don't tense your hands etc. By the time I finished the brisk cool down walk I couldn't put one foot in front of the other, my chest felt like it was going to burst, my breathing was erratic and I was crying with a mixture of frustration and pain.
On Wednesday I felt more confident and much better. No tears. Breathing still laboured, running still heavy footed, but felt like I had accomplished something.
My husband started this plan in January but I couldn't because of a broken rib. He came with me Monday and Wednesday for motivation but ended up completely demoralising me. Not his fault. He was fitter than me to start with but he's now on Week 5 and as I'm huffing and puffing and trying not to be sick during my 60 second runs, he's just walking briskly beside me. So off-putting.
Friday was a different story to Wednesday. Again I felt defeated at the end of it and made the mistake of listening ahead to Week 2 after finishing my cool down. After silently cursing Laura (nothing personal, honestly, just the pain talking), I felt so down in the dumps.
However, once I'd had time to think I decided that I'm going to give it a go and if it is too much for me then I shall just repeat Week 1 until I feel ready. I refuse to give up on this. Not only do I need to do it to become healthier and fitter, I need to be able to keep up with my 7-year-old daughter who regularly runs 5K in about 30 minutes! And running should also help with my oesteopenia which will hopefully stave off the onset of oesteoporosis.
My friends all look at me like I'm stupid when I say I'm unfit, but I keep trying to tell them that just because I'm a size 10-12 does not make me fit. Just like someone larger isn't necessarily unfit. I know plenty of people bigger than me that would beat me hands down in any type of race. I haven't exercised regularly since school - I left in 1990 - and I have to accept that this isn't going to be easy and I may have to repeat weeks. However, if there is one thing on my side it's the fact that I have terrific willpower - gave up smoking because I decided I wanted to, lost 4 stone because I decided it was the time to do it - and I will do it. On the downside I am probably one of the world's greatest pessimists, it's a constant battle of wills. And no, I'm not schizophrenic as far as I know!
Right, Week 1 done, Week 2 here I come!
C25K week 1 completed 🙌🏻
C25K Day 1 - observations 
End of Week 1 c25k do over to improve speed
Repeating a week in C25K?
