Newbie intro

[Clauds555]

Hey there just a quick hello as I've just signed up. I started C25k last week and did the first run of week 2 today! Have tried this before but fell off at around the week 2 mark so trying to find ways to keep motivated to see this through to the end!!! Feel free to say hi back would be nice to connect with others on this journey! Happy Monday all!! ❤️

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Well done for having another go.

What's made you 'fall off' at Week 2 previously?

[Clauds555 in reply to John_W]

Thanks! If I'm honest my reasons for starting before were superficial which in hindsight led to me not being disciplined in keeping up with scheduled runs if that makes sense? This time my focus is on the health benefits that may not be so visible such as not being puffed out carrying the washing basket upstairs 😂 I'm going to do my best to hold on to my bigger picture 😊 out of curiosity after gradutaion where can you take this journey? Asking as I see you are a graduate ambassador 😊

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏🤗Welcome to the forum and the program. Stick with us here and we will encourage you all the way to the finish line and beyond! I will put up a link in a minute for you about FAQ to help you get started! You are already into week 2 so very well done! 👏 Let us know how you get on!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[che130 Graduate]

Congratulations on starting! You've taken the first and hardest step and it sounds like your motivation to get healthier is a great reason to keep getting out there. I can say for myself that I am so much fitter now than I was when I started with the C25K app back in August, and I now actually miss it when I can't get out for a run - the buzz I feel after completing a sustained run is addictive! 😀 The program is flexible, so if you feel you need to repeat a run or a week to get you ready for the next step, you can. Go slow! That is the number one recommendation from everyone - the slower you run, the longer you can run for, and it will boost your confidence, and willingness to push on, if you pace yourself, go slow, and complete each run. Good luck with the rest of week 2 - I'm sure you can do it!

[Clauds555 in reply to che130]

Yes I totally agree with taking it slow. I'm repeating the final week 1 runs for the rest of this week to build technique.

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Hello!! Just follow the plan it might be tough but it’s a magic plan and you will do it!!

[Clauds555 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thanks 😊

[Fionamags Graduate]

Well done for sticking with week 2. It sounds like you have good motivation this time. Good luck and keep posting.

[Clauds555 in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you, good luck to you too!

[nowster Graduate]

It took me a few attempts to get past week 2 as well, but mine were due to not realising the medicine I was on at the time didn't mix with exercise.

One thing I'd recommend is making sure you're properly hydrated throughout the day. I'm not saying you must religiously drink two litres every single day but do make sure you're drinking enough. You will need to drink more from exercise.

I didn't at the start. I got constipation and my pee went very dark.

By the end of Week 3 I was hooked. What was a chore that I was dragging myself through wasn't a chore any more.

[Clauds555 in reply to nowster]

Thanks for the tip, that's something I struggle with too but I will defo make the effort to drink more. Along with stretches on my non run days

[Gthants]

Great work! Keep it up!

[Clauds555 in reply to Gthants]

Thank you 😊

[GroovyGardener]

Hello! I'm going to do run 2 of week 2 this evening so about the same as you. I really fancy doing parkruns so thats my motivation. Good luck 😊

[Clauds555 in reply to GroovyGardener]

That's a good motivator, good luck to you too!

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate]

Well done Clauds555 for getting back on it. Keep it up you’ll succeed this time I’m sure!👍👏👏😂

[Clauds555 in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you, definitely more motivated to keep it up this time round

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Just a quick welcome from me and a heads up that this week’s catch up corner’s theme is motivation. You’re welcome to drop in and say hi! That’s just here…

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Good luck with the rerun!

[Clauds555 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, yes I'll check out the link!

[Clauds555]

Thank you for all of the comments!! I've gone back to repeat the final 2 runs for week 1 for the rest of my week 2 as I've struggles with ankle and shin pain so building on my technique. Really appreciate the support and I'll defo keep posting 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Clauds555]

Are you getting ankle and shin pain now? It’s best not to run through pain when it comes and it’s worth seeking professional advice if this is happening to you. I know that might be frustrating but worth it long term. Lots of people have issues which get resolved with the right strength/stretch work and most are back running again soon!

[Clauds555 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you I've been given stretches to do plus I've ordered better running shoes. I'll see how I get on and if it continues into next week I'll stop and seek further advice!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Clauds555]

Fantastic! That’s really good news. I don’t think many of us make it through our running careers without having some time doing dull but necessary stretches! Hopefully you’ll see the benefit. We love running shoes here….pics please when they come!! ❤️

[Clauds555 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Glad I'm not alone seeing the stretches as the dull side 😅 and I'll defo share pics when they arrive 🙏

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Clauds555]

I had IT band problems which meant a whole routine of strength and stretch. So so boring. I’m a grown up who is totally addicted to running so I knew I needed to do them, I paid a physio a decent amount of money to give me the programme. I wanted to avoid any more horrible sports massages. They were still so dull that I had to make myself a star chart with actual stickers (like a child!!) with rewards at the end of the week to get it done. 🤦‍♀️

[Clauds555 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Love the motivation with the chart! Sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do! Hopefully all is going well with you now?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Clauds555]

Yes, thank you! it was a bit of a frustrating journey but all the strength stuff was really good for my running and I’ve actually ended up better than I was before. I’ve kept most of it up but in a slightly different form. My local Pilates and weights classes at the gym cover most of the exercises and that’s more fun!! I do a few sessions a week and pop into the gym for tte heavy weights occasionally (you’ve reminded me not as often as I should!!). A really good friend of mine who rubs ultras cheered me up when I was down in the dumps saying how this happens to all of us, and we get stronger and we run again. Hopefully this week I’ll run my first 10k since last year which will be a real milestone!

[Clauds555 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Good luck with the 10k that's amazing. It's funny you mention pilates and weights I was thinking of taking up swimming and finding time to do yoga or pilates to aid my stretching. Great minds as they say 🙏

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Clauds555]

Great minds indeed…over on the Bridge to 10k board, the weekly goals I’ve set myself are run, strength and stretch (which includes both yoga and Pilates!) and swim!!! That works well for me. You’ll find what works for you. Adding loads of stuff at once can be overwhelming but it will all fall into place over time.

Thanks for the good wishes! I’ll report back on how it goes. It’s amazing where couch tk 5k can take you! I never thought I’d be one of those people doing 5 miles as a regular, nothing special run and not being scared if 10k. It’s taken time and patience but running is just the best!

[Clauds555 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Brilliant such an inspiration, please do keep in touch 😊

[drl212 Graduate]

Good job!

I found that the accomplishment of completing runs was enough to bouy me forward. I hadn't run in some twenty years because of shin splints. This time around, I'm stretching a lot more before and after and even on off-days.

Do set up run-reminders just to keep the programme in your mind.

As someone said about motivation on the board recently, don't wait around to feel motivated, just get out and start a run. If it doesn't work, stop. But most often, you'll be able to go on and complete it.

[Clauds555 in reply to drl212]

Thank you! Yeah I agree with doing it regardless of how you feel 100% I do have reminders set up and I'm also stretching on off days as well as before and after runs. This time feels different 😊