Couch to 5k - any advice

I'd recommend repeating week 2 - it's a big step up to week 3 and probably not a great idea to go into it after a week off. Go steady!

We've had a week of snow here so been unable to go out as planned. Unsure if I should re do week 2 or go to week three given I've had a week of doing nothing. Any idea what may be best?

i'm 55 and overweight and just done W4R2. it's not easy but way more than I could do when I started it. Am VERY apprehensive about week 5 though

I'm over 60 and had tried C25K several times, always getting knee trouble in Week 3 which stopped me running long enough to have to start from the beginning again a few months later.

After probably four failed starts, I downloaded two more apps (GetRunning and Runtastic, I think), and when I started again, I did Week 1 from all three apps, one week at a time, then all the Week 2 workouts. By this time I'd been building up slowly over 6 weeks and was able to move into all the Week 3 runs without pain. Continued to complete all three programmes, went on to train to 10k runs, and lost three stone between February and August that year - also using My Fitness Pal, eating lots of home grown salad and banning biscuits, and working out at home to the 30 Day Shred DVD, but spreading it over several days for each routine rather than moving on too quickly.

Unfortunately I didn't bother to run through the winter and went back to stuffing myself with poor food choices, over the last few years all the weight has gone back on and I'm even older and more creaky now, but I'm planning to try again this spring and summer as I've just discovered my BMI is 2lbs off going from overweight to obese.

It's a great programme. Good luck.

Just found this thread - I did w3r2 tonight after failing abysmally yesterday and I managed it woohoo! Three minutes feels like a long time now but I'm hoping I will look back on that and laugh in a few weeks time!

If you are finding it hard run slower 🙂 it really helps. You can work on speed later

I'm just about to start week 3. Surprising how much easier week 2 was to week 1. 3 minute runs coming up this week so a little apprehensive.

You can go at your own pace good luck!

If you are doing it yourself, you could repeat a week. Im doing it with a club and thats my only concern as i cant do that if I stay with them.

I did wk2 r3 today and found it quite tough. I've swapped to Michael Johnson and rather liked him though.

Not sure how I'll cope with three minutes next week.

Just finished week 1! Started with a running group but have to do run 3 each week by myself which I completed this afternoon.

I have run before (stopped about 10 years ago) so know I can do it but I am four dress sizes bigger now, so its going to be a real challenge!

It's going well, I did my w5r3 yesterday and it was actually ok.

How is it going everyone?

Accept that there's times you will be pants compared to other runs/jogs/trots out. It doesn't matter - just being out there and doing it and keeping on doing it is far better than not doing it at all.

I think the group thing will be amazing. I did the C25K on my own and now often run with people and I can jog and talk!! It's brilliant!

Enjoy.

I am particular to comfy socks...

Thanks Swampy. My legs felt sore but I kept going. They're probably still sore from the first time.

Stick with it Hezz 💕 the plan will get you there 🙂

Little bit of advice x don’t worry about being able to run 5k in 30 minutes by the end... but if you can run for 30 minutes you will be able to run for long enough to cover 5k.

I have run 5k in 30 minutes once. However I have run a half marathon 😉

Day two done today, felt a bit harder than the first time.

Pleasure 😁 btw I’m 49 now so wasn’t a spring chicken when I started... i always hated running at school!

I love hearing these kind of really inspiring stories, thanks Swampy

I did it on a treadmill 🙂 first time I ran outside was at the first local parkrun which was also the first time I ran 5k. Since then (not quite 3 years ago) I have done 97 parkruns 2 10 mile races a half marathon and numerous 10k’s. I am a member of a very friendly running club and am now one of the run directors at my local parkrun.

I have made so many amazing friends through running and it all started with 60 second runs on the treadmill 💕

I'm doing it on a treadmill too.

I started this today, I am doing it on a treadmill at the gym. I hope that's ok?

I've just done run 2. The amount of sweat I produce is ridiculous. But, I feel more energized if that makes sense? I do yoga as well which gives the muscles a good stretch after. To keep me going I bought some leggings and trainers that I love so I can feel good as I do it. Well done to everyone who's doing it and still going!

I do hope so, I'm hopeful I can do it this time!

And well done for starting, you should be proud of yourself.

I found with running the trick is not to think about your breathing too much.
It seems to get easier after the first 2-3 minutes, almost like you lungs and legs find a rhythm.