Couch to 5k...Inspire me, started this week, Im struggling!!!

[flowerpot1000000]

So just want to get abit fitter, lose abit of weight. Downloaded the app ran twice, I hate it, really struggling. I know it's only week 1. Anyone felt the same but stuck at it???

I am running slow but it kills me ... wull stick st it and report back tomorrow. I'll do it firdt thing to get it out the way!

I hate it too. I started last week, and just did run 4 today.

@fishfingersandketchup that’s great, I’ll get some discrete pom-poms out. It’s stopped raining here so I’m going to go back to run one and try again today.

I did it about 6 months ago. But health and bad weather stopped be keeping it up. So I am starting from the beginning again.
I have MS. Fatigue is a HUGE issue but disappointingly , upping my physical exercise actually helps. I was so proud of myself to do it.
If you have a bad run, shrug it off. I had plenty of bad runs too. The only way to manage them is to let them go.
Who do you use on the app, op. I use Sarah Millican who I don't like normally but I disliked her least of the BBC options. She was a really good voice for me as it turned out.

Keep going! You can do it. I spent the first couple of weeks or so with really sore leg muscles, but that wore off quite quickly. Also don't beat yourself up with what you think you look like or if you have a bad day. You are out there doing it, which makes you pretty impressive.

I find music helps, but if you don't get on with that, a friend also recommended podcasts - Desert Island Discs are good, as you get music and chat and I find it manages to distract you from thinking about the time or distance you still have to do.

Good luck and keep going! You will feel so good when you realise you are running 3 minutes, 5 minutes and more when you used to struggle with one.

I have never been a runner. Always heavy, slow and ungainly. I get so little personal time in the week between work and kids that I quite like zoning out to music or a podcast.

But I had to give up for a while as less than two weeks in I've injured my knee and got shin splints. I left it a week, then tried to do W3D3 on Wednesday - I got 1 minute into the run before my lower legs were hurting so much I had to stop.

I'm trying to do cardio at the gym to keep my stamina up so I can run again when it stops hurting.

You've all inspired me!

I completed run 6 today! I’m now going on holiday for a week, so I might repeat week 2 when I get back rather than moving onto week three. Is that possible?

I started in April and it really does get easier about half way through.
Do you have a friend you can run with? I find it motivates me much more if I go with someone else.
Good luck xx

So did another run STILL didnt like it soooooo hard really is but did it. Have eaten healthy today as well. Little Fruit before I went out, then bowl porridge on return lots of water snd prawn salad for lunch. Dinner later I have a small steak, mushrooms, onions, loads of salad or veg.

Keep going flower it does get easier, honest.

I’m heavier and fatter up top now than when I started (like food too much to care) but have legs like iron and am so much fitter than two years ago. I like looking back on my journey and you will too.

One thing - don’t put pressure on yourself. If you don’t feel like running that day, don’t. Do it when you feel like it. You don’t HAVE to do it just because the C25K programme says you should. The day after isn’t going to hurt.

I quite like the routine of 3 days a week and the days Ive chosen fit well. Will see whst next week brings

How's everyone else doing

I'm about to start c25k with a group at work. I tried it by myself and ran out of motivation in week 3 so I'm hoping doing it with others will help.

I HATE running. Really hate it so it's good to hear that evangelical runners started out like this too. Fitness isn't the issue, I'll happily walk miles and miles, kick-box, dance etc. But running, urgh!

I'll cheerlead for you too OP! I'm hoping you get to the 'I love running' stage before me to spur me on.

Run slower!!! Really really slower! My speed is about 5kph but it makes it doable! Have just done w7r1 - never in my life have I run for 25 minutes before!!! (Shambled rather than run maybe) - you can do this!!!!!

Oh and I have this top.,,

www.sturdybydesign.com/product/purple-runners-vest-2/

First time I did it was around 5 years ago for depression. It was magic for my mental health and around week 5 I started thinking “oh. Right. I think I actually love running. How weird.” Once I finished I kept upping my mileage using the 10% rule, and ended up at a stage where my ideal weekend involved running 10 miles over mountains, so it is incredibly addictive once you get past the shit “I’m going to die” phase at the beginning.

Currently just finished week 6 after a very slow and frustrating recovery from birth injuries; the main thing that’s kept me on track with Pilates/kegels/boring boring pelvic floor physio has been the idea of returning to running.

So yeah, keep going! You’re doing a good thing. Run somewhere with nice scenery to look at if you can (I hate road running with a passion - getting on the trails really helped as you’re not bored), find something distracting to listen to, and just get through it. There will come a point where you realise you’re having a nice time.

And don’t try and run on dry sand unless you’re a masochist with excellent Achilles’ tendons. Even when I was doing half marathon distance fell runs, 5k on sand bloody murdered me!!

Yes I was there too 12 years ago! Couldn't get to the end of my road without stopping. Hated every step! I now run around 10k three times a week. Stick with it and it becomes a habit. I don't love it but boy I feel better for it 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Slow and steady wins the race. More important to keep going. No reason why you can't repeat a week. The achievement of 5k is fabulous. Keep going. It will be worth it in the end.

Also the first five/ten minutes is always the worst, no matter how fit I get. I just keep telling myself 'fine, just do ten minutes, just do ten minutes, you can stop after ten minutes' and somehow, once I've made it through that, I manage to push on to the end.

Great motivation here thanks. Yesteeday I saw 2 other ladies who looked they had just started. Next run Tues so will see how it goes. Can listen to music and still have the app running as I think music will help but I need to know the timing.

It's compatible with music @flowerpot1000000 - it will interrupt the song to beep or say encouraging phrases!

Sorry, I thought you said you can't listen to music and have the app running but I see I got that wrong!

Ooo that's great I'll try it out thank you

Music is great but be careful - choose something speedy and you’ll subconsciously speed up your pace to match and wonder why you’re so knackered!

Have any parts of your body changed? Im sure my inner thighs seem abit firmer they dont seem as wobbly! And my top of the arms ache as well. Might be my imagination though

My legs have more defined muscle all over so no, I doubt it’s your imagination. I get achey shoulders now but I think it’s because I’m not used to swinging my arms and lug a heavy baby all the time, so trying to stretch them every day.