Just started C25K

[Alohamora]

I did my first C25K training 'run' last night and it nearly killed me . My knees objected strongly but I ploughed on...sort of.

2nd run tomorrow - how do I survive it?

After several weeks of walking 5 lamposts and running two to get to the point where I started to feel I could cope with C25k I actually went out and did week 1 run 1 this morning. Ok so I walked a bit more than I should have and I am therefore going to have to repeat it but I did it.

I think endorphins are made up though...either that or I don't have any.

It's still horrid - just marginally less horrid than going to the gym with the leery blokes and the stick thin lycra clad beautiful people.

Cankles you sound like you are the same as me though I still go by lampposts! Due a run tonight again .

W1, D2 done today - went ok, no endorphin high here either cankles. However this is the first time I have been determined to give something like this a go - even went out in the rain!

Did you go Aloh? How did you get on?

fivefoot - I ran in the rain today! Actually not bad, wasn't blowing a gale, just drizzle so not a problem.

Week one completed.

Bizarrely quite enjoying it so far.

I haven't told a soul, not even DH or the children I am doing this. I want to surprise DD (10) and enter a 5k race that is in the middle of August (DS runs 10k with DH, I don't think I will be quite there at that point!).

Not quite sure if I can keep it a secret once school breaks up, but if I've broken the back of five weeks of the programme by then, then they can come running with me to prepare for the race!

Week 4 run 1 done. Was dreading it and thought there was no way I'd be able to run for 5 mins, let alone twice but managed my pace and did it, some up hill too! Have never ever run for this long before. Pace still really slow though.

I started it beginning oct last year. Got up to 3 miles (although not in 30 mins!!!) in December. Carried on running twice a week, but only 2.5 miles at a time. Was very slow and starting to get despondent at pace.

Then had to slow down for a few weeks due to tendon injury in hip. Rigorously stuck by training plan set by physio and was running much shorter distances (like, half a mile).

Today got the all clear to start upping the distance again... Ran 2 miles in a pace that knocks 2 mins a mile off the time I was running in December. Probably because interval training is really good for increasing pace.

Stick with it... It does work. Don't worry about having to repeat weeks... But also make sure you attempt the next week, even if it looks difficult (I remember there is one week where you jump to a 20 min uninterrupted run - week 6 I think? - and it just seems completely impossible. But I've spoken to loads of people doing C25k and they've all managed to do it. Then felt amazing after!!)

Good luck

Hi Can I join you?
I am a real fatty 7stone overweight at least! I started C25k about 3 weeks ago, but I am going at a more gradual pace! I started weeks 1 with just 4 sets of the running (running-who am I kidding jogging at a snails pace!) with just 4 sets of runing and then built it up by a set each session. Same with week2. The first time I only did 4 sets and then tonight, the second time, we did 5 sets and then next time I will aim for 6 which will be the full thing.
I run with DH and whichever kids I can muster and we go round an isolated cricket field after 9 o clock so we don't see many people.Nobody heckles because it is a nuice little village but I don't want to be embarrassed!
No injuries so far and it has had a dramatic affect on my blood pressure already which is my main goal, that and self esteem at setting and reaching a goal! I haven't lost any weight though- I have actually put on 2lbs

Snowy I'm doing it pretty much the same way. I managed to run up an incline at the end of last week and was chuffed to bits...but had to speed walk the rest as the uphill bit finished me off!

Off out again tonight so we'll see how it goes.

I am in the same position as you snowy. Have lost 8lbs but I am low carbing too which might have contributed to that.

My aim is to a parkrun by the end of the year (and not die during it). I just worked out that I can repeat each week each run three times and still achieve my goal so I might do three weeks of W1R1, three weeks or W1R2 etc. and if I can move up more quickly I am still on track.

Week 3 run 2 done tonight, I always seem to find my midweek run hardest so am quite achey now!!

I run along a fairly quiet road near my house and am happy to say that I've not had any heckling yet, in fact I find that a lot of the cars will stop and wave me across the roads when I need to cross, which is really nice!

Well done everyone

Keep at it, you will get there but at your own pace.

I bought a second-hand heart rate monitor off ebay to make sure I was running at the correct pace - if I ran too fast for my heart rate, it beeped. It was very helpful as it meant I didn't try to run too fast, which is a danger when you are just starting out.

Also, get the right shoes, I was running in a pair of old trainers but a friend told me to go to a proper running shop and I found I needed to buy supportive shoes as my feet rolled when I ran. It makes a HUGE difference having the right shoes.

Finally, buy some nice clothes in quick dry wicking fabric so you run without getting too sweaty.

I also find some rocking tunes help, especially up a hill.

Week 2 Day 1 done. Not done any hills at all yet!

And out for a run last night and managed to run 3-4 lampposts at a time which for me is amazing. I'm getting there!

Well done OP!!

Glad today was rest today. It took me ages to park the car today so was running a bit late for an appointment, so slightly jogged, just for a hundred yards or so and my legs really felt it!

Managed to dodge the rain and made it through the end of week 3 tonight! Really glad I made it out, I was actually starting to get stressed that I wasn't going to, never thought that would happen!!
Well done Alohamora and everyone else, I'm amazed at what my body is actually capable of when I really push it, never thought I'd be able to run for 3 minutes straight, I used to skive off PE every week if I could! Honestly I'm the least fit person ever and if I can do it I'm convinced that it'll work for anyone!!

Week 2 Run 2 tomorrow first thing. I'm like an excited pup waiting to be let out the door!

Ooooh can I join please? I did W1R2 today and think I did get a bit of a high after it but I think I need to bite the bullet and get some proper shoes. I'm going into my nearest big city next week that has an Asics shop where I can get my gait analysed. Does anyone know how long you have to run on the treadmill for? I don't want to be too out of breath to hold a conversation after!!

Just a couple of minutes. It will be fine.

I am delighted that after two weeks of regular runs I am not achey afterwards any more. I asked dh how long it would take to stop aching after each run and he said 'a month to six weeks'!
Does anyone have one of those arm band things to hold their phone? I signed up for Map My Run and took my phone out with me yesterday so it told me the distance and speed - I think I might get hooked on logging it like that as it'll be really nice to see myself getting faster.

Just delurking to say well done and tell you my 'story'.

I began C25K in 2012...and then 2015... but decided after a week or two that I was definitely not a runner.

However, 5 months ago today I went out and did W1 R1 and I could literally run no more than 60 seconds. I am mid 40s.

I was encouraged to join in parkrun before the end of the programme - I had run 10 minutes, badly, at the most, before I did my first. I managed to run the whole 5K in 32 mins: something that still seems incredible. I expected to run for 8/10 minutes and then walk. It wouldn't have mattered if I had. parkrun is incredibly supportive.

My PB is now 28 mins and tomorrow I have my first 10k - I've done two 10K practice runs and am now at 61 minutes - I'm hoping to get below 1 hour tomorrow.

Literally 5 months ago I couldn't run for 60 seconds but now I can run for 60 minutes. I would never have thought it possible. If I can do it, so can you.

The things people said that kept me going are:

^Slow miles are better than no miles

Even a bad run is better than no run

You are already lapping the people on the couch

Your body is stronger than you think - make your mind believe it
^
Keep running!

Glad to hear you're all still doing it! I am amazed that apart from a one month break when I was a bit depressed/anxious in April I have kept up with this for 6 months! That's the first time I've ever kept an exercise regime going since I was about 25.
I'm still not doing 5k but happily running for 20 minutes at a time and going out twice a week. I'm going to do a 5k run in September.

Conker that is inspiring!

Thank you Lady. The great thing is that everybody who runs has the same story.