When does C25K get easier?

[QueenOfMyWorld]

I've just completed week 2.Im not a natural runner I find it quite difficult tbh but I'm determined to keep going.When roughly will my legs feel more at ease with what's going on? Lol.Tia

Bump

This sums up my experience of running: train for a 10k race for months, hate every minute. Run a 5k the following week after your 10k race, find it ridiculously easy and quite enjoyable. Fall out of running habit, try to run 5k, HARD.

I've done C25K several times, it's a brilliant programme, but because you're always building up, it probably won't feel easy until you take a step back IYSWIM? But keep going, it's great!!

I read somewhere that it takes about 4-6 weeks for joints and muscles to catch up. The cardiovascular bit improves a lot more quickly. Keep going. Week 5 seems to be the most difficult for a lot of people, when you get to run a whole 20 minutes without stopping, but you WILL do it.

Don't beat yourself up too much if you need to repeat a week. It took me about 13 weeks to do it the first time.

just keep going, and repeat weeks if necessary.

even if you can only run twice a week.... keep going.

it took me 9 months, but i completed it ! that first time you can run 3/5/10 minutes is an amazing feeling !

I repeated wk4 for MONTHS! I could only run about once a week too, so completing the whole C25K took about a year. Once I got past wk4 though it did get easier, I think it was a mental block more than a physical one.
Just keep going! Even if you miss a session, even if you have a crap run and don't go as far as you wanted to, just get back out there and it will get easier.

I feel a bit better knowing I'm not a failure is my repeat weeks.Im doing race for life 5k in 10 weeks so want to try and stay on track.Also my knee is hurting a bit today does that mean I've overdone it?

I found it got easier around week3-4. After that it was just my mind wanting to stop, not my body.

I feel like my legs aren't capable of going fast? It sounds daft

For me, today felt easier, even though they were my longest running intervals yet (week 5 day 2, so 2x8 minutes). I am nervously excited about my next run, the dreaded week 5 day 3 . I'm also doing a Race for life in July, so need to keep it up!

I feel like my legs aren't capable of going fast?

Slow the pace of your run. That will also help your knees. C25K is not about speed, it's about completing the run. Aim for a light jog.

Im not a natural runner I find it quite difficult

I was BMI 43 on January 1st, I struggled to walk a mere 1k. My BMI was 35.4 when I started C25K in April.

I have run every day since I started. Every single day, it's amazing!! I am about to complete Week 8 and start my final Week 9: 30 minute runs - having started my first C25K run on 5-Apr-18.

When does C25K get easier?

I think the Week 5 Run 3 (20 minutes continuous run) is pivotal. It's when you realise you can do this. You will worry and be nervous you won't do it, but you will. And you'll feel amazing!

I think the Week 5 Run 3 (20 minutes continuous run) is pivotal. It's when you realise you can do this

Yes! This is so true.

Don't worry about speed for now, just focus on running for the set amount of time. Once have worked up to 5k, then you can think about improving your pace...or not!

Thanks everyone.The knee thing then is it just coz not used to it?

Probably, yes. Keep an eye on it though and don't push yourself if it really hurts.

I think when you start to go the longer distances/ times. The stop start is more tiring than you realise.
Getting past the first 20 min run is a big step
The first few weeks are definitely the hardest - my lungs took a little while to adjust and then my calves used to be really sore.
It's such a good programme though. I started it a year ago and am still running x3 a week about 5k each run- I never thought I would enjoy running

I found it easy. Although I only downloaded the app the other night. Which I found really easy. I haven't run a step yet. But so far so good. C25kers I salute your get up and go.

I'm on week 3 and I already know I'm going to have to repeat it, running for three minutes is hard! I can manage it but I'm definitely not ready to increase it.

I'm just focusing on building up though.

Once I got to running 10 minutes min stop. I did something similar to C25K.

I still struggle in the first 10 mins but once through that I can run for an hour or more.

It sort of clicked a few weeks in.

I'd suggest getting Strava or a similar app so you can track your progress. In 10 weeks time then you can look back and see how much your pace and distance has improved.

I started training for a half-marathon at the start of this year, from a good level of base physical fitness, but not being a runner at all. Some days it feels easier than others, but because you're constantly pushing on distance and speed, it often feels tough. Looking back at how far I've come and the gains I've made keeps me motivated.

Keep an eye on your knee, though- running can be hard on your joints.

Go slower and focus on your breathing. The answer is nearly always to slow down.

Have you got good quality trainers?

They tell you to jog but I feel like I'm only able to jog if you see what I mean.I swear my legs can't go fast

I think that comes with practice. Keep going!

Queen I sort of feel like that too, about jogging. Unless I am actually doing a sprint for about 50m, I'm jogging not running, but I can jog at a range of speeds and often set off a bit quick without realising, so it might be possible to slow down.

Also are you having to walk/run up hills? Hills are the worst. Find somewhere flat to do the program, even if you have to make circuits of a cricket pitch!

Getting past week 4 was a big hurdle for me- I have the 20 minute run everyone is talking about planned for tomorrow and am nervous

It's all flat at the moment