C25K support thread

[HOL2024]

I’ve just finished my first week! Although I’ve only done 2 runs a week not 3 as swam the other days. Just wondering if there is anyone else doing this at the moment and wanted a support thread.

I am on week 1 too. I’ve done the first two runs and I’m using the Couch to 5k app with Jo Whiley as my coach! So far so good but I need some new trainers and I’m worried about if I’ll stick with it when the weather turns… But I’ve done two runs and hopefully I will make it to the end. How are you finding it?

Well done getting started 🙂 it took me ages to convince myself to do that first run again (second time doing C25k for me after years not running) I posted on a similar thread a few weeks back and seemed to kill it off 🙈 I just did the third wk6 run this morning and have to say I'm pretty pleased with my progress so far, it's a good program and really does work. Never could have ran for 25mins a few weeks ago.
Good luck!

I've just finished week 4. I have run in the past but not for a long time and am now 2 stone heavier. I've been worried about my plantar fasciitis flaring up as I had a bad time with it a year ago, but the programme seems slow enough to be ok so far.

Motivating myself to start wk2 run 1 tomorrow. I’ve been doing it at the gym and then following up with some weights. I think it steps up a little bit in week 2 but hopefully still doable.

I've got to do week 6 run 3 tomorrow, 25 mins of running!
Ive actually done the C25K before a d it really does work if you keep at it.

I find the first run of each session the worst and I think I won't get through the session and then it improves and is ok. I've got week 5 session 1 tomorrow

Hello! I have come on to say keep going! I did the couch to 5k three years ago. It took me nine months to do 5km without stopping and it took me 37 minutes. I had to miss lots of weeks for illness and life and I had to repeat weeks bloody loads of times. But I was so bloody chuffed when I did it. And I now run relatively regularly and am still utterly amazed I can run that far without stopping. I couldn’t run for more than a minute when I started. So don’t gice up and remember, however shit you feel at it, you are doing a damned sight bette than people who never even try.

C25K is brilliant!
I’ve done it a few times and then started doing Parkrun regularly and then went on to do 10k runs.
I’m overweight and mid fifties, never done any regular exercise and the fact that I have run 10K without stopping still amazes me!
I’m just starting it again as I have got out of the running habit.
I trust the process completely and know that I can do it again if I put the effort in, I run with a friend and that really motivates me.
Good luck!

Just done week 2 day - it was harder than week 1 but I found if I focus on my breathing it definitely feels easier.

I'm just about to start week 4. I have done it before (Jo Whiley FTW), but I'm coming back after an injury. Parkrun is a wonderful thing.

I’ve done week 5 run 1 today. I was tired but it was manageable. I’m also using Jo whiley 🙂

I started it in May with 2 friends and we've got stuck on repeating week 4 (sigh).

We usually run in the woods so it's not a great surface and has lots of inclines and steps. With the fallen leaves and wet weather, it's become very slippery.

We're very rural with no pavements and so it's either the woods or the beach. The nearest town is about 7 miles away.

I think I'm ready to give up. 😔

@RedLolly101

Don't give up!!!
Even if you all do is week 4 on repeat, it's a lot better than doing nothing. Plus you're doing it with friends, how lovely.

It's not the destination but the journey.

I'm literally slow AF, everyone jogs past me in the park but I don't care. I'm still faster than if I were walking.

@RedLolly101 you’re doing so well! Isn’t that running 5 minutes at a time 🏃‍♀️

that’s incredible. 👏

Lovely to see you’re all Jo Whiley fans too! Week 1 done! Hoping to get to the shops tomorrow to get some new trainers. Mine have zero grip and now it’s getting wet they’re causing a few hairy moments!

Week 2 run 2 down - actually found it easier than run 1 thank god. Onto the next one 🏃‍♀️

So glad I’ve found this! I have done the first week and then Run 1 of Week 2. I’m using the NHS app with Jo Whiley as my coach (so I can feel like one of the cool girls!). I’m overweight (obese by BMI) but have lost 2 stone slowly over the last year. I have an arthritic knee but it’s doing well with the weight loss and exercise (I go to a personal trainer for weights etc once a week) and according to Versus Arthritis running is fine.
today though I really got string ‘I can’t do this’ feelings. I finished the run by will power (I know it’s as much head as legs) but I don’t know if I can do any more…I mean running more than 90 secs, not any more sessions at all. I think. Or maybe I mean running at all. Help!

Just keep going! I had to repeat so many weeks to build my stamina. So I think I repeated the week before the twenty minute run literally six times!!

I’m the same @cardibach very overweight so we’re in this together and at a similar stage!

I felt so bad during week 2 run 1 but honestly the run today as week 2 run 2 was so much better. I just focused on my posture and breathing more and I found it so much easier. Not easy but easier and now I’m not dreading the next one as it’s the same run three times this week.

I’m alternating running and swimming but only Monday to Friday.

Yes keep going. I often find the first run of a session awful and think I'll never manage the whole session but it does get better.

I'm feeling guilty as I'd scheduled a run tonight but had a draining day at work and was an hour late finishing and couldn't face it. Hoping to go tomorrow and then get back on track

W2R1 done today! I’m getting through it but I’m suffering with very stiff ankles when running/walking. I need to Google some stretches to see if I can alleviate it. And I still need to order those new trainers… I’m just going to get a bog standard pair then treat myself to a decent pair and proper gait analysis if I get to the end.

Thanks @HOL2024 - I’ll keep going and hope you are right! I may just be having a bad day.

May I join you? I started this about 4 weeks ago at the gym also cycling and rowing.

Found week 1 v hard as it had been years since any exercise and clock-watched until the minutes of running were over. Found week 2 and 3 as hard. During week 4, I slightly increased my speed but painfully, pulled a hamstring at the start of the 5 min run so took a week off. Back at it yesterday repeating week 3 but had to stop halfway through when the hamstring twinges started. I think I need a good stretch beforehand. I'll have another go tomorrow.

Haven't lost any weight, unfortunately - need to lose 4 st but have lost some cms. More importantly though, I feel much fitter. I can climb stairs without getting out of breath and my stride has increased.

Hi @tryingcouchto5K !
Don’t overdo it. I’m obvs only just starting but time running is more important than speed at this stage. Just a very slow jog to protect your muscles.

Hi cardibach thanks! Because I'm doing it in the gym, it's difficult to know what kph to set the treadmill at. I walk at 5.3 which is brisk and 'ran' at 7.3. I've just googled which suggests 6-8. Maybe I'll try 7 next time. It really doesn't come easy.