C25K - anyone find it hard

EnufisEnuf

Hello

Looking for some advise. I embarked on the C25K some time ago and got to Wk 4 - but found Wk 4 an absolute killer.
I am not fit. Ive just finished a bootcamp which wasn't to tough, except for the running.
I managed to wobble around the park for about half a mile non stop but I was slllloooooowwwwwwwwww.

I'm making a conscious effort now to get back to it. So starting Wk 1... and wondering if anyone has any advise for me.

TimeToShine

Yeah I repeated week 4 three times before finally muddling through it, this was like 3 months ago I've finished it now. just keep at it and you'll get there, week 4 is from my experience the hardest week.

dahat

Of course it is hard,you are putting your body through new pains and strains,it will ease,keep going and you will get there....

Vodkat

I agree Week 4 was the hardest and i repeated it after I failed the first time. Just try your best to push through it!! im now at week 6!

Confused2011

Enuf is enuf I found it extremely hard and I also repeated week 4! I found reading all the threads here about c25k motivated me! In January my fitness level was practically non existent completed the c25k with a struggle but I am now jogging 4-6 miles 3-4 times a week! I truly believe without the programme i wouldn't be where I am now!

**Timbuk2**

Before I even opened this thread I was thinking of Week 4. It's those 5 minute runs that are killers. I also had to repeat it as well!

I thought if week 4 was that hard the rest of it would be too and considered packing it in, especially once you see that the end of week 5 is a 20 minute continuous run :eek:

But once you get past week 5, the prospect of running 5k (30 minutes if doing the timed version) isn't that much harder!

Of course it's hard First time I did it I had to repeat every week, nearly. Had more success last time. Week 4 is pretty hard, and the last run of week 5 seems impossible before you do it. But the program builds you up so well - everyone panicking about that 20min run comes out the other end having done it

Stick at it and good luck

Ouchette

My advice is if it's too hard, slow down, and if it's still to hard, slow down more. You can worry about speed later.

I found week4 the toughest too, but it was also when I think I saw the biggest improvements.

Cabaal

It is hard and it isn't pain free but its worth it if you keep at it lads.

Started C25K in Feb 2010, killed me to run more then 30sec non-stop, kept at it and eventually managed the 5km run in around 45min however then got a chest infection.

Didn't let that knock me so I kept at it and picked a different training plan and managed my first 10km, by October I had managed to drop my 5km time to around 26min and did my first half marathon in just under 2hours.

Now I'm regularly doing 10mile runs and did a 15mile run on Sunday in around 2hours 10min, did the Cork Marathon in June 2011 though didn't get the time I wanted but I did finish

All in all keep at it, you'll amaze yourself. Don't worry about doing it at a fast pace (speed) as all that will come in time. If you need to repeat weeks here and there don't worry but just keep at it

scottishtulip

I tried to do W5D3 on Sunday and only managed to run 12 out of the 20 minutes. Hadn't had much sleep the night before which I don't think helped.

Going to try it again tonight-hopefully with more sucess!

Have heard so many positive experiences of doing C25k on boards.It's really keeping me motivated to stick with it

Fluffybums

I started back in January, remember praying for the 1 min run to end!!
I can now throw in an odd 30 min jog/shuffle (I'm very slow) before a fitness class, on a hilly route. Did a 10k in May, walking up the hills and jogging down and on the flat in just under 1 hour 20 min. I know some can walk this fast but the aim is to jog the whole way next year and try and manage it in around an hour. I'm now trying to fit in the bridge to 10 k training.
It's worth sticking with the C25K schedule, it does work and there is no harm repeating sessions, it's much better to there injury free than to try and rush it.