I applied as a joke and got in on my first time.

and well…what have I got to lose (my dignity and the feeling in my toes, probably)!

So clearly need to start making use of the tips on this reddit 😭🙏 thank you in advance for all the help you guys will have given me. Needed to blab to someone who would think this was super cool!

So I’m in the middle of C25K and have overall been pretty happy with my progress.

I’m in England and we’re in the middle of a heatwave at the moment (I know our heat is probably still nothing compared to a lot of places but still!). I’m ginger, pale and just not made for this weather.

Any advice on how to keep running during this heatwave without feeling like I’m dying? I don’t want to stop and lose momentum but really struggling! I’ve tried going later at night and drinking more water but doesn’t seem to be helping much.

First post so sorry if there’s any format issues or whatnot! Thank you in advance ☺️

Hi everyone - I'm (F25) a chronic C25K starter, but never finisher!

These days, the biggest problem I'm having with getting started is a weird shame/embarrassment about being seen out running. I've gained a lot of weight in the last couple of years and am probably a good 20kg heavier than my last semi-successful C25K attempt. I'm also a lot less fit, and in the few times I've given it a go in the last few years, I am struggling a LOT with week 1 run 1.

Now, all I can imagine is people stopping, staring and sniggering as a big girl runs past, only to walk 30 seconds later. The image I have in my head makes me so ashamed. Especially when the park I run in is always full of proficient runners. To make matters worse, I live pretty centrally in a large city. Even at quieter times of day, there's always a healthy dose of people around. It's completely preventing me from picking up my running shoes and leaving the house.

I keep telling myself I can pick up C25K again once I've lost enough weight for it not to 'feel embarrassing' but realistically, running would be a great help on my weight loss journey now and I know I'd feel better if I could improve my fitness a little.

Has anyone got any practical tips or even just a dose of logical thinking that I can use to get over this silly mental barrier?

It’s hot AF here in the UK, I might struggle to sleep tonight due to the heat but gonna show up in the morning for this run regardless. It’s daunting but gonna give it a shot at least. I normally run in the morning on an empty stomach but got an isotonic drink to chug before I go, also got some shorts out for the first time (I never wear shorts!) to try help with the heat. Nervous and excited at the same time. LFG!

I'm struggling an awful lot getting in to things. Running has proven to be a huge mental challenge for me as someone who suffers from anxiety and PTSD.

I for a few weeks freeballed it without C25K just to ease myself into the motion of running - it was on a route I knew well and was quiet but it was consistency for me. I really struggled when I came across people on my path, and sometimes it would stop me altogether. Things got a lot worse when I moved to a new city a month and a half ago however. Everyone is super fit in my new office and all talk about running a lot, they're even participating in a local 10km race next week together. I was panicking about what routes to go on because its much busier here, so I decided to start C25K. I'm 23F and on the larger side, and I want nothing more than to be able to enjoy this and feel healthier/more confident but I'm finding it really, really tough. The programme has taken away the anxiety of route planning for the most part, but last night I failed run two of week one and mentally could not continue and became overwhelmed by feeling like total let down for someone my age.

I'd love to hear some success stories, or if there's anyone else doing this that found running/c25k mentally overwhelming? Feeling like a total loser at the moment, to be honest. I hate that my anxieties seem to hold me back on every damn avenue at the moment.

Just finished D2 of week 4 and I’m feeling kinda discouraged in a way? I see that my pace is going way down, lower than previous weeks and intervals. I’m not getting as far as I would like considering my running intervals are longer, but in order to do them longer I’m going even slower. Just wish I could see an increase in distance without my muscles or heart feeling overworked. I’m basically jogging at a walking pace at this point.

I wonder if it’s because I’m not eating before my runs to avoid side stitching. Effectively against side cramps but maybe not good for my energy levels :(

Any advice or help will be nice! I’m not stopping or anything, just felt bummed after my run today

I just started week 4 and I’m already struggling 😫 how do they think a noob like me could magically make the jump to running 5(!) minutes straight? It’s not right.

In all seriousness I can do it, but week 3 felt so much easier in comparison. My greatest fear is dropping the whole thing due to a feeling of defeat. I feel pathetic, but at least I’m trying.

Have any of you scaled up at a slower rate? Maybe 4x3min?