I started c25k this morning, and couldn't make it through the workout I do ok on the treadmill, but outside, many hills. Big hills. I felt like such a quitter! Has anyone else had a hard time starting out? Tell me it gets easier!!

C25K was way too hard for me when I started, and I'm actually not a huge fan of the plan because I think it sets unrealistic expectations for a lot of people and has way more drop-outs than graduates. I did my own thing, ran when I could, pushed it a little farther each time, and walked when I needed to, until I caught my breath. Same basic walk/run, run/walk principle as the C25K, but structured for me (and yes, my hilly running route), instead of an 'average' person, whatever that means. I ran a 5K within 3 months of starting and went on to do 10Ks, several half marathons, triathlons of various lengths, and a marathon over the next several years. I'm on running hiatus now due to a difficult pregnancy, and this is what I'll be doing again in 10 weeks or so, after the baby comes and I get the all clear.

My advice: go at your own speed, be careful of injury and have fun.

Good luck.

Anne

It does get easier. Since your area is hilly, I would go by time rather than distance, since the hills will make it harder for you. I don't have a treadmill, so all of my C25K training has been outside.

Feel free to repeat weeks, C25K is really just a guideline to get yourself up to speed. Adjust as you see fit!

Check out this guy's podcast. http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/
He goes by time and puts music in the background, and tells you when to walk and when to run, so you don't have to time it or worry about distance. I think he starts you out with running for 60 seconds then walking for 90 seconds. I found it very easy, and I can't run!!!

The first week was really hard for me. I am really out of shape and overweight.Also, I'm not a runner and have not seen a gym in months. But, it did get easier for me. I just pushed myself. I gave myself permission to repeat if I needed to. I haven't yet, but I will if I need to.

Hey! I started c25k a while ago (I'm on week 7 now) and it has definitely been a challenge for me. I have never ever been a runner in the past (I think the most I ever ran was 1 mile in elementary school). After working on the program for a while, I can run 25 minutes straight. Don't get me wrong though, it is still definitely hard, just do-able.

If you can't do week 1, don't worry about it! Maybe you can start by walking, and on the "run" parts, just walk as fast as you can. Try that for a week or two, and then try slowly jogging on the run parts. I think some people try to jog too fast and tire themselves out. You can worry about speed when you finish the program, just work on the jogging part for now!

As for the hills, is there a bike path/running path with less hills nearby that you could walk or drive to? Maybe that would make things a little easier on you. Running up hills can be HARD!

Good luck! You can do it

I am having a tough time of it. This is my third try on week 1!! I guess it is getting better, I can get through 15 minutes of the run 60/walk 90 but then I walk the rest of the 30 minutes. I sometimes get in one more round but not always. But when I first started I could only do maybe 2 rounds of run/walk. I am very overweight and extremely out of shape. I just keep repeating week 1 until I get through it.

I attempted to start C25K March 1st. I spent 2 months doing my own thing as far as the intervals. I started at jogging 30 walking for 3-4 minutes. Gradually I built up to being able to jog for 2-2.5 minutes but then I spent a month not being able to make it through the mental block. Finally just this last week I was able to complete W3D1 and its 3 minute jogs. Do what you can and every week or two try to do a little more. You'll get there.

wndranne, that is amazing! Thanks everyone for the input. I'm going to keep trucking along, and hopefully I'll not wimp out on the hills someday!! You all are such a great support! Thank you again for not letting me feel alone!

Even when I was in the best shape of my life -- running 3.5 miles a day at lunch and up to 7 miles on Saturdays -- hills were hard.

A running partner once told me that running up a hill is equal to going something like 3 times that distance on a flat surface. Also, I've read running magazines and books that say hills are basically "speedwork in disguise" -- that means sprints. By running up a hill, you are essentially doing a full sprint for that distance.

Who wouldn't have a hard time with that??

So, you should really be patting yourself on the back for doing hillwork at all, since it is one of the toughest things you can do as a runner!!

I know people who have cut the running time by 1/2 or 2/3 thirds in the beginning, doing a few pre-weeks before Week1. So for example, if you are on a week you are supposed to run for 60 seconds and can't quite make it, you could do 30 second running intervals instead (or 10 seconds or 45 or whatever works for you).

I've found the program to be extremely challenging, especially in the beginning, but in 4 weeks I was able to run 6-7 minutes at a time. I'm not sure it will get easier because you will constantly be challenging yourself, but you'll see such a difference in the time/distance you can run in just a few weeks.

Many, many people don't follow the program religiously, but instead maintain the walk/jog/walk/jog intent behind the program. There's no wrong way to do, so just find a way that works for you.

Good luck!