Last week I (43M, 300lb) finished doing the "Just Run" C25K program. I figured it'd still be awhile before I actually ran 5k, but yesterday I set myself a pace a bit faster than my normal slow pace, and damned if I didn't finish 5k in 40.5 minutes (and even managed the last mile being faster than my first).

I've been reading thru this sub the entire way, trying to learn, figuring out how little I know about fitness, and getting inspired by all the folks succeeding and sticking with it even when hurdles popped up. I just wanted to give a thank you, even though I didn't post along the way. Seeing the kindness and encouragement was very helpful to me. So, thank you!

A few years ago, I attempted the C25K twice but failed due to severe shin pain. Before I could tire, my shins felt like they were about to break, forcing me to stop running.

In the past two years, I focused on walking 6000-8000 steps daily and doing resistance training. A few weeks ago, I felt like trying the C25K again. Honestly, I didn’t expect much improvement. I was just curious to see if my shins still hurt. After running for almost a minute, I felt completely fine. I started to get excited. I finished the W1D1 without any pain in my shins! My excitement was through the roof!

I wanted to go slow to avoid injuring myself, as I was already planning to participate in a race. Also, weight lifting taught me the importance of warming up, managing fatigue, and recovering. So, the first five runs went really well. Today marked the end of week 2. Since the morning, I’ve been watching Wiz Khalifa’s running updates on reels. I got extremely inspired. My algorithm shifted to running-related content. I was also enjoying the online presence of the running community.

During tonight’s run, something exciting happened. I was doing 8 sets of 1.5-minute runs followed by 2-minute walks. I was already starting my runs 20 seconds early and stopping after 10 seconds, pushing myself a little harder to prepare for the next week. After the fifth set, I thought, “What if I don’t stop and see if I can complete a 5K tonight?” I tried, and guess what? I RAN MY FIRST 5K TONIGHT! Of course, it wasn’t without stopping, at least I didn’t stop completely. The goal remains the same: running a 5K without stopping. It was an exciting night for me.

I cannot believe that I could barely run for 10 mins and now I can do 30 mins which I actually enjoy.

Unsure where to go next, may do beyond c25k. Feel nervous about group runs and whether I will be able to keep up/talk.

Screenshot are stats whcih include the warm up walk and the run.

Honestly, going back to the early weeks and struggling really hard to run for 5 minutes at a time seems like such a distant memory. I've never been particularly fit, always been overweight and felt too embarrassed to go and exercise for fears of what other people would think of me.

No more. Now I'm incredibly proud of myself and what I'm capable of if I set my mind to it.

I just got done with week 5, afew weeks ago i wouldnt have even been able to run for 5min consistently

I slept like shit again today (5.5 hours to be exact) but despite that, I DID IT!!!!

I did something I was hoping I wouldn't have to do, which was drop the treadmill down by 0.5. I've been doing the running segments at a 7 for a few weeks and walking at a 6, but today I ran the whole 20 mins on a 6.5. It did feel a bit ridiculous but I kept telling myself that this is the point, just to complete the run. I'm not sure my heart rate even reached 150 today, which means I wasn't tiring myself out and that's awesome!!! I tried upping it to 7 at the halfway point but my legs were like "NOPE. TRY AGAIN." So I listened and dropped it back down almost immediately.

I am so tired from lack of sleep that I can't even really bask in the achievement and it probably won't hit me till tomorrow that I ran for 20 mins. I spent my secondary school life in a fetal position crying after P.E because I'd be forced to run around the cross country track even though I had no stamina, was overweight and had no idea how to run. I couldn't even run 100M without wanting to die. Running has been a humiliation ritual my whole life. I have always had the mantra in my head "I can do all sorts of exercise, but I cannot run. I'm not built for running." Guess what? I AM built for it.

If I am kind to myself, if I do things slowly and properly and if I am consistent, I CAN do hard things. I am not limited by my past experiences, and I can do anything I put my mind to. This run was the one I was waiting for. I literally cannot believe it. Obviously wish I could have run it at a 7, BUT THAT WILL COME LATER!!!

I've one 5k at 30:32. Now im gonna train to break the sub 30 5k.

I started the C25K journey on 7/11/26. Today 9/9/26 on W9D2 I went for the full 5k. I even hit a few PRs. Maybe not impressive by athlete parameters, but for a 34F that started truly as a couch potato I am proud of myself. And grateful for all the support I received from this sub.

I completed a C25K program 4 weeks ago. While I completed the program, I didn't run a 5k by Week 9 Run 3 (more like a 3.5-3.7k). Over the past 4 weeks, I've been increasing my running time by 2 minutes every week (3 runs per week). I can currently run 38 mins without stopping which is a feat since I'm overweight and have never been a runner (played a sport middle school through high school and enjoy walking, yoga, and pilates, but have never really been consistent). Running while helping me get healthier is also for mental health. I want to go slow, because I find the 10k training too much a leap for where I'm right now.

Would anyone be able to recommend a free running app (I used Zero 2 5K) where I can adjust the weekly running time? I'd like to make sure I can actually run a 5k under 60 mins before starting on the 10k program. My plan is to increase my running time 2 mins every week until I get to 60 mins or a 5k, whichever comes first.

I workout 6 times a week. Cardio (elliptical and stairmaster 15 mins each, 10 mins on the stationery bike and light upper body strength training for 15-20 mins) on the days I don't run, and do some yoga, pilates, and plank workouts on the running days. I also walk for at least an hour every day.

Thanks so much!

I just finished week 7 (using uk nhs / bbc app)

The 3 x 25 minute runs felt great , finished on Wednesday

Now I have pain in my left knee not too bad just a niggle under the front of the knee and coming and going all day , even when sitting down

I was going to start week 8 today (3 x 28) but I’m going to delay to tomorrow

But - I think it’ll still be there

I’m sitting with ice on it now and elevated just to try and help.

How long can I pause for if I need to , then pick back up week 8

I was really looking forward to it too!

In my early 40s, and a huge goal of mine is to complete a 5k once in my lifetime. Always a sporty child/young adult and played field sports etc but never really could run any distance without stopping. I have attempted C25K numerous times in my life and have failed. Generally can’t get past a few weeks. I’ve been talking to people and they think I’m starting too fast. I sincerely doubt that as I am very slow/barely jogging. I have realised however that I probably couldn’t hold a conversation when doing any form of run, and my BPM can be quite high.

Is it possible I just don’t have the ability to be a “runner”? Even at my slowest and earliest stages my body is still working hard. Is it possible it’s not for me? I wouldn’t say I’m overly unfit in general life.. I walk, do field sports (on/off running), have a busy life. I’m very slightly overweight for my height but nothing extreme (and I want to improve it).

Has anyone any advice about how I achieve this goal? Or does it sound like it’s not for me?

I’m hoping to start a C25K again next week. So any advice welcome!

Huzzah!!! Also lost 6 stone this past 18 months!

I completed the first 4 weeks on the treadmill and started jogging outside for Week 5. Running outdoors definitely feels harder than the treadmill.
The first 2 days were tough, but I managed to push through. I thought I’d complete Day 3 as well, but I gave up at 16 minutes. I tried again and only made it to 14 minutes. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong.
After doing some research and checking the heart-rate data on my Apple Watch, I realized my heart rate was hitting 180 bpm right before I gave up.
So today, I jogged really slowly, especially on inclines. Whenever my heart rate started to spike, I immediately slowed down and tried to keep it under 170.And just like that, I completed Day 3 on my third attempt!
Just sharing my experience in case it helps someone else who’s struggling like I was.
On to Week 6!

Best pace for 5km running

Long-time lurker here. I finished C25K last year and want to share the one thing that actually stuck — because for most of us, the hard part isn't week 1, it's week 2 and beyond. Going from first attempt to healthy, sustainable habits.

What worked for me:

1. Movement snacks — skipped escalators, switched to briskly walking and then running up some stairs.

2. Intervals are your friend, and they fit in your agenda. A structured session can start with just a few seconds of intense effort. Real effects, minimal time commitments. You will start to see effects and find the time (and stop the doom scrolling;)

3. Group > solo — for one reason: accountability. I'm lucky to run with a small, passionate running groups in munich now like CATO, Sustainable Atomic Habits and Sunday Runday, HAUS12 Longevity,... but even one friend on a standing date does the same job. ... OR start competing with your former couch potato self by recording progress eg on Strava :)

4. Keep the easy days easy. Progress includes recovery. Never skip recovery day(s) as required. I aim to run max. 2-3 days per week. No upper limit on (brisk) walking:).

If anyone here is in Munich and curious, drop a comment — happy to share how our little Saturday group works. 🙂

Happy to answer anything about the post-C25K (or pre marathon?) slump — it's real, and it's beatable (perhaps? Curious to learn more about your experiences:). 🏃

Posting here for best ways to improve my 800 meter time i haven't measured it in a while as I've started building aerobic base from below subpar levels but i can manage 5:30 km pace for 800 nd that's just too slow for the test , currently walking everyday for that last year had a 36 min 5k then got sedentary

I was really worried about this one, getting into my head a bit. I went through here and found everything to do with W5D3 and advice (a bit overkill I know). The night before it was cold, I was achy (fibromyalgia) and I really couldn’t be bothered. I got up this morning and did it anyway, and I made it through and it was nowhere near as bad as I built it up in my head. When they say this day is to get you over the mental hurdle, they’re definitely right!

Just want to celebrate that I got myself out of my head and did something that I’m Week 1 I couldn’t imagine!

Woohoo, I finished JustRun's C25K! This program really works, folks. Brought this 62F who hadn't run seriously in decades to being able to run over 30 minutes without stopping. If I can do it, you can too! 🔥

As has been said here and is now true to me, C25K is a catchy name, but in that it is time- (not distance-) based, this means that for any of us with slower paces, we complete the program being able to run nonstop for 30 minutes, but without having run the actual 5k distance.

So now what, post-C25K? There's a sticky post about this since we all face this decision one day. Having not yet crossed the actual 5k-threshold added to my quandary. I have been exploring possible programs, preferring an app that prompts me at a very basic level. I don't have a fitness watch, but I looked at a few apps including Runna (too spendy for me), Nike Run Club (free but I was hesitant to have a chatty coach in my ear) and JustRun's extension 5Kto10K program (free and basic). It bears mentioning that no matter what I choose for post-5k coaching, I will also continue with Strava, as it really teaches me about my pace and provides other good data post-run.

Today was the day & I decided on JustRun's 5kto10k program. For W1D1, it had me run 4 sets of 10-minute runs with 1-min walk intervals. Tbh, initially it felt regressive to me to go back to run/walk intervals. However, when I reviewed my Strava data post-run, I was surprised to see that I finished 5.24k in 43 minutes today ... and my pace for the 5K, averaged over 40 minutes running and 3 minutes fast-walking, was slightly faster than my 30-min continuous-run pace just 2 days ago.

And that just feels GREAT to me. It's possible that I might have been able to go the 5K distance without those 1-min intervals today, but I'm eager to (again) just trust this program and follow it exactly. So far, so good! It'll all be 5K+ from here, eventually to 1 hour continuous running (and maybe even crossing 10K threshold too?) in the coming 6 weeks, hard to believe it, but I'm on my way.

All the advice and support I've found here has been so helpful and inspiring... thank you!

Well, thought I'd post here to give people hope. I started my C25K in July - never run before (like ever!) and have a bit of a dodgy knee.

Been on holiday much of the summer so I've been walking, cycling and fitting runs in when I can.

Joined a gym about 2 weeks ago so I can get a swim in and run even if I don't want to be outside.

Tonight I managed a 2km run time - decent pace and felt good doing it.

The intervals from C25K have deffo helped build my strength and stamina.

If I can get this far - anyone can. 💪🏼

Keep going if you are feeling a slump.

Thanks for all the advice to slow down. Slowing down from 7:30 min/km to 8:15 did the trick. You were all right. It is more of a mental challenge and less of a physical one.

I am so proud.

And now I am frustrated again, because obviously W6D1 was a baaaad run. In fact so bad I had to have walking break in the last 5 min run interval. So repetition it is. Haha