Anyone planning to start c25k in the post Christmas period?

[TwinsTrollsAndHunz]

Hi all.

I stopped doing an active job in the summer and since then I’ve unwittingly become a couch potato. I’ve put a stone on (that was pre Christmas, so possibly 1.5 now) and feel horribly sluggish. I need to break the sofa cycle.

I’m planning to get out for the first run in the next couple of days. Anyone else?

[StillDumDeDumming]

Yes me- there’s usually an ongoing c25k thread. I’m really worried about it. I used to love running until around 2 years ago. I stopped because I fall over a lot. In 2years I’ve put on 5 stone!! I need to do something. C25k may be a bit ambitious at my size but even if I repeat week 3 til I lose a bit it’ll be an improvement. I used to do half marathons!

[TwinsTrollsAndHunz]

Hi @StillDumDeDumming. Maybe start with walking it all, if you’re worried about it being a bit much?

I used to run, well jog is probably more accurate, too. It was probably more like 5 years ago for me but I developed a knee injury and ‘rest+physio‘ turned into ‘stopping running completely’.

I’ve seen the ongoing c25k thread but there seems to be a lot of people who’ve either ‘graduated’ or are far into it and tbh, I feel like a new starters group would be more useful to me from a support POV. I’ll feel crap if I’m struggling with week 2 when there are people merrily whipping through week 7 without so much as a blink!

[Fruityb]

Me! I did it two years ago and was happily running 5k at the end. Then I stopped after getting scared by some kids who ran alongside me shouting stuff at me and I was too scared to again.

I will be starting again as I’ve entered a 10k with my sister in April!! Worst case I can walk some of it lol.

[StillDumDeDumming]

Yes walking will be something - maybe a little trot now and then . I used to be fit but you just can’t think about that.

FruityB that’s shit. Well done on entering the 10k. Are you starting from the beginning? Week one is really hard - all the stopping and starting

[Mammyloveswine]

Me, although I completed it in September so just going to start again at week 6... supposed to be doing. 10k on Valentine's Day then the great north run in September 🙈🙈🙈 I lost a stone and a half but have put at least half a stone back on do need to get that off ASAP then another stone for a summer wedding as ordered a dress in the sales that I adore but would make look like a stuffed sausage if I were to wear it now

[Merename]

I’ve been thinking of something like this as I feel lazy and fat after second baby. Had a brief flirt with running about 5 years ago and enjoyed but have never done any races etc. Is there a c25k website then with all the details? Would be good to have buddies.

[TwinsTrollsAndHunz]

There’s the NHS podcast which you can download, or there’s the website. www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/couch-to-5k-week-by-week/

There are also loads of c25k apps for Apple or Android (free and paid). I’ve got an app but loads of people get on with the NHS one. The plans are slightly different but all based on the same thing (intervals of walk/run).

[StillDumDeDumming]

Thanks @TwinsTrollsAndHunz I’ve downloaded week 1 (I miss Laura). I am going to make a start in the next few days!

[Spartonian]

Me! I have the app, I have read what I need to do. I'm waiting for kids to be back at school, then I will start without witnesses.

[RubySlippers77]

I'm hoping to start when the DC are back at school too! Or pop one of them in a buggy and take them with me. DP is too unhelpful to volunteer to have them both

I'd love to do Parkrun (mostly walking at the moment!) but again, no-one will look after the DC. I used to really enjoy going to the gym but now I am fat and stuck at home!

[BoogleMcGroogle]

I'm on week 7 already. Started it in November, after a year off running. I thought I'd never run again after developing terrible plantar facitis and like stillbe falling a lot. The local Runners World shop did a fantastic gait analysis and fitting and sorted me out with new running shoes, and (Fingers crossed) I've been fine since. Once I get out running ( alone, with a podcast, on the fields) I love it and feel on top of the world when I'm done!

Best of luck all I'm determined to increase my fitness this year. I'm 42 and want to do all I can to head into a healthy, active middle age.

[FloraMacDonald]

I am! I need to see a physio first though.

[SophieTurnersEyebrows]

I am!

Planning on starting tomorrow. Never got past week 3 before. Am morbidly obese so running is in fact a very very slow jog but really want more fresh air and exercise in my life.

[TwinsTrollsAndHunz]

Well done @BoogleMcGroogle!

I’m planning to go out for W1R1 tomorrow. I feel weirdly nervous. I don’t know why, it’s only a few mins ‘running’ in total. Maybe it’s the starting thing. The first step is often the hardest and so on...

[StillDumDeDumming]

I’m out tomorrow too W1R1 and I’m nervous of being seen- none of my running gear fits me so I’m just going to have to squeeze into something!

[TwinsTrollsAndHunz]

Yes @StillDumDeDumming, my gym gear is somewhat snug too

[Fruityb]

I’m going to start from week 3 I think as I’ve still run intermittently and have done a couple of parkrun in between. My Bluetooth headphones arrived today so am definitely out pounding those pavements in a day or two!

[carrottopper]

Me! Thinking about it but not keen on the idea of running outside

[tattyheadsmum]

Me! And this feels like just the thread I was looking for. Can you still blame baby weight when your baby is 3.5??! I've put on 3 stone in 3 years after I started working from home and I still have the "baby weight" too. I'm short, so it really shows. Right, just going to find my probably hideously tight gym gear. Good luck everyone!

[phlebasconsidered]

Me! I'm super cross with myself because at one point I was running half marathons. Over the past two years teaching full time and family have really worn me down and so i petered out to the odd 5k, running a bit everyone now and then and then nothing. I'm now 1.5 stone heavier and unfit. Asthma has also returned.

[carrottopper]

Can c25k be done running around the house at home? I have quite a long lounge. I don't fancy running outside and don't have a treadmill

[RubySlippers77]

@tattyheadsmum my 'baby' is now 4 and 3st on here too. I am fairly active - always 10K+ steps per day - but it obviously isn't enough for the amount of cake food I eat!

Doing a long dog walk tomorrow with a dog who is lovely but pulls and pulls at the lead, hopefully will give me some practice for running.....

[JewelTheft]

Me! I've downloaded the nhs app, just need to wait for the DC to go back to school on the 6th jan... I aim to lose 2 stone this year and would like to do most of that by summer.

[Lellochip]

I've signed up to do it in Jan with a local running group, and I'm super nervous... No idea why because I completed it only a few months ago with a friend but then tried a couple of parkruns and they were disastrous! The second time I only made it about 800m before lungs gave up

I'm not a natural athlete, never will be, but would love to at least be able to run short distances fairly comfortably/consistently.

[BoogleMcGroogle]

carrottopper I know it seems daunting to get outside, especially in the cold, but I find that once I drag my sorry arse through the door, it's the being outside that I enjoy. You warm up really quickly and you get the benefits of a boost of sunshine ( or grey 'light'!) which really helps my mental health. Maybe give it a try a couple of times and see how you feel?