Couch to 5k- made you a runner?

[notheragain4]

Firstly, is there a fitness subforum? I couldn't find.

My main question, has couch to 5k made you a regular runner? I hate exercise, yoga and walking is all I can abide. I decided to do couch to 5k as a lockdown challenge, about to start week 4 and not hating it like I thought I would! I really struggled and still can't imagine running 5k straight! But motivated to keep going, I hope I will enjoy it.

Has it made a runner out of you?

[BadgertheBodger]

Yes! I started C25K in January this year and nearly fainted when it told me I had to run for 20 minutes straight. Fast forward to now and I actually miss running on the days I don’t do it. I usually run about 5 times a week, working my way towards 10k!

[Geekster1963]

Yes it made me a runner, I did the couch to 5K six years ago and I’ve been a regular runner ever since. I find I actually need to run now and get grumpy if I don’t run for a few days. I like how it makes me feel stronger and happier and it’s really helped while being in lockdown just to get out on my own for an hour three days a week.

[GuyFawkesDay]

Come and join the thread on the exercise forum!

I'm hoping it might make me into a runner, albeit a fairly slow one!!

[PopcornAndWine]

Yes I followed a similar programme to Couch to 5k and it has made me a runner! I'll never be Paula Radcliffe but I enjoy it and keeps me reasonably healthy.

[notheragain4]

@GuyFawkesDay exercise! I tried searching fitness, running, active, didn't think to try exercise, I will have a look!

I never understood how people got "addicted" to it, my DH gets so grumpy if he doesn't run for a few days. But it's taking NO motivation for me to do it, I look forward to it, mostly for the feeling of accomplishment! I'm pleased to hear others have had positive long term changes :)

[dicdicnurse]

Yes! Couch to 5k changed my life and that's no exaggeration. I was totally stagnant and unfit, my youngest was 3 and weighed more than I ever had done. I got on the treadmill and started, I hated it. I kept going. Week 5 nearly killed me, I kept going. Then DH persuaded me to run outside and I did, I just kept going and managed 5k. That gave me the big, I entered a race for life, then a 10k and then a half marathon all within 5 months of starting c25k. First marathon came a year later. That was 6 years ago and I've got 7 marathons under my belt and I co run a parents running club at the school, I love it!

[notheragain4]

@dicdicnurse that's amazing well done! I hope this is me, I've always been envious of those who enjoy running.

Do you find it gets less difficult? I'm only week 3, and on the second 3 minute run my legs burn so much, not finding the breathing too difficult just yet, does it get easier or do you find you manage the "pain" if that makes sense?

[Puddlejuice]

Ooh I'll come and talk to you about this.
I'm on week 6, it would not be a lie if I said prior to starting I hadn't run since school, and I was never sporty then.
But, I'm really enjoying it - not sure if I enjoy the actual run, or the feeling of accomplishment afterwards makes me think I've enjoyed it.
I was wondering today where I'll go after the 5k, I don't really have time to commit to longer runs, or even a guarantee I'll be able to get out regularly once lock down is lifted, but I'd like to at least keep to this level, or improve if at all possible.

[BadgertheBodger]

It definitely gets less difficult as you get fitter. If you find you’re struggling then just repeat a week, it’s brilliant because you just go at your pace. Make sure you’re stretching properly afterwards as well. I also found that sometimes I just had really heavy tired legs - time of the month or just tired! Every run is different and just because you found the last run hard going doesn’t mean the next one will be.

[Thecatisboss]

I started with couch 2 5k a few years ago and yes it has changed my habits. I also lost 15kg through diet.

I also joined a running club although I am one of the slowest they make me very welcome.

I've done several half marathons and the feeling when you finish is wonderful.

[Silvercatowner]

Not here. It never got easier. I was subsequently diagnosed with a ligament disorder which may have contributed to this but I had high hopes and was so disappointed.

[acocadochocolate]

I did it after I broke my leg. It really worked for me. However, I was a keen runner before I broke leg. (Had 18 months off running due to the break)

[emmathedilemma]

It did but i still have a bit of a love hate relationship with it even after several marathons and even longer events. I enjoy the social side of it, the running club, parkrun and races. It's taken a lot to make myself go out on my own during lockdown but now it's a habit i'm enjoying and finding new local routes and now we can meet another person that's made a bit of a difference. Stick with, the running community is great if you can get to 5k and then join a club or your local parkrun once we're back to "normal".
@Puddlejuice you don't have to go beyond 5k, lots of people stick to shorter distance and there's plenty of race events and parkrun if you want to focus on getting faster rather than going further.

[LooksLikeImStuckHere]

I didn’t. I completed it but didn’t see any noticeable difference other than slightly improving my hip pain but made my knee worse. I can’t afford a gym so once it got dark, I just couldn’t go anymore.

I tried again this year but I really don’t enjoy it to be honest. So no, not a runner.

[nomorefencepostsplease]

I started earlier this year and I got to week 5 which I repeated several times. Prior to that I had never so much as run for a bus.

Then lockdown hit - I'm not in the UK and it was pretty strict so had to stay 1km from home. Rather than continue with the programme, I found a route that kept me within the 1k radius and downloaded a lot of spoken word podcasts. I have continued to go 3 times a week for 30mins and I really enjoy it.

I'll never be a "runner" as such - more of a stumbler - but it has been great keeping to a routine. I have been walking for about 5 mins of the 30 in the middle but today I managed to run for the whole 30 mins and even carried on for a little bit at the end where I would normally walk.

It was never my goal to be able to run a certain distance/time and I would never want to do it with other people, but I do look forward to it.