Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Do you hate running and want to be mercilessly bullied into it? Cod's couch to 5k

256 replies

iCod · 23/10/2026 14:08

If so I am your woman!
You might remember me from other successes as ' Potty training boot camp with Cod' and ' the Horned Hoofers". But now, in a Moment of Madness, I decided to do 5k, my reasoning being that all sorts if idiots can run, so so can I.
I finished it a week ahead ( GET ME) and now after not wanting to run, ever, and being unable to do 5 minutes, I can run for 35 without stopping

What is in it for you?
You will do couch to 5k in the 9 weeks and no slacking
I will bully you

Result
You will end up loving running as much as I do now. Its free, its quickly over (!) and its transportable.
If I can, you can.

What do you need?
Trainers
A sports bra
Music if that is your thing
The Couch to 5k app
Its even better if you have a smart watch ( can plot the incredible change to for eg your heart)

What I can't allow for
Lazy fuckers who don't STICK TO THE PROGRAMME
anyone with health issues - soz, am not a doctor, not interested in your wonky knee..

We start NOW

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Piggypiggyoinkoink · 24/10/2026 10:33

Run 1 done. Navid was not a good choice of voice. Will remedy that for Tuesday.

JacketPotatoQueen · 24/10/2026 10:47

Menopants · 24/10/2026 09:50

I went out before the rain , getting back into it after being under the weather in September. My garmon begrudgingly admitted I am ‘maintaining’ after weeks of sub par running. Passive aggressive wee shite

OMG yes the garmin is sooooo passive aggressive, had to tell you I totally agree!!

LeahCariad · 24/10/2026 10:55

iCod · 24/10/2026 09:21

I've just been out in the rain like a lunatic

Frigging lunatic

Will Smith Run GIF by MOODMAN

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

PaperFlyingFucks · 24/10/2026 11:29

Lack of discipline and not prioritising what I want to do vs house, kids, work, husband, family etc etc.

Having accountability here will help I hope. I won't want to disappoint other people (strangers) but I'm so quick to let down myself. Ironic!

It'll likely be raining when I get out too. Weather rotten here.

iCod · 24/10/2026 11:45

If anyone is going out for a run in the rain, you can reward yourself with a lovely extra long soak in the bath or shower whatever you want

OP posts:
Finbar · 24/10/2026 12:10

I bloody did it. against all my instincts - especially giving in to the @iCod“motivation” lol. First run week 1.
Still hate the whole ‘movement ‘of jogging/running but kept thinking of all The Great Good it must be doing me. Isn’t rain good for the skin too?

LoudSnoringDog · 24/10/2026 13:18

I’ve just done a 10 mile hike in the peaks but tomorrow will start my couch to 5k again. I need the motivation/ bullying from here to get me off my arse so please harass

Snowcanwait · 24/10/2026 13:26

I’m on the 3rd run of week 2. My body hurt yesterday from the run on Thursday. And I mean hurt- even my shoulders?

So now I’m like maybe I shouldn’t do the 3rd run tomorrow?

ramonaquimby · 24/10/2026 13:46

PaperFlyingFucks · 24/10/2026 05:09

I'm in-ish 🫪

@ramonaquimby how can I make sure I don't fuck my knees?

Don't run

IzzyLeng · 24/10/2026 13:54

Done it. Actually felt good. I used to love running so much. I only stopped because my fibula exploded into a hundred bits on the treadmill one day.

Actually I kept running for a few weeks with a shattered fibula (in immense pain). The plaster room people were a bit surprised when I told them I’d run 10k the evening before as they put me in a cast. 😆🙈

hopefully it won’t happen again but apparently middle aged women who ramp their exercise up are prime candidates 👍🏻😬

MinnieMountain · 24/10/2026 14:51

@LoudSnoringDog I've just been for a similar distance hike in the Peaks 😁 We went up Lose Hill from Hope, along the ridge to Mam Tor, round the back into Castleton then along the valley to Hope.

LoudSnoringDog · 24/10/2026 14:52

MinnieMountain · 24/10/2026 14:51

@LoudSnoringDog I've just been for a similar distance hike in the Peaks 😁 We went up Lose Hill from Hope, along the ridge to Mam Tor, round the back into Castleton then along the valley to Hope.

We did Stanton Moor. Got back to the car just before the weather turned!

Menonut · 24/10/2026 15:28

Ok. I dusted off the treadmill and did week 1 run 1. I’m more unfit than I thought and set the treadmill too high for my first run. AI has now put me straight on my speeds, hopefully the next one will be better! 🥵

Do you hate running and want to be mercilessly bullied into it? Cod's couch to 5k
iCod · 24/10/2026 16:56

Just scrolling back to see how you've all got on and who needs a bollocking

OP posts:
iCod · 24/10/2026 16:57

Finbar · 24/10/2026 12:10

I bloody did it. against all my instincts - especially giving in to the @iCod“motivation” lol. First run week 1.
Still hate the whole ‘movement ‘of jogging/running but kept thinking of all The Great Good it must be doing me. Isn’t rain good for the skin too?

I'm going to give you a free gift

💽

OP posts:
iCod · 24/10/2026 16:57

Snowcanwait · 24/10/2026 13:26

I’m on the 3rd run of week 2. My body hurt yesterday from the run on Thursday. And I mean hurt- even my shoulders?

So now I’m like maybe I shouldn’t do the 3rd run tomorrow?

I don't see how it's hurting if you're in week two

OP posts:
iCod · 24/10/2026 16:59

A couple of my sons have done marathons and their advice sticks with me, you should be going slowly enough so you can have a conversation. Granted, getting the hang of ^breathing* in the first few weeks is tricky but nobody gives you prizes for going fast. Also, if you have an Apple Watch, do take a record of your first run and your heart rate and cadence and stuff so you can be horrified about it two months later.😬

OP posts:
iCod · 24/10/2026 16:59

Well done @Menonut

here is your gift 🩼

OP posts:
IzzyLeng · 24/10/2026 17:13

iCod · 24/10/2026 16:59

A couple of my sons have done marathons and their advice sticks with me, you should be going slowly enough so you can have a conversation. Granted, getting the hang of ^breathing* in the first few weeks is tricky but nobody gives you prizes for going fast. Also, if you have an Apple Watch, do take a record of your first run and your heart rate and cadence and stuff so you can be horrified about it two months later.😬

I used my Apple Watch to monitor which HR zone I was in. For slow running they recommend being in zone 2. I was just sneaking into zone 3 by the end of my running sections but dropped down to 1 in the walking bits quickly. Was in zone 2 most of the running sections. I wouldn’t have wanted to go any slower that’s for sure.

came home and did some stretching. Didn’t feel I needed to but am determined to do everything I can to avoid injury.

IzzyLeng · 24/10/2026 17:15

Oh and I got my timings wrong and ran for 90secs and walked for 60 secs and it was meant to be the other way round. Now I feel I need to continue with that this week and next as going to the proper times would be a step back? 🤷‍♀️

IzzyLeng · 24/10/2026 17:21

MinnieMountain · 24/10/2026 14:51

@LoudSnoringDog I've just been for a similar distance hike in the Peaks 😁 We went up Lose Hill from Hope, along the ridge to Mam Tor, round the back into Castleton then along the valley to Hope.

Love this route.

giraffeski · 24/10/2026 17:45

I actually used to run 5 times a week and even ran a 100 miler 4 years ago, but I have gradually dwindled in shitness until I have not run for months and months and months so I think I need to start again with someone bullying me mercilessly until I actually get out there and do something. I made DH move my treadmill from the garage to the house and create a gym so I would use it more but I have only used it once since that great epic day (which deserves a post all of its own) and he might implode with frustration.

TheDevilWears · 24/10/2026 17:50

I’m in. When do we start?

Cheesegal · 24/10/2026 17:52

Piggypiggyoinkoink · 23/10/2026 22:10

@Cheesegal what is the zombie app please? I think they may be more effective than Navid from Still Game for me

Its called Zombies, Run!

Thistkegirl · 24/10/2026 18:04

Myself and Bruno the golden retriever are in!
I’ll need to get a lead that goes round my waist 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️
Love to walk but not a fan of running , look forward to the challenge!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread