Couch to 5K- join us if you dare, running is highly addictive!!

Hi! Can I join in please? I tried to start last week, failed miserably at week 1 day 1, and gave up halfway through! But tried again today, downloaded music this time, and made it through alive. Need to do something to up my general fitness levels, been avoiding running as I really am rubbish at it, but I'm going to try my hardest now!

Has anyone got any experience of kids doing it too? My DD is interested in doing this with me, shes 9.5, and to be honest she needs to be more active.

thank you all for the encouragement, I did my second run of week 2 on Saturday and it was great- not even out of breath at the end :) I think having proper running shoes really helped. week 2 run 3 this evening and I can't wait :)

Morning all! Back from my weekend away & completed wk 1 this morning
Starting wk 2 on Weds.

I didn't get to 5K either, with my first 30 minute run, but each one, in the last week, got faster, and my last run was 5.01K!

But actually, it doesn't really matter if you haven't run 5K. You have managed 30 minutes of non-stop running - which is the really impressive thing

demented love the 'hill of death'!

Well done itsnotunusual . You could do our parkrun now, no need to be fast just set a comfortable pb and try and knock 10 seconds off every time so you can get loads of pbs... I'm lucky I live near a lovely parkrun that encourages the shall I say slower runner. And if people haven't run before, walker. Regularly last position about an hour so anyone who has done c25k needn't worry. Depends on the course, it wouldn't work at some but we have wide tarmac paths and 3 laps so never on your own until the end if you are slow like me... so missed parkrun this week - first I missed since the last snow cancellation! Not long now 5 to go until my 50 shirt

Thank you pennygallops and cinnamon greyhound - it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one to get to the end of the app / programme and not actually be at 5k. Especially with such a great PB now!

Whoo hoo. Thank you for sending me some virtual wings folks cos I was flying!!!

Week 8 run 3 was actually 30, not 28 mins and I had to add in 3 mini detours because my planned route was too short. I then tagged on an EXTRA 3.5 minutes at the end to take me to my five-minute-walk-to -cool-down point. To be honest, I could have kept going :jaw drop:

Much cooler this evening. I really think that is all it is!

3.8k in 33.5mins. The goal is to now add 5 mins a week to get up to a 40 mins run.

Apologies for the self indulgent posts but I am so proud of myself.

We've been away for the weekend and dh had the dcs yesterday afternoon so I went for a run!! I had had a quick look on map my run before we went and planned a route, but I forgot where the start line and finish was to get my 5k, so I have just re-mapped it and I ran 4.75km in 37 minutes (I think. Must get stopwatch!). Gutted to have missed the 5k! There was quite a big hill in it too, which I did something that wasn't a walk all the way up. I don't think it was a run either as it was very slow, but it was still bouncy so not a walk!! Never mind, I am sure now that I will be able to do the race for life.

It was my first run without Laura chatting to me too!

mamageekchic you don't need to wait to join a parkrun. If you can do 3.5k in 30 mins, you'll be able to do 5k in around 40 mins. And if you start now, you'll get lots of BPs as you progress.

Well done dementedma sounds like a good run. Running up hill can hurt, but I think it's good for stamina.

itsnotusualtobe it might be the heat that doesn't work for you. Running in the heat increases dehydration and I find it tougher going than the cold. Don't be too harsh on yourself - plodding is better than sitting on the couch. I like your goals.

Hello all. I'm in awe of how well you are all progressing.

I am so daunted. I've been doing the zen labs C25k ( rather than nhs) and I only have week 8 run 3 (28 mins) left to do. But I feel so disappointed with myself. Last week (3runs of 25 mins) and this week (28 mins) have been such a struggle and the realisation that 28 mins only takes me 3.25k, it's a very flat course, and I am so far off 5k.

I know that logically I should be thrilled that I have stuck to the programme. I have never missed a run, I am overweight & generally knackered and the heat is awful to run in.

I know that this glorious weather won't last ( I loved running in temps barely above zero when I started!)and if I keep on keeping on then i will get to 5k eventually.

So why do I feel so 'meh' about it?

My goals at the start were:
Complete C25k
Parkrun on June 22nd
Parkrun in Brisbane in August

I'm totally on track but am wishing I was flying instead of plodding.

A great run this morning in the local rspb reserve.yes,I am very lucky
Did 5k in just over 40 mins including managing to struggle up the hill of death.

The 3.5km was in 30mins so still a way to go, did wk1 r2 and got a teeny bit further. Hoping to work towards joiningmy local park run by the end of the programme.

Well done Migrant... it really works the C25K, doesn't it!

You're very welcome migrant and that's a very respectable time too (similar to my first parkrun). Just glad you like it as much as I do. Once you feel comfortable, I'd recommend volunteering - you get to know people, see the complete range of running ability and I find it fun.

I think you could manage 10k. When I worked up to 10k, I had one day as a longer run and added an extra k to it each week (if that makes sense).

Penny and Cinnamon, thank you so much, you have both made my day!
I toddled off to Parkrun today and was so impressed! The people were so friendly and I didn't stand out at all. Fantastic route, almost flat with a nice mix of grass and pavement and a great ocean finish.

I managed to run it all without dying in 32 mins. Better than I expected.... Husband and daughter had a bet on my finish time....he won and now has exclusive use of the remote for a week!!! She has adapted her prediction for next week but is urging me on with dire predictions that it will be back to back Top Gear all week!

Think I may enter the 10km and use it as motivation. Hey, I can always walk a bit. Really looking forward to the next Parkrun. 8 weeks ago I really struggled with the 60 second run, now I casually head off to do a 5k! Mind blowing.
Thanks again ladies, lovely comments.

nearlyreadytopop parkrun is very welcoming to all abilities, if you can walk 5K I think you could start doing them. I wish I'd started earlier - you certainly don't need to have graduated the program. The people I was with this morning walked most of the way, with little bits of jogging. And they got the biggest cheer when they crossed the finish.

amiga thats great, I've just started using map my run and am v pleased to see what I've done.
just wondering about park runs? at what stage in the c25k programme can you do a park run?

just dropping in to say I finished Week 1. What a lovely week to start with all the sunshine.

Feeling insanely pleased with the little green tick next to each completed run. (think Monica from Friends style pleased)

Morning guys - did our park run in brilliant sunshine. I was the tail runner and helping along a little group at the back. But they, DD and I did in around 50mins. Cycled there too. DS got a PB (in his new trainers) 24.45 mins. So a good morning. Going to test the knee on Monday with 4k run.

Well done to Billy on his first parkrun cinnamon!

Did you do a parkrun migrant?

Sounds great smellsofsick Do we have anything like that here? I've never heard of it...

Keep going dementedma - are you in the UK? If so it's not going to be so sunny over the weekend anyway (that would be too much to hope for!) You can do it - Race for Life is a really good cause

I don't know how all you early morning runners do it - went out this morning for a change before breakfast and really struggled! I've been using the NHS C25K+ podcasts, and managed the first 30 minutes but the final five at the fastest speed were just too much (I think we need a red-faced exhausted smiley!)
Is it just a matter of getting used to it? I'm doing 5:2 and can manage a zumba class at 6pm on a fasting day fine (and no, I wasn't fasting yesterday). Does my (old and creaky) body just not function properly until it's been awake and walking around for hours?

Hello everyone! Just finished W4R2 and looking forward to completing this in December escalade

I'm considering a costume, but that might be a step too far

Did intervals of 3 x 10 minutes with a 2 min walk in between. God it was hard work. I love the sunny weather but HATE running in it!
Really struggling to keep going.
Might try the two minute fast/slow intervals as suggested above as am losing motivation. Race for Life in two weeks.