Couch to 5k - just started! Help with podcasts, iphone apps and timing please.

Well I did wk2 r2, first time id been out running since being ill. Was ok actually; I then felt justified in eating cake & custard for pudding

Oops. Feeling a bit of an idiot. Have had a cold or a week, feeling a bit fed up and in bed a bit too much so decided to go out and face week 2 ...

First run fab and felt the walking break was quite long, but aware chest was a bit tight. Thought it must be because of my cold and made it through run 2 and 3. At which point I realisedmy asthma was playing up. In sure stubborness I tried run 4 and full blown asthma attack. Oops. Not had one of those in years. Had to text husband who had to get in car with kids to come with inhaler and scoop me up from side of road.

I feel stupid.

Brillig I'd give it a go if you can - do it really slowly but try and do it. i think we're all on here because we're easily put off doing this kind of thing and we shouldn't always listen to ourselves! Unless you're really poorly of course in which case ignore me!

Ophelia your run with the kids etc sounds great - good way to get everyone outside.

Frax the breathing tips sound useful but like Tina I struggle - if i breathe in through my nose it never seems quite enough air so i go for the inelegant mouth open approach - to go with the red face. Will try again. Well done on making it out for your run - do try and get an app, it really helps to just listen to it on headphones - much easier to keep to the timings.

I did wk 4 run 1 on Saturday - killed my legs - hobbled about a bit yesterday but I just about managed it which is truly amazing as haven't run in years and years. i take it very slowly, 'running' is not an accurate description, but the difference in what I can do now compared to 5 or 6 weeks ago when i started is amazing. Amazing to me anyway - still looks rubbish to the young gazelles sprinting past me in the park but I'm sticking with it as it seems to be helping with the diet as well.

I hope we can all fit some 'runs' in this week - harder when there's work involved...

Not sure whether to wait until I'm 100per cent or have a go. I might see how it goes. I've got a long way to go so happy to repeat a few days (weeks) if necessary!

I have just done w1r1, and I think it was a good starting point for me. I didn't manage to download an app, and I had difficulties sticking exactly to the timings, what with kids coming off their scooters, going off down the wrong (hilly) path, and cyclists stopping me to ask for directions!

I think 9am on a weekday morning is going to go much better! Need to find a third day in the week though.

'twas brillig..... Is there any way you could start out doing w2r1, and if it's too much, switch half way to w1r4? Or is the kind of defeatist attitude.... Planning for failure, that has got me unfit?

Not sure what to suggest, but if you have had a cold, it's not a great idea to push yourself too much IMO.

I've had a cold and no sleep and got behind with myself (the eating went to pot too :-()

Want to do wk 2 run 1 later but having had time out I don't know how it will go. We will see!

Hi Tina, it depends on your fitness. If its 2 steps per breath that you can manage, that's what you stick too. As you get fitter, I think you might be able to extend it.

Am getting ready for run. Have decided kids can scoot ahead. Now need to download app onto galaxy... No headphones though?

Week 2 run 1 tomorrow... A little aprehensive.. I too had a look forward at the other runs and am scared !!!

I did week 1 run 3 today, and it was definitely easier than runs 1 and 2. We even made it a family event, DH and the kids came out and cycled/scooted up and down the cycle path while I ran. I kept changing direction so I didn't leave them behind, but it was quite good fun getting everyone involved.

DD is normally a bit of a lazybones, but today she scooted for the whole time I was running, so I'll definitely be taking her with me again!

Hi everyone, I am really impressed with all your posts! I have decided to do c25k, as my dc are now old enough to be left alone in the house for half an hour.

I am terribly unfit, and definitely need a programme to follow.

As young woman, I has a boyfriend who was a personal trainer for a while, and he taught me to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, in rythmn with your steps.

I found this helped immensely, and I hope it helps you too, tina.

My first run will be on Sunday. I will report back....

Week 4? Wow [mitten] I'm in awe of you!

Yes I ran and sang for about 15 seconds of each run, before I reverted to gasping and turning a very fetching shade of bright red . the only good thing is I run on a cycle path, so the only people passing are also either exercising or dog walking, so often look equally glamourous

Ophelia, at least it was a cyclist overtaking you. I find it hard to keep in front of anyone!
And Tina honestly 90 secs to 3 minutes seems to have happened okay. I really wouldn't have thought it but I can do it, and I think what im doing now is closer to jogging rather than the sort of shuffle I did to start with. So go on, give it a go, you might surprise yourself

I'm thinking of doing week 4 tomorrow which seems to involve 5 minutes. Not feeling quite as confident......

Do you have iTunes, Tina?

Thanks everyone, I'm pleased to hear there are fewer runs and longer rest sections, which is encouraging.

I ordered some running trousers and an armband for my ipod and they've just arrived, so I'm really keen to get out there and try them. I'm a bit disappointed that it's my rest day today, and looking forward to tomorrow.

I created a playlist of my own, just picking stuff I like which has a fast tempo, that helped last night as I was running along singing out loud until a cyclist overtook me with a very bemused look.

You will be ready Ophelia - i had done no running of any kind and am very overweight but I managed week 1 to week 2 okay. Week 2 I did 5 times before I moved onto week 3 and I'm going to do the same with week 3 - have done 4 so far.

Somebody on one of these threads earlier said 'trust the programme' and i think that's right - it does work - it's just if you're super fat you may need a tiny bit longer at some stages.

I'm loving it - but struggling to get the music sorted. i use the Zen c25k on a HTC Desire phone and can't work out how to download the NHS podcasts which I think have music with them? So would like some other source of free, exercise conducive, music - i tried radio but it kept cutting out. Ideally I want a nice playlist of 80s classics - any idea where I can get it - looked on google play on the phone but what they called exercise music was all people I hadn't heard of. Any ideas?

Ophelia - you will absolutely be ready!

Oh Tinawell done! I've done 2 week1 runs, and I'm sure I won't be ready for week 2 after one more run. Is week 2 a lot tougher than week 1?

Well done Tina!

My plans to start running again have been scuppered - I've come down with a cold

Brilliant, Tina!