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Original poster

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

438 replies

TinaSurrey · 07/06/2013 14:33

Hi all, Hoping this is the correct place to post.

I have just done my 2nd Couch to 5k "run" from week one. The 1st time I went i timed myself using the clock on my phone so I knew when to run, when to walk etc but it was far from ideal. I used the Nike app to track my run and loved the fact it told me how far I had covered, average speed and calories burnt.

This time I had worked out how to get the NHS podcast on my iphone and played that and followed Laura's instructions which was much easier.

Questions are...
Can I make the podcast play AND monitor my run on the Nike app at the same time and if so how? I couldn't find a way to do it. Secondly, is there an alternative podcast without the music. Laura was great but I'd prefer silence in between her instructions rather than their music. Finally if you are running using the podcast how do you know when to turn round (at the half way point) as I expected Laura to tell me when it was half way but she didn't so I ended up too far away from my car before I realised I should have turned round!

I am determind to do this having not done any exercise to speak of ever!

OP posts:
worley · 11/08/2013 02:27

Opps posted to soon..

I think the heat is getting too much also and it's such an effort at moment. I enjoy it while going it though its just getting going.. I have my music though.. Have stared that the past couple of week. That did make a difference :)

Mog I couldn't do this without a decent sleep so your doing so well ! :)

worley · 11/08/2013 02:24

In not quite brave enough to do a full fun on the pavement yet.. Would still like to Lose weight before attempting it in light.. Plus I need to find a decent sports bra.. As self conscious of my bust wobbling around !!

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 10/08/2013 23:06

Well done Worley. You are going great guns! You are not going to lose the will now - no way! You are two thirds of the way through this. Can you make any changes to distract you for a couple of runs? Add music, different music, new place to run, anyone who would run with you? Whatever you can think of really!

Mog - you are running for 28 MINUTES!! Could you even believe you'd be saying that a couple of months ago? You are also doing this with a tiny person zapping your sleep and energy! It would be a little strange if you weren't struggling BUT you are doing it with bells on. We will be scoffing Pom Bears at our graduation party before you know it!

OP posts:
Forgetfulmog · 10/08/2013 10:10

Yes Worley! I'm really struggling with the 28 min runs! My speed is shockingly slow too!

worley · 10/08/2013 09:55

Week6 run 2done.. 25 mins next run.
Has anyone got this far and lost the will?

I found a rabbit hole on field and wrung my ankle over today.. It's now throbbing so hoping its ok..

worley · 08/08/2013 17:48

Steets - streets!!

worley · 08/08/2013 17:48

Autocorrect on phone!!! Sean = run!!

I just tried to take the dog with me and gave up as he was constantly tripping me up or wanting to sniff and stopping abruptly.. I did mange two miles in 20 minutes though so quite good.. This I've worked out that when I do my proper running along the steets it will be approximately two and a but circuits of the village :)

will go by myself in the morning!

MittenKitty · 08/08/2013 14:01

Sean - ing sounds interesting - should we all try? Grin

i got waylaid this morning due to feeling a tad hungover - so will run tomorrow morning.

Sending good wishes to Tina's knees - hopefully your plan will all work out

worley · 08/08/2013 13:41

hope it's sorted Tina .. Definitely keep checking in :)

I Sean yesterday instead of running but aiming to do run tonight after all errands after work :)

Forgetfulmog · 08/08/2013 07:51

Oh Tina, I'm glad you've got the correct shoes, but that's a bugger about your knees! Make sure you relax & get them better. You've done so well to get this far so don't get despondent - you'll be running again before you know it!

BIWI · 07/08/2013 22:28

Glad you've got it sorted, Tina - and hope your knees recover soon.

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 07/08/2013 20:18

Hi all,
So, having waited for podiatrist to get back from holiday he calls yesterday and tells me its £250 for the analysis and inserts! Damn. I know I want this sorted but £250!!

So after feeling very deflated for a while I came up with another plan of action. The gym/sports centre recommended a running shop and I booked an appointment there for today. They offer analysis and inserts for £55 or analysis for £10 (free if you buy shoes). They were great. Turns out the £45 trainers Sports Direct sold me were trail shoes with minimum level of cushioning as not designed for road running. They also said that I over pronate slightly. I was with them ages and (as I had never run on a treadmill before) they had me running outside in the street and observed me doing that which was great. I bought new trainers (£95) that have highest level of cushioning and correct the over pronation. I have been told that I must let my knees improve before running again but to wear the trainers round the house in the meantime.

I've canceled my plans (hotel booking) to do my 5k next week and won't be doing the last two runs of c25k until there is an improvement. (I have had 4 rest days already & knees still hurt). When there is I will re-start in the new shoes and hope (very much) that I can continue without injury.

So near yet so far. I will stay on the thread and read your messages and let you know as soon as I'm able to run again. I've rebooked the hotel for the 5k target run for 27 Aug but will cancel again if I have to. Lets hope not!

Keep running for me :-)

OP posts:
Forgetfulmog · 06/08/2013 21:15

Um well I think my Nike app went a bit wrong earlier - went for my run & it informed me that I had run a mile after 3 minutes Blush. I could obviously give Hussein Bolt a run for his money Grin (sorry, couldn't resist..)

MittenKitty · 06/08/2013 17:55

Hi everyone, well done on some great runs! And Tina, poor you - really do hope it all gets sorted out - so frustrating for you! The ice pack things you put in the freezer and then mould to your knee when you take them out worked for me but i dont think I had the problems you have. Hopefullythe trainer will be full of good advice

I'm really impressed with all this talk of actually doing 5k runs and being near the end of the programme. I'm happy to keep going at w6r2 for quite some time - got up to 3.8k this morning - so making slow progress - I'm no match for you sprinter types. Might be vaguely connected to the many stone I'm lugging around with me so trying to focus on that for the all too few days before holiday.

And Mog it's very definitely easier when they're older - but dont wish the days away - it all goes far too fast really.

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 05/08/2013 23:24

Hi Mog thanks for your message & the well done. Not finished c25k yet. Wk 9 runs 2 & 3 to go. I have been forced to cut right back (should probably be stopping running altogether if truth be told) due to knees being so bad. I am taking 3 rest days in between runs so as I ran Sat the next will be Wednesday.

Spoke to the girl at the local gym/sports centre today and they should be able to do a couple of sessions to check on/re-educate my running style and teach me some stretches & exercises to help. They have taken my details & are getting a personal trainer to contact me. Podiatrist hopefully will call tomorrow as she is back from hol. I can't believe how much I am missing the every other day running. I was so proud of myself for sticking religiously to the plan (never did less than 3 times a week since wk1 ) having never never exercised before and now I can only do a run if I kill my knees and rattle with Nurofen!!

I am determined to sort it and also desperate to make my 5k run I have arranged for Thurs next week! I should have been graduating tomorrow with 9 days to build up from 30 mins to 5k!

Big well done on your 28 mins - that counts as at least double that when done on a 4am start to the day!

Worley a day early! That was just like me. I often pressed the "run anyway" when the app told me I should have 2 days off not one! It's a great feeling being so motivated. Can't believe you did 4.6k!! I have only just hit 4.5 by running 30 mins! My average speed is 7 or a fraction under but it's a push to maintain that pace let alone faster. I think to get to 5k I will simply need to run for longer. 35+ mins.

BIWI thanks for info re gait and shoes. I bought a pair of Nike running trainers (£50) when I started c25k but the sports shops didn't mention gait. I went to three! Wish I'd known then what I know now. Those trainers have always felt incredibly comfortable but who knows. I hope the podiatrist will make the inserts that I can put in those trainers and move to future shoes but if I need to replace the trainers to sort this I will. If I don't sort it that's the end of running for me which I won't accept without a fight first!!

Can't believe it's 11.30pm. I should be asleep. Child free time so treasured (much as I love their company) in the school holidays that I stretch my evenings out for far too long! Night all ;-)

OP posts:
Forgetfulmog · 05/08/2013 20:17

4.6k Shock! What are you doing, sprinting?! Fantastic results Worley!

worley · 05/08/2013 20:08

Started week 6 run 1 today, a day early but itching to get going. Did 4.6k today,, was abit harder as had both ds with me and actually ran around the village on the path! A first for me as stuck to the community centre field.. However Was easier compared to the 20 mins.. But then w6r3 is 23 mins :)

Forgetfulmog · 04/08/2013 20:01

I hope so Worley!

BIWI · 04/08/2013 18:52

Tina - I had my gait analysed, and bought some tailor-made insoles for my shoes. They cost £45. I spent another £100 Shock on the running shoes - but I would guess that having the insoles is probably more important, and I would imagine (although I'm obviously no expert!) that you could buy running shoes for a lot less than £100.

The other tip I was given - too late for me! - was to take the advice of the shop re brand/model of shoe, try them on and make sure they work for you - and then buy them online, as it will be cheaper.

worley · 04/08/2013 17:44

Well done mog!! 28 minutes!! I'm aching from yesterday.. Can feel it in my hips today.

Bless your dd getting up at 4.. it's so much easier when their bigger :)

Forgetfulmog · 04/08/2013 07:19

I did it! Bloody knackered now though so if you'll excuse me, I'm off to eat some homemade soda bread for breakfast Smile

Worley she's 10 mo & the little monkey got me up at 4 this morning Sad

worley · 03/08/2013 22:43

Tina.. A friend had their gait analysis done and said it was worth it.. She also brought a pair of trainers for £125!!!! but her knees have stopped aching since. I don't think I could bring myself to spend that amount of money though on trainers..

Mog.. How old is your little one? I found it hard when I wasn't sleeping a while ago so let alone not sleeping and bf still. Although when I was bf I was going to gym while on mat leave and couldn't really run or do the stair thing as it hurt my norks if I got too energetic.. (Made me realise I've probably been on mn every day for the past 7 years thinking about this)

Forgetfulmog · 03/08/2013 21:12

Amazing results though Tina, well done! Yes, you really do need to get your gait sorted as you don't want it to lead to any problems in the future.

Have you technically finished c25k now then?

Forgetfulmog · 03/08/2013 21:03

Awww thanks Tina Smile. Have a Wine. Oh & damn you for mentioning biscuits cos now I really fancy some Smile.

Sorry to hear about that - maybe you should tell us what happened so we can slag her (him?) off & give you lots of tips for put downs if he/she dares to hurt you again Wink.

Echo everyone else in saying well done Worley - I bet you never thought when you started c25k that you'd be running for 20 mins non stop!

Hopefully going to attempt w8r1 again tomorrow morning...

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 03/08/2013 20:58

moment.

Thanks to you all so much for the kind words, good wishes & good advice. I took the extra rest day & knees much improved by this morning so I did w9r1 - yay my first 30 minute run ( 4.4kms.) today.

Knees were fine when running but not good afterwards and top of one foot not great either. I made sure i came straight back & sat with legs elevated & ice on for good 20 mins. Doing the same again with ice & elevation this eve before bed.

We have decided to ask at local gym about whether there is a personal trainer who could do one or two sessions for me to help adjust my running style & guide me through the stretching exercises so I learn them correctly. Mr Surrey (and the sprogs) came out with me this morning & he said that my feet turn out as I run and that maybe a factor. So plan is gait analysis with podiatrist (hoping this week as she's back from hol on Tue) and investigate personal trainer this week too!

Sounds a bit excessive but I feel flipin' cheated that having finally got off my back side and commited to something I am now hobbling about like some old dear! I am hoping if I invest a bit now that I can get this sorted and have many more runs ahead.

OP posts: