Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
Original poster
TinaSurrey · 23/07/2013 21:18

Mr (app expert) Surrey has just looked at my Get Running stats and so I now know which figure is the average speed. So my average speed for running the 25 mins was 6mins 50seconds per km.

So I now know that based on that speed (I can do maths just not iPhone apps!) it would take me about 35 mins to run 5k. Feeling a bit better now as if I complete the programme to 30 mins at current speed I will only have to build up to a further 5 mins running to run 5k.

My wish (and secret plan) is to run 5k at a place that is very special to me on a specific date (that I have booked to go there) so am v pleased that whilst it will by no means be easy it is not a completely unrealistic target!

OP posts:
MittenKitty · 23/07/2013 21:16

Me too BIWI, w6r2 tomorrow. Am aiming for a 6.30 getting up so I can do it before work. Hope endomndo will work this time so I can get the distance but my phone often seems to drop one app if I try to run zen c25k, endomndo and music

Hope everyone else manages to get out this week. It's made me feel much less motivated, being so hot for so long. And an excess of socialising means I'm 3 pounds up so all in all I need to get back on track. Gives self stern talking to, over a couple of pieces of dark chocolate. Whoops!

Forgetfulmog · 23/07/2013 21:12

I know biwi - I am absolutely roasting when I finish! I then have a shower which makes me even more hot - have to stand in front of the fan to cool down!

BIWI · 23/07/2013 20:37

I'm way overdue for my next run - Wk6/R2 - but it's just so bloomin' hot at the moment! For various reasons I haven't been able to get out first thing, and as the heat just doesn't seem to be dying down in the evening I haven't been able to face it.

I was hoping with the storms that the air might clear, but it doesn't seem to be making any difference.

Forgetfulmog · 23/07/2013 20:20

Thanks! Yes I included the walking bits Tina.

I'm not sure if those figures were v accurate though as I did w7r1 today & included the warm up walk (but not the cool down) & did 4.28 km with an av speed of 12min/mile. I'm really not running quickly at all Lynn so don't worry! No idea if I was just going a but crazy last time or what!

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 23/07/2013 18:56

6.1km!!! Blimey! That's really impressive.

Does they include the walking bits

OP posts:
llynnnn · 23/07/2013 17:14

Wow Mog! Thats brilliant and way way faster than I'm running!! Is that in 25 minutes of running too? In my 20 minute run last week, including the walks, I did 3.9km.

Tina - your speed sounds good to me too, faster than I'm going anyway! Pleased you had a good weekend away. thanks for the details about the apps, will have a look at that one for a change!

I haven't been for my run since friday morning and feel like it was ages ago! I wasn't purposely avoiding it, life just got in the way! I'm going this evening anyway now the rain has stopped! W6 R2, i'm coming for you!!

Forgetfulmog · 23/07/2013 06:42

Ok converted mine & it says 3.8 miles is 6.1 km Shock

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 22/07/2013 22:32

It was great, thanks Mog. Shame you hit the wrong pod cast. I liked being parallel with you! I need to get my maths hat on to absorb your stats as mine are set in kilometres not miles!

Taking the advice from someone further up this thread I only logged the actual running today. So I put c25k app on and held the phone in my hand for warm up walk. As it got a few seconds before starting the run I put the Nike app on too. This would be fine if it wasn't so damn fiddly to get the phone into the arm band whilst trying to run! On the plus side it meant that my music only played for the run not the warm up/cool down walks which I prefer. The run was tough but helped so so much by the cooler temp & overcast sky this morning.

So, I have nothing to benchmark this against by my stats for the 25 min run were 3.73 km. 247 calories. Can anyone give me a steer on how bad/good/mediocre this is?

OP posts:
Forgetfulmog · 21/07/2013 19:58

Sounds like a good weekend Tina!

I mistakenly pressed the wrong pod cast this morning so did w6r3 again - mapped it & including the warm up & cool down walks did 4.8 miles & av 7-8 min/mile. No idea if that's good or not! Saw lots of bunnies eating grass while I was out running this morning which cheered me up Smile

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 21/07/2013 19:27

Thanks for the good wishes all and hope everyone else has had a good weekemd. Wonderful wonderful weekend away for my sister in laws 40th! Have been eating and drinking all weekend though. Hoping it won't have undone toooooo much of the last seven weeks diet & running.

Back to it tomorrow morning.

Llynnn - you can't, as far as I know, use the NHS podcasts without their music. It was for that reason I ditched NHS for the "Get Running" app. It cost a couple of pounds but is just as good as the NHS, same programme, similar encouraging voice etc. This allows you to run without any music or with your own songs. I use that as well as free Nike app which measures my run/speed/calories etc. Well done on your w6r1. Horrid when you have a bad run but I bet you will feel way better with tomorrows one.

OP posts:
llynnnn · 20/07/2013 10:23

I start the 'map my run' app on my iPhone, then start the nhs podcast. Every so often the map my run voice pops up telling me how far/fast (slow!!) I've done. I don't mind the nhs music, it does fit well with the running rhythm, but would be nice to have another option?

worley · 20/07/2013 04:08

Llynnn.. Are you doing the get running as well as the nhs one ? Or is there a separate pod cast for the nhs one also..
Meant to have a thunder storm and rain weds so maybe I'll get some sleep then ...

llynnnn · 19/07/2013 23:36

I've just been listening to the nhs podcast, so Laura and the music that comes with that. Is it possible to have it without the music or so I can have my own tunes on?

BIWI that is impressive, brilliant! Do you feel like you are running quickly to get that far? I feel like I'm very lightly jogging at the mo, only slightly quicker than walking speed!

Worley hope you do manage to get out, but I don't think there's any way I could get through them after a sleepless night! Hope you are fast asleep now so you feel energised for the morning Smile

Tina hope you have a great weekend away!

I did w6 r1 early this morning. Found it the hardest one so far! Not sure why but its the first time I've thought about giving in and walking before I should. I got through it though and fingers crossed Monday will be better! Maybe I was just shattered at the end of a busy week or I can blame the heat!

BIWI · 19/07/2013 22:45

Tina - my 3rd run of week 9 was 5.01km (first time around! I'm fascinated to see what it will be second time around)

watchingout · 19/07/2013 21:59

I've been listening to Simon Mayo's confessions podcasts but I did spend a bit of time today hunting out playlists on t'internet. Haven't listened to them yet as I need to nick a child's Spotify but will link if they are any good and if I can remember how

worley · 19/07/2013 21:54

Well done llynnn!! I still havnt made it to the w5 r3! :( :( had too many sleepless nights in the heat this week and am so tired. Thankfully it's end of term next week and no more school things to go to.. In missing it though.. Been 4 days now with nothing :( I went for a walk and the heat was too much it really made me start wheezing..
I need a massive kick up the bum to get on it tomorrow morning when it's still cool!!

MittenKitty · 19/07/2013 21:38

Fox I use a bum bag. It Takes a water bottle as well. And as I'm ancient as well as large, I have music going from blondie, billy Joel, talking heads, lady gaga, scissor sisters, beautiful south. Not all of which are ideal but it was a matter of what I could get from computer to phone. I would love to find a whole list of songs with the right beat for running.

Tina, forgetful and fox i am v impressed with your progress. I'm repeating w6 r1 a few times. App seems to not register I've done it and I'm in no rush todo anything harder. As long as I'm out 3 times a week doing stuff for 40 mins or so that's good for me.

Next go is Sunday. Will need to get up early.

Happy running.

Ihavencforthis · 19/07/2013 19:52

.

Forgetfulmog · 19/07/2013 19:48

Fox - I put my iPhone in my trouser pocket - do have an armband but was worried about having my phone on show (don't live in a particularly naice area)

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 19/07/2013 18:42

W7r1 done this morning. Was too hot again. Shouldn't have spent so long fiddling about. Ended up going at 8.45am when I should have been out an hour earlier really.

Fox - I have my iPhone in an armband. It was my partner's that he gave me. It's really good, very adjustable and extremely comfortable.

OP posts:
ohforfoxsake · 19/07/2013 12:07

oh and I've been meaning to ask - what do you do with your ipod? armband or bumbag? any recommendations?

ohforfoxsake · 19/07/2013 12:06

I did W8r2 this morning. It was way too warm at 10am when I started to run.

I think once you get to running 15 minutes straight, you really want to get through the next 10 or 13 so you keep going.

I'm looking forward to being able to get out earlier on Sunday for the last run of the week so I don't have to do it in the heat. I can't believe I'm typing that.

What does everyone listen to while running? I am embarrassed to admit to a bit of Girls Aloud for running purposes only. Blush

Forgetfulmog · 19/07/2013 07:38

Watching not working, sorry!

Forgetfulmog · 19/07/2013 07:37

Did w6r2 this morning - glad I was able to go early as I was still sweating like a pig so god knows what it would have been like if it had been later!

Ooh weekend away workingout - where are you going?