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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:
watchingout · 18/07/2013 23:06

Tina , I dropped off the measuring off the complete distance at w6r3 as from then on, I think, its just running with no walking breaks.

So now in week 7, I'm just measuring the distance run. Except my bloody app keeps going wrong Angry but I know how long (time) I'm doing and just plot the route once home at work

I think you will get to the 5k - still a bit of time left and I bet w9r3 will be a personal record-breaker!!

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 18/07/2013 21:43

I was also thinking about what comes next Fox. The defined structure to this programme has been everything to me.

I don't think I will be at 5k by the end of it as I don't think I will cover 5k with 30 mins running especially if I exclude the warm up & cool down walks. So I was thinking when I finish week 9 I would use the next X weeks to get up to running 5k (although not sure how long that would take.)

If and when I make 5k not sure what to do next.

Currently my distance is logged from the start to finish so includes the walks? Should I start holding off activating the measuring app (I use Nike app) until I start the actual running?

Those of you who have finished c25k (having not run before the programme) - what distance were you on at 30 mins by end of week 9?

Rest day for me today. Due to do w7r1 tomorrow or Saturday. I'd like to get it done tomorrow as we go away for the weekend on Saturday morning. Need to drag myself out early to beat the heat though!!

OP posts:
llynnnn · 18/07/2013 14:54

I have wondered what comes next, but wonder how long the sessions are to complete 10km. I'm not sure I can escape the house for more than 45 minutes at a time, regularly enough to keep it up! Definitely don't feel like I want to stop running and yes I do love following a plan to keep me going...

ohforfoxsake · 18/07/2013 13:44

Is anyone planning to extend this to 10k? I am just wondering what to do next as if I don't have a plan I might end up slacking off.

llynnnn · 18/07/2013 13:22

Wow it's hot today! Pleased its my rest day today, hoping for a cooler day tomorrow for starting w6!

Well done to every one else, we are all doing so well to keep it up Grin

Forgetfulmog · 17/07/2013 18:34

Thanks Tina! I went at 4.30 & stuck to the shade. Was bloody hot when I finished though! That's w6r2 done now - found it really really hard going at first as my thighs ached but soon got into the stride of things!

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 17/07/2013 17:14

Good luck Mog. Do wait until it cools down. It made such a difference to me going ahead of the heat today.

OP posts:
Forgetfulmog · 17/07/2013 14:25

Well done Tina! & everyone else too!

Ok I think I'm going to brave w6r2 when dh gets home later. Wish me luck!

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 17/07/2013 11:55

Well done Llynnn! Way to go girl!! Hope your legs have returned to normal now. Have a great day :-)

Thanks for the stretches link BIWI. I will try those. Meant to this morning but forgot. Perhaps I should try your supplements too. Just want to make sure I don't injure myself or end up with knees so sore it scuppers the chance of progress.

Sorry to hear about the dog Fox. Sounds like a fab result for you today especially after such a late night.

Had my first good nights sleep in a while last night and got up to run early to avoid the heat. New running trousers on, tunes on the iPhone and I ran 25 mins (wk6r3) before 8am. Happy me today. I can honestly say it was my favourite run yet. I sat down to have a look at the weeks ahead whilst I was eating my breakfast after the school run. All of the remaining runs are straight running - no more walking breaks. I was actually pleased! I used to live for the walking breaks and here is me wishing them gone!! What HAS happened! Shock Grin

OP posts:
BIWI · 17/07/2013 11:19

I've heard people talk about using anti-perspirant, OFFS.

ohforfoxsake · 17/07/2013 11:11

Well done Llynnn! It seems quite daunting doesn't it, but it is all completely manageable once you've made a start.

I now have to change my running plan as the dog has discovered a way into the locked bowling green. It took me an hour to get him back, he was a complete git and would not come back. So it took me a total of two hours, and I nearly missed the school run. I did wk8, run 1, 28 minutes, which considering I went out last night, drank beer and went to bed at 1am, I'm pretty pleased with.

On a more sensitive note, any remedies for chafed (sp?) thighs?

BIWI · 17/07/2013 10:15

Brilliant llynnn!

Where I run there are lots of magpies. I hate it when I set off and see a single one. Have to see if I can spot a second one asap Grin

llynnnn · 17/07/2013 10:09

I did it!! Grin It was ok, but seemed loooong! And my legs were like jelly during the cool down walk!! But...I did it!! A black cat walked straight across my path about 7minutes in, so I spent a good couple of minutes debating with myself whether that was lucky or not!! It certainly distracted me and passed a bit of time haha! Blush

Hope everyone else is well on this boiling hot morning

MittenKitty · 16/07/2013 23:37

Go for it Worley and llynn. It's all so much harder with weather to consider as well as children. Mine is teenage so she' s not an issue but work s an inconvenience. So keep it up chaps, any progress is good progress. And as long as we can do something, every now and then, I reckon it helps.

Something is better than nothing. And we fit it in when we can. But we don't give it up.

llynnnn · 16/07/2013 19:31

Haha good luck Worley, don't blame you for not doing it after a restless night. Your poor ds, hope he sleeps better tonight.

I wish we lived within walking distance of a nice park. We have a wooded area 5 mins walk away but I wouldn't dare run in it alone!! Hmm

worley · 16/07/2013 17:43

Llynnn I was planning on doing it this morning.. But ds2 was up at 3am as he as scared of the dark.. And took me ages to fall asleep again.. So by time my 6 am alarm was going I just couldn't get up.. No time to so it now as off to meet someone but I WILL DO IT TOMORROW MORNING :) !! Pinky promise..

so I'll think of you at 6am too llynnn

ohforfoxsake · 16/07/2013 17:43

Tina, I walk with the dog for half an hour to a park, run round it 5 times and do the walk home again.

Tomorrow morning I shall get up at 6.15 and go. But tonight I shall be drinking beer in a beer garden.

BIWI · 16/07/2013 15:34

Tina

When I very first started I had sore knees. I bought some Regenovex from Boots - a supplement that's supposed to help with synovial fluid behind the knee. It seemed to help - at least I don't have it now!

llynnnn · 16/07/2013 15:11

Hi

I completed w5 r2 yesterday, was ok actually. I took it very slowly until laura said 1 minute to go, then i pushed myself to run a little faster. The dreaded w5r3 tomorrow morning!! arrrgh! Are you still planning it for tomorrow too Worley? We can get through it together ;)

Mog - I've been going out either at 6am or when dh comes home at around 7.30pm. I find it slightly easier to run in the evenings, I feel more awake and with it and it hasn't been too hot!

Tina - hooray for your new trousers! I find I start to ache a good few hours after the run too. I do some basic stretches when I get back but thats all!

Well done Fox, 25 minutes still feels impossible to me at the moment :)

Forgetfulmog · 16/07/2013 07:30

Watching - yes she does but I cat really push & run on a bumpy playing field. Gaah!

I'll see how hot it is when dh comes home from work

Tina - did you do w6r2? How was it?

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 15/07/2013 23:28

We need a rota, to all look after each others children so we can keep running through the holidays!

Not sure where I could find enough grass to run 4k? Where do you run on grass - up & down the park? My knees are now getting sore from this mornings run. It's not agony but I'd just like to know I am not doing them harm?!

OP posts:
watchingout · 15/07/2013 21:49

Does your DD still go in a buggy? Can you run and push use it as a prop at the same time?

Forgetfulmog · 15/07/2013 21:11

Yeah that's the only other option. Trouble is its not that much cooler in the eve!

Kids eh?! They make us fat through pregnancy etc & then just get in the way of us exercising Grin

ohforfoxsake · 15/07/2013 20:57

Hmm, yes, you can be let off the early start then Grin

What time does he get back? An evening run maybe?

Not sure what I'll do in the school holidays, especially when DH isn't here. Really don't want to give up.

Forgetfulmog · 15/07/2013 20:53

5.50 so he really can't get up any earlier. Should add that we co-sleep as dd won't sleep in her cot & she wakes up if I get out of bed so can't go in the morning Hmm