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:
ohforfoxsake · 15/07/2013 20:47

Just to add, I find running on grass easier on my (old, knackered) knees.

ohforfoxsake · 15/07/2013 20:46

What time does DH get up? I get up an hour and a half before everyone else. It's cooler and I love that its done and out of the way. Would that work for you?

Forgetfulmog · 15/07/2013 20:30

Everyone's doing really well Smile

I'm not sure what to do - I was able to run early last week as dh was off to look after dd, but he's back at work this week. He gets up early for work so can't ask him to get up any earlier for me to go running & it's just too hot when he comes home. Don't want to have to wait until this weekend though Hmm

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 15/07/2013 19:29

Finally! I have running trousers! Looking forward to wearing them for my next run on Wednesday. Not looking forward to trying to run 25 mins without breaks though!

Managed w6r2 this morning. Was better than w6r1 although certainly tough going. I managed to go earlier this morning as there was just no way I could run in that extreme heat again. Poor DS put in breakfast club so I could run an hour earlier! Goodness knows what I will do come the school holidays but where there's a will there's a way!

Interesting to hear about the painful shins. I seem to be getting painful knees. Does anyone know the best stretch for that? I don't actually do any stretches at the moment as haven't a clue what to do! My knees are not sore until about 12-24 hours after running but after that time they do ache and if I crouch down by bending my legs I can barely get back up!!

OP posts:
MittenKitty · 15/07/2013 17:27

thanks all - I like the quote Worley and its very true

I dont ache - not going fast enough for that obviously! and dont stretch either - but do try to run on the grass.

Well done Fox on week 7 - W6r1 for me tomorrow - early - before work and before the heat.

BIWI · 15/07/2013 16:20

Yep - that's exactly what happened to me. Stretching (not just after your run but several times during the day) really helps. And if necessary, take an extra rest day between runs.

watchingout · 15/07/2013 15:01

Grin Fox!

Thanks for the link BIWI - going to give that a go as I'm getting some shin pain. Saturday morning felt almost bruised Sad

ohforfoxsake · 15/07/2013 09:24

Another vote for Get Running here. I just hold my phone on one hand, dog lead in the other.

I finished my week 7 runs today and can now run for 25 minutes. Being overweight, it truly feels like a small miracle has occurred. Grin

BIWI · 15/07/2013 09:14

No - don't ache. I ache more from the gardening I did during the rest of the day Grin

If your shins are starting to ache, based on my own experience, I would say two things:

  • you should aim to run on softer surfaces rather than harder surfaces, so that the impact/vibration is lower - so the grass will be better

And you will be fine with run 3! Honestly!

worley · 14/07/2013 22:15

Well done mitten and BIWI :) did you ache afterwards? I think my shins are starting to ache a little.. I did w5r2 this evening.. I had to run around the tennis courts as kids playing football on MY the field.. It felt easier to run on ashfelt than the grass though.. Or is it my imagination.

Dreading the w5r3 then on weds!! Arghhh

Oh and just a thought mitten.. A fellow mnetter and friend sent me a thing in Pinterest that says "it doesn't matter how slow you go, you are still lapping every body on the couch" so true :)

llynnnn · 14/07/2013 20:37

Well done BIWI! I'm very impressed especially in this heat :)

Forgetfulmog · 14/07/2013 19:49

Well done all! God it's hot today though!

Tina have you looked on eBay for jogging trousers?

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 14/07/2013 16:00

Well done Mitten & BIWI!!! Fantastic especially in this weather!

Hi to everyone else too. See you for tomorrow's run :-)

OP posts:
BIWI · 14/07/2013 15:51

Mitten - I did Week 5/Run 3 this morning as well!

llynnnn · 14/07/2013 14:58

Hooray! Well done mitten :) doesn't matter how far you did, but the fact you did it and fantastic that it didn't feel too bad! Grin

MittenKitty · 14/07/2013 13:32

hi everyone and well done on managing any exertions in this weather

shame about your trousers Tina, disappointing when they're not what you expected - and I agree with llynn - bound to be the heat that made you feel like that

interesting that w6 can feel hard - i guess its got to keep stretching us or the programme wont work

and as for holiday running - way too hard - when i go to spain in august im thinking of giving myself a swimming programme - x number of circuits of the pool - just to keep some level of fitness - but the running will have to wait in that heat

yesterday i was planning the dreaded w5r3 but my richmond park trip has to be around 4.30 because its before i collect my daughter from working in the stables there and it was just too hot to run - so i just went for a walk instead. beautiful in the park yesterday and surprisingly quiet.

Truth be told i was also very hungover tired yesterday so really not up to it.

So today there was no putting it off and i was off at the crack of 10am. And survived. A very slow speed - distance only 3.2k including warm up/cool down but i did it! Go me. I didnt feel bad at the end - second half was easier than first half so obviously could have gone a bit faster but wasnt sure.

So thanks everyone - reading all your experiences is very motivating. I kept repeating was Eau said - you've trained for this and your body is ready - it makes me laugh to think of what I've done as training but it kept me moving. I feel a bit of a fraud even saying I'm going for a run.

Happy Sunday all and here's to the next week.

llynnnn · 14/07/2013 12:37

Tina, I bet it was the heat, it's so so hot at the moment. Well done for getting through it and I hope it doesn't happens again.

Hi to everyone else and well done on your runs.

Dharma, hope you have a great holiday, don't blame you for not wanting to run while you are away. I like to just stop as much as possible when I'm on my hols!

We have been away for the weekend....far too much food, drink and dancing to contemplate running today! Will get back on the wagon tomorrow for w5 r2!

Original poster
TinaSurrey · 13/07/2013 23:10

Well that was my hardest run yet!! It's a good thing you lot are here because I would not have finished it otherwise. Way way way too hot. I was shattered! Would have thought that having got through the dreaded w5 r3 on Wednesday that 3 short runs would be easy... I was very wrong!

I went at 9.30am. Clearly needed to be MUCH earlier. My chest felt tight afterwards and I felt like I was getting a cough. Only lasted an hour or so but v odd. Would the heat have caused that? I don't know.

Running trousers arrived yesterday and I don't like them. They were expensive Lululemon ones too so I am sending them back. Would have paid that if they had looked and felt fantastic but they didn't!

OP posts:
worley · 13/07/2013 13:36

Scorcher today already... Took dog for walk and ran back .. Too hot to do much else.. Planning in getting up early tomorrow to do w5r2 while its still cooler.. Hopefully!

DharmaLovesDraco · 13/07/2013 08:38

Thanks Mog, we're off to Spain and whilst I don't mind getting up at 6 o clock to go for a run here I don't fancy it on my holiday :)
Week 6 just sounds hard full stop!

Forgetfulmog · 13/07/2013 08:04

Hi dharma Smile

Tbh at w3 you should be fine to carry on where you left off, just take it gently. Where are you going on holiday?

Did w6r1 this morning & found it surprisingly hard! My ankles ached like hell!

Good luck to everyone else Smile

DharmaLovesDraco · 12/07/2013 22:17

I hope you don't mind me butting in, I'm also doing c25k (inspired by this thread)just about to start week 3 so a wee bit behind you all, but I'm going on holiday for two weeks so will I have to restart from the beginning once I'm back? I really don't want to take my trainers with me but don't want a massive setback either.

watchingout · 12/07/2013 21:26

I agree with Mog - I was out at 6.30 this morning and it was beautiful. I find it much easier to go in the morning. Just rewalked this mornings route and it's much harder at the end of the day, even at half the speed. Good luck for tomorrow's runners Smile

Forgetfulmog · 12/07/2013 13:44

If you can mitten go really early - I'm talking 6 am - before it gets that hot!

MittenKitty · 12/07/2013 10:06

forecast is 30 degree for my Richmond Park run tomorrow! - and it's the day I'm meant to do the 20 mins one.....

Swipe left for the next trending thread