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Original poster

Anyone fancy starting Couch to 5K on Monday 5th Aug?

690 replies

workatemylife · 30/07/2013 10:39

I have not run for YEARS. In the last 18 months I have lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise (walking), and, it would appear, breastfeeding. But I'm back at work, LO isn't drinking me dry any more, my diet is not all that it could be, and the weight is sneaking back on. I don't have the opportunity for long buggy walks with a gurgling baby to toddler groups and playparks, but I do try to cycle to work to get a bit of exercise, although probably not enough. A couple of friends do Park Run eack weekend and I'd love to join them, but at the moment I suspect it would be Park Huff and Puff before Collapsing rather than actually a RUN .

I'm planning to start a C25K plan on Monday next week, and would love some (virtual) run buddies until I feel brave / fit enough to run with real people as well. I've seen some positive comments about the plan on here, although I think I'm still a little about whether it is possible to progress like that through the weeks and actually get as far as a 5K. Still nothing ventured nothing gained.

I have running shoes somewhere at the back of the wardrobe, but might need to invest in some suitable clothing, and have a weekend of overindulgence lined up. So Monday is the day I think. First Monday of the month, and counting. I'll put a big ring around a late Sept Park Run on the calendar and start counting.....

Anyone care to join me?

OP posts:

Tinwe · 17/09/2013 20:10

Working - I understand about proving something to someone with the running. My mum is still in shock that I'm doing this! The main motivating event for me at the moment though is a wedding in October with guests who won't have seen me in the last 18 long, child birth and rearing years

Tinwe · 17/09/2013 20:06

Working - pilates is great. Tried it once before and didn't like it but this time I think it really compliments the running as it's kind of relaxing but also makes muscles sore the next day

Good to have you carrying on, it's good to have a run buddy/pace maker

Tinwe · 17/09/2013 20:02

Lurking - exciting re your real 5k. Is it for charity?

Tinwe · 17/09/2013 20:01

Lurking - your plan goes 30mins, 30 mins, 30 mins, 45 mins, 60 mins! Those are big jumps! Is the 60 second run the one you graduate on your birthday on? You won't have much energy left to party!

Well done on the jeans, maybe you'll need to get new (smaller) ones for your birthday

lurkingfromhome · 17/09/2013 17:52

Two things, today:

(1) I wore jeans I haven't worn for several months. They are definitely looser.

(2) I registered to do a proper 5K in December. Since I am rubbish at sticking to things inless I have a goal, I thought I'd better get one in place for after the programme ends, just to make sure I don't give up. By that time, of course, a 5K should be a breeze

Original poster

workatemylife · 17/09/2013 11:12

tinwe Hope the ankle really is better today. And you're absolutely not slacking off by having a rest day - I think the NHS plan is for three runs each week, so there must be a two day break somewhere. I've not always taken it, and I think you've been doing the same, but a decent gap between runs might help your ankle heal. How was the Pilates? I did a class a while back (for new mums, so quite gentle) but I never practiced at home. It was nice 'me time' though.

No stats from me today lurking. I should be out again tomorrow though, and Tinwe might have some figures for you later!

tinwe I'm not classing myself as a 'graduate' yet. I did one run yesterday that lasted about 90 seconds longer than the run in the C25K plan, but I don't think that really counts as finishing it. In theory I still have the best part of two weeks to do - this week doing week 8 and next week doing week 9. The big decision is whether to think about a Park Run after that. A family member laughed out loud earlier in the year at the idea of me running anything more than a bath - and they usually do the Park Run with DH on the last Saturday of the month. I would love to turn up casually in a pair of trainers and put in a sub-30 time to prove the point. But maybe that can wait till October. I'll see how the next week or so goes.

Good luck to all of you who are out today. We're putting in some good distances now, however daunting the plans seem.

OP posts:

lurkingfromhome · 17/09/2013 08:05

Well done harry! Yep, looking back, I think week 3 is when it begins to get interesting, and it's definitely easier in some ways to just keep running rather than have to start running several times in the course of the 30 mins. Remember we want stats, though

tinwe - quite right to take an extra rest day. Your ankle will thank you for it and one more day won't hurt. How amazing that you're thinking ahead to graduating in less than two weeks. Any idea what you'll do after that?

I just calculated that if I keep running every other day I'll be graduating on my 46th birthday. How cool is that? Goodness, I can't believe I'm going to be 46; it looks very old written down when I feel a good two decades younger. Good thing I'm keeping myself svelte and youthful with all this running, eh?

And yes, was thinking that this running into the wind/in the rain etc is sadly going to be the norm for the next six months, most probably, so I'd better get used to it. I'm already a bit aghast at the thought of not being able to run because the pavements are too frosty. It was coold yesterday when I was out and I felt really chilly until I started running. I think I may have to invest in some winter running gear.

At the end of my plan, there are three separate 30-minute runs, a 45-minuter, a 60-minuter and a custom distance run (you choose the distance and the app tells you when you've got that far). I think I'll do the 30-minuters for a week then will find a 5k improver app to try to get my speed up.

Who's going out today? We need some stats to pore over.

Tinwe · 16/09/2013 23:01

I was due to run again today but for the first time I broke the plan with an extra rest day. I'd already booked a Pilates class and didn't want to do that AND a run while I'm still recovering. My foot/ankle is still sore when I put pressure through it (stairs, tip toes etc) and my back is pretty much better but I can still feel it at times. Should be ok to run tomorrow.

Feeling bad that I've slacked off, especially since I really want to finish the 9 weeks programme by a week on Friday (before DH goes off on a stag do and I have no child care while I run). I know it was the sensible choice though

Tinwe · 16/09/2013 22:55

Lurking - been meaning to say well done your SIL for getting up again during her race! Very impressive (and the running of course)

Tinwe · 16/09/2013 22:47

Dotty- good point re the British weather. My mum pointed out that I'll have long periods in winter when I won't be able to run because of ice. That seems strange now I've got used to it

Tinwe · 16/09/2013 22:43

Well done Workate! ?? You jumped 3 weeks of the plan!!!! Are you going to go back now or just consider yourself graduated?

Tinwe · 16/09/2013 22:38

Glad to be of service Harry! Well done on completing week 2, this is when it gets really interesting. I think most of us agree that less starting and stopping actually feels easier, although adding the extra running to that doesn't make it feel any easier overall!

Tinwe · 16/09/2013 22:34

Well done Lurking! You're 2/3 of the way to the 30 minute run (and end of your programme or is there a week 9) now then!

You shouldn't underestimate the wind resistance either

harryhausen · 16/09/2013 20:33

Tinwe, thanks so much for the tip about the MapmyRun app. I've just finished my 2 week of runs with c25k and with the MapmyRun I found out I burned 480 calories! Also, all the stats about time and pace etc were really interesting.

Thanks everyone. Onto week 3.

slev · 16/09/2013 15:01

Lots of congratulations all round. workate for actually doing what we've all signed up for and running 5k, dotty for becoming a "Proper Runner" and lurking for completing another week. We're all doing amazingly well considering where we were a only a month or so ago!

lurking I actually think I prefer the way your app builds it up. Don't know why mine gets me all geared up to run 20 minutes straight and then next run takes me back down to nothing longer than 8 minutes, seems a step backwards. Am quite looking forward to finishing W6 so that it's getting back to one long run and then just pushing it a bit longer each time.

Although most of all I'm just looking forward to getting out there again - funny how easily it becomes a habit. Bring on Saturday (and not just 'cos DH will be home then!). Just hope what everyone else has said is right and a week off doesn't affect things too much. at all of you cracking on through the plan - I'm going to be last...

lurkingfromhome · 16/09/2013 14:38

Oh my goodness!

That is amazing! What an absolutely fantastic achievement. I am so delighted for you! And there you were thinking it would take you weeks after the programme ended to be able to do 5K in 30 mins. I think we can safely say you will have to set yourself some new goals

So pleased our thread has its first Proper 5K Runner. If that's not inspirational I don't know what is ...

Original poster

workatemylife · 16/09/2013 14:14

I went out this morning for week 8 run 1. I did what I had wondered about doing last week after the strange calculations that 'mapmyrun' had done on my last run of week 7, and thought I would test out the distance covered by using my local Park Run course - not on a Saturday when there would be runners there, but on a Monday morning when it was just me and the dog walkers.

I did some of the earlier runs in the plan there, in about week 3 or 4 I think, and I remember running around one side of the park and then being really relieved that it was time for a walk break. It was great to measure progress today though - jogging that side of the park was hardly any effort, which was really proof that the plan has been working.

But now a bit of a confession. I was meant to be on a 28 minute run today, with a warm-up and warm down. It was quite hard in the middle sections (still not getting that 'I love running vibe'), but then I heard NHS Laura tell me that I'd been running for 23 minutes. I looked where I was going and in the distance I could see the opening in the bushes that marks the end of the Park Run 5K course. I switched off the podcast, and just tried to keep my legs moving and moving and moving without looking at the time. And I made it to the 'finish' line

Then I got my watch out and..... I ran a 5 kilometre Park Run course in 29 minutes and 50 seconds!!!

I think that has to be right - the course is just laps round the edge of the park, so no option to get lost or take a short cut, and the speed per mile fits with what I'd been doing last week. soooooo for being so naughty and not following the plan, but.....

OP posts:

Original poster

workatemylife · 16/09/2013 13:58

Brilliant news from dotty and lurking. Well done!

dotty absolutely right about the slow and steady approach too. Everything I've heard on the podcasts and read on here seems to be able keeping the legs moving for the duration rather than dashing out fast and then having to stop. Fantastic to have another 20-minute 'graduate' here.

lurking it is all sounding great. The weather really can make a difference, can't it. Well done for getting out there!

harry welcome. I can't add many words of wisdom to what you have been told ready - my grasp of technology is pretty poor and most of it gleaned from here! I know I run in a slightly uneven way as well, but so far it hasn't caused any major aches and pains. Shoes can make a difference I think, but I'm not planning to invest in a new pair until I'm in a routine that looks like a runner. It is amazing how something as easy as putting one leg in front of the other can be so hard sometimes

OP posts:

dottypyjamas · 16/09/2013 11:54

Thanks lurking and well done on getting to week 6! My app has me running 28 mins in week 8 and 30 in week 9 so not really that different.

Running into the wind is hard, guess we've had some lovely weather to get us started with and now wd have to get used to the British autumn/winter!

lurkingfromhome · 16/09/2013 11:24

I am back from my W5R3. Another week over. Hurrah! .

That was a really tough one - not because the run itself was especially difficult, but because it is blowing a gale out there and the entire way home I was battling the wind head-on. It was not fun - I felt like I was running through porridge. Gaaah. But never mind - I did it and can look forward to the joys of Week 6 now.

My stats are hilariously bad - I honestly couldn't pick up any pace at all as the wind was practically blowing me backwards (oh I know, excuses, excuses...).

Distance: 2.73 miles or 4.39 km
Average pace: 12.12 mins/mile or 7.35 mins/km
Run pace: 11.05 mins/mile or 6.53 mins/km

On another alarming note, I have just looked ahead and my app apprently has me running the full 30 minutes at the end of Week 8. Yikes! I thought it was a 9-week programme but clearly not. Those of you using the other app - when do you have to tackle the full 30 minuter? I am a bit scared now

lurkingfromhome · 16/09/2013 09:29

Oh dotty, that's fantastic! Another Proper Runner in the ranks! Very well done indeed. This is so inspirational - everyone seems to be taking the 20-minuter in their stride (ha! pardon the pun ... )

Predictably the weather has turned and it is about to rain so I am just heading out now. Will remember to keep shouting "Legs! Legs!" at myself if it all gets too difficult. Back with stats later.

dottypyjamas · 16/09/2013 08:23

I did it!! 20 minute run done! Feeling pretty good right now, it wasn't fast (stat attack - 1.81miles at 11.03/min mile pace) but slow and steady wins the race etc etc...

tinwe I think.now you're a proper runner you need to take the long view? I.e if you don't rest for a couple of days now you could do something really bad and be out for weeks which would be harder to come back from. I had a 10day break and getting back into it was fine - I just told myself I'd have to repeat those endless w1 and w2 repetitions if I didn't which was enough inspiration as I found them quite boring after a while!

lurking enjoy your run today, is lovely weather for it. Anyone else out today?

I can recommend going to watch a half marathon (etc) by the way - very inspiring!

lurkingfromhome · 16/09/2013 08:02

Hi tinwe and everyone else! Yep, still on W5 but it's R3 today. My 20 minuter isn't until the end of W6 so I have another week's grace, thank goodness. Off out later. It looks like the perfect day for running - sunny but quite cold. I will report back.

So sorry to hear about your ongoing injuries. Are you any better today after another rest day? And how are you treating your ankle? Are you putting an ice pack on it regularly?

I too worried about all motivation disappearing out the window when I had to stop for two whole weeks but as long as I kept coming on this thread every day I was fine. Just reading about all the progress everyone else was making gave me the incentive to get better and get back out there.

Tinwe · 15/09/2013 14:16

Harry - when go you next run? I think 2 weeks of following the programme definitely shows sufficient dedication to warrant new shoes and kit

Tinwe · 15/09/2013 14:14

Oops sorry Lurking! I'd forgotten you've got the W5 20 minuter yet before you're onto week 6 - how could I forget that?

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