Couch to 5k- fantastic plan that works for all!

Week 3 run 1 (zen lab c25k) and I ran for 3 whole minutes without stoping, twice don't think I've done that for about 15 years!!! I went out even though it was raining and I ran through puddles and everything as my route takes me though the woods, and I'm still alive!

Glad I've got this thread to keep me company.

Hi Watto you will be able to run 20 mins by the end of next week for sure. The thing to do is just take your time and don't go too fast. The first five mins of running is always the hardest, after that it doesn't get any worse.

Hello, may I join? I've just done Week 4 Run 1 and running for 5 mins without a break nearly killed me. I think a couple of snails overtook me. C2K seems to think that I will be able to run for 20 mins without stopping at the end of next week . That's impossible surely? Please reassure me!

That's what I can't do spooky I can't count and run at the same time it just completely throws any running rythem out!

tia stillearnin is right! you will be able to do three minutes. After a while you will find you don't want to stop running to walk, honest!

tiger I do road running. I couldn't go on a treadmill, I would find it boring and I really hate gyms. That's what I love about the c25k, it's like having your own personal trainer but free!

stillearnin keep going. It sounds like you are getting fitter. I hope things are going better for your son.

I've found the last few runs quite hard, I thought it was supposed to get easier.

oh sorry spooky I meant Tia of course. And Tia, you will find 3 mins easier I am sure. on the bra front I used to go to lessbounce.com. I am a 36f and I use an enell. It is brilliant and a great investment. I have actually had it for around 9 years!

tiger welcome to MN I do it all road/park running as I find the treadmill incredibly boring and would never last 30 minutes on there plus I find the natural hills push me harder.

First MN post hello all

I did C25k a few years ago after having my DS and loved it but drifted back into bad and lazy habits. Am starting again this week and all prepared- do many of you use a treadmill or is it all road running? I find road running so much harder and in the last couldn't do a fraction of what I could do on a treadmill

I have tried inhaling with my stomach but when I am desperate for breath, I find it really difficult to do it and just end up panting one of the volunteers said to breathe in and then exhale whilst counting to 5. I am lucky if I get to 3 without needing to take another breath!

I am not using the podcasts so have missed out on the breathing techniques...maybe I should listen to them but the music annoys me

I've always found it hard to breath through my nose, no idea why just don't seem to get as much oxygen in.
Kaster, I used my blue inhalor before I set off and I was surprised I didn't need it again after that.
3 minutes running?! That seems impossible right now, I was struggling with the 60 seconds I find it hard to believe il be able to do that after just 3 runs, but I shall trust in the program and do my best!
Any recomendations for a decent sports bra, I'm a 30f/32e if that makes a difference?

I breathe fine - i used to play big brass so that helps a lot

Even so I cannot follow that breathing advice! I think the big thing is to try to breathe in through your nose as much as possible. It seems to take its toll most if you are always breathing in and out through your mouth. But yes asthma has to make it harder! I suppose it gets easier?!

Spooky - you will get there. It really is quite hard running for such short periods. I think you will find it easier when you get to 3 mins running (honestly!!)

See you've been bitten by the bug now Tia there will be no stopping you.

Spooky that's brilliant running 5K I've finished the programme but haven't managed 5K yet. I too find it difficult to breathe properly and it slows me down. I'm asthmatic too I might try a puff of my blue inhaler before I go. The programme gives you tips on breathing but I can't run and concentrate on my breathing at the same time. I'm just hopelessly un-coordinated like that!

Well done spooky! Sorry no good advice re breathing, I'm asthmatic, I find the best way to not get out of breath is to focus on taking deep breaths, and 'belly breathing' so pushing my stomach out as I inhale, apparently this allows more oxygen into the lungs and gets rid of the co2 more efficiently aswell (can you tell I was googling like mad last night?) it certainly helped get rid of stitch .. I have no idea if that will be of any use whatsoever! but obviously now I have done one run I am an expert!
Here's to hoping it gets lots easier!

tia well done on completing your first run. that is definitely the hardest . it will get easier, that is why you get another 2 goes at this before moving to the next level.

Can you walk/run 15 minutes in one direction and then just turn around and do the other 15 minutes going back home again? I know it probably isn't as nice as running on the promenade but you will fit it in without using the car.

Well I did it . Ran 5k in about 37 minutes (no idea if that is a reasonable time). It is very hard and I think the motivation of the group would have made it a lot easier. Still can't get my breathing right though so my chest was hurting for a lot of it. Any tips?

I'm still alive! just
Right, so the good news is I did it! I ran all the bits I was supposed to run, walked the rest (probably a little too slowly but hey ho).
If it was any harder I think I would have given up, it was my very upper limit of fitness iyswim? Any one else feel like that at the beginning?
So my legs feel wobbly, but weirdly I actually feel like I want to do it again! (Not right now obviously)
I live by the sea and it's really nice to jog down the promenade, it takes me 10 mins to walk there though and I literally have half an hour spare (DM comes and watches ds before she goes to work) Should I take my car and park it at the prom or is that just defeating the object? Also felt a bit self conscious running down the street, but the promenades always really quiet ...
All in all feeling quite positive need a proper sports bra though ... Any recommendations?

Good luck with your run spooky!

Yes! It's sideways that does it! I've also had plantar but did lots of exercises and it got better but took a while. Right I think I'll defo run tomorrow whichever week I do and then go from there keeping as regular as I can. Has to be better than feeling like this!

stillearnin I feel your pain as I have had problems with my ankles for about 3 years now since testing my calf muscle badly. I had a bout of plantar fascia 18 months ago and fell over on both ankles 6 months ago whilst wearing very high heels and having drunk lots of wine and they still give me trouble now. Running forwards is generally OK but if I go to the gym and do classes that involve sideways movements, they hurt

Anyway, maybe go back to week 6 so you do a couple of interval training sessions and then move to w9 once you have got your confidence back? I think that is what I would do.

Just driving home from Centre Parcs now... I am already in my running gear so drop the kids off at school, help DH unpack the car and then I will be heading to the park... eek!

I suppose I could do the 30 mins. But I won't be as fit as I should be at this stage until I am doing that 3 times per week. So I feel like a fraud. Sorry for the downer people! I suppose it will take about a fortnight of 3 x 30 mins to get to grips with it? I am one of those lucky people who feel the physical benefits of exercise really quickly.

Good luck today spooky! I've really missed this thread. I managed to pick up an ankle injury and as I'm 2 stone overweight I've not been running. It's nothing serious I think it's a tendon thing so I got a support from the pound shop- which is helping. But I am feeling pretty useless. Cannot decide whether to attempt w9 tomorrow. Given that I've only managed 1 run per week for the last 3 or 4 weeks. I am really fed up with myself you know and I'm beginning to feel a bit sorry for myself. Grrrr I could do with a bit of a shake to be honest!

Trust me, 7 weeks ago I was exactly the same as you and running 5k was laughable... just shows you Joe far you will get

Good luck spooky!
I can't ever see myself being able to run 5k! Hoping I will get there one day though

tia will look forward to your report... am sure it will be positive and you will be amazed at what you can achieve

I will meet you back here at lunchtime tomorrow as I am going to attempt my first ever 5k run tomorrow morning

Of course you can report back Tia we always like to know how everyone else is getting on if it be their first or last run. Enjoy it

thanks!
I am looking forward to starting, doing the first run tomorrow at 9am so will report back after if that's ok?
I am determined to do this, I don't really need to loose a lot of weight, I'd be happy if I could just tone up, and improve fitness.

Hi Tia, I hadn't done any excersise for a long time before doing the c25k. I finished it a couple of weeks ago and it really does work.

I found my legs ached a fair bit for the first week, but it soon wore off by week two, you will be able to do it, and may well find yourself actually looking forwards to going out. you can definataly do it.

hi tia welcome this programme is fab!

Don't worry if you haven't exercised before - that is what the programme is aimed for. One of my friends that I am doing it with has done no exercise before and has just managed a 5k run 7 weeks in the first week you only run for 1 minute at sla time which is doable even from a complete lack of fitness. The idea is to just run slowly, even if you feel like you are almost walking fast... as our group leader says, speed can come later. Good luck