Couch to 5k...it's not about speed (thread no 2)

My original intention was to possibly skip to W2 at this point (given that I've been doing run/walk segments for a few weeks now) but I'm not so sure after tonight.

I found the 60sec runs tough but acheivable. I wouldnt have been able to do it 12 wweks ago.. BUT I found the 30min workout comparatively easy overall. I guess thats because I'm 'used' to a 45-48 min session where I probably spend 15-20mins running but in shorter bursts. This just feels like a backwards step but I wasn't moving forwards doing what I was doing. I think the sessions were too long overall but necessary to prepare me for the full 5K.

I can't decide whether to try a W2 run on Thurs to stretch myself and see if I can do it, or do W1R2 'properly'.

Lidl a 30 min 5k on map my run tells me I'm in the fastest 25% of runners (female, by age??). Under about 5min30/km (27 1/2 mins for 5km??) apparently you are in the fastest 10% - I've not run that fast (In fact, I've only done 5km under 30 mins once). I'd say its fast!

Blokes need to run faster to get into the same brackets.

Likewise, run over 8km, and it tells you that you run further than 75% of runs.

This is a very inspiring thread! It makes me determined to do c25k again - I did it a few years ago and got through almost to the end but my hip hurt the whole time! (So stopped) Maybe it was the trainers I will need to get a gait analysis this time - any recommendations for places to go in midlands? (Warwickshire).

Is it speedy? DH is still much, much faster than me so I still feel slow!

There are no routes from my house that I can do a loop, so have to run for 2.5k and then double back. My two faster runs I have run 5k in one direction and then got DH to pick me up in the car. This def helped, as had somewhere to aim for and didn't want him to be waiting. All in my head, but certainly makes me go faster!

Good grief, Lovelidl! That IS speedy!

EdwiniasRevenge - those one minute runs get to feel dead easy as you go along.

We've just done W5R2. The first 8 min run was torture, but the second one just flew by. We were feeling so good that we ended up running for 10.5 minutes, which I'm hugely chuffed with. It's the first run where I struggle to control my breathing. For W5R3 where it says run for 20 minutes, I'm thinking of sticking in a five minute run after the warmup, walking for five, and THEN RUNNING 20 mins if I can.

I'm keep referring back to my posts where I said "I tried to run for 90 seconds, but had to walk some of it" and similar. Then I look at where I am now and it just seems unbelievable. does the ZenLabs app actually tell you when "you're a runner" like Laura on the podcasts?

lovelidl that's really fast, I'm impressed.

I managed to do a 4.5 mile (7.5 K) tonight. Something I never thought I would manage. To all of those starting out, I was you in February thinking how on earth can I run for 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 28 then 30 mins let alone 5K but you can. Look at Spooky she's amazing.

Yay, well done everyone . It's really motivating to read about those who can run for 30mins (even though that seems like a million years away for me ), but also newbies like me who are just starting out.

Someone on another thread said that just getting dressed and getting out there was the hardest part - I really felt that yesterday. Once I was out, it was okay.

I'm doing W1R2 tomorrow - I can't wait . Kind of .

28.56 5k tonight I still can't believe this is me!

I would have laughed and laughed if someone had suggested that I could do this 3 months ago.

Starting to tentatively think about working up to 10k...

W1r1 done.

was tougher than I expected. The runs feel long and the walks short. 2.8km covered.

Time for a shower.

I've not been on this thread for a while, I'm just reading all the posts to 'catch up' with everyone! I see there are a few newer runners, welcome to you all

Dotty I can't believe you've nearly finished - not because I didn't think you would- but because it doesn't seem two minutes since you started.

I've finally stopped listening to the podcast and I now usually go on distance rather than time. I can only do between 4-4.2 K in 30 mins so now I run 5K - sometimes more, it takes me around 35-40 mins. I doubt I will ever manage 5K in 30 mins. I've managed to pace myself to around 12.5 minute miles and I can keep that pace up, the longest run I've done is 4.2 miles but I intend to try and go a bit further once the weather is a bit cooler.

This thread really helped me to keep going too, especially after my first bad run when I had to stop. I've found now though that I actually enjoy my runs and the reverse is true and I hate it when I can't go out.

Agree with Chameleon get yourself a half decent, well fitting pair of trainers (I was advised to size up by 0.5size, as your feet get hot), and a sports bra.
Old gym kit/ supermarket clothes are fine for the rest til you decide what you want - for example I still can't bring myself to run is shorts - they get all caught up in my (thunder) thighs!

Wasting you might also find you shirnk without weight loss - so initially my clothes got looser, but the scales didn't change. Took me to about week 7 before the weight started going - so running 30 mins 2-3 times a week is what caused the weight loss - but then I didn't think about eating sensibly at the same time....

Don't skimp too much on the trainers - and get a gait analysis! Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement. So impressed by you all. A thread like this will be perfect motivation.

Buying trainers and gear today. Going to restrain myself from spending too much until I get into it.

wasting you'll lose that stone in no time. I've lost 10kg (about 1.5 stone) since I started "running" 10ish weeks ago. I'd like to lose at least another 10kg.

I have a friend that went from size 18-20ish to size 8 in about a year. The transformation was amazing. She's now settled comfortably around a size 10-12.

When I started running I was a good size 18 (20 before christmas). I'm still not quite in size 16. I'd love to be in size 14 by Christmas but think that'll be unlikely. I haven't been a size 14 since i was a teenager.

Wasting I'm on w5 but struggling for childcare in the hols and my dd is going into hospital soon. So I'm having a break for a few weeks

It took me a couple of weeks to be able to do w1 so you're better than me already

Should say I still am a couch potato a lot of the time...

Coumarin - I was the living definition of a couch potato an can't believe I'm now on W8R2! I never work have done it without these threads and have almost started to believe I'll be able to run 5k (in about 45 mins!!) quite soon .

Off to the commonwealth games today to see some athletics - hoping for some kind of osmosis effect, obv...

Then back home and in the gym next weekend!

Great, thanks for the earphone recommendations.

WhatsThat. I found running for 1 minute hard enough yesterday... How far along C25K are you?

Coumarin, I only started yesterday, and I'm very much beginning from the couch. I had to tick sedentary on the form I filled in during my gym induction last week . I also need to lose around a stone in weight.

Just scanned every thread since the first one and so impressed by everyone who's completed C25K and those who've gone beyond it.

I've never imagined I'd ever want to run but I keep seeing more and more people, where I live, pounding past and I want to be one of them.

I really am starting from the couch though so quite nervous. It'll be a few days until I can start but marking my place now.

hi just marking my place, so you lovely ladies stay on my active threads hi to the newbies keep up the good work and I'll be back when you're all running 30 mins and I have to start again

I started off using the Zenlabs app, which I really liked as I could listen to my own music/radio alongside. However when I got to the long runs in week 5/6 I started downloading the NHS podcasts as well, as I was finding it really difficult to sustain running for that long and 'Laura' (the voice on the podcasts) gave me a bit more motivation.

Scared is natural, but you will get there, honestly!

Thanks.

I am run/walking 45mins but can only run for an absolute maximum of 3mins at a time...and need a very long walk recovery. I'm hoping that the C25K will help with that. The thought of week 5 scares me. Running for 5 mins twice in one session scares me. I shall be doing W1R1 tomorrow and depending how that goes may skip to week 2 on thurs.

Any recommendations. Should I use the podcasts or an app?.

I must remember to buy over the ear headphones tomorrow. I hate ear buds at the best of times.

Yes, I have some that hook over my ears and they're pretty good. Can't remember the brand, but they were about £5 from TK Maxx.

Hi Edwinias! Welcome to the thread and well done for your Race for Life! That's a good time too - I think it would take me at least 40 minutes to run the whole thing if I could run that far. Good luck with your c25k adventure - I'm sure you'll do well with it if you're already run/walking 45 minutes.

I did w7 r1!! I am seriously chuffed with myself because I've been stuck moving back and forwards along week 6 for aaaages now .

I have jvc ones that hook over your ears. They were from sainsburys and are on offer.