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

that's interesting - maybe I'm not working hard enough! But I start to feel panicky and stressed out when mine's in the high 150's and I've got a bit of a funny heartbeat anyway, so I'll probably try and keep it steady...

Dotty It goes up to 168, on average. It seemed to go up to that then level off, and not go any higher, mind that's high enough!

ooh Kaster sounds fab! Out of interest, what does your heart rate go up to? I find I'm managing when mine is around 150 but I start to feel panicky if it goes over about 157 - so I tend to slow down. I've got no idea though what's good/not so good heart rate wise.

Didn't get to Aldi today - must try and have a look tomorrow - and it's W6R2 for me tomorrow - 2 x 10 minute runs....

Hi Crucru and tortoise - yes can definitely recommend the NHS change for life C25K app. and it's definitely do-able - go for it!

Hi CruCru I can recommend the podcasts too. They really work and build you up gradually so you can do it without becoming disheartened and giving up. They do all the timings for you so you don't have to think about it too much.

Hi tortoise welcome to the c25k. This is a really good thread and has people at all points of the c25k in it.

I used my new GPS watch tonight it was really good. It measured my heart rate (very high)! My total distance, my average pace, and showed where I had been. You can upload it onto the computer and it shows exactly where you have been on a map. I ran 2.5 miles in 30 mins, average pace was 12.38 secs a mile and I did do a ten minute mile (must have been the downhill bit).

crucru i am a brand newie too. Have you heard of the couch to 5k podcasts? They build you up gradually and tell you when to start walking and start running. Week one is 5 min walk warm up then 1 min run and 90 sec walk for 20 mins then 5 min walk cool down. Then you go on to week 2 etc until you can run for 30 mins. Good luck!

Hi all, can I join in? I have decided to start running but today discovered that I can't do more than two minutes without stopping (so this week I am doing 2 mins running then 2 walking then 2 running etc). My aim is to be able to run 15 minutes without stopping.

Happy Birthday!

Not keen on Aldi though!

oooh - Aldi..??! We've got one down the road - must go and have a look!

It was a lovely surprise. DH bought me it, he said he got it from ALDI in the special buys, but i suspect it was still quite expensive. You can plug it in to the computer to track all your progress and plan routes, so you can measure out the distance you have done more accurately.

Yes it should measure how far I've gone and my route and time per mile and heart rate. As well as all the averages and slowest and fastest heart rate, miles ect. I've been using an app on my phone but the GPS was useless it said I'd run nine miles in 30 mins once and done a mile in 34 seconds!

I want a fitbit... but then I can find a reason to spend money in every area of my life, so there's no change there

Happybirthday Kaster. So does your GPS measure how far you've gone? I could get proper obsessed!!

Happy birthday!!

It's my birthday today and I got a GPS watch and heart rate monitor I can't wait to go out for my run tonight to try them out . I never would have thought of myself saying that before February and the C25K.

Spooky I don't think I'll be ready by August 9th - am thinking September later in August..?!

Cycled in to work today - 5 miles and it went OK - haven't done that for over a year so am pretty chuffed (although thinking about getting the train home with the bike... )

I actually live about 8 miles from tower down one junction on motorway but work near by and that was the closest beginner's group. Ive now joined a group nearer my house but highly recommend the follow on group from the one I was in- lots of good hill training up towards that tower! Pm me if you want to know more but you probably know all about it!

And hi to Tortoises - welcome.

PS Kaister - love the pic!

Flash Well done and congratulations. What an achievement!

All My DP found instructions on YouTube for making an iPhone holder which you wear on your arm from an old sock. It took two mins with no sewing and she's chuffed to bits with it. You can't tell it's made from a sock.

Well I've now run 25 mins three times and I fell stunned because I'm realising that, if I've done it three times, it can't be a fluke; I really can run for 25 minutes! Me! Who'd have thought!

I used the Map My Run app yesterday for the first time which was really interesting. It said I ran 3.1km in 25 mins which is two miles (again I'm amazed I can do this). Once I get to 30 mins I'm going to find a 5km route and build my distance to 5km then try to get faster bit by bit.

I guess we're all runners now!!!!!

I just spotted this thread in active convo's and thought i would pop in and say hi.

I am a proper novice and only did w1 r1 today. I am.not a runner at all but have form for exercising on a whim, doing way too much and not being able to do anything else for a week so thought the couch 2 5k would help me build my exercising up a bit more gradually. Great to hear people have progressed all the way through. Back out on wed for me

HI Dotty! Definitely do the parkrun they are a fantastic idea! Ive done the same one a couple of times now and plan to try a couple of others.

Spooky- no not a park beginning with W but I reckon I may have been a few miles away on a wednesday night near a tower beginning with D? All very cryptic!

Congratulations Flash

Look at you Dotty venturing into the great outdoors, and finishing week five it's fantastic.

Minstrel you should feel brilliant. Just wait until you finish that last run of week nine though. I had goosebumps.

This photo is me when I'm out running, the bottom bit I mean. I don't look anything like the top bit, I wish!