C25K newbies support thread

Well done Scarlett

Same plan here Crochet - aiming to 2x6 minutes tomorrow with 3 minute walk inbetween and build up what I think I can do from there.

I've just been out for a repeat of W4, R8, and made it through this time, though slower paced than I have been. I've also added in several extra runs now, increasing the times by only 30 sec instead of a minute each time, so now I'll have about 12 runs in each 'week'. I'm aiming for 5/7/5 of running to start week 5 now, and still with 2.5 minute walk breaks between each one. I probably should spend some time reducing the walk breaks but it feels so much better with them in that I might keep them for a while, and try to increase the running first. There's no way I can really keep to the official program and be getting to 20 minutes any time soon, so I think I'm going to gradually increase the runs until it's 20 min total, and then start putting the walks a bit later each time, and maybe eventually reducing them - months from now!! I am amazed at how much stamina other people are building up and how they can move on.

Scarlett

Just done W4R1... I was dreading it and thought there was no way I could do the 5 min runs but I did!! Was hard but doable...maybe I'll get there after all!

that sounds very encouraging, annette!

I run to classical, which is maybe not great pace, but I like it.

I'm still trying to get a week of 5min x3, or maybe a 6 min in there. But I have at least 2.5min walking in between. 90 sec sounds way too little! But it is taking forever to build up any stamina. Even adding 30 sec feels like ages, and I'm constantly counting down to the end of the interval.

I never have muscle soreness or anything afterwards and my heart rate recovers fairly quickly (I stay sweaty and red for hours though). But it's more pain in my ankles and shins that is the problem, and that doesn't tend to go so easily. Or just general muscle tiredness as I'm running!

Guess I need to investigate caps with longer peaks if it's going to keep raining.

I'm running to the music of Robert Ullery's podcast from 2006 once I've done the whole thing I'll run to my own music.

I will also try some sort of intervals training to speed me up - I think some of it is psychological as I feel I can't do it but I probably can and just need to make my legs go quicker

That's really encouraging. Good luck for Sunday.

I'm not sure. During today's run I was sure I didn't feel ready for W5R3, but I've recovered quickly, I wasn't gasping when Ibfinished and there are no aches. So I'm not feeling quite so daunted now. Wait till Sunday though, might be different then, but I'll have a go. Going to pick my flat run as there are no walks to help with the hills.

TBH I thought that the 8 mins x 2 was going to be too much but I decided to go for it with the idea that if I couldn't cope and it was just before 5 mins then I would swap to 5 mins x 3, but the not coping didn't happen and I didn't check the time until after 6 mins and then I kept going as by then there was only really 1 1/2 mins left ish and I didn't feel like I was about to drop.

Maybe ignorance about R3 is bliss but at the moment I'm feeling like W5 looks more daunting than it really is.

Running downhill only sounds sensible! Do you feel ready for the W5R3, Annette?

W5R2 done
Between 4 and 6 mins into the 2 runs I felt like I was getting more into a rhythm which was good but I was ready to walk at 8 mins.
I hedged my bet for the 2nd run as my walk was up hill I kept walking up hill when I should have turned around, just so more of the second run was running slightly down hill.

Strangest thing as I was listening to 80s electronic music as I ran, I wondered what MNers listened to. So, what do you listen to?

Miranda I have seen some interval jog/run/sprint training apps to help with speed. Maybe worth a look?

Yes I can understand that.

Well I haven't managed that yet

I think it's because I have run quicker than this in the past so I'd like to be going quicker again.

4.5k in 30 minutes?

I'll be happy when I can do 4.5K without stopping!

Luckily I work from home and so no one can see what I look like. As long as I manage to get up early enough I can just fit everything in.

Did week 8 run 1 today - ran for 28 minutes :) Did about 4.2km so if I keep up that pace I'd be doing 4.5k in 30 minutes. So just need to push my legs a bit more. Would like to do 5k in 30 minutes although do feel generally better than I did a couple of months ago in terms of how far I can run.

DH is doing about 17 minutes for a 3k - at my current pace it would take me about 18 min 40 seconds so will have to speed up before I try running with him

I've got a peaked cap, Crotchet, that seems to work. How are your legs?

I'm not going to manage W4R3 this week so I think I'm going to have a W4a - three sessions of 5 min runs / 90 sec walks and onto W5 after that.

I've had yet another go at Week 4, Run 8 (modified!), but still didn't make it through. It's been a week since the blood donation and i thought I'd be back to where I was, but I'm not. Was trying to do 6/5/5 of runs, with walks in between, but had to add in walks in the middle of the runs. I'm trying to get up to 5/8/5 to officially start Week 5, but it's going to be a while yet. I think i'll have to stick with this Run 8 for several more times. My ankles and shins hurt more than they did before, too, but that might still be because I ran when tired.

I don't like the rain either - haven't found a good hat yet, because I need something to keep it off my glasses. Also I tried to go middle of the day now, as it's getting too dark by after supper I think, unless I can find somewhere lit (the park I go to doesn't have lighting). But in the day is awkward as I have bits of work throughout the day where I have to see people, and I can't be waiting for an hour or two after I come back to cool down and get back to a normal colour!! Not really time for a shower either, just a quick wash or a quick shower where my hair doesn't get wet. Can't wear makeup afterwards either as it just melts off, for ages.

Scarlett I try to remember how nervous I was when the time upped previously, and I coped. Oh and chanting in my head 'I can do this' and 'just 1 more step' as the difference between walking and running is only the next step being a run step (and then the next run step etc).
If need be imagine all of us chearing you on (with cheerleader pom-poms of course ;-)).

Empress you never know, next time you might be passing me on the south bank. Though I don't run there as I run at home and commute to London. Also seems more of an assault course with all the commuters and tourists. Though do let me know if you need any RL pompom waving

Didn't go running today as stayed up much too late watching the Paralympics. My DC were with their dad last night so I let myself have a lie in.

Will try and get out tomorrow morning although will need to be early to get DC up. Is also meant to rain tomorrow and I'm not keen on running in the rain. Am rather an early autumn type of runner...

I'm sure I walk faster than I run!

I was nervous about the 5mins, Scarlett, but you do get used to it. W4R3 tomorrow & I'm now feeling nervous about W5... I think a step between might be a good idea.

I usually run on the South Bank on the way to work, where every other person is a panting runner, so I'm reasonably camouflaged .

Just done W3R3...can't believe next week I have to do 5 minute runs!!

Does anyone else feel that they walk faster than they run?! And does anyone else jump behind trees or quickly turn a corner if they think they spot anyone they know? yes, probably only me, I have issues...

Hello! I made it out this morning, but after the 1.6 mile school run and stepping in 2 different pot holes in the grass in the first 3 minutes, I found it tough going and hot!

The plan was to modify things to do a step between week 3 and 4. Last I went out, I did 3x 3mins with 90 sec walks and hoped to do 4x that today.

I managed 6mins with 3 min walk and then 2x 3mins with 90s walks. That plus 2x 8 minute warm up walks feels good!

Back out on Sunday when I'm going to aim to do 2x 6 minutes and just try and build up the length of jogging a bit.

Looking forward to wk4 run3 tonight.

Feeling good!

Foot still sore but I'm going to power through. If I stop now I'll lose momentum.

Dropzone you're at the same stage as me, I'm going to do week 3 run 3 tomorrow..have managed it slowly and rather breathlessly. Can't imagine managing longer than 3 minutes though!

Welcome to the thread, Drop!

Yes, I'm finding that. First run of a week is really tough & then my body gets used to it.

Can I join please? I tried this back in May but found it too hard, so stopped and started walking regularly instead. Started again in August and am now on week 3.

Just done W3R2 - second half was easier than the first half!