Couch to 5k - any graduates

Ah Pennia I hope you recover well and yes you need to rest up now. What a shock that must have been.

I've been in breast cancer clinic all morning as I got a call back after recent scan. It was a stressful time but happily I'm all clear. Small cyst. No treatment required.

I then went for celebratory run down the Thames . I listened to the graduation podcasts and had to run at nearly twice my normal speed - omg! But I did it (mostly). It was toughest run yet and i feel fantastic for it. I shall sleep very well tonight for first time in ages.

Rats, I'm out for now. A very busy school holiday then work deluge really got me out of routine and now ... appendicitis! Emergency op over weekend. Can't see me running for a bit! Plus they said I've an ovarian cyst that needs to come out asap once I'm recovered. Doh.

Good luck all, especially well done to Boris

Congratulations Boris! I'm trying to work on speed too, doing parkrun tomorrow and hoping running in a group will help speed me up a bit.

ooh I think I could do that. I will have a google, thanks.

Mind you my bike these days is a one speed pedal brake old German one and probably not what you use for an event. :)

Yes I'm doing a Go-Tri (16L/400m swim, 7.5k bike and 2.5k run), which is shorter distances than a Sprint-Tri. My DD is doing the kids one too at the end of Sept. I'm rather nervous about the swimming bit but it is a pool swim, I just don't like it when it's really busy and choppy..!

thank you!!

Tri yes that makes sense. While I can run for 30 minutes, there is much improvement to be made on technique and speed.

I've found those podcasts you mentioned and downloaded them for next week - thank you.

Good luck with the half marathon training.

BTW are there small triathlons about (is that what your NN refers to?)? I can already cycle and swim - a mini triathlon might be nice.

Well done boris! That's fab.

I just carried on doing 2 or 3 x 5ks a week and improved my technique and speed. The NHS 5k+ podcasts for speed and stamina helped me. I also tried different routes and added in some hills before I started to build distance.
It's nearly a year since I started C25k and I've just been looking at half marathons for spring 2018 I need a challenge to keep me running through the winter. I've not run further than 12k yet so doubling my distance will be a massive challenge.

Congratulations, Boris! Also all others making their way to the finish line. I'm still in the very early stages.

W9R1 today and I feel fantastic!!

So what is next - what do we do when we "graduate"?

I can't see that I will be able to simply progress to 10k. I'm a single parent and this works for me because I can run to work - virtually from school or home to work which is about 4.5km. Initially I am planning on doing that 3 times a week. Perhaps I could get a longer run in the weekend?

Ideally I would like to run to work every day - but I'm not sure that will be possible. So far, I have been needing the rest days.

Today, in celebration, I have signed up for a 5k run in Hyde Park in September - my first ever run run!

Thanks Boris andTriGirl

I will try to stop being so hard on myself.

Just popping back on to see how everyone is doing
I did the c25k started after Easter and followed the programme so 3x runs (run/walks ) per week and still do that now
It's really hard at first and I found my lungs felt stronger after about a week then had a couple of weeks with sore calves then a few pelvic floor issues . Doing the 20 min run is a massive achievement and seems to be the real turning point when you feel like a runner.
I am still pretty slow - takes me about 38 mins to do 5k - but I'm still so pleased I can run nonstop for 30 mins x3 per week.
I now try and do 10k over 3 runs per week. Not bothered about going any further it fits in easily with my life and means it's hard to find an excuse not to go infact I've only missed one run since I started c25k
Also I find it easier running solo though nice distraction to sometimes run with somebody else
Keep going and well done everybody - you will be amazed how quickly you build up your running

Hi all, just thought i'd update on here as i posted a couple of times during my c25k journey. I have now graduated and am running 5k+ around 3 times a week. I can't do it in 30mins so to improve my speed will be my next challenge. I did my first parkrun and loved it so hoping to make that a regular thing too. It took me 35mins but i'm hoping to knock some time off that steadily week by week. For anyone who is in the early weeks i could barely run for 60secs at the start of my journey and didn't ever think i'd be able to do it.

you are still doing well sleeping - remember it's a journey not a destination.

Empress thanks for the tip - I read back over my comments on this thread. So not that long ago I'm writing about feeling great for running for three minutes and now I can run for 28..

Also I realise I don't get the shin splint type pain at the beginning of runs anymore. And although I don't think I've lost any weight, my bum no longer bounces along behind me like its in a separate post code, but works on top of my legs as it should.

Lovely run this morning - 28 minutes. W8R3. T

I didn't get to a parkrun on the weekend - I thought I would go on Sunday, only to find out Saturday evening that they are only on Saturdays!

Be kind to yourself sleepingonbus it will come back just take it easy and I bet you make faster progress than you think. I took 3wks out due to injury when I got to wk6-7 of C25k and it only took a couple of weeks to get back to where I was. Any walk/run is better than none so just go out for a "walk" & see what happens

I was doing so well. Finished week 7 and then went on holiday. Only ran once while we were away because I got ill with a chest infection. For various reasons I went 4 weeks without running. I'm now trying again but I can't even do any of week 6 runs. I need to go back even further. It's so frustrating.

I know what you mean, Boris. Especially if I haven't run for a bit, it's hard to believe I can actually do it. And I still normally spend the first k doubting whether I'll finish.

Do you ever look back at your early posts & see how far you've come?

Well done boris I know what you mean, it's taken me a while to think actually I AM a runner now keep at it your doing brill. (I'm Skibike)

(BORIS here)

w8r1completed this morning. Routine still shot but I can't blame the DC as they are with their Dad for 3 weeks. I'm taking too many lie in's!

Ran 28 min this morning - feeling great for it.

It is odd though as sometimes I feel like a runner. But on days I don't tun I feel very distant from it - like its not actually ME that is a runner - all like a bit of a dream.

I'm working on thinking up a catch "I AM a runner" mantra to get the head space sorted.

Confused keep at it - I'm 49, very overweight and have never run in my life. I can now jog for 25 minutes after 7 weeks on c25k program!
All you have to do is follow the instructions, and pace yourself. If you get too tired so you want to stop SLOW down.

I use the NHS ap - pretty straightforward.

I also have my best runs in the morning on an empty stomach.

I didn't run for 2 weeks - on holiday and at a festival. We stayed in a very hilly pace and I didn't run. But back to it this week and I;ve done 3 x 25 min runs (plus warn up/cool down). I'm officially on week 7, but I ran 3 days in a row this week. Having a rest day today and will run again tomorrow.

One of my goals is to run either to or from work every day (At the moment I usually walk 4 days a week)

Feels so amazing I can keep jogging for 25 minutes. Up to 30 next week I think?

I used Zen Labs, but I know other people found the NHS one worked for them.

which is the best couch to 5k app - I see there are a few out there, I know programme is the same in all but any recommendations?

I prefer to run on an empty stomach confused it's also good for your system if you are not doing too long distances - well done on your second run.

Did the second run. It was a bit easier today. Not sure whether I just found a better pace? It can't be progress yet I don't think. But I definitely felt better. I also didn't have food beforehand and felt less queasy but not sure whether they are connnected?