Couch to 5k - any graduates

Yes 3 minutes felt like a big step up - although I found myself telling people about it today and I realised that if you are not in the c25k zone it sounds a bit short!

Ooh we are at the same stage Zohz. I did the first of the three minute runs this morning and surprised myself by keeping going. It was hard - I keep looking at the runs for future weeks and feeling daunted but am trying to just take it a week at a time.

Yes, just stretch after. Look up some good stretches and hold them for longer than you think. I would recommend yoga for runners if you find yourself aching, plus you can do the poses as stretches anyway! I quite like Adriene yoga on youtube for quick post-run sessions.

One of the trainers at my gym told me to stretch after my run but just to warm up with a brisk walk. As Kiki says, cold muscles.

Another graduate here! I did it 5 years ago and still run regularly. I'm not like some of those on here who just kept going and do marathons but I run twice a week and do 5-10k each run which keeps me very happy.

I have a running buddy for most of my runs which is fab as we chat all the way round. We don't run fast but we come back full of endorphins and well-being from having talked through life's stresses and strains!

I don't always want to go running but I know that I will feel better for doing it, and I always do. I never stretch before as I've hurt myself in the past stretching cold muscles but always stretch after.

If you can run 3 minutes you're over halfway to being able to run 5 minutes...

I still get nervous. I've just got used to it and it wears off reasonably soon once I'm actually running.

Thirty - I always get nervous when I look at what the app has in store
For me!

I completed week 3 yesterday and before running was not convinced I could do a 3 minute run for the first time! Somehow I did it

Am finding the breathing is not much of an issue now just my creaky old legs which hold me back! Am hoping that as I lose weight that will get easier.

Good luck to everyone running this weekend.

I was the overweight kid at school, who HATED exercise and much preferred to be buried in a book.

Four years ago, new to a foreign country and with PND (plus associated newborn) I did the C25K.

Since then have done two half marathons, 10 and 5ks and love running. At 40, I have never been so fit. It has also really helped my mental health and deal with an eating disorder.

I know everyone says this but, honestly, if I can do it, anyone can.

Actually, also go me. Written down, I'm quite impressed with myself.

Starting wk 2 now after 2 rest days- anyone else feel really nervous before a walk/run ? Probably adrenaline gearing up for it but get proper butterflies before starting!

I've got one somewhere, Zohz, but I lost the charger & haven't got round to replacing it.

Good luck with Week 3!

Thirty, I used the ZenLabs free app and had iTunes on in the background.

Love reading all the success stories

And yes to parkrun, everyone is welcome whether walking or running or a bit of both. We have a very friendly parkrun thread so feel free to come and ask some questions or share your first time parkrun experiences

I'm a long ago graduate! Started in January 2012, finished in march and kept running 30mins 3x a week. I ran my first 5k in June in 37mins and by the August I'd lost 5.5st and joined a running club. Most of friends are now runners, I also run canicross and apparently get very grumpy if I can't get out to run! I'll never be super speedy but I've worked on my pace and I now love running. It's a great program just remember not to do the running parts too fast or it will put you off forever.

Finished wk1 I find the first half of running and walki g really tough but the second half I'm wanting to run for longer hoping that wk 2 won't be too tough. Also need to decide whether to buy the app I'm on the fitness 2 one where you can play your own songs which I really like but could just use a watch and iTunes I guess

I've just started - in my 50s! I can't manage 60 secs though and reading thread see others started and found it similarly hard so I'm sticking with it - and being inspired by you guys. I have to do the 60 in 3 bits, I'm more like bed to 5k! I suspect I will be on week one for a while (!)

Congratulations everyone! What great running! Have you found out about parkrun yet? You could be going to a parkrun now and just doing your c25k workout there. Awesome for motivation and for meeting other runners. It's free and very welcoming. You are definitely. " good enough" to do it now. You don't need to run it all.

Hello Zohz you are just one run behind me. I looked at my app and felt daunted by trying week 3 day 1 as it looked much harder than week 2 day 3 but in fact it was fine 😃

I can only manage 2 a week so will do week 3 day 2 tomorrow. I am starting to crave the post run buzz.

who would have thought it

Good luck with week 3

Hey, Hep! Congratulations!

I'd say do whatever works for you.