Couch to 5k - any graduates

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
My body definitely says rest break today. I can feel the muscles in my legs and my lower back somehow. So I'll have a rest today and do the second one tomorrow.

I'm slowly reading through the whole thread. Sommotivating to see you all succeeding and how much difference it makes.

Confused, keep at it. Thumbs up from me too! Well done.

Every other day is fine.

On the days you don't run, just to keep limber, you could do a ten second plank, ten squats and ten lunges on each leg

Hi Confused, well done for taking the first steps into running. I started the c25k programme in March and have now run 6 parkruns. I followed the programme exactly as set out, if you are not used to running your body will need time to relax between the sessions. If you feel comfortable then go for it, but do listen to your body. Good luck and enjoy the successes!

Confused

I started this a year ago, I run regular 10Ks now & I STILL remember how bloody hard that first session was. I honestly wasn't sure I'd complete it & I ended up bright red & soaked in sweat.

Stick with it though. Honestly, it's worth it.

I would keep to every other day, you'll feel better having recovery time in between runs, but maybe on those days you can do other exercises or go swimming?

Ski, you're so right. Thanks for the encouragement. I found a track which was fairly empty today. Some men playing football and some children. And older gentleman waved at me and gave me a thumbs up-he could obviously see I needed the encouragement, bless him. Felt better running there than in town somewhere.

Did everyone follow the programme with the rest days? I am on annual leave at the moment and wondering whether it's better to run every other day as it's intended or do a few more runs now that I have time.

Your still lapping everyone sitting on the couch confused so keep at it and your make progress.

I'm literally just back from my first run. I though that I'd die and i got ridiculously sweaty. I have a BMI of 36.8 so I'm obviously quite fat. But I was still shocked by how hard I found the 60 second running bits. Especially when I checked the app and realised there were still 4 more sets to go haha.

For avoiding blisters in future I recommend twin skin socks, Sports Direct have them. One tightish inner layer & one normal outer layer. They've worked really well for me.

Good luck with your injury cobblers I've had a couple but always try to rest early or swim whilst I can't run.

It took me about 80mins to run the 12k but I went out early and was home at 8am, I like running "fasted" so just have a drink of water or tea before I go out but find it more comfortable to run on an empty stomach. Going out early means it leaves the rest of the day free for family life as normal. In the winter I ran during the early evening tag teaming the kids with my DH.

SkiBike, how much time do you need to set aside for 12k?

SkiBike, you're amazing!

I've not run for a week now because I have plantar fasciitis which has nearly gone now. Except not running means my sciatica comes screaming back with a a vengeance.

Back to it tomorrow.

I started last Sept howsabout was sitting fed up on the sofa mid-sept one Sat evening feeling rather fat & unfit so I secretly downloaded the C25k app a week later I told my DH and he has been super encouraging and now I run twice a week one 5k mid week and Sunday morn I try to go out for early "longer" run, I'm upto 12k now. I love the head space & buzz running gives me I've never been runner as I'm large chested short n fat but it's working for me now in my mid-40s!

Wow skibike! That's good to hear and a good motivator for those of us starting our journeys. Well done! I hope I can type similar in the future!

I did do 11k pre-hols getting up at5.45am I've turned into a runner! I'm back from hols today and the first thing I've done is set out my running kit so I can go out early sunday morning

Well done to all those running its hard finding gaps when the kids are off school/nursery but it's fab when you can squeeze in a run.

Thanks Boris! I hope it's drier where you are for the festival than it is here.

I managed to complete the wk4 day 1 run! I'm really pleased. Feeling a bit bad that I'm having 3 days between runs over the weekend as it's a busy one with family visiting. I'll be back to it on Monday and am hoping that the three 'rest days' won't set me back. Quite pleased to be thinking like this now though! We go away in a week and I'm so determined to make sure I do at least 3 runs a week.

Welcome @Howaboutthisone @ @Lushmetender!!

Yesterday & today I drove to work - I've been walking or running to work most days for 3 months now. Suddenly I don't even feel like I've ever run at all. It feels like a dream.

We are going to a music festival tomorrow (me, the DC and a friend and her DC) and I'm really hoping I can get a run in once the tents are pitched.

Hi can I join. Managed to get to end and trying to do the faster sessions but since holiday I've lost my mojo! I was great on hol, comeback and did a faster 30 min session. But after that left it a week - and then another. Past 2 runs I've only been running 2 x 10 mins. Post holiday blues I think.

Can I join you please? I'm using the zen labs couch to 10K app. I've completed wk 3 day 3 today which felt ok (90sec run, 90 sec walk, 3 min run, 3 min walk then repeat). The wk 4 day 1 seems like a heck of a jump though (run 3 mins, walk 90secs, run 5 mins, walk 2.5 mins, run 3 mins, walk 90secs, jog 5 mins). I'm aiming to do that on Thursday and feel like it will really help me to keep in touch with people doing a similar thing.
I'm 36 and could do with losing a few stone if I'm honest with myself. And I just want to feel fit and healthy and set a good example for my DC. I haven't really run very much before and stupidly signed up for a 10K in sept to give me motivation. Then I didn't start training for ages and now I'm feeling a little scared at the idea of running 10K in just under 2 months time. I'm going to try to stick with it though as any running I manage is a huge improvement on what I was doing before!

Well done Boris, great way to fit your runs in too.
My youngest is only 2 so I can't run while they play in the park unfortunately. I'll fit it in somehow though, even if I have to go down to weekends only or out really late.

My blister is OK - I just left it alone and over 2 days it went down, and is fine - whew.

I don't have scales anymore but I don't think I've lost ANY weight. I know I've toned up lots, but I tried some jeans on over the weekend (not worn them for a few months) and they were no looser.

I'm not eating more now I am running though I'm eating more fruit and vege than ever before.

I really don't want to weight myself - I know from past experience the negativity in myself the "numbers" can bring, and I'm determined not to mess with what I am doing. I love it and I feel good - regardless of losing weight or not, this is the best thing I can be doing now, so I'm focusing on that and trusting all else will come.

But I did think my jeans would fit better.

Onwards!!

Fikee my routine is up the spout too. Is there a playground/park you can go to while the kids play and you can run around them?

Saying that I ran home from work last night - W6R3 - 25 minute run!! WOOP!! FIST PUMP!!

Gotta keep building on this over the next couple of weeks where we are on holiday.

Hi all, i've not posted since I was in the early days of c25k..well i'm now on w6r2 and dare I say it I think I am actually becoming a runner. I bloody love it. The only thing that's annoying me at the mo is that the kids are off school so my routine is up the spout and i don't think i'll be able to get out as regularly. My plan is to finish the programme following it to the leter and then do my first parkrun.

Well done on the weight loss Pennina! I'm a week behind you, I technically should be on week 5 based on my start date but with the school holidays and rainy weather it's taken me longer. I'm also very slow at the moment.

Ouch Boris, hope the blister goes away!

W4R1 was great, can't believe I can run for 5 mins straight when I struggled with 1 minute runs at the start of the month
Completely agree with Skibike regarding the mental aspect of it all, the app is so motivating!

Did wk 5 r 1! Not too bad but I'm so so slow. I am not giving myself a hard time for the slowness as it is entirely due to my weight and hopefully that will improve. I've lost 8lb btw! Sadly a lot more to go though!