C25K really works

By way of motivation maybe we can call out why we are putting ourselves through this?

For me...
I took up a new sport by "accident" that I love (rowing) and running/c25k is helping improve my fitness so that I can keep up with my counterparts
I'm doing low carb boot camp and I'm sure running is helping lose the last few lbs. Even though I always previously said that weight loss was only down to diet not exercise
My body shape is changing in a positive way. Check out my thighs please!
I quite like that I'm becoming known as a runner!

I'm also going to try to stop with the negative internal voice that goes "I don't want to go running, I hate running" etc and try for a more positive tone!

Tomorrow it was actually really foggy today.

Right! A kick up the arris for you two! Come on!!!

I did W2 R2 and found it a bit difficult and my muscles were cramping at the back of my lower legs. I nearly gave up but I ended walking it off at a brisk pace rather than running on the 2nd jog. I hope I did the right thing. 🙁

I lost my motivation too! I’ve got so many excuses but none are good enough.
I need to start again.

Hahahahhahaha Time that's the best internet laugh I've had in an age!! I'm glad you "enjoyed" the app though! I did week 2 day 1 today. Really didn't want to go out. Not convinced I did the "slightly faster" bursts much faster than usual except for the first one. But I like the break from the monotony of a flat long run.

When I went out on Friday for run 3 I turned back to c25k jo Whiley. I missed the chit chat every 5 mins. I ran through the 5 min warm down to do 35 mins and managed 4.9k.

I'm definitely missing the structure, progress and motivational chats of C25k and other apps haven't quite filled the gap. So I'm finding it hard to get out there and keep going.

Brassica, darling, you are one very lucky person! About an hour ago I was plotting your demise, by the slowest, most painful means possible! I did the first run of the 5K pacer this morning and goodness, was I dying during the faster runs! I wanted to stop completely after the second 2 minute burst (not helped by the fact I was convinced they were going to be one minute long, and almost collapsed when I had to keep going after the 60 seconds!). But I kept going, through sheer determination, and, you know what, when it came back to the slower run my pace, which was the same as it had been earlier, seemed so blinking slow, which suprised me as it came after a walk, so not like I was slowing down at all.

So you have a reprieve, but only for now!!!!!

In all seriousness, though, thank you! It's just what I needed for post C25K. I see what you meet about the narrator, though, tone of a sergeant major and warmth of a glaciar! Where's Laura when you need her?????

I've doing c25k with a local running club who are so lovely. I'm set to do w6r2 tomorrow which I can't quite believe. This is the furthest I've got with this programme (tried and failed 3 times over the last few years). I feel much more positive about it although I am really slow. Set to do parkrun to celebrate graduating on St Patricks day.

Did W4R1 today. Found the second five minutes really hard but I did it!

Wow Vegan... that's brilliant. I do indoor treadmill too. I'm feeling a bit 'odd' this morning so may leave my run till a bit later. Keep going!

Feeling very proud of myself today. I got further in c25k than i’ve ever got before. Just did week 6 run 2. I only ran 4Km in the 33 minutes but that is a new personal best. I run inside on a treadmill at the moment because I find it easier on my knees, but I am feeling really positive about managing my first 25 minute run on Tuesday. I am not in any way a natural runner but have built up since the 1st week of January, not missed one yet. I have done a 47 hour week at work (i’m a nurse), am 3 stone over weight and still managed it. If I can do it, you can do it guys.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/feb/17/fit-in-my-40s-running-zoe-williams

Zoe documented her first pregnancy at a similar time to mine too!

Only managed 27 minutes until the need to provide dinner dragged me home

Paper, that’s great. I agree with Time that the pace is irrelevant. Keep moving!

Brassica, the wind has been horrific this week hasn’t it? I love being in the elements but Tuesday’s run really tested me. Just think of all that extra oxygen - as it winds you!!

In terms of pace, any tips on controlling speed so you don’t go too fast? I might have enjoyed the elements more if I wasn’t worrying about burning myself out.

Keep going everyone. Spring is coming...

Worse. Run. Ever yesterday.

Horizontal winds sucked the life out of me. I completed just over half of my planned run. Ended up with about a 15 min walk home!!!

Thanks for the encouragement Time... X

Brassica - thanks! I've Excel-ed it (as I did C25K) so I can see what's coming up and I like the way the weeks progress. Have avoided the gym this week (had a cold and am having enough problems breathing as it is!) but will start on it next week. Can't wait!

Paper - that sounds fine. You're moving, which is the most important thing. And, if you're anything like me, you'll find your pace increases as the weeks go on anyway.

Just bravely gone to week 2, session 1. Proud of myself as I didn't get this far last time as I kept repeating week 1 thinking I'd get better. I didn't. BUT with this week 2 I felt much better at the running as it seemed easier. 😊

Do you think 4.5 walking and 5.7 running is OK as it's all I can manage at the moment?

I quite liked the app Time. It's not as friendly as Jo Whiley though! I can see that those bursts are what's needed jn order to push your pace up. In the same way that the walk/run was part of C25K. So my current goal is to complete these 8 weeks via this app before I think (only think mind!) about increasing my distance.

Thanks, Brassica. I wonder how well it works on a treadmill? May just download it anyway and see.

Haven't been for a run yet this week: didn't have time yesterday morning (though I did manage a 4.5 mile hike, which my legs have complained about much more than they do a run) and I shouldn't really use the gym on a Tuesday, so I thought I'd leave it til tomorrow. Am looking forward to going, mind, especially since DP has decided he likes my new shape!

I tried the app for the first time today. It's not very "chatty" in the Jo Whiley sense. There is no counting you down. Just "start running", "run slightly faster"! The aim is to get your 5k pace up. I can see the sense of it. I think I'm going to stick with it. I like the 8week plan aspect that I've been missing since c25k finished. (And I've only managed 4.7k so far!).

Here is my week 1 run 1 view

Here are some snapshots of the 5K pacer app. I include them because the app was £3 I think.

Which apps do you all use?