C25K

Can I join please? I completed W3R3 this morning, can't believe how achey my joints are when I found W1&2 OKish...I'm hoping it's because I've got a bit of a cold, I actually found the last 3mins easier than than the start.

I'm using an interval app and have just programmed in week 4 ready for Sunday...looks a bit of a leap!

@AvonCalling I didn't find the jump to the 20 to he top bad to be honest, in fact it was the following run that went back to 5/8/5 that I struggled with!

Wow rocket that’s exciting! Good luck for getting a place. A friend of mine just did the marathon this time and she only started running last year so it’s definitely an attainable goal!

avon it sounds impossible but the 20 mins is actually ok! I found I got into the zone and lost track of time. Just watch pace and start slow. You’ll feel so chuffed when you’ve done it, I did!

Did w7r2 this morning. Still finding it tough but think that’s cos I’m only running twice a week, it feels like tremendous effort to get back out there after a longer gap. I feel intimidated by the thought of it! Tried two different routes with hills and everything this week and have enjoyed a bit of variety though so that helps.

You never know Rocket someone has to get a ballot place!
I did W4R3 today. Just looked at week 5 - first two sound ok-ish, but not sure about the jump to 20 mins . How have others found that??

A friend has started running with me which is really nice, we did w5r2 today and will be doing run 3 Monday!
A bit apprehensive about that if I'm honest but going to give it my best shot!
We also entered the ballot for the London marathon, more to raise some money for charity to be honest and to give myself a bigger goal as I'd really like to take this running lark seriously. We've already got a training plan in place to get to marathon running and there are loads of park runs etc around us. I know it's unlikely that we will get in though!

Hi everyone,

I have just done W2R2 today I've been feeling really good and proud of myself after each run.

Just a question about speed - I keep to a slow jog but I still get quite tired after each run. So the 'brisk walks' in between runs aren't that brisk, does it matter?

Hi everyone, I've been enjoying reading this thread. I am on week 8 and just about to do run 3. I can't quite actually believe that I'm doing this. Every new week I've wondered how I'll manage but I have.

I never thought I'd manage to run further than a 100m. I was the kid at school who always finished last in the x country. I'm approaching 50 this year and with 3 stone in weight to lose I'm determined to not be fat and fifty .

This plan really does work. I'm living proof. I'm actually looking forward to going out for my 28 minute run in a minute. It still bloody hurts but I just shout 'shut up legs' in my head.

The biggest thing that helped me was good running shoes. After 3 weeks of running in tatty old trainers it was a revelation to actually spring as I ran in my new Brooks trainers.

Well done to everyone for getting out there and doing it!

MagicJay yes I did W4R1 on Tuesday and R2 on Wednesday. Wasn’t my plan but I was ill over the weekend so lost some time. I don’t want to get off track as I’ve got a Parkrun in the calendar and don’t want to lose my momentum 😀. Two consecutive days was fine - not sure I’d want to be doing it in later weeks where the runs are longer though

Will try the podcast, thank you, although dd (whose phone it was) is not hopeful. Normally I run with her and she has the app, but she is busy this week. Any thoughts on cramping?

Avon - did you W4R1 & 2 on consecutive days then? I'm not sure I could do that! I did W4R2 today and found it quite hard so the thought of going out again an doing it tomorrow is tough. Even Friday seems too soon. 😫

Luuby86 - I think preparation and mindset play a big part in success. If I've not eaten enough or if I'm in a poor frame of mind it is just so much harder; I struggle to get any rhythm and my breathing is rubbish too so it all just hurts more. I'm sure you will find the 25 minute run OK without the rush before hand that you had today.

LIZS - it must be hard using your watch. I hope you can get a podcast to work for you as it will be easier without having to clock watch.

I don't know who it was up thread who said it doesn't get harder but it doesn't get easier, but they were so right. I'm very excited and motivated by the obvious improvement in my fitness but I still feel such a log way off owning this. Even when I do finally manage to run for the full 30mins my pace and distance will be a long way short of enough to do 5k, so even beyond the nine weeks this will still be a work in progress.

phone won't support the app

Try the podcast instead of the app

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k-plan.aspx

Just play it through your phone's generic music player (I use Samsung music)

Just attempted w3r3 , dodging between showers. Getting a very tight calf halfway through second 3 minutes so have yet to complete it. May redo this run at weekend before moving on. Timing tricky as my phone won't support the app so using my watch!

We did W6R1 yesterday evening. Fully expected it to be fairly easy after Saturdays 20mins, but how wrong was I?!?!

Started off by only getting into my house 6 minutes before I was supposed to meet my friend and start running, so was all rushed. Hadn't eaten since 12 and it was now 6pm, and forgot to change my underwear and am now suffering from some rather unattractive chaffing!

Yesterday's session was 5/8/5 runs, ended up having g to schedule in an extra 30 sec walk break into the final run (although we did run an extra 30seconds into the cool down to make up for it!)

Back out on Friday for W6R2, hopefully it will be a little easier. Then it's 25 minutes on Sunday eeekkk

Just back from W4R2. Done but hard, with added period cramps but hey ho. Finding it tricky to imagine running for 10mins let alone 30 . Trust the plan, I guess.

Just done W6R3 so 25min of running. Pretty chuffed with myself although I am SO SLOWWWWW!!!! About 10mins a km.

I was late too Avon - I was meant to do it on Friday but found all sorts of reasons not too!😂

Good to hear MagicJay - I’m a couple of days late to do W4R1 and am nervous about it 😬

Welcome 2gorgeousboys! I hated week 1; I think I've found it the hardest week for some reason. Possibly because I felt daunted by the prospect of ever completing the whole thing. Keep at it!

Just done W4R1 which I was really anxious about but it was much, much easier than I thought it would be. I'm ridiculously chuffed with myself for running non stop for 5 minutes.

I agree with evening / afternoon running. I do the 16:8 fasting thing do I don't eat breakfast and I simply don't have enough energy to run on an empty stomach. Today the run looked over me like a black cloud all day as it was so cold and wet here but in the end it was fine.

Welcome 2gorgeousboys! I always find running later in the day hardest. Half an hour after light breakfast is my best time to go, most energy I have all day.

Can I join? Just done W1R2 and found it harder than run 1 for some reason (not sure if it's because I've been at work all day?)

Well done everyone!

Just did w7r1. Found it hard. But think I was going faster than usual. There were a lot of people out and about which always spurs me on to get past them! Struggling to get out regularly enough at the moment and I feel it, I’ve stopped up 2 runs a week.

LIZS I’ve not lost weight either but definitely feeling a bit more toned around the middle and derrière. I need to get back to watching what I eat, I’ve been kidding myself that running means a free pass on diet

@dancergirl, I have found it "the same level of hard" so far, ie it hasn't got harder but it's certainly never easier.

Well done chink I'm a newbie too.

Just finished Week 1

Dh came with me today.

Very worried about next week, did you find it much harder going from W1 to W2?

I've got a small running belt from decathlon that holds my mobile and car key. Keeps them nice and flat with no bouncing around.