C25K

W3R2 just done - touch wood finding this week very doable, almost enjoyable . Finding it very good to keep reporting back here

Oh that’s so good to hear travelling! I get what you mean about the intervals, with the 20 min one I could just switch off rather than thinking about minutes counting down. Thanks I really needed to hear that! Now just need to find a slot this week to actually do it!

travellinghopefully2018 snap! W6r2 was my hardest yet for some reason. I was closest I've been so far to stopping, not far into the second 10min. But then the 25min w6r3 was fine! No idea why so don't feel disheartened. I just completed w7r1 and it is definitely getting easier, less thinking without the intervals so can just let your mind wander. Not easy, but I think that now I'm past the mental barrier and know I'm capable of a longer run it's less daunting.

For leggings, tops and accessories I highly recommend Decathlon's own brand stuff. Very reasonable and great quality.

I use an arm strap for my phone and keys, bought from amazon a while ago but never used till now!
Leggings I have a pair from Tesco, fabletics and primark, the primark pair are better now it's getting warmer, I've no idea if they're see through on the bum though! Hopefully not.
I've just completed W4 R1 after having 4 days off and I think I ran a little slower than I have been but I definitely ran further. I did find it quite challenging but think that could have been a combination of 4 days off and longer running than walking this week. Absolutely chuffed with myself for still going, I think myself and many people who know I'm doing this thought I'd have given up by now 💪

Welcome to Dancer and CatNut. Lovely to have more people on the thread.

In answer to questions about kit:

Phone, keys etc. - I wear a waist belt that I can put my phone, doggy poo bags, keys, money into.

Leggings - I've been wearing my sweaty Betty long leggings but now it is getting warmer I will start to wear some knee length ones that I got from Gap a couple of years ago.

Did W3R2 yesterday and found it quite easy . I've made a playlist of tracks with the perfect tempo for my running pace (ie. slow!) which helped me to keep a steady pace and not totally exhaust myself. I almost enjoyed it!

What sort of shorts/leggings do you wear for running? I have Sweaty Betty leggings that I wear for pilates but they are quite thick and I think I'll be too hot.

Thanks travelling

I never thought in a million years I would run. I have horrible memories of cross country running at school and getting a sore throat! Do you take water with you?

I have ordered a supportive sports bra so when that comes I'll get started

Hi Catnut and dancergirl, nice to see more people joining! Good luck for starting out. Dancergirl, I have an arm band but don’t really like it, I prefer to hold my phone. So you don’t need it.

In terms of tips for starting, I don’t know if I have any useful ones really. Just to keep on getting out there. I have a friend who is an experienced runner who I ‘check in’ with after each run and who then texts me on the day of the next run, we don’t live near each other but exchange notes on runs, that has helped because I don’t want to let her down by giving up! Also I put a star on my calendar for each run

I have found I’ve had up and downs - first run I found terribly hard, then after that it got so much better. Found going to 5 min runs weirdly harder than going to 20 min runs! Back in a tough bit now, so might need to recruit a friend to run with to keep me going. A couple of people have offered but before now I haven’t felt like I could run long enough or confidently enough to keep up and not embarrass myself!

I find it really hard to run in the evenings, much prefer pre-breakfast. I’m too tired after work/kids stuff/dinner

Well done magicjay it’s so tough getting out when you feel that way isn’t it.

avon I have Jo Whiley too, I find her so soothing! Not sure what I will do without her after this!

Just back from w6r2 and I found it the hardest for a while I think I must be fighting off the virus the kids had last week as I feel like I could sleep all day and have no energy. I was hoping to move onto the next run tomorrow but if I struggled with 2 x 10 mins today I don’t know how! Trouble is I won’t get a chance to run until Sunday after today which isn’t great.

Does anyone run in the evenings after eating? So far I have been a morning runner but life is busy the next couple of weeks and I have more time in evenings than mornings (unless I get up horribly early!).

@Dancergirl an arm pouch is useful but not essential. I held my phone to start off; I still hold my keys.

Hi all,

May I join too? I started a week ago and completed W2R1 today.

I have agreed to do a Park Run on 23rd June.

I am quite fit but find running difficult.

Hope I'm not too late to join!

Well, after thinking for years that running wasn't for me, I am starting C25K this week.

I'm 46 and currently only do very minimal exercise - pilates and a bit of walking, hence I am VERY unfit I am really hoping I will get fitter and lose a bit of weight (I'm not overweight but on the top side of normal).

Any tips for starting please?

Do I need one of those arm pouches for my phone?

W2r3 done this morning, although our route went a bit awry and ended up taking a detour which elongated it!

I'm. Just back from W4R3. Felt quite good during the middle part of the session, I was even a little 'bouncier' but by the last run I was back to my usual feet shuffle along the floor! Found the last run hard, and had a headache by the end, but I did go out on an empty stomach which I don't think is a great idea for me.

Well done MagicJay I’m just back from W3R1 - went early enough for it not to be too hot. Amazed that I managed the 3 mins without stopping. I’ve got Jo Whiley in my app, really like her. Cup of tea now!

I totally agree Luuby86, a very supportive thread.

I like that fact about gaining fitness faster than losing it. I do worry if I've left it too long between runs sometimes and when I e tried to do this before it has become an excuse to quit.

Just did W3R1 which I was very daunted by but I managed both of the 3 minute runs. Still finding it a slog but it was certainly a breakthrough! I didn't time it very well (mid morning on a hot day and having had no breakfast) and I was super dizzy at the end of it.

My big achievement though is that I'm not in a great frame of mind at the moment (lots going on that I'm struggling with) and I was in a really negative mindset about going out today. I'm so glad I forced myself out to do it. . I figured that I could either choose to be stressed and unfit or choose to be stressed and fitter, so it became a bit of a no-brainier, but OMG the teapot and biscuit jar were screaming at me to not bother!

Nice one Luuby!

Rockets I think I read here, or on another thread, that you don’t lose fitness as quickly as you gain it, which is reassuring!

Got out and did w6r1 this morning. Feel so much better for getting out even though I still have a sore throat.

Hey everyone, so nice to hear how everyone is getting on at the various different stages, it feels like such a nice little c25k community. I'm just back from the hottest ever w4r2 run!! My god I was sweaty, but still managed my 3rd ever fastest run. Can't complain really.... 🏃‍♀️🌞🏃‍♀️

I think I am just gonna crack on because I like doing it each week properly and if I repeat one I'll be doing W3 and W4 in the same week if you see what I mean 🙈
Would rather just carry on with it and hope I haven't lost some stamina!

Not been out since Monday. Will go tomorrow.

20min run DONE! Still feel quite slow (1km in 9min59sec!) but I did it! :D

I would crack on rockets but that’s because I’m impatient and like to tick another run off! You could always return to repeat if you struggle?

We are having a bad week of illness in our house so missed one run and not sure if I’ll be well enough to run tomorrow, so annoying. Not sure whether to just go out and see but haven’t had to back down on a run yet so really don’t want to!

I found the 20 min run was such as a psychological milestone that it has really spurred me on. It was weird how i got into the zone and the time passed quicker than it felt!

I’m actually missing running this week, which would have sounded ridiculous to me mere weeks ago!

Hello!
I did my W3R3 this morning, I have nights this weekend so I'm now going to have 4 days of no running and my next run will be on Tuesday.
I'm not sure whether to repeat W3R3 or just crack on with W4? I'm not sure how much 4 days of no running will affect me 🤷‍♀️
Anyone got any experience of this?

Morning all!

I did my W3R2 yesterday evening as it was far too hot during the day. It's supposed to be even hotter today so I'm pleased it's a rest day.

How is everyone else getting on?