C25k / couch to 5k - Spring 2019 new starters. All welcome!

Sorry to hear about those of you that are on enforced breaks from running. Hope you heal quickly.
I've just completed W4 today, which feels like a big achievement. Almost half way through the program! Week 5 looks tough ahead though....
My calves/achilles tendons are so sore when I run - wondering if I just need to do more stretching beforehand?

Take care of yourself, sanity.
Probably best to allow your ear to heal, then make it worse and end up needing a longer break!
How annoying Gast! Hope you're not in too much pain.

I've been very on/off with c25k - never made it as far as I am now, but each time I had to stop I went back to the week 1 or 2.
Found it so much easier the second and third time around! Psychologically as much as anything else I think... I had done it before so I trusted myself to do it again.

Just crossed off week 7 run 1. Ran sooo slowly but did it for 25 mins.
DH has just started c25k which is great, but what peeves me a little is that from comparing routes I suspect he covers a similar distance to my week 6 runs on his week one runs! He is tall and long legged, so his brisk walk is my slow jog 😁

I am glad that c25k is done by time rather than distance for that reason- it's inclusive in that tall, short, male, female etc are all equally challenged iyswim.

It's a stress fracture which can be caused by a change in activity levels so I think my 'running' caused it. I'm actually quite gutted.

mygastisflabbered I’m really sorry to read this - go easy for these 6 weeks. You’ll be back!

I haven’t posted much but I’m still at it, on week 7 so just the 25 min runs which I’m finding hard due to being exhausted from work. Glad to read that others find the first 15 mins hard - my DH says for him the first 5 mins are hard, but then he’s fine, so I’ve been feeling a bit daft

Oh no, MyGastIsFlabbered what a shame, how on earth did it happen?
I was talking to a lady who is a regular runner. She’s had an enforced break for about 6 months but in the last few weeks has got back into running. Her advice to anyone coming back after a break, start again at week 1. Don’t push yourself, you’ll soon be back at where you were. 5 weeks in and she’s running over 30 mins, because she’s done it before and knew she could progress quicker.
You’ll get there xx

@MyGastIsFlabbered 😱😱😱 how did you do that? Impact of running?

Hope it mends simply and you can continue running x

@crumpet the first 10-15 mins of a run is always the hardest work, even for experienced runners. It takes about 1 mile / 2km to "find your stride"

So I'm going to be out of action for quite a while. I have a fractured metatarsal (bone in my foot) which will take at least 6 weeks to heal.

I'm on a break from running and I'm gutted (never thought I'd say that!). Have got ear infection which isn't shifting and really sore. Also moving house on Friday so trying to pack the house into boxes and then it's half term so no childcare. Hopefully will restart (again!) after half term!!

Well done to everyone still going. Be very proud of yourselves!! X

I’ve just done w7r2, and also finding that at some point in the first half it’s really tough and then eases off. Does anyone more experienced know whether this changes over time or is it all part of the body realising it actually has a bit of work to do at the beginning of a run.

I’m enjoying podcasts more than music at the moment - think it has something to do with counting off each 3 mins or so for each song, and have also downloaded episodes of tv (generally stuff I have watched before so I can just listen only)

Oh, MyGast, that’s really bad luck. Is there any chance finding a way to run without injury?

Congrats squishy I redid the 20 min run today just to prove to myself I could after finding the two 10mins so hard. Now ready to face upping it further

I'm out of action.., again. Now it's my actual foot that's playing up...it's swollen and really painful. I'm so upset. First time I've ever found an exercise plan I'm enjoying and looking forward to and I've got to stop.

Thanks Fate!

Pulled myself together and did the 2 X 10 minutes on Sunday!
25 minutes tonight, hopefully... I'll keep it really slow and just focus on running for 25mins, no matter how slow!

Well done @Pardalis I'm picturing Laura Ingalls now running thru the field of flowers

W8R1 complete. Made the mistake of running in some long grass which was hard work! Carried on for at least a minute after the end!
So close to completing!!

I forgot I had joined this thread 🙈 I managed week 5 run 3 last week and am still astonished i managed 20 minutes without stopping. I also really struggled with week 6 run 2 and had to really force myself to do the second half of the second 10 minutes

@NomNomNominativeDeterminism - not sure whether this is helpful but I found concentrating on breathing harder than not even thinking about it.
Trying to breath properly made me panic a bit.
I would slow down a bit instead. They are daunting but the longer runs get easier once you get past the first 10 mins. I hate it at the beginning now. I'm much more comfortable at 15 mins plus

MyGast that’s great news. I know it’s a pain having to start again, but you’ll be back where you were in no time.

NomNom I feel just like you. I really don’t think I’ll ever enjoy running. I’m doing it as a challenge to myself and because I have high blood pressure and want to improve my heart health.

I have my Zumba and Clubbercize and body pump which I love. I think once I’ve managed to do 30 mins I’ll try and keep it up once a week to maintain. I’ll never be one that runs 5 times a week rain or shine!

Well I managed 20 mins. It was incredibly hard work, I can’t get the breathing sorted, and I hate doing it. I am hugely envious, in a resentful poor-me-bring-on-the-violins kind of way, of everyone who is now into their stride and enjoying running.

But chin up. And if I can do it then there is hope for anyone looking ahead with trepidation to week 5. Everyone who said that carrying on is easier than run-walk-run - you were right.

However ... my ankle hurts and is swollen. It is an improvement on both ankles swelling after W5R2. Is this a recognised W5 ankle-itis? Mygast, I’m glad to hear your ankles are better.

Week 7 complete! Hot and sweaty one today

I saw a physio on Friday and the good news is I can run again. The bad news is I have to go right back to W1. Still, it should be a bit easier this time and now I've got the right shoes I shouldn't get injured again.

I'm stupidly excited about being able to run again...wtf has happened to me?

@FATEdestiny - thank you so much!!

Panicking still about finishing the programme and not knowing what to do next.

No need the panic, the NHS already sorted it for you:

Couch to 5K+ Running podcasts for graduates of Couchto5k

W7R2 done today. Only going to manage 3 this week instead of 4 but I will complete the week. Definitely finding the first half harder!
Panicking still about finishing the programme and not knowing what to do next. Must research!