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

So I walked the parkrun route on Wednesday, and started c25k w1r2 part way round, so I covered 5k, with the programme the second half.

Did a new to me parkrun this morning, decided to set my own run/walk intervals to avoid running up the hills. My shins really started to hurt, were it not for a much fitter friend who had already finished and slowly walked the last lap with me I would have given up after 2 laps. I think i might have gone a bit too fast, hence the shin pain. I was almost crying - both with the pain, and the thought i would have to give up the running. Will try again in a couple of days, and take it really steady.

Don't beat yourself up @SquishySquirmy. Speaking as a C25K graduate, week 6 is commonly considered one of the hardest weeks, mentally.

It will be a mental barrier stopping you, not physical. It's to do with having so much confidence following your 20 minute W5R3 run that you get a feeling of being incredible (which you are! But also still learning) and so psychologically expect more of yourself.

This is one of the exact reasons Week 5 and Week 6 are three different runs - because of developing your mental strength when running, as well as your physical strength. Running is easily 80% psychological - physically you can do it, you just think you can't.

So the answer - go slower than you think you need to. Much, much slower. As long as it's a running motion rather than a walking motion, go as slow as you need to. The most important thing is that you finish and don't give yourself permission to give up.

So slow right, right down to allow that to happen. Speed will come in time, right now it is of no consideration at all.

Can I join?
I'm on week 6, but had a bit of a setback...
Was all set to do week 6 run 2 today (was even looking forward to it!)
But I had to give up after 2 minutes into the first 10 minute run, I was so exhausted! Not out of breath exactly, just shattered!
😟
I was going at my normal, slow pace and I managed the 20 minute run a few days ago. There's been plenty of times with c25k where I've had to (and managed to) push through tiredness without giving up but I just couldn't today. I had a bad night's sleep last night, but if I used that as an excuse not to run I'll never reach 5k!
I have upped my exercise quite a bit recently, so I wonder whether I've pushed myself a bit too hard? Can't decide whether my body's telling me to rest today for good reason, or whether I need to just get on with it, apply some willpower and try again tonight.

Has anyone else ever had a similar problem?

Didn't make it to park run, but did my 1st nonstop 28 mins with my 10yo and loved it! chaos I'm with you - can't believe how well this programme actually works!

chaos yes, it is a positive isn't it Well done on wk6 r2, I'm sure you'll have no problem with r3. I did smile at your mention of pace. I swear there are snails overtaking me when I run 🏃😂

sanity hope you get rid of that ear infection soon, nasty thing. We'll still be here when you're ready to run again.

Alma that's a good alternative. I've altered the display settings on my phone so the screen won't go to sleep until after 10 minutes of inactivity. Hopefully that will help. I'll also have to remember to tap the screen occasionally. I was so caught up in concentrating on my breathing and continuing to run that I forgot about the app.

I'm planning on running wk6 r1 tomorrow. Good luck to everyone who is also running. I'm sure you'll all succeed in whichever run you are doing.

chaos that is brilliant!

The app messed up on me on my 2nd ever run and I was so annoyed that I deleted it and found an old watch with a timer. I printed the run details off and just go out with 90 90 3 3 90 90 3 3 (week 2)in my head. Its only the first few weeks that are complicated anyway

@MissingPanda thank you :) got an ear infection so running isn't happening until that's sorted which is annoying.

That sucks about your run. I know how you're feeling though as my headphones caused my app to crash last week so I was spending time on the walking section sorting out my phone and it didn't help :(

Fingers crossed next run is a belter 🤞

missing I find the app can be a bit dodgy for that sometimes. Very annoying but I suppose it’s a positive that we end up running longer?!

I did w6r2 today, so Sunday is w6r3 which is 25 minute run. I’m so into it now, I can’t believe it works so well. I need to work on my pace though - I was laughing at myself today thinking about how my run is really more of a trot than a run

Mygast, how are your ankles?

@sanity hope you're feeling better.

I was fuming at my c25k app this morning. I decided to go for it and run wk5 r3 instead of repeating r2. I used the same route as I'd used for r2 and when I reached the point where I'd stopped at the 8 min mark I felt really good and happy to keep on going. After a bit I thought I must be coming up to the halfway mark but when I checked my phone my app had stopped. I tried to get it back but it just took me back to wk5 r3 so after a bit of cursing I restarted it and managed to fast forward it to the point where there was 15 mins left to run. By this time I'd been running for 10 mins easily but I did the 15 mins, although the last couple of mins nearly killed me. So I completed the run (plus a bit more) but having to sort the app out mid run did mar it a bit. Still bright side I should be able to run 25 mins in future

@suki I haven't even considered park run tbh. I'm not even sure what day/time our park run err runs. I only finish work at 8.30am. I'll probably go home, do wk6 r1 and then I'm back on work for 3pm. I don't drive so probably wouldn't have time to do it even if it's on with other stuff I need to get done.

Oh no sanity! Hope you feel better soon.
Anyone else thinking of attempting Park Run this Sat? 😬

Argggghhhh just when I thought I was getting back into the swing of C25K I've just had to have an emergency wisdom tooth extraction. It's sooooo painful and I feel sick. I was supposed to be doing a repeat of W5R2 tomorrow but not sure I'll be up to it! I'll see how I feel in the morning I suppose. Bugger 😡😡😡

@CurlsandCurves - I will check it out!

Week 4 complete. Little scared of week 5.

@Pardalis I’m listening to podcasts as well. Current fave is #Nailedit by blogger Tova Leigh and her husband, so funny.

@whistlingkettle - classic pop!

Although tonight I ran to a podcast and really enjoyed it. Helped keep my mind focussed on one thing and my body on another

@Pardalis good to hear your schedule, think I'll follow the principle that if it feels right then its OK.

Fingers crossed @MyGastIsFlabbered that you'll be back soon

And I've lost weight btw. Cut down sugar. Cut down wine (slightly but hey, we can't do it all at once)

Does anyone have any suggestions of music to run to please

Oh, and for all of you in the earlier weeks - keep going and trust the programme. I am fat - it's an effort to drag my weight around but I've got through. That week 5 is a game changer. Don't be scared of the 20 mins!

The only think I've done different is to run 4 times a week. I repeat the last run of the week. My new week always starts on a Monday - I may not run on the Monday but I count it as my transition.

I sometimes take more than one day off and I sometimes run 3 days in a row. I do what fits into my life and work and as long as I feel good and enthusiastic

I'm seeing a physio on Friday. Really hoping to get my ankles sorted so I can get out there again. I'm so envious of you all. Never thought I'd say that.

W7R1 done! I can't believe I've got this far and still enjoying it. I feel really positive about completing. Slightly worried about what to do next. Need the structure of a programme

Thank you for the trainer rec suki!

Love reading these. Well done to everyone - it’s such a big deal. I hype it up to everyone - even though my pace is suuuuper slow right now! I’ll get there.

Tomorrow is W6R1. Week 6! Who am I?! 😂