Couch to 5K - Run 1 done...

@BookShop that's amazing. An hour seems impossible right now!!!

Meep!! I just conquered W5R3!! Gorgeous morning to be out for a run.

Feel like I can officially start recording them now can run 20 minutes

@TryingToBeBold I think every run has a purpose. Even the bad ones where we feel as though we are getting nowhere. Keep at them and they are slowly but surely improving either speed, distance, mindset etc. For me I’m just stubborn and persevere. After every run I try to do a little bit extra so that I know tomorrow is do-able. I’ve tried the C10k app but needed variation so moved onto the NRC instead. I’m just pleased to get developing a habit and trying to push myself a little more each day.

I do think I need to incorporate strength training now I’m moving up because I’m getting a little achey afterwards. I don’t want to cause any damage.

@RonBurgundyspanpipe excellent news about the extra days rest! To me it makes all the difference in finishing the week. Run 2is always hard so an extra day is amazing.

@BookShop that's fantastic! How did you progress from 5k to longer? Did you just.. keep going when you felt like you could?

@BookShop that is incredible!! Well done! Very inspiring

W3D3 done, onto week 4! Ankles are a bit sore. I’m on night shift for the next few nights so won’t be running, will give my ankles a rest.

Gutted, my knees are aching so I think I'm going to need another rest day tomorrow. I was so looking forward to going out as well. I'm about 3 stone overweight so I daren't push my knees too far or I'll have to start from the beginning again.

Came in quickly to say I’m still running. 1hr today! 1 hour. 😁 managed to do 8.5kms I finished on a hill and am aching now but it’s amazing to think that at the beginning of April I couldn’t run for 45 seconds yet today I’ve done an hour. I’m so pleased with my progress. It’s been tough and I have cried, been achey, cut a run or two short but I’m running nearly every day and today I ran for an hour.

It’s hard but worth it. I’m still hoping to get to a 10km by the end of May.

@JonHammIsMyJamm well done for doing it even when you didn't feel up to it. Every run counts towards your fitness and the next one will be better.

@cannonball8726 I think PF can take a long time to heal. I wouldn't recommend running on it at all but there are some expensive but amazing insoles online that may offer some pain relief.

I did read the stuff on watches but I'm lost and have no clue what is what.

Going to post then go back and reread posts.

Completed the dreaded w8r1 and it was a dream. Much easier in the cool weather and my running belt was ace. I only recorded my running sections as the belt made it easier to faff with my phone. Hit loads of pbs, (love strava), fastest mile, km etc... and average pace has jumped to 7m43s/km. Happy with that, the extra rest day seems to have done the trick.

6/3 done and it was hard. I’m tired today, really weary and didn’t feel up to it at all this morning. Pushed through and finished it but it wasn’t easy at all. That was the last of the interval sessions. Week 7 onwards is just solid runs. In some ways I’ll be glad to get on with it but after today’s iffy run, I’m a bit trepidatious.

Best of luck to anyone with their weekend run still outstanding.

@BeKind
Oh I hope it does for you. I didnt even look at that brand again in the end. I'm hoping that just having the ability to start the timer when I run and end it when finishing will give me a more accurate pace without including warm ups etc .
I'll still take my phone for music and the app (will probably use week 9 after I finish as a motivational factor), and.. because I dont trust myself to not fall over.

@bold I think you're right, the Band 4 Pro is compatible apparently but costs about £20 more

@Thankssomuch exactly. Let me just run for 30 and then I can speed it up

@BeKind I looked at that one but I'm not 100% sure its compatible with strava. If you click through the Strava app and click into someones run you can scroll down and see the kit they use (some people put watches or bikes or trainers... or none) but that narrowed some down for me so I know what worked for others

That's really helpful, thanks! Last night I was looking at the Huawei Band 3 Pro which seems amazing value. I really like your point about resale value of the others though.

I’m not running fast - it’s more of a jog at times - but I’m not stopping or slowing it down to a walk (until Jo Whiley tells me I’m allowed to) so as far I’m concerned, that’s fine. I can think about times when I’ve completed the whole programme!

Oh and I finished Strava as soon as the run finished today so my stats are only really inclusive of my warm up. That's given me motivation!

W6R3 done.
I miss the regular 5 minute reminders..
One at 5, 12.5 and then 20 did not make this easy.
20-25 was torture. I'm sure I was almost walking.
But I did it and that's what matters.

@BekindStayhome have a look at people you're following on Strava and see what watches and stuff they use. That's what inspired me.
Garmin Forerunner 35
Garmin Vivoactive 3
Polar M430
Garmin Forerunner 630

They were ones I kept seeing pop up. My budget was £100 because the 35 is that much new.
I watched ebay auctions for a week or so and ended up with a Vivoactive for my budget (worth £200 new). Wanted the 630 as that's £400 ish new and an auction the same night ended at £81.

But they are well sought after on Ebay so I can always resell

W1r1 done today, I haven't run properly in a few years after an injury. Decided to get back to it, got my brooks shoes during the week as well. I have to say I loved getting back running, although my fitness levels are shocking. We live in the countryside in an area with lots of hills so picked the best bit near our house and went over and back. I'm sure the neighbours thought I was crazy. I'd just like to build up my levels and confidence before taking off through the town!

Argh so I got to Week 6 and got plantar fasciitis! So annoying. Any tips? I've ordered some new running shoes as my current ones are a bit old now. Does anyone know how long it'll take to get better?!

I abandoned my run 2/3 of the way through today. I was doing ok but my ankle was feeling a bit stiff, but then I got an nightmare stitch under my ribs. I tried to walk it off and then thought ‘screw it’. I’ve pushed my next Garmin coach run back and added a repeat of this run.

What running watch are you getting bold? I find the C25k app crashes when I run strava too on my phone so wondering if it's worth looking at something else

Also just finished week 5 run 3 and I'm so relieved as that felt like a huge hurdle in my head! It was totally fine in the end, not my fastest but I really wanted to make sure I got to the end. I wish I'd done this a few years ago now.

Congrats to the week 5ers! That 20mins is a great feeling.
Sports watch being delivered! So I can track my running now not the warm up and cook down messing up my pace

W9r1 done! I was counting down a bit from 20 mins which is annoying as I'd done the week of 28 mins. Can't believe only 2 more runs to go!!