Starting couch to 5K tomorrow morning - anyone want to join?

Well done everyone. Just completed week 2 and it was freezing but picked a route where most of it avoided the head on wind. Knocked 10s off my split pace which I was pleased with.

Any recommendations for a running head band for a small head 😂. I hate running in a woolly hat but wouldn't mind something to keep me a little warmer. Normal headbands seem to pop off though 😂

@Passportpondery I also just did W3 R2 this morning. Wind was horrible and felt like I was jogging on the spot🤣. Judging by my pace in W3 I walk faster than I jog!! Well done for getting out as it's tough in this weather.

I’ve just dragged myself out for W3 R2. I’m full of cold and it’s so windy I really struggled. My W3 is going to have to roll over 2 weeks as the weather plus sore muscles stopped me going out this week.

Well d one everyon e. I've just finished week 1. I HATE running in the rain but it was that it nothing this week so got out and did it. Went to go out this morning but my headphones have died and yesterday I accidentally washed my sports bra so didn't have a dry one. I know, these sound like excuses to me too, but I'm on it next week.

Winter645Mermaid · 08/01/2023 15:02

@BooseysMom id agree any movement is good, some yoga for 20mins, a walk to get some fresh air it all helps. I’ve been taking a dissolvable VitB12 which I swear is helping with energy levels.

I got soaked out on my bike today as I didn’t manage to dodge the rain showers. Hope to do R1 of week3 tomorrow if it’s not raining hard!

Yes definitely every little thing helps. I was so pleased with myself as I went back to pilates this week. I found I could manage everything except the side plank which I could never manage before! Sadly I still haven't found time to run though. How's yours going?

W2R2 complete and I enjoyed it. Nice to push myself out the door again. Quite like running in the dark, no one can really see my red face

Thanks @notacissy I much prefer cold weather running below 10c I’m very happy above 20c I don’t run I cycle as too hot in between 10-20c I just moan a lot 😂.

Dragged bum out 7am this morning as sore throat & snot was winning but put my kit on and told myself just walk if you can’t run but then got W3 completed as urge to run kicked in. Then walked dog straight after as working all day, but got another 3.5k walk in, so it’s all this time on legs is building my strength.

hope everyone is still going despite the wet and windy weather.

I’ve had to put of my 2nd run of the week today as I did a fitness class last night and am in so much pain from it!

Probably won’t get out until the weekend how due to childcare and so my week 3 will have to stretch over 2 weeks

Well done @WinterMermaid234 not only a run up a hill but you then had to get the shopping in and put away.

I think I prefer runs when it's colder, the summer zaps my energy, but the wind and rain is not fun.

Well done running tonight its cold wet n windy here. I dragged my butt out at lunchtime despite feeling ropey and a busy work day, but it actually made me feel better even if I did have to run the last bit faster as Tesco delivery guy turned up 45min early and phoned to ask where was I! I was puffing up the hill but I made it back ok. w3 run2 done. Nice feeling to be getting them ticked off and getting stronger again. My throat is sore and I keep sneezing so the cold is circulating just hope I can fight it off as I’ve got a busy weekend I can’t get out of.

Just did W2 R3 tonight. Like you @notacissy I wasn't looking forward to it in the dark, cold, very windy evening straight from work. But in the second half was feeling good after I warmed up. Not looking forward to the step up in W3😬. I really should stop looking at what's next! Plan to do that on my day off on Friday. Well done everyone, keep going, Woo hoo 🏃🏃

W2R1 completed. Did not want to go out after a long day at work and it's bitter and windy. Wrapped up and went for it and loved it by the second running stint. Forgot I was cold and enjoyed the clear night and the stars. Come back in feeling to awake and energetic.

Great to hear some positive and fast 5ks. Can't wait to get back to that distance again.

Laughing at needing a wee on a run. That's the last thing I do before I leave anywhere as I can't seem to hold a wee for very long anywhere now 😂

Well done @Passportpondery i hope you had a gd buzz after.

I’m starting to feel full of head cold again 😞 ffs it’s just been endless in our household like dominoes with illness since Oct one of us ill constantly in a loop.

I’ve just done W3R1 and it was better than I expected! I found it hard at times (and I think my running is really slow) but I did the 3 minute stretches without giving up.

Great to hear the stories of those who have completed this before. Thank you for coming back to share.

I completed week 2 today. Getting there - very slowly!

Week 3 run 1 done, I did start with the mild panic of “ I really need a wee” going round my head 😂lucky found a tree to hide behind. I run after I taken my daughter to school which is 1hr r/t drive and I’ve found a good place to start part way home to run, so I’m always need a wee 3-4mins after starting! It still took me 15mins to warm up my legs but I added on an extra 3min run at the end as it felt too short a session for me. I only cover 3k otherwise In that 25-30mins. I also walked dog afterward for 6k today so legs weary now.

Good luck for week3, it felt fine to me. I will say if your looking ahead it’s all relative to age and shape, I couldn’t get my 5k under 35mins for 6mths after doing C25k last time , and it wasn’t until 18mths later when training for a HM that I actually got a PB of 29.30 which I’ve never done again 😂my comfy average was 33-35min 5k. I’m not built for speed at all!

I usually manage it in under 30 minutes now and every single time I get home I still cannot believe I can actually run that long without stopping!

Thank you! That gives me a little hope!

Came on to offer encouragement. I completed couch to 5k over nine months. I had to repeat loads of weeks and had various gaps. The 20 minute run took me ages to mentally build up to!
but I competed the programme and now I am aiming for a sub 25 min!! I’m 46 and couldn’t run for more than 2 minutes when I started. Just keep going is my advice.

I completed w5 run 1 today, but will struggle this week to do any as I just don’t have the time. May have to redo some.
I second Yoga with Adrienne, she’s brilliant

Let me know how it goes! I won’t attempt it until Tuesday as tomorrow will be a rest day.

I do the 20 mins yoga with Adrienne ( free on YouTube) on off days and I think that really helps with aches. I used to do her 30 day selections but now I’ve settled on one I like that is very stretchy and just do that one. Plus not going too fast- I got a new playlist and went down a hill too joyfully the other day and really felt it the next day.

I did W2 R1 today before the rain hit fortunately. It wasn't too bad going up to 90 secs and am trying not to look forward to the jump in W3. @BlueberryPancakes17 sorry about your knees. I have knee pain but that is osteoarthritis and I wear knee support things but they are sore afterwards. Maybe take a couple more days and see if they improve. My aim for this is to get fit and ready for skiing and am combining with some other bits of exercise. I then want to keep it going. On my run today in the park they were setting up for a 5k and I thought just maybe I could be registering for that in two or three months😬. Well done everyone. I really love to hear about how you are getting on as it inspires me to keep going. 🏃🏃

@Oldfox @Passportpondery im also starting Week3 tomorrow hopefully if it’s not raining too much. I’m sure it will be fine just take it slow we can do it!