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Original poster

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

465 replies

BlueberryPancakes17 · 27/12/2022 19:57

After faffing about and putting it off for ages I’ve decided I’m starting couch to 5K tomorrow morning.

I find myself 2 years since my daughter was born, about 4 stone overweight and out of breath when I run up the stairs so desperately need to do something to increase my fitness.

Has anyone started the couch to 5K? How did you find it? Anyone fancy joining?

OP posts:
notacissy · 03/01/2023 22:39

I'd like to join. W1R1 complete.

I've done it before and got to 6k, never braved a park run but I'm determined to join a women's running group by the end (imposter syndrome always tells me even though I can run 5k I'm still not good enough).

Running stopped when I damaged my foot last year so I'm getting some help from a chiropractor which has really helped. Looking forward to that rewarding feeling when you complete a run and hopefully losing some weight. I was thinking of doing some core strengthening exercises and light weights on rest days.
P.S. trying to eat healthy and I'm starving

getagriplove · 03/01/2023 20:12

Hope not too late to join!

I've done C25k a few years ago and was very happy running, but lost the bug and last year was impossible to manage exercise (well it felt that way to me!)

I'm desperate to get back in the habit. Chickened out today as was raining (didn't use to mind, but not for the first run!) but am going to try and get away early from work and get the first one in!

Good luck everyone!

Anewagain · 03/01/2023 19:54

Thanks @BlueberryPancakes17 . I found it surprisingly not too bad but I still have dreaded each session beforehand and feel very apprehensive about the runs increasing next week. Congratulations everyone on your runs! It feels good to get started.

iRun2eatCake · 03/01/2023 14:41

And l use Strava to record my runs

iRun2eatCake · 03/01/2023 14:39

Anewagain · 02/01/2023 11:16

I don’t know of any @AutumnDaysConkers I can play music and have my Couch25K app running simultaneously though - just checking you realise that’s possible…?

Yes it is.

I use Amazon music. Set that off first. Then C25K app and it should cut in when coach talks

iRun2eatCake · 03/01/2023 14:38

If you're on FB, join this group. I found it really helpful

www.facebook.com/groups/399442894113991/?ref=share

cr4postcode · 03/01/2023 14:30

Well done everyone. I decided not to risk the rain showers today. So I have done a short kickboxing exercise video instead today. My thighs are still a bit stiff after the first run though so I think I will just do 2nd run on Thursday rather than skipping it.

deuxgarcons · 03/01/2023 13:33

W1 run 2 done today. Timed for between the rain showers. Actually I'm glad it's winter as I wouldn't want to be starting in heat. The only problem will be dark evening runs which I've managed to avoid in my first two. Actually don't feel too bad! Hope everyone else is doing well.

Original poster
BlueberryPancakes17 · 03/01/2023 10:35

@Winter645Mermaid ahh yes, I bet there are some bangers on the Faithless mix

@Imobsessedwithsuccesion I’ll have a listen to the Greatest Showman!

@Anewagain amazing! 🙌🏻 How do you feel?

Think I need to do some strength training or at least some squats if I can be arsed tonight. My left knee is getting a bit niggly

OP posts:
Anewagain · 03/01/2023 08:07

Week 1 completed ✔

Imobsessedwithsuccesion · 02/01/2023 21:38

Winter645Mermaid · 02/01/2023 20:24

I’ve got a Faithless DJ mix or strangely the soundtrack to Greatest Showman is quite a good pace😁

Agreed on the Greatest Showman @Winter645Mermaid (grin) I love all things cheesy 90's rave. More of a shuffle than a run here today, twas a bit slippy!

Winter645Mermaid · 02/01/2023 20:24

I’ve got a Faithless DJ mix or strangely the soundtrack to Greatest Showman is quite a good pace😁

Original poster
BlueberryPancakes17 · 02/01/2023 19:40

I’m not sure @AutumnDaysConkers but same as Anewagain on my NHS app I can just have my music playing over it.

Week 1 is done! Did the last run this evening. It felt good and brilliant afterwards. Think I’ll next be able to go out on Wednesday. 90 seconds feels a little bit more doable now but we’ll see…

Does anyone have any songs they’ve found are great for running? I’m liking High on Love by Roachford at the moment and Breathe by The Prodigy got me through an arse of a hill!

OP posts:
Anewagain · 02/01/2023 11:16

I don’t know of any @AutumnDaysConkers I can play music and have my Couch25K app running simultaneously though - just checking you realise that’s possible…?

AutumnDaysConkers · 01/01/2023 20:26

Can anyone recommend a couch to 5k app that also has music on as well.

Anewagain · 01/01/2023 20:14

I’d love to join you all too. I did W1 R2 today. Found it harder than the first one and feel apprehensive about what’s ahead. I’ve done it before though and it does work.

Walikingdeadfan · 01/01/2023 19:22

I'd like to join too - restarting again and hoping hoping to finally complete this year. Did 1st run today and didnt feel too bad considering how long it is since I've done cardio.
Will see how my legs feel tomorrow.

Original poster
BlueberryPancakes17 · 01/01/2023 19:13

Great to see so many joiners! We can do it 💪🏻

My body feels like lead today, and joints achy, so really hoping I’m not getting a virus that’s piggybacked onto the back of the cold I’ve got now! 🙄

Planning to go out for run 3 of week 1 tomorrow.

Well done to everyone starting today 🙌🏻

OP posts:
deuxgarcons · 01/01/2023 18:47

@Winter645Mermaid thanks for the suggestion on knee strengthening as I have a bit of osteoarthritis in my knees so this will hopefully really help if I do them in-between the run (jog for me) days. Plan to do W1 run 2 on Tuesday as back at work on Wednesday. Best of luck to everyone else doing this too!

Grimblygrumbly · 01/01/2023 14:08

I’m going to join as well, starting at the end of this coming week, but will probably go in at week 4 or 5, as I’ve been running on and off for the past couple of years, so my fitness hasn’t completely gone

Imobsessedwithsuccesion · 01/01/2023 13:14

Ace timing. Can I join? I started running in 2017 and got to running 10k's but I stopped, put on a stone and got lazy! I start tomorrow.

beachcitygirl · 01/01/2023 12:45

Oooh fab can I join in? Starting today! Tried it last year, lasted a week 🤦🏻‍♀️ determined to do better this time!

HayleyBay · 01/01/2023 12:26

Hey, I'd love to join too. I did it before a couple of years ago and it made a massive difference not just to my fitness but also to my mental health. I'm in a pretty low place at the moment so hoping it can help me out of there!

I'm also rather overweight this time and starting from a standing start in terms of fitness.

I've done week 1 run 2 so far

Winter645Mermaid · 01/01/2023 11:53

Can I join you? I was a runner in 2019-2021 but injury niggles and stress stopped me& now I’m 20lbs heavier, menopausal hell and 50th birthday looming so I’m determined to get it back again! I did week 1 started on Boxing Day, and this morning did Week2, run 1. Scary how un-run fit I am 😞 I struggled to do all the 90sec runs as shins hurting in new trainers but after a sprint up mini hill path it released my shins and did another 90sec run. Glad I made myself go out but my niggly hip is playing up again. This time I’m doing the nhs knee strengthening exercises and proper warm up. If you don’t already I’d strongly advise some body weight exercises (squats, lunges, planks) on days in between. They really do help later on. My goal is ParkRun in 7wks as I really miss it.
Hope everyone can get out again in the next few days.

deuxgarcons · 31/12/2022 11:36

@BlueberryPancakes17 well done on your second run and great to hear how good it felt.
I actually decided to start today so did the hardest thing which was to cross the threshold of the front door and I did it!! DH came with me which I found really helpful. I am kind of looking forward to the next one now....😳 My dodgy knees weren't too bad at the end either. Woo hoo