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Original poster

Couch to 5k accountability

205 replies

FunIsland · 07/07/2024 08:58

I searched for another thread and couldn’t find one, so apologies if it’s a repeat.

I used to run 5k daily, then covid left me with the lungs of a 90 year old chain smoker. I’ve tried so many times to get back to it and doing too much means that I end up out of action with pretty much everything for weeks. I’m stuck in a cycle of either doing nothing or doing too much because I miss running so much that when I get started I just want to do a Forest Gump and keep going.

Does anyone want to join me for couch to 5k? I’m thinking that if I make myself accountable I’ll stick with it (both in terms of actually getting up and doing it but also not trying to leap ahead).

OP posts:
VictoryOrDeath · 28/07/2024 18:32

Thanks!

DS can be pretty amenable - I'm just presenting it as a thing that's happening, and so far he just tells me about computer games the whole time.

Original poster
FunIsland · 28/07/2024 18:30

We’re all at different stages @VictoryOrDeath - you’re very welcome (and also engaging with a teen makes it an even bigger challenge!)

OP posts:
beguilingeyes · 28/07/2024 18:05

Ditto re early morning. I can't run in the heat at all.

VictoryOrDeath · 28/07/2024 17:05

Can I join, or am I too much behind everyone else?

I've done Cto5k a couple of times before, so I know it works. I'm clearly not very good at sticking to it in the longer term though!

I'm doing it with a not very enthusiastic teen 😄 - we're only up to W1R2.

Planning to go out early tomorrow morning, as it's just too bloody hot.

Mysterian · 28/07/2024 17:04

I did W6R3 earlier in the week. Just 20 minutes. I was counting down the time and got to the 20 minute mark Jo Wiley said "just 5 minutes to go"! I thought it was a 20 minute run but it was actually 25. Those surprise 5 minutes were absolute murder!
I ran 25 again this morning and it was pretty comfortable. It's amazing how quickly you can grow accustom to it.
Bit hot today but I thought I had better get one in because it's only getting hotter.

Mysterian · 28/07/2024 16:58

beguilingeyes · 28/07/2024 14:26

I have the dreaded W5R3 tomorrow.

Not W5R3!!! 😮

It's a big step but if you managed run 2 ok you'll be able to do it. Or you could repeat run 2 again so you're even more ready. If worst comes to worst and you bail out after 15 minutes, just do it again in a few days time and try to run for a bit longer. Don't be afraid of making up your own half steps.

Original poster
FunIsland · 28/07/2024 16:10

beguilingeyes · 28/07/2024 14:26

I have the dreaded W5R3 tomorrow.

I had to google that. In the words of Sarah Millican ‘you can do this’

OP posts:
beguilingeyes · 28/07/2024 14:26

I have the dreaded W5R3 tomorrow.

Original poster
FunIsland · 28/07/2024 12:07

Just did w4r1 - but was enjoying it so much that I set it back to the beginning and did it twice 🤣 feeling very hot (not in a good way) and happy right now

OP posts:
Original poster
FunIsland · 23/07/2024 21:12

beguilingeyes · 23/07/2024 14:44

I'm starting week 5 tomorrow.

That seems like such a long way away right now 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
FunIsland · 23/07/2024 21:12

JKnight09 · 23/07/2024 12:15

Oddly proud of myself. There was a time that if I'd done 3 weeks without a run it would have ended up being 6 months before I even looked for my sports bra again so doing ok this time round.

That’s brilliant; I’m learning from here that so much of this is about consistency and getting back in it.

OP posts:
beguilingeyes · 23/07/2024 14:44

I'm starting week 5 tomorrow.

JKnight09 · 23/07/2024 12:15

Oddly proud of myself. There was a time that if I'd done 3 weeks without a run it would have ended up being 6 months before I even looked for my sports bra again so doing ok this time round.

Original poster
FunIsland · 23/07/2024 10:51

Well done! How do you feel now?

OP posts:
JKnight09 · 23/07/2024 10:20

The kids brought home a bug that they got over in 2 days but absolutely floored me for 2 weeks, then I had a full on course for work so this morning was my first run for 3 weeks. A very very slow W7 D1 but at least I got back out. I think if I hadn't done it today it would have been Another week before I dragged myself out the door.

Original poster
FunIsland · 22/07/2024 21:27

Well done @lavenderboux that’s a great achievement when you’ve been feeling rough

OP posts:
lavenderboux · 22/07/2024 17:17

So very typically I came down with the lurgy just as my motivation for this peaked last week! I was chomping at the bit to get better so that I could continue with my C25k (who am I?! lol) but v pleased to be able to check in today to say that I have completed w1 run 2 😊 Hoping to be able to do run 3 on Weds/Thurs this week

Mysterian · 21/07/2024 22:09

I'm OK, mostly fit and looking forward to the next run.

Original poster
FunIsland · 21/07/2024 21:32

Mysterian · 21/07/2024 18:38

My last run was terrible. Felt sick and like crying at the end. I did have a bit of a chest issue. Turned out to be inflamed lungs. A couple of days treatment with a steroid inhaler and I ran it again today. No problem!
I was worried about how my running level would decrease over the week I didn't run for but it seems a week off doesn't really matter.
How's everybody else coping with gaps in running? How long can you go?

That sounds really rough, I hope you’re OK. I don’t have any answers but am hopeful for some wisdom!

OP posts:
Mysterian · 21/07/2024 18:38

My last run was terrible. Felt sick and like crying at the end. I did have a bit of a chest issue. Turned out to be inflamed lungs. A couple of days treatment with a steroid inhaler and I ran it again today. No problem!
I was worried about how my running level would decrease over the week I didn't run for but it seems a week off doesn't really matter.
How's everybody else coping with gaps in running? How long can you go?

ADHDHDHDHD · 17/07/2024 11:44

What a lovely video!
Thanks for posting that.
Ok it looks like I am trying to run too fast!

beguilingeyes · 16/07/2024 07:26

Veeerry slow is absolutely key at first. If it's too hard you're probably going too fast.

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Original poster
FunIsland · 16/07/2024 06:22

ADHDHDHDHD · 15/07/2024 22:48

If you have never run before it's far too difficult!

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When my chest was at its worst I felt defeated and I watched a video of a woman saying run really slowly. I did it and it made a huge difference, like really really slowly, I probably walk quicker 🤣. My friend said it was like watching a pensioner trying to run and thinking ‘bless them, look at them still having a go’ 🤣🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
FunIsland · 16/07/2024 06:20

MissAmyPond · 16/07/2024 00:20

I did C25K last year, did my first Parkrun, then promptly went on holiday and... just stopped running Blush as @FunIsland says, creating the habit is the hardest bit!

I really want to get back into it but, whilst I do a lot of walking, I realistically only have maybe one morning a week when I can go for a run - two if I'm lucky. My DC are still small and DC is a shift worker so it's tricky!

None to run sounds really useful, thanks @ADHDHDHDHD - and good luck for the marathon @LoudSnoringDog. That is so much beyond my capabilities, my mind is boggling!!

That’s hard, my DH is a nurse and it’s hard to fit around their shifts isn’t it? Our kids are older now, and it’s easier, this really tying bit doesn’t last forever honestly!

Join us (at the risk of sound like a cult) as long as you’re moving that’s all that matters I think?

OP posts:
beguilingeyes · 16/07/2024 05:51

ADHDHDHDHD · 15/07/2024 22:48

If you have never run before it's far too difficult!

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It's really not. I was pushing 15 stone and 57 the first time I did it. Ok, the name is a bit misleading...I still can't do 5k in 30 minutes, but Couch to 30 minutes doesn't sound as good does it?
You don't have to do it in nine weeks, you can go as slowly as you like and repeat runs as much as you like.
I don't think that running for sixty seconds is impossible.