C25K to Christmas

I've downloaded the Zen Labs one as I've used it before and it works for me but you do have to pay for it (7 day trial is free).

I'd say you've done the hardest part: couch to 5km. Now you know you can run (speed is irrelevant IMO - the fact is, you can run) so increasing distance as long as you do it slowly & sensibly is perfectly doable. You may get to 10km and decide it's more than you want to do - personally I start to get a bit bored after about 45/50 minutes plus running for me is great mainly because it's so quick & easy to fit around life! - BUT, the usual 30/40minues runs are so much easier and therefore more enjoyable IMO so worth increasing the distance for this alone.

I like the structure of a plan & a target so it works for me but if you're not sure maybe just have a few weeks settling into your new 30 minute running routine and start in Jan if you're not sure.

Oohhhh where is the 10k app? (And am I being too ambitious?)

Well done @scoopoftheday you made it .

It sounds like there will be a few graduates if not before Christmas then soon after It's great some of us actually made it (I'm not sure I actually thought I would when I started ). I'm having a nice easy week with just 20 min gentle runs and just downloaded the 10km app to start next week

I did it!

Graduated the C25K this morning!

It is frosty here but I thought I'd try and see how I got on! It wasn't slippy, just cold. Which I enjoyed, I have to say. The running jacket came off for the second half anyway 🤣

I can't do the 5k in 30 mins, I managed to do 4.54km but if I'd figured out how to see how far I'd ran I might have kept on going! That's my next goal.

Enjoy the experience and have a bit of a celebration afterwards! 🎉

Hi @Reflecttheflowers knee is a bit tender so I just took the dogs a walk to see if it was OK.

I think I'll maybe get the run done tomorrow morning rather than go to gym class.

I can't believe it's almost over!

Fair play to you doing it all on the treadmill, they say it's harder to run on that than the road, so well done!

How'd you get on @LapsedRunnerC25k ? It's still a bit blowy here today but gives it to be OK tomorrow. 🤞

@scoopoftheday hows your knee today, no point hurting yourself, best to wait a couple of days then go for the final run if that feels sensible.

Well done everyone!!!! Not easy this time of year.

i completed the final run this morning, feel as though I’ve cheated as all on the treadmill but onwards and upwards. Would like to stay while I brave running in the great outdoors if that’s ok?

stay warm and dry folks.

Congratulations on smashing the hardest week @Giraff3 .

I haven't done any of my homework runs this week (35min). I'm behind by 1 because of a rotator cuff issue. My running week starts on a Tuesday, so I might try to get out later, storm permitting. We still have really high winds and floods. Even if I can fit one in before Tue, it'll benefit me. It depends on how much strain it puts on my shoulder. It's annoying to get this far and then develop this niggle so close to the end (not running related but could scupper me).

Well done @Giraff3

That's brilliant!

It's some jump going from 8 til 20 mins!

We've storm Darragh today and it's wicked here so I'm hoping to get my run fitted in tomorrow morning.

Though I hurt my knee today so I am hoping there's no pain tomorrow and I can get the final run done!!

Hey all

Thankyou for checking on my @scoopoftheday and @lechatnoir

Been super busy at work but ive done my runs tues, thurs, today. On week 5.

Run 1 felt good (5 mins runs)
Run 2 i was surprised i felt comfortable doing (8 min runs)
Run 3 (20 min run) when i seen that i thought WTF 😂😂 however, i was absolutely fine. No mind blocks or anything 🤷‍♀️ my legs kept going lol i was shocked. But felt brilliant after i did it. Its the longest ive ever ran for 🙌
I couldnt find that running mix, so i picked one that said treadmill mix on spotify and it kept me going.
Then i went in the sauna for 25 mins. Felt quite smug lol xx

Will start week 6 on Tuesday.

Yes @LapsedRunnerC25k I'm not looking forward to summer runs in a weird way. Although it's not appealing going out in the rain and dark, once I'm out it's fine

Get one on your Christmas/Jan sales list @scoopoftheday!

@Borris, is week 6 when that 20 minuter crops up? I found that hard, to go from 8 mins to 20. I think it gets easier after that and realising that the jump from 8 to 20 is mostly psychological is a real game changer for the rest of the program.

I'm another overheater, I learned early on that it's best to start out cold because I soon warm up. Halfway in and I'm just right. Whereas if I start out comfortably warm, I'm stripping layers off halfway in. I also learned that I much prefer to run in cold weather than hot or even warm.

Hi @LapsedRunnerC25k 👋 12 weeks and up to 45 mins running sounds like a good plan! My sister is a runner and leads a group at her running club, but I would be too odd to go to something like that 🤣

Good going @Borris you're doing so well. I know what you mean re: overheating. On Monday I couldn't find the wee light jacket I like to run in so I pulled on a fleece. The sweat was lashing off me by the time the half way bell went and i had to stop to pull it over my head!

Running jackets are the way forward- irony being i have bought 2 for my runner sisters for their December birthdays and didn't even think to buy myself one 🙃 😅

Week 6 run 2 done. I’m not going to finish by Christmas but will do in the new year. I’m going to do a park run when I know I can run 5k.

well done everyone else for keeping in at it. I’m somewhere in the middle. I hate the first few minutes but then from the middle onwards I’m quite enjoying it. The last bit can be tough but the feeling of finishing is wonderful. I’m finding I tend to overdress. When I’m too hot it’s definitely more of a drag

@Reflecttheflowers theres obviously a gap in the market for that kind of an app for us cynics. Motivation without the patronisation.

Big off indeed!!!! And if they ask how I’m feeling I always, without fail, swear.
while I’m glad it’s not just me I do wish someone could say something like in two weeks you won’t hate it with quite such a vengeance. Hey go, maybe that day will come… Thanks for your responses everyone.

@scoopoftheday for me it's the first 10 minutes of every run. It takes me 10 mins for my breathing and heart rate to settle and for me to get my pace right. Once I've settled in, I'm all good.

@Reflecttheflowers I can't use the apps. I used to, to measure the distance/time and intervals but I had to turn all of the 'encouragements' off. So irritating 😫. Especially if you're having a tough one and then the voice pipes up with a cherry "Half way there! You're doing great!". Bog off

Hi all, I know it's late but can I tag along?

I'm doing the c25k with a local running group, 1 run a week with 2 homework runs. Finding it much better than when I've done the app in the past. Having to show up for the group has motivated me on those days when I've really not felt it. The only difference is that the run club does the course over 12wks rather than 9wks. We've got 2 weeks left, so I'm on w10. On my plan that's a 35min run. Weeks 11 & 12 are 40 & 45min runs. I'm really enjoying it. I'll keep running with the group once the course is over.

@lechatnoir, you are fast! 5k in 30min is really good for a c25k finisher. I'm currently at around 36mins for a comfortable 5km where I can talk with recover easily. I reckon I could push it to 34 but I'd be blowing.

Hi @Reflecttheflowers 👋

You're doing brilliant to be on week 9 - nearly there! <said in sarah millican's voice>

I hate the first 5 mins. When she says you've ran for 5 mins, by now you should be comfortable i want to say "fuck off, Sarah" and sometimes I do 😁

I like it when the half way bell goes and I can turn, I know i have a downhill at the start of it then all flat.. but I wouldn't say I enjoy it in the moment, no.

I love it when it's done and I feel like doing an air punch, but because of where I live it's very likely a passing car or lorry would see 😁

@Reflecttheflowers welcome and yes, I hate the first 20 mins and then when the end is in sight it's not too bad and when I've done my run I'm elated 😂

when I did c25k 4 years ago I hated it. But this time round it's bearable with a gripping audio book and me doing a slow jog 😅

Hi, can I join in? @scoopoftheday we’re at the same point, although I suspect you’re doing better than I am!
I don’t want to be negative as I know it’s a fabulous programme, and have definitely achieved so much, but …. does anyone else absolutely detest every second?!!! I was hoping this would go away but if anything it’s got worse.

@lechatnoir yes, I think my plan is to go to a running shoe shop and let them guide me.

At the minute I have asics gel pulse 14. My running buddy has HOKAs and says they're brilliant.

I haven't really given it much thought about afterwards, but I think, like you, I'd like to work on the timing and not feeling panicked when I'm at a certain point in the run.

I just want to keep it up a couple or three times a week alongside the gym and dog walks.

Hey @scoopoftheday I've had shin splints before and they are horrible. Take it easy and maybe have a couple of days rest with lots of ice and gentle stretches. It might also be time to get yourself some more supportive running shoes - it certainly made a difference to me but be warned, they can get pricey 😫

Do you plan on following another plan after you finish? I'm conscious there's only 1 run left on this plan and I think I need something else to keep me on track so hoping the 'Beyond Couch to 5km' will have something suitable. I'm not looking for longer (yet!) maybe just improving my general stamina and getting a bit quicker. I've been reading up and it seems a rest/gentle week is advised so that might be good for you anyway but then swop in one run for a training run (hills or sprints) .

Hope you got your runs in @Borris & @Giraff3 and well done @InsiderBetty - we will be all runners for Christmas 😁

That's run 2 of week 9 ticked off ✔️

Another 30 mins. Today's run had 2 hills in it too.

Another solo runner and I did enjoy it.

Still never going to hit 5k in 30 mins but it's feeling more achievable to be able to run a 5k even if not in 30 mins.

Anyone who's struggling, believe me when I say I am not a runner, I never saw the point in it.

But I can't believe I've almost finished week 9!

Well done @InsiderBetty that's brilliant!! You didn't even let an injury hold you back- but I hope you don't have a concussion!

My shins are still hurting badly after runs and at night. Today i iced after the run and took 2 ibuprofen so I hope they're not as sore today.

@Borris @scoopoftheday I am definitely a solo runner. I like my audiobooks too much!