Couch to 5k

Well done!
I have been listening to a playlist of upbeat pop songs but yesterday the shuffle threw up a dramatic orchestral piece which gave me a surprising boost of motivation. I might try setting out to ‘ride of the valkyries’ next time!

How’s it going @FunMum2019?
I’m just back from week 4 run1. Managed to successfully puff and gasp my way through the first 5 minute runs. Never thought I’d manage that!
I saw a lady on the other side of the field who looked like I felt. I would have given her a high five but she was off in the other direction and, at my glacial pace, I’d never have caught up with her. Is there an etiquette when you recognise a fellow c25k student?

Oh reading the thread really makes me want to join you all! I did c25k a few years ago and then worked on speed for a while. I was such an I unsporty person and just loved how the programme was designed to help me feel like a winner - was amazing when you could run for 20 min all of a sudden! I’ve got a bit of a dodgy knee now though sadly when hurts after I’ve run for a while, but it does mostly hold up for a 10 min treadmill run at the end of the gym - my favourite part! Maybe I need to be brave and trust the process to build me up gradually…x

Week 4 run 3 done! I really focuses on being able to breathe this run instead of distance or speed ready for next week and it was so much easier

How's everyone else getting on?

@FunMum2019well done! Ive got one more run this week left of week 4, its gone so fast! I never thought id be able to do it but week 4 ive enjoyed so much,

I agree with going slower. Im on week 4 and it took me a while to learn how to run slow,

Thanks @Riverz, I will give Denise a go next time.

I just use Denise Lewis. She isn’t annoying to me

it’s ok going slow, it’s not the speed that’s important at the start

all I am doing is mostly focusing on my breathing and HR not my pace time

You are all doing so well.
I’m here to report that I have survived week3, run2 but I am still feeling no enjoyment at all.
A couple of you have suggested slowing the pace but tbh, I am hardly moving. I walk quicker!
Today I made the mistake of going out before heading to work. I endured the puzzlement/pity of school kids who overtook me as they walked and embarrassment of bumping into my neighbour as I returned home looking exhausted. I was stressed about getting to work on time. I will have to do some running on my work days but timing was not good today.
I am using the app and hanging on Jo Whiley’s every word. She’s beginning to annoy me - ‘the hardest part is getting out’, well No, that’s quite easy. I’m not lacking determination, just ability! ‘You might want to take a photo of yourself’ to record your progress - no way! I did try Sarah Millican but found it a bit difficult to tune into what she was saying. Can anyone recommend if any of the other coaches are a bit more relatable for someone who is giving their best but obviously a bit remedial? I want someone to tell me that they really appreciate the enormous effort that this is taking me.

I don’t know if this will help anyone but if you are struggling, you are running too fast 😂

I am new to C2k5 never run in my life I’m on week 4 and finding it manageable as I use my heart rate to track if I am going too fast and slow down if I am, I use the MAF method of 180- my age and then I stick around this number. It helps you to not get exhausted. I swear by it!

I've stopped & started C25K due to various reasons so many times since December 2021 so it's really embarrassing.
However this time I'm determined to finish it & I will.
I've just finished WK4 & am doing WK5 R1 tomorrow.
I can run for 10 mins non stop as what I tend to do is run a bit of or all of the 5 min cool down walk & then do my proper 5 min cool down walk at the end (which sometimes turns into an 8 min walk depending on where I am & which way I walk home)

I just find it helps my stamina & also the beginning of a new week is a bit easier.

I still remember my very first attempt at WK1 R1 thinking omg can I do this.

Some inspiration for you here, one of my old friends started C25K back in 2016 when the app first started.
She now runs marathons!

Well done everyone, sometimes getting out the door is the hardest bit. I am a leader in running fitness, and I'd recommend when you run, don't try to be as fast as you can. It takes a while for pacing but go out at a pace that doesn't leave you absolutely gasping. You can't get both distance and speed at the same time very easily, so C25k is about distance, then concentrate on speed 😊

Well done! 😊

Trust me, I am very unfit now, I don't like any exercise really and I've never really done any (apart from the one time I completed this!)
I know I can do it because I've done it once before. It's very clever the way it gradually builds you up, and I don't necessarily follow it properly. I might end up doing one day 3 times until I feel comfortable moving on.
Let's see how we both get on...

I genuinely cant see myself completing this, I want to and im really enjoying it but I camt imagine being able to run 30 minutes straight

You've inspired me - just done W1R1.
I've probably started the programme 10 times over the years but only completed it once...
I've got a new WFH job with an hour lunch break so I have no excuses now!

Just done week 4 run 1, it felt like a lot of running with short breaks in between but I did it! I didnt think i would

I absolutely hated week 3 run 1 I so very nearly gave up but I enjoyed the other 2 runs! I start week 4 tomorrow which includes 5 minute runs, i cant believe i couldn't even do 60 seconds and the start and now I can do 3 minutes, im not gunna lie I struggle towards the end though

Just wanted to cheer you all on and hopefully offer some encouragement!

I've never viewed myself as a runner or even vaguely sporty. My friend and I started Couch25k 9 years ago running together and due to each of us having pregnancies in tandem and taking breaks it took six years to get to a point where we actually made it to week 9. (I can still remember the absolute fear of the run where you go continuously for 20 minutes (week 5? 😅)

It took a while after 'graduating' to feel like I was actually able to confidently run 5k or not feeling scared before a run. I've kept at it though and since completed a 5km and a 10km event and have even been convinced to enter a ballot for a half marathon next year. If you'd told me I'd be capable of doing this even a year ago I'd have laughed.

I'm not going to say I always look forward to running, but I do know I feel better for having done it. I can still remember the days when running for 2 minute intervals felt really hard and that makes me feel proud of how far I've come. I guess I'm just saying you're all doing really well by showing up for the journey and even if it takes a while (or many years in my case!) you absolutely can do it! And it really does get easier!