Page 3 | Couch to 5k

FunMum2019 · 2025-09-29T22:55:13+00:00

Started this again today (have completed it a few times over the years!). Anyone else beginning it so we can cheer each other on?

Lalgarh · 21/06/2026 10:42

Good luck!

Just remember it's heat warnings so if you don't manage it's completely fine. The very fact you put running shoes on is a huge step somewhere days.

CaffeineDeficient · 19/06/2026 20:13

I love reading about your progress @ILoveCatsAndKittens ,@BetterOffNow & @SoftIce . Gives me encouragement to keep it up.

I repeated week 2 this week and have just done the third run. Can't quite believe that I've run consistently three times a week for three weeks but I have. I know 'run' is a stretch but it's so much more than I've done before and I'm building consistency.

Week 3 starts on Sunday and I'm a bit apprehensive about 3 minutes running but I'm going to give it a go. I can do hard things!

BetterOffNow · 19/06/2026 11:04

SoftIce · 19/06/2026 11:01

@BetterOffNow Congratulations! 😍

I was in the exact same position as you, by the way - when I finished C25K I ran 3.5k in 30 minutes, on the dot. I did a "5-to-10k" programme afterwards (which was also based on minutes, not distances), and that took me up to 60 minutes running - about 7.3k. Then I started running 5k 3-4 times a week. On a good day, I now run 4.3k in 30 minutes, so I am improving, albeit slowly.

That's brilliant, any improvement is a win in my books!

I'm going to add a few minutes each week and see how I get on... thanks😊

SoftIce · 19/06/2026 11:01

@BetterOffNow Congratulations! 😍

I was in the exact same position as you, by the way - when I finished C25K I ran 3.5k in 30 minutes, on the dot. I did a "5-to-10k" programme afterwards (which was also based on minutes, not distances), and that took me up to 60 minutes running - about 7.3k. Then I started running 5k 3-4 times a week. On a good day, I now run 4.3k in 30 minutes, so I am improving, albeit slowly.

BetterOffNow · 19/06/2026 10:09

RunningForCalm · 19/06/2026 09:44

I’ve just finished Week 1 Run 2. If you run in the
morning, do you think it’s better to eat before, or after the run?

After, definitely! If I eat before I get a stitch... some people recommend a banana before a run but that gives me a stitch too!

Make sure you've had something do drink about 1/2 hour before you go out so you're not dehydrated but as it's only 1/2 hour before you can get back and eat/drink properly you should be fine.

RunningForCalm · 19/06/2026 09:44

I’ve just finished Week 1 Run 2. If you run in the
morning, do you think it’s better to eat before, or after the run?

BetterOffNow · 19/06/2026 07:23

I've done my last run! Nowhere near 5k but running for 30 mins is a big achievement for me and I'm not going to stop now 😁

ProfessorLayton1 · 19/06/2026 07:19

Completed week 7 run 2 earlier this week, hoping to do the 3 rd run today. This is the farthest I have done the couch to 5 k programme! Have attempted few times in the past and given up.

BetterOffNow · 16/06/2026 09:35

I'm one run away from completing C25K! I'll hopefully do it tomorrow if it's not too warm...

I'm after some advice - I'm only completing 3.5k on my 30 minute runs so do I keep adding 2 mins a week until I'm doing 5k or do I plot a 5k run and keep going til I can run the whole thing? Not sure which way to do this...

ILoveCatsAndKittens · 16/06/2026 08:56

Lovely to see lots of newcomers, keep on running!

I haven’t posted for a few weeks but have kept up running 5k three times per week. I complete in 29-30 minutes. Just done my run this morning and it’s already warm so I found it a little bit of a struggle!

keep going everyone!!

CaffeineDeficient · 12/06/2026 19:43

Week 2, Run 3 done. A day late. I might repeat this week. 90 secs running feels like my limit just now.

CaffeineDeficient · 10/06/2026 09:07

Week 2, Run 1 - Sunday 7 June.

Week 2, Run 2 - Tuesday 9 June.

Hoping Thursday for run 3!

Original poster

FunMum2019 · 09/06/2026 22:40

Week 6, day 1 done!

OP posts:

BetterOffNow · 09/06/2026 21:42

JustSayingReally · 09/06/2026 17:18

Had to have a couple of weeks off but finished week 4 today.
Did someone say there’s a 20 minute run at the end of week 5 🫣

If you've done the rest of the plan you can do it! 💪

Original poster

FunMum2019 · 09/06/2026 18:14

JustSayingReally · 09/06/2026 17:18

Had to have a couple of weeks off but finished week 4 today.
Did someone say there’s a 20 minute run at the end of week 5 🫣

Yes!! But if I can do it, anyone can.....

OP posts:

JustSayingReally · 09/06/2026 17:18

Had to have a couple of weeks off but finished week 4 today.
Did someone say there’s a 20 minute run at the end of week 5 🫣

Clarabellawilliamson · 08/06/2026 19:57

Hi all, can I join? I’m in week 6- my next run should be 25 minutes but I think I’m going to repeat run 2 again because I’ve had a few days off due to illness so I’m feeling a bit nervous about getting back into it. Can I ask how you are all measuring the distance you go? Do you track it with your phone or some kind of watch?

SoftIce · 08/06/2026 07:43

Congratulations to everyone who finished week 5! That 20 minute run at the end is such a huge achievement - well done!

BetterOffNow · 05/06/2026 11:42

I love how we're all at different weeks but the enjoyment of pushing ourselves and achieving results is the same😊
I'm doing week 8 run 2 tonight, only managing 2 a week coz of life... so in another couple of weeks I'll graduate! My 30 minute run won't be anywhere near 5k though, only did 3.2km in my last 25 minute run! 😂

thelittlestrhino · 05/06/2026 11:26

@upandoutofbed I've just found this thread, finished week 5 yesterday so we're at the same point. Enjoying it... so far....

upandoutofbed · 05/06/2026 09:47

Well done @CaffeineDeficientweek 1 out of the way!

Week 5 complete here, never thought I could run 20 minutes! I have developed some hip pain though so may have to scale back a bit.

CaffeineDeficient · 04/06/2026 20:08

Week 1, Run 3! Done 🏃🏼‍♀️

Original poster

FunMum2019 · 03/06/2026 18:27

@Nodwyddaedafedd and @CoverLikelyZebra Just keep at it! Try the new runs, and if it's too hard go super slow, repeat if needed! I started this thread in September, but am only just finishing week 5!!!!! So hard to do with work/family/illnesses etc., but I'm so glad I'm still doing it.

OP posts:

CoverLikelyZebra · 03/06/2026 18:03

I did week 2 run 3 for the 5th time today because week3 run1 still looks too scarey. I ran for 15 seconds more at the end of each 90 seconds so was actually running for 105 seconds then walking for 1min45 rather than 90sec/2mins but stepping up to 3 minutes seems unachievable. I feel so daunted by the idea.

Nodwyddaedafedd · 03/06/2026 18:02

Week 5 run 2 done. Was dreading it. Mostly because I was stuck on week 4 for about 5 weeks. I'm finding it impossible to do 3 a week so I'm doing what I can and repeating myself lots. But I haven't given up yet!! Planning on repeating run 2 before going for run 3.