Couch to 5k

It seems hard now but just keep plugging away.

I remember finding the increasing running time in C25k so hard and wondering how I would ever be able to run for 30 mins non stop, but somehow it happens. It isn’t easy and you can’t expect it to be, not at first, but it does get easier the more you do it. You just have to keep going.

5 years on from C25k and I’ve run a marathon, I’m training for another in April and I have an ultra planned for the summer. But honestly, the increasing time running each week in C25k felt harder than my 17 mile long run last weekend. But if you stick at it one day you realise that the run wasn’t hard and you enjoyed it.

today I ran twice. Once a hills session for my own training and once because my dog needed a walk and running with her seemed more appealing than walking! It’s a weird place to find yourself!! Good luck.

For anyone struggling, I thought I’d loop back onto this. I started c25k as a complete non runner, couldn’t even run 30 seconds ever in my life. Did the app and thought no way will this help, I run 3/4 times a week now

I’ve just been for my run today and done 10km. My second 10km since completing the app.

as a complete non runner, so now running 25km a week at least it’s changed my life.
stick with it when it’s hard but oh man irs the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. X

I'm looping week 4 at the moment. Can't seem to get any momentum going.

@ILoveCatsAndKittens Thanks so much! No plans for park run over here yet. To be honest, one reason I love running is that I can do it on my own. I'll just keep following the plan for now.

Anyway, I can now say with confidence that C25K definitely works. If I can do it, anyone can!

This is fantastic, massive massive well done! Do you plan to do any park runs or events or anything?

I woke up feeling so tired this morning and not in the best of moods so didn't end up doing my run. Kicking myself for not doing it as I usually feel great after a run but never mind.

Just updating because I ran 5k for the first time ever today. It's W1D1 of my new programme - 4 x 10 minutes with walking breaks in between. I saw "walking break" and thought OK, that means I can start off faster than usual. Dear god. 😄Anyway I managed 5.26k overall in 43 minutes (including the three walking breaks) or 5k in 40:31 minutes. That's officially a record because I've never run 5k before, not even as a child, so I'm elated. But I'm definitely going to slow down again for W1D2...

Thank you for this! And yes, the one minute runs are very appealing! I Will check this out thank you!

Again, years ago (prob about 4 years ago) I used to run 10k once a week no problem, no stopping. I just cant picture me doing that now.

@ILoveCatsAndKittens Well done! FYI, I use the "Just Run" app. The new programme is:

(Three workouts per week)
Week 1: 4x10 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 2: 3x15 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 3: 3x17 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 4: 3x18 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 5: 2x22 minutes, 2x25 minutes and 2x30 minutes, each with 1 minute walking break in between
Week 6: 1x60 minutes runs

I was just delighted to see all those walking breaks to be honest. 😄

Week 9 run 1 done. 30 mind, 4.69k. My goodness it was hard, within 5 minutes I had a stitch but carried on running even though it felt awful!

Well done to all of those doing ParkRun, I have contemplated it but I dont do well with crowds so think it would be too busy for me.

@SoftIce I like the sound of the continued programme, ill have to check if my app has the same (its the BBC one I have).

Keep going everyone!! Its nice to get out in the dry weather, listen to the birds, see the daffodils waving in the wind as I run by!

I finished W9D3 yesterday - 3.5k. It was great! I also discovered that my app has a "5k to 10k" programme, so I'm going to continue with that. Like C25K it is time-based, not distance-based, so it won't get me to 10k but it will get me across 5k for sure (it goes up to 60 minute runs).

I'm over the 50 minutes mark

My parkrun time this morning was 46 minutes. The tail walker was at 58 minutes.
We did Battersea for the first time. crazy busy. Over 1000 people.

Did a park run this morning. Raining. Muddy. Walked most of it. At one point my toes went numb

Lower limbs and trainers Caked in mud. Now eating cake and tea

@Greyandproud Well done!! That actually sounds perfect. I'm very slow right now (running ~3.5k in 30 minutes - on a good day) and definitely want to continue to "real" 5k.

@SoftIce, I finished the program at Christmas. At my glacial pace, I am a long way to achieve 5k in a time which would be socially acceptable for parkrun. When you have completed the program on the app there are ‘graduate runs’ concentrating on stamina/speed etc. I am still listening as I stagger along. It’s slow progress (literally 😁) but I just managed 4.8km in 40mins.

@BetterOffNow I think this will happen to me after C25K if I don't find an App to continue with after!

W9D2: Done! Getting a little excited here. 😅

I've really lost the plot with this, finished week 8 then haven't run for weeks! Went out for a 20 min run on Wednesday and everything hurt... going to start again next week from week 5 I think...

W8 R3 done, 28 mins 4.5 k. Really really could not be bothered this morning but actually really enjoyed it once into it! Did a slightly different route which worked well and will prob do this again next week.

Nice to go out in just a t shirt today, no jacket. Good luck to all runners over the weekend!

W9D1 done. I'm rather jealous @FunMum2019 that you have such nice weather, here it is raining now!

@HayceeDeeCee well done for keeping on going!

Week 8 run 2 done, slowed right down today as my knee was hurting. 28 minutes, just over 4k. Found it very hard.

Week 6 run 1 done tonight. Have fallen behind a bit as I started with a running club but missed 2 weeks at the beginning of Feb so I am now out of sync with them but bumbling along under my own steam.

Despite doing the 20 min run last week fairly ok, I struggled with the 5/8/5 mins tonight, really found it hard. My knees hurt and my asthma decided to make an appearance after weeks of improvement.

I'll keep at it though.

Sounds like you are bang on target @ILoveCatsAndKittens !

I did W8D2 on Saturday and nearly cried during the last minute, it was hard. So for W8D3 I slowed down a lot (added a full minute to my pace) and that actually went well. I think I can run Week 9 at that pace but not faster.