Couch to 5k newbies - who's in??

[PlaymobilPirate]

Just downloaded the app. First one 2m!

I completed this last year and still try to run regularly. I thought I hated running! I'm 48 and definitely struggled with joint and muscle pain throughout, my DH also got bad knee pain at week4 but bought knee supports and rested for a week, got back to it and the knees improved.

If you've not done much exercise for a long time I think it can definitely be a shock to your body even though the training is gradual. I still get sore hips but lots of stretching and rolling sore muscles afterwards helps.

I did W3R1 yesterday. You’ll all be relieved to know strava recorded it this time 🤣

Weirdly my knee was fine today! Was convinced I'd really hurt it.

Did week4run2 today and still found it hard. This has surprised me as I breezed through weeks 1-3. Think I might repeat it as no way am I ready to step up to 8min stretches!

WK3R3 completed!

I honestly can't believe it. I found my breathing ok the whole way - when I was running I was slightly out of breath so I did feel it, but I wasn't struggling to breathe.

Bit scared about Monday and WK4.

On the train home from work now and have to say my legs feel really heavy. Definitely noticed that I did more this morning! isola I certainly suspect my brisk walk is faster than my run/plod, but that gets less brisk on the return journey! However, my fitbit is at least recognising the activity as a run now (didn't in week 1)

All I can say is for the longer runs don’t be afraid to slow down a little! I was racing at 11kph in weeks 1-3 for the run bits, and now I’m down to 9.5 for the runs and it’s made a world of difference. We can do this!

My knee seems to be a bit better, though I'm still not running. But I'm doing more on the cross trainer and progressing with improving my fitness. Hoping to buy running shoes next week and then start running again. Glad most of you are getting on ok

Lay awake at 6.50 am.umming and ahhing over whether I should get up and run or do it this evening. All my other runs were evening ones but it's Saturday night and we live right opposite a pub so didnt really fancy running through the dubious 'nightlife' in my village. So I got up, put a wash on and cracked on with W3R2. I'm home now and waiting for the washing to finish so i can get in the shower, happy knowing i can relax for the rest of the day!
I keep meaning to start doing the recommended stretch and flex programme or whatever it's called alongside C25K, is anyone else doing it?

Do you think it's ok if you do it twice a week?

lotusbell do you have a link to that? I haven't come across it and could do with some stretching!

Just finished week 5, run 1! It's actually less overall running than last week (16 vs 15 mins) and even with a cold and in the crappy weather and with loads of pollution today it felt pretty good. I also tried a new route around the reservoirs near here and that was a really nice spot to run!

Go lotus and red ! I have a rest day but am actually itching to get out. Would be interested in the stretch thing mentioned too as I am doing half remembered things but have no confidence I am doing it right.

Ohhh redavocado that looks good! Keep meaning to go there but the weather hasn't inspired the travel first!

@Lovingmylife what do you mean? Do what twice a week?

www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flex-exercise-plan/
From what I can gather, it is designed to be done on your rest days. I keep forgetting to download though, so that's my job for tomorrow.

Also, this is useful!

www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/how-to-stretch-after-a-run/

@myfuckingfreezer sorry that was rather vague wasn't it. I meant run twice a week. I'm getting sore shins. Can't decide if I need to just push through it as so unfit or do different stretching

I’m back in the groove! Finally got into W2R1 which I should have done earlier this week but couldn’t due to illness. Don’t tell anyone but I quite enjoyed it! Surprised myself.
Annoyingly I forgot to start Strava but my Fitbit is showing about 2 miles (and it recognised my exercise as a run which I’m taking as a win!)

Just done W3R2. Am really beginning to feel my stamina improving.

Keep on going everyone 🏆🏅

@Lovingmylife the programme we're all doing - couch to 5k - you are meant to run three times a week for 9 weeks.

You probably have shin splints which are very common in new runners but I believe are nothing to worry about. There's things you can do to help and are often due to people running on pavements. The surface is too hard!

Been out to Asda to get some shopping, had some lunch, now sat on the sofa with my legs on the recliner bit, with a hot water bottle under my poor tight, achy calves. Its bliss and I ain't moving!

Perversely glad to hear that others are succumbing to sore knees.

I have had an enforced break this week, but have been staying in a 4th floor flat with NO LIFT.

Was hoping that the running would have made the stairs easier, but I have been in absolute agony with my knees - slightly improving as it was the whole lower leg(s) a few days ago.

I am guessing that I need to wait until the pain goes away before resuming?

And right on cue, my new foam roller has arrived, earlier than expected!
I've had tight calves for a long time and have a standard foam roller but I struggle to do it as the pain knocks me sick. I need to start doing it now more than ever! It's like a nobbly rolling pin! I definitely recommend foam hollering for anyone suffering with sore muscles, although it's really unpleasant!

Rollering not hollering obviously!

9 weeks? Is that all we have?

Right now I can't conceive that in 6 or so weeks I will be actually running a whole 5k!

As in actually running, not walking, not staggering, puffed out after 2.6k!

I think that I may be repeating a few weeks

Feeling rubbish - sore throat, cold, heavy legs and went to bed really early last night. Am super proud therefore of doing W3R2 today - even if I did cover 0.5km less then usual!