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

[PlaymobilPirate]

Just downloaded the app. First one 2m!

I did my run outside today, week 7 run 3. It didnt go well. I sorted out a route that was 5k, with the intention of running as much of it as I could, walking when I had to. So walked for 5 mins, ran for 10, walked for 4, ran for 3, walked for 25. So not great, and I only covered 4.2k. I ran for 25 minutes last Sunday, havent done it since. Feeling very discouraged. I prefer the treadmill, theres no uneven surfaces or hills plus I can control and maintain the speed. So disappointed!

Frustrated - sorry to hear you had a bad run. Exactly the sand thing happened to me yesterday - also wk7r3. I had to change my route to a really full one due to flooding, then a work call came in after 10 minutes that I had to walk and answer. When I started running again I didn't realise that the call had paused the C25k app and I then didn't know how long I had run for. Totally put me off stride and I gave up earlier than I should have, I'm sure. We all have bad runs and days where we're not feeling it. I'm sure you'll get back on track for the next run.

I had a bad run the other night as well! It was W7R1 and I had to, like really had to, go to the loo half way through, then I had to stop to tie my shoelace and I was on the treadmill and I must have accidentally pressed stop at one point as it slowed right down and I had to pick myself up again!

I prefer running outdoors but in this weather it's really difficult so I'm back at the gym today since it's rainy and windy.

Really sorry to hear of bad runs this week. It's getting harder and the weather is not helping. Did W8R1 this morning - only managed 2 runs last week (Sat and Tue) so was really pushing myself to get up, and it was dry so I had no excuse (no treadmill option for me). I did find I really settled in after 5 mins, but the last 5 mins was tough. But I kept going and Strava is showing that I did 5k for the first time (includes walking bits). Must not get out of this good habit of running 3 times a week when this is over!

I think you are all doing amazingly well, especially given the weather we've been having. Your pictures are beautiful Cormoran; South London isn't quite as picturesque!

I'm grossly overweight & the not-so-proud owner of a pair of very dodgy knees, so I'm doing it on the treadmill as I can't face anyone seeing me(!) and less risk of an uneven surface making my knees worse (plus, see previous comment about location!). I put it on a slight incline as I'm sure I read somewhere that that's supposed to help prevent shin splints?

In week 2 or 3 Jo makes some comment about imagining running along side a hedge and that a person on the other side shouldn't be able to tell whether you're running or walking by the amount your head is bobbing up and down (or shouldn't be); I'm just grateful it's a solid hedge and they can't see my boobs! 😂

betty I remember that comment about the hedge! My thought was that they may be surprised to know I was even moving, with my pace!
While I am on about pace, I am still a numpty with Strava so can someone help me interpret? Today's record shows me going even more slowly than previously (it always comes up between 7.5/8kph. Today said 6.5. But I ran for longer and covered further. What am I missing?

Thanks @bettytaghetti

Today in the last hour it alone I have had rain, hail, sleet and sun, so no outdoor run for me.

I’m doing the treadmill option.

I am also overweight - four stone - with very dodgy knees. So far bearable though.

I actually prefer running outdoors to the gym, I feel less judged or looked upon.

@sovielverloren, does it say kph, or is it something like 6”05’? If it’s the latter, that’s your time in mins and seconds per kilometre. So the lower the number, the better.

Oops, posted too soon.

I am a bit worried about my knees. I run on a hard surface and they do feel a bit sore for a short while after, when going up stairs in particular. They’ve been a bit ‘crunchy’ for a few years now. Does anyone strap them up?

I’ve just done my W7R3 and found the first 5 mins run and the last five mins hard, but my pace has gone from an average 20 minutes per mile, to 10 mins per mile. Very chuffed!

@ringletsandtwiglets Thank you! That would make sense! It says 6: 21/km today, as opposed to 7:46/km on Tuesday. It does not say per hour and I completely made that bit up didn't I? So in fact that's actually quite an improvement. I was completely flummoxed by this and it was all me not reading properly. Thanks again!

No problem! I got confused by my pace when I first started tracking and couldn’t work out why I seemed to be getting slower 😂😂😂

W8R2 done on the treadmill - I still prefer outdoors but I’m getting better at it! Total of 4.6k done including walks, so on target.

28 minutes is surprisingly doable, so did all of you on earlier weeks and worried about the step up - if I can do it you can!

Wee reminder, I am fat, unfit, arthritic, asthmatic and am 52. If I can do this you can.

I just did week 5 run 1 (again!) . But two runs ago I was stuck on week 4 as 3,5,3,5 was too hard so I know I'll get there! Really pleased it was still doable as I haven't been able to get out for about 10days (no treadmill option for me)

That's refreshing to hear @myfuckingfreezer. I was beginning to feel like I was the only one who found any of this hard.

Having said that, I have run for 48 mins this week and I am pretty sure that is longer than I have ever run in my whole life

I don't have any apps or gadgets to measure distance (I am pretty amazed that I even managed to get the podcast onto my phone!) but as a pp said, if I get to the point that I just go out for a run 3 days a week then I will be a happy bunny.

Great to see everyone getting out there and running! First day running for 3 days here, I missed it but wasn't fit to even walk for a couple of days, laid down with a heavy cold/cough. Just finished W8 R3, covered less distance than last time but I didn't stop so counting it as a win!

I really don’t want to lose the fitness I have built up, so I hope to continue running three times a week, and am even looking at 5k to 10k app as next.

Same here Cormoran! I was just thinking this morning that what I will miss is someone popping in with a time check every so often so I will need to consider what I do next (although will try the zombies app when I finish - next week!!)
I feel more achey today than I have since the early weeks, so need this rest day. Hoping to get out tomorrow evening and keep up the rhythm as I lost it last week.

Have you found a decent app yet? I don't think the zombies thing is for me, but a 10k one is probably too much at the moment!

I did it! W5R3 that is! If you'd told me I'd be able to run in a very broad sense of the word for 20 minutes 6 weeks ago I would have scoffed very loudly.

With regard to the knees, I am trying to avoid strapping them up as I'm hoping that by doing this carefully, it might make the muscles around them and in my legs stronger and give them a bit more all round support. I am finding it a bit easier getting up the hills in my local park when walking the dog, so maybe it's working. 🤞 Just wish some of the weight would budge!

That's brilliant @bettytaghetti - doesn't it feel great to have achieved that? I felt that at that point, 5k was really achievable. Hope the wind and rain hasn't been too bad for everyone today.

Wohoo! I did it, week 7, run 3 (again!) Actually did 1 minute extra too which took me to 3k for the first time. I've so happy/relieved, was really getting down about this weeks failures.

I'm now thinking its possible to do 5k by my 60th birthday in early April. That's the goal.

Also lost 1.75lbs this week, so dead chuffed. Onwards and upwards!

Well done everyone! I did W7R2 yesterday at the gym and it was fairly easy unlike Thursday's session. It was a nice day here as well and I am a bit angsty that I didn't take the opportunity to run outside because in my head it would now be more difficult.

I've only run twice a week for the past couple of weeks so I am aiming to keep on top of it bit more.

Congratulations @frustratedashell! It's a nice feeling that you are make progress. My weight has stayed the same which I am a bit disappointed about despite making efforts tor reduce it, but I need to keep at it all and build up a bit of resilience to persevere when things aren't going as I hoped it might.

Well done all those that ran at the weekend. I did w8r1 yesterday. A bit of a windy one, but got it done. I really just want to finish the next 5 runs so that I can run for myself and experiment with routes, speeds etc with worrying that it might mean that I mess up my run and have to repeat it. At least that jeans I am planning to carry on running after this!

Hello! I've been a bit awol and not doing that much running. I struggled with week 8 last week so planning to repeat at least one of those runs tomorrow before starting week 9. The end is in sight!

Hi everyone. I did Week 5 run 1 (again!). Now feeling confident with it so will move onto Week 5 run 2 soon. Still think I might have to skip run 3 and go up in increments, but will see.