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

[PlaymobilPirate]

Just downloaded the app. First one 2m!

That's how I am looking at it. I don't measure how far or how fast I am running and I don't really care. I see it as getting into good habits and intend to keep up 3 days a week for the foreseeable future once I find a time that is challenging and doable.

Well done Crapette! It's a great feeling isn't it. Week 6 actually goes back down from 20mins so you might be able to crack on!

Well done @Strictly1972! I’ve repeated lots of runs, mostly around weeks 3 and 4 actually for me.

@crapette I nearly redid W5R3 for the same reasons but in the end decided to try week 6 instead after looking at what it involves (no spoilers today 🤣)

I’ve just done W6R2. Still cannot believe I’ve managed to do this three times every week since start of January.... I am a bit apprehensive about the remaining runs having looked at then but I will see how I go!

Thanks @MrsHerculePoirot

I think I might find somewhere different to run next week.
At the moment I run round a small fishing lake, but I think I need a change of scenery so that I am not thinking about "just x more times round the lake"

I’ve noticed one of my ankles twinging a bit about half way through my runs. Not awful but I’m aware of it. Is there anything I should do to take care of it? Support bandage? Additional exercises to help strengthen it? I’m a total novice so welcome any advice x

W5R2 done this morning and feeling great though very nervous about attempting W5R3 on Tuesday. Am off out to invest in some better trainers today which I feel I can justify having made it this far

Well done to Strictly, Crapette, MrsHP & Jfw82!

Crapette I don't want to force you to go for something you're not ready for, but think you might be pleasantly surprised by W6R1! I think the week 5 & 6 runs were quite clever (obviously they've put some actual thought into this program! 😂)

Strictly are you sure you have an adequate pair of trainers? Be very careful of making something worse by continuing to run on it. There are some specialist running shops that can put you on a treadmill and analyse your gait to see what type of trainers would suit you best. I'm most definitely no expert, so please see a doctor if necessary.

Did W7R3 this morning and not only managed to maintain the rate without knocking off the bloody emergency button!, even sped up for the last minute. Obviously "sped up" is a very much relative term!

@betty yes I was wondering about my trainers. They seem decent but I didn’t buy them specifically for running so I’ll have to check that out really. I’ll definitely take it easy thank you.

I finally got back outdoors yesterday and did 5K within the 40 minutes including warm ups.

It was rainy and windy at times but really refreshing as well and on a flattish circuit. Different from the consistency of the treadmill but more invigorating.

Do you have the pain throughout the second part of the run @Strictly1972 or does it come and go? I get a pain in my right hip at the start of a run and it goes away and I forget about it and have put it down to one of those things. Getting proper advice seems eminently much more sensible.

@bettytaghetti I ummmed and aahed this morning re moving on but chickened out and repeated W5R1. Felt very good at the end of it which lasted until I spotted the slightly squishy tyre on the car. Managed to get home but it's now completely flat

We live in the middle of nowhere and OH is away. Not the best start to the week.

That's not good crapette (the tyre not the run!). Do you have RAC/AA membership? Some companies will come out with a mobile service (Kwikfit?). I haven't had to change a tyre in years so not sure if I could still do it, but there should be the tools/instructions in your car manual if you're feeling brave!

Hi all I’ve just done my first run on week 2. Ankle feels better today. I think I find it easier on the treadmill as it helps me set a better pace. I was outdoors on Saturday. Back is sore though (nothing unusual) so off to stretch. I’m basically a wreck! I really didn’t fancy it today but actually found i enjoyed it. Roll on weds for my next one x

@bettytaghetti I have managed to get the spare on (with a bit of help)

We live in very rural France so nothing is ever straightforward!

Glad your ankle is feeling better @strictly1972

Roll on Wednesday indeed

Well done crapette!

And glad your ankle is feeling better Strictly. The treadmill is definitely more forgiving!

I'm really struggling. I'm on week 9 but not going well. Run 1 was ok , I did 30 min run but gone downhill since then. 16 mins and 22 mins.
Am doing week 9 again. Dont really understand why it's gone wrong. About 10 days ago I actually ran for 37 minutes. I was so thrilled.

@frustratedashell I haven’t got that far yet, but you’ve done amazingly well. Just keep repeating that run maybe until you can do it? Change route? Change what you listen to? Go back to week 6 or something for a break and then try again? I’ve no idea tbh - just chucking stuff out there!

I did W6R3 today. Didn’t stop! Managed 4K in total - furthest yet for me.

@MrsHerculePoirot well done on W6R3!

Just done W5R3 I cannot believe I ran for 20 minutes.... that said I only did 3.4k including warm up and warm down so know I'm going to need to get up to a better pace. That said I did finish it! Roll on starting week 6 on Friday

@Jfw82 I did exactly that distance too on W5R3! I did 4K yesterday so hope I’ll naturally cover more as I finish up the last three weeks!

Enjoyed my run today & round the running itself quite doable. My legs are aching though! Just had a long bath to help.

Well done @Strictly1972.

I just did W7R1. My legs weren’t feeling the love though and I went very slow and covered much less distance than last run that was the same! Didn’t stop though so will keep on going!

Well done Jfw, Strictly & Mrs HP!

Did W8R1 on Tuesday and made the mistake of wearing new trainers. About 10 minutes from the end I could feel what I thought was one of those plastic tags sticking into the soft part of my arch and limped on till the end. Felt absolutely wrecked afterwards. Had a good feel around afterwards and couldn't find anything until I took my sock off and realised it was just a blister instead. ☹️
Went back to my old trainers today and managed it but the knees have been protesting ever since! 🥴
DH is out tonight so may treat myself to a long soak in the bath! 😁

This week Jo keeps telling me to tell everyone how far I've come, but having told my DM the other day, she replied with "Well, it's much easier on a treadmill than outside". Way to go, 'D'M, thanks for the supportive comment! 🥺

Bettytaghetti you're doing great! Annoying about the blister- I swapped to new trainers and was worried about that but have so far been ok and the stability of them has def helped me.

W6R1 completed this morning and I did 3.7k si improving slowly and def didn't find it a struggle (am ignoring the prospect of what r3 this week will bring though!) getting out early in the park is becoming a great start to my day!

Finished W5 for the second time!

I changed my route slightly and I think that made a huge difference, together with the sun shining for the first time in ages.

The 20 mins was noticeably easier this time, so I feel happy that I am ready to move on on Monday.