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

[PlaymobilPirate]

Just downloaded the app. First one 2m!

I was fooled to go to my first gym class in about 20 years this morning but arrived too late. I did c2k5 on the treadmill instead and fast walked on a steep incline setting for 40 minutes. I have jelly legs!

I'm going to join you! Just done my first run with the app. Really was the first time I have run at all since I was a teenager. Felt like crying on run 5!! Now feel pretty pleased with myself. Need to stick with this!!

Finished week 1 and found it fairly easy going, apart from the 7th run when my breathing went a bit shallow and I was almost panting! I know you're supposed to have a rest day but I am off work tomorrow so going to switch Wednesdays for that as it's unlikely I could do one then. After that I'll be back to work proper so will struggle to fit it in, though I may need to bite the bullet and do some runs in the dark after work.

My running gilet arrived but it was almost too hot in it once I got going. Am trying to find more long sleeved tops and brave the first five minutes. It's been a miserable day here and I managed to avoid the on-off downpours but was running in the rain in the path in the woods and it was fine.

Oh I've been listening to podcasts and Desert Island Discs to keep my mind occupied as well. Hoping that listening to extraordinary lives will push me to keep going.

Hi all, I've just started this. Today I did Week 1, run 2. Yesterday I did run 1. Yes I know I'm meant to do it on alternate days but I'm keen! Lol. Yesterday I did it outside and struggled because the pavement is uneven and it was hilly. Today I did it on the gym treadmill and was much easier. I cant believe I'm actually doing this. I started going to the gym on 1st December and started my diet a week ago. Have lost 3.5lbs this week so chuffed with that. Want to lose 23lbs in total. My daughter is getting married in July , so a good incentive. Really enjoying the gym and seeing my progress.
Come on, we can do this!

I don't do the app but started parkrun back in the autumn (having done it off an on for years) and have increased my run /walk ratio steadily and seeing my time come down. To all real runner newbies do make sure you get decent running trainers, not fashion ones, they don't have to be expensive at all. Also bone conductor headphones are good because they leave your ears free to hear traffic and other hazards.

I am in. On week 2 now. So far, so good.

Can I ask - how long are the sessions when you start? And how many days a week? I’d like to try but chronic pain and fatigue plus two disabled kids, not sure how I’ll manage

Me! Though I’m doing it via a local running club, so a little bit different. Two sessions a week, first one completed yesterday.

Was a bit at the beginning though as to sort us out into groups, they had us running round a football field twice. I was like, FFS if I could run round a field twice I wouldn’t need to do the programme

Can I join? I have done the 3 week 1 runs. Going to try to do week 2 next but may have to repeat week 1. I didn’t know there was an app so I have been using a podcast. The music is chosen to go with the runs and walks which helps make it enjoyable.

@Sinkgirl the sessions are 25minutes, 3times a week.

I'm on Week 2 run 2 next and loving it. I definitely am one of those people that loves running yet I've spent 4years sitting on the sofa getting fat.

I'm obese and so unfit so if I can do it, you all can!

How fast is your 'brisk walk' for the interval bits? As above I did my first session today using the app (chose Jo Whiley as my coach as I love her voice!) but think my walking bits were probably too slow to be 'brisk' as I was pretty out of breath from the running. Any pointers?

My brisk walk was as fast as I could manage, but was definitely slower as I went along. I guess you can only do your best!

Hmm, 3 times a week I could maybe do. The twins go to nursery 3 times a week. Maybe I’ll try it.

I'm sure it says you should be able to hold a conversation whilst walking briskly. It's to keep your heart rate up a bit but not so much that you are struggling with your breathing. It's okay to be slow. I'm just jogging at this point.

If your looking for some further inspiration and tips I'd recommend this book Jog On.

It's mainly about the positive impact running has on your mental health rather than weight loss and is 99p on the Kindle.

Should we be doing any stretching before or after? My legs are aching so much today!

@IsolaPribby are you doing the warm up and warm down walks at the beginning and end of the sessions? I sometimes skip one or the other if pressed for time and find that I'm a bit more stiff/sore when I do that. It makes sense that the warm up and down would give the muscles less of a shock than just having to spring straight into action!

Just finished my second run of week 1 and astounded by how much easier it was than the first.

@catismychild that's reassuring
Feeling quite achy today and not really looking forward to day2 tomorrow. Hoping I find it easier too.

I did the first one in our garden yesterday which is a bit bumpy and part of it is on a slope. Going to relocate tomorrow to somewhere with a flat path and a nice view.

Hoping I'm ok to join? I started last month so I'm now on week 5 run 2. The biggest difference that I've noticed so far is that my recovery time is getting faster. I don't feel like it takes as long to get my breath back now.
The only thing I find frustrating is that I can't commit to a certain day/time to run, I just have to fit it in as and when. I definitely prefer going first thing in the morning though.

I did the warm up and warm down walks, but still feel really achy today. Will do run 2 on Thursday, weather permitting, and 3 on Saturday.

Doing run 2 today - having to squeeze it in during DC's class. My thighs ache a bit which they didn't yesterday, but I am going to be encouraged by catismychild that it WILL be easier than Sunday! Also have got Spotify back so hopefully music will help!

W2R1 here. It was damp, cold and windy, and at times I really struggled, but I did it!

Well I attempted W5R3 tonight... absolute disaster! A sudden jump in the time spent running and I just couldn't do it. It got dark a lot quicker than I was expecting as well and suddenly the track that I had chosen to run on seemed like a bad idea. I think I'm going to go back to W5R1 and try again.

OMG! Just done run 2 and it went really well (ignoring talk of W5 disaster Cider, too far away to worry about...) I feel GREAT! The first run was so easy (as opposed to feeling like dying when I did it on Sunday) - suspect because I have worked out what pace (Slooow) to go. My 90 sec walks did get noticeably slower but I am a pretty fast walker normally so probably OK. Music definitely helped, but this time I forgot to tie my hair back (I am so out of practice with this exercise thing).

Enjoying hearing how everyone else is doing!