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

[PlaymobilPirate]

Just downloaded the app. First one 2m!

Well done for starting ladies. I did it last year and its great 😬 if you feel like you cant breathe, go slower! I was trying to go far to fast to start off as i was taking the word RUN far too literally. Just a slow jog is all you need to start off with.

Well done @thefoxandthemole!

@Lotusbelle, this is what is key to me because the app makes it so easy. When I have heard the advice in the past to run then walk, I have spent the entire time clockwatching which is very unhelpful. With the app you can play your music and the app just cuts in to tell you what to do next. I just run around the streets here, trying to figure out a route as flat as possible. I work full time so have tried evenings and mornings to see what works best for me, but it is always dark whatever so I'd prefer to stick to lit streets! Do give it a try - I never thought I would even get to this point (only week 1!) but I have done 3 runs and am so proud of myself! Oh, and get a good sports bra.
Thanks for starting the thread @PlaymobilPirate!

@sovielverloren, thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Right, I'm going to get myself sorted and do this!

W1 R3 done this morning.

As someone who has never even run for a bus, I am quite proud of myself.

Keep going everyone!

Really enjoyed session 2 last night

Well done everyone! I finished week 2 yesterday and I'm now dreading the first run of week 3 at the weekend! It's THREE whole minutes!!

I started this week - I'm nearly 50, 2 stone overweight and haven't exercised in years.

I loathe running, especially on a treadmill, but I need to get moving so I down loaded the app and started on Monday. I work shifts so need to try and plan round them, but I think i am going to have to get up extra early on my early shifts and do the runs before work, as I know I wont go out after I have got home!

W1R1 was ok, W1R2 nearly killed me, but today I did W1R3 and it was ok. I am really proud of myself and surprised I did it. I am contemplating redoing W1, but I'm not sure if that's a confidence issue and I should just bite the bullet and try W2R1 on Monday morning!

DH is doing C25K too, with our eldest son, but they are running in the evenings.

I'm inspired by the enthusiasm and stories on here! Is the NHS one the best one to follow or are there others? Is there anyway I can print off a planner or schedule so that I can follow it and tick off each run? I think that might be a good motivator for me.

I'm using the app shown further down this thread - I have Michael Johnson as my coach. You tick off each run as completed, but I don't have a spreadsheet or chart other than that.

I'm hoping to keep going but I'm taking it a run at a time - I'm not going to buy running kit til I'm sure I will stick at it.

Just done Week 2, Run 1. Wasnt too bad. Was a bit worried about running for 90 seconds but it was ok.
Keep going all

Keep it up everyone! I did c25k 3 years ago now and it changed my life. I ran 7 miles today, easy as pie.

I would never had thought that 7 miles would be possible.

Some tips I was given that helped me were:

Slow down
Don’t look ahead on the runs
Trust the programme
If you manage to keep it up, get decent trainers
Have rest days, too much too soon will lead to injuries.

Don’t look ahead as in, don’t read what next week has in store.

Keeping you back straight and looking ahead is quite important!

The NHS app is really good.

Wow I actually did it! Very motivating although I felt a bit at the end when Jo Whiley told me my running total was 8 minutes . Just ran round the streets near me. Feels very doable so I'm going to do my next one on Sunday.
However, my shins do ache as I'm.running and I'm aware of shin splints - is this my technique (or rather lack of) or my trainers? Trainers are a bit old and probably lacking in support but don't want to spend a fortune just yet and feel a bit too self conscious to go and get measured or whatever they do in sports shops!
Could now do with a jacket to store my phone while I'm running.
@LiveRightNow, the NHS one is fab.

@lotusbell go you! Can't lie, I have ached this week but no idea re shin splints. I have already been thinking of investing in something other than tatty t shirts and old joggers as well as trainers but will see how week 2 goes.

@sovielverloren, thank you! The Shock Absorber was hard work getting on but it certainly did it's job. By the time I got to the last few 60seconds runs, I did feel a bit like I was wading through treacle but I kept at it! I'm going to have a look at Decathlon and Sports Direct today but will.not be splurging just yet. I think the shin problems are down to my tight calf muscles so going to have to get my foam roller out I think!

I started this on Monday, ran/walked 5k Monday, mostly ran 3k wedneaday, Friday did 2 miles run/walk and planning treadmill today

Mon/wed is running group and it's great motivation. Found Friday harder as I ran too fast.

@lotusbell if you want new trainers that are good but cheap, can really recommend decathlon. They get a lot of love in online reviews too.

Your pain might be shin splints, but likely due to running on tarmac. Do you have park/woodland you could try instead? Tarmac very hard on joints.

Just finished W1R3, and still found it hard I'm thinking about redoing the first week, as I'm not sure I'm ready to run for longer.

The worst bit is getting back puffed out and exhausted, and being sneered at by my 9 year old daughter, after I told her that I ran for a whole 8 minutes !

@myfuckingfreezer, thank you I'll have a look today. We have a couple of recreation grounds nearby and a canal but don't want to run round the park at night. I'll go down to the canal when I'm a bit better at it I think, the streets are convenient at the moment though it's going to get boring if I can't mix my routes up a bit. I dont drive so can't really drive to our local beauty spots and run there, it'll take a bit of planning but I do live semi rurally.

@IsolaPribby - the reason I am here is to give and get praise for the 8 minutes of running, 'cos I'm not going to get it from DC either! So WELL DONE from me.
I'm going to go out later for W2R1 so will let you know how I get on with more running. I'm waiting until this evening a) because I was out last night so head is a little sore and b) I'm not prepared to be seen yet. Never mind the tatty clothing, the bright red face puts me off! However, I am thinking about it all the time - not with dread, but with a sort of positive anticipation.

Thank you @sovielverloren ! And a big WELL DONE to you too! And to all of us

Right I'm off work W2R3, wish me luck!

I’m nearly at the end of week two. I’m postponing today’s fun till tomorrow as the weather is horrendous.

We had a break in the rain so I did W2R2 and it was terrific, felt easier than W2R1. I did the same circuit but didn't run as far as my W1R2 this time so must have been doing it more slowly. It was just so great to get out there and do it even with all the puddles along the way. The rain came back on it one point and I was soaked through but I was so happy as well.

Hope it was a good one yourself @myfuckingfreezer!

I also did mine. Managed to miss most of the rain but it was miserable out there. Glad I went and did it though - it's too easy to use the weather as an excuse to postpone and before you know it you simply 'can't' run because of the weather/the time/how you feel etc.

However grim it was when I headed out, I feel better for it now! W2R3 was harder than expected as I'm having real issues with my calfs and feet cramping. Have booked in to have an assessment done, and just praying it doesn't stop me in the mean time!