Anyone done Couch 2 5k in your 40’s?

[Happywalnut]

How did you find it? Did it help with weight loss?

Ive just done week one and found it hard 😔 im going to start week 2 at the weekend. Im fine if the path is flat but struggle up hill. Did anyone else find they had to repeat weeks as I don’t think I will accomplish it in 9 weeks 😬

I completed it in my 50s but although I got to running for the full half hour I was nowhere near 5k, so I had to work up to that and it taking 50 mins, I did that by starting parkrun and building up to running the full 5k there.

Yes I started it when I was 42. I didn’t lose any weight just through running but it massively helped. I watched what I was eating too and lost 2 and a half stones over 18 months.

I found the couch to 5k really good it worked for me. I’m now 53 and still run regularly I’ve done 40 10k’s, nine half marathons and a marathon in that time, I go to parkrun when I can, and I’m a member and on the committee of my local running club.

Running really helped me make friends too, I’m a lot slower these days (was never fast), but I enjoy it.

I did it at 45ish - I did repeat weeks and it took me a lot longer to push from. 26 to 30 minutes - I got there in the end , though I have never done a 5k in 30minutes - my best was 32 but I routinely take just under 40 minutes now 52. The hills do come - most of my runs are 50m elevation gains - when I run along the river now it feels so easy in comparison . Keep going , it’s a great thing to do at this age - I would have put on a lot more weight in menopause without it !

yes
no weightloss though (was not a goal for me anyway)

Did it late 50s and again mid 60s. I always get bored when I get to the end of the challenge, though.

I’ve done it many times! 30s, 40s and 50s. It was actually developed for someone in her 50s. I’m 55 and I’m 1 run away from finishing… again!

Yep did it at 43. First few weeks are hard. It gets easier by week 5, perseverance! You can do it!

I did! Keep going with it. You’ll find it gets easier.

I've done it several times, most recently was just before IVF when I was 43. Feel free to repeat a week if you don't feel ready to move on, or part of a week. Even though it is hard, you will find that you will get there bit by bit. Some days are easier/harder than others.

Before you know it, you'll be running no stop for 30 minutes!

Hills are tricky, unless downhill, which is like flying! Try to keep to flat areas as much as possible. Once you're doing 5k, you may want the challenge of a hill.

Other tips: get a good sports bra. Stick to your routine of the days you want. Rest days are really important. Massively increase your protein intake. Like every meal, plus snacks. Helps build that muscle 💪

You can do it!

You can definitely do this, I’ve not done it in my 40’s because I ended up with an injury late 30’s and I realised running just wasn’t the hobby for me (never actually enjoyed it anyway so it wasn’t a big loss for me, I did it because everyone else was doing it at the time 😂).
I did it in my 20’s and again in my 30’s, overweight and very unfit (again!), found the programme really helped focus me and keep me accountable. I did repeat weeks from time to time. I didn’t always to get to 5K by the 30 minutes but really completing C25K could really be considered as the first few steps of your running journey, being able to run 30 minutes without stopping is the aim and the distance is far less important. Once you can run for 30 minutes non stop you can (if you want) start focussing on your pace and tinkering or just enjoy having a more gentle run for 30 minutes or even push forwards for the C210k programme.
Good luck!

I've done it several times in my 40s. Most recently did it last year but then immediately switched to the 10k trying and now working towards 15k asmy regular run with the half marathon next year.

I highly recommend just doing it. Park run is really good fun. Running through the winter when not icy or wet is easier than when it's roasting hot.

Weighloss is about what you swallow , not what you run

I did my first marathon aged 60, yes I was a stone lighter then when I did the half marathon , but I lost the weight by watching what I ate , not by increasing distance

Age is not a barrier to fitness - look at what Sara Cox did last month at the age of 50

I can walk park run faster then the slowest runner, Im more comfortable walking but will run/jog/speed walk when the ground conditions suit my joints ( arthritis)

I started it age 39. It took me 5 months to complete as I was only running twice a week and ended up injured early doors. I've gone back to it a few times after injury or time out from running, I skip ahead a few weeks but repeat a run a few times (mostly the run before the 20 min run). I've lost my running mojo after 5 or so years, and random muscles hurt but couch to 5k helped me run a few 10k races in a time I waa happy with.

It didn't help me lose weight. It's very hard to out-run a bad diet (or just too many calories). What's that statistic, weight loss is 80% diet, 20% activity?

Just a heads up, and don't be disheartened, you might not be able to run 5k in 30 mins by the end! The programme is aimed at getting you running, non stop, for 30 mins. Great news of that's 5k for you, but great news if you're not quite there yet. I ran 5k in 35 mins the other day. My fastest ever is 30 min and 45 secs 😬

Oh and for the uphill, pump your arms with purpose rather than really fast. It'll help propelle you up the hill. You'll feel ridiculous, but it will help. Promise!

Did it last spring in my 60s as part of a group set up by a local running group
Yes , it was chalenging , but we had about 45 women , and maybe 8 volunteer coaches and we did it , and got the medal
We paid £15 , I think it was 8 weeks training once a week and a homework
Can do it ,don’t want to do it again !
But it was good , and I’ll possibly try it again next spring, on my own

Yes! Didn’t help so much with weight loss, but being fitter from it definitely did (able to stick with other workouts, better motivation, and just felt better)! You can repeat as many weeks as you like, but it works!

I did it leading up to my 50th birthday to prove I still could 😏I lost weight because I was also calorie tracking.
2 years on I don't run/jog because my joints are telling me they are no longer up to it. But I felt good achieving my goal at the time.

I did it at 40 (for the third time) and this was the first time it stuck. It wasn't easy and my middle aged joints protest occasionally but running has become a total sanity saver. I did a 10k in September and I'm very tentatively considering a half marathon next year.
I've lost about half a stone but that's not why I do it.

Go do the half , honestly its amazing

I did my first half a day after I got a clear covid result , I shouldn't have gone but was so geared I went, and it pissed down most of the way , I got a sugar low and had to sit a while but I completed it and the buzz kept me high for months

Next trick I decided to climb a mountain - at night :) That was Soooooo hard but again - I felt so good after so I booked for the full marathon

I skipped last year thinking - been there - done that - but I realise now I miss the training , the anticipation and the pure buzz of actually doing it, pushing myself through the pain and exhaustion so Ive signed up for this year ( charity )