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Original poster

To ask about Couch to 5k!

236 replies

Trapordo · 19/04/2020 20:20

Just that really. I started tonight. I done it, feel great for it.

But got home and googled. A lot of websites online and old Mumsnet threads seem to suggest you shouldn't run run the first week or so, and that you should Jog?
An American blogger ive followed also says the same thing.

Can someone explain which is it, do I run or jog for now? Envy

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 19/04/2020 20:25

It doesn't matter. The aim is to go at a speed that allows you to complete each stage, which will be faster for some people than for others. If you go too fast you might be too tired to complete the runs and that defeats the object. C25K is about building up stamina, you can concentrate on speed later.

PetraDelphiki · 19/04/2020 20:26

Who cares what you call
It - a jog is a slow run. You need to Run as slowly as you need to to complete the session - completing it and sticking with it is what will get you to 5k. Worrying about how fast other people do it is what will stop you!

Card1gan · 19/04/2020 20:26

What's the difference between running and jogging?

I was planning on starting this again tomorrow, glad you enjoyed it. I'm fine as it ramps up, then all of a sudden it says 'Run for 25 minutes' which sounds ridiculous so I stop Blush

HappyTeacher75 · 19/04/2020 20:32

I'm doing it now and am just 'running' at a speed I can manage. Slow! DD came out with me 1 day, ran much faster but couldn't manage to keep going for the whole time.
Just do it as you want.
I have a distance tracker on my phone at the same time to see how close to 5k I'm getting on the 30 mins. That is helping me see progress.
Good luck!

SegregateMumBev · 19/04/2020 20:35

There’s no defined difference between jogging and running, they are the same motion. Keep doing what you’re doing!

QueenieMum · 19/04/2020 20:36

Oh OP you sound like me! I thought running meant doing a Forrest Gump everywhere but it doesn't. Start with a brisk walk and when it's time to start running your run / jog should be just a bit faster than your walk. This is how I've been 'taught' in my C25K group. You might not get into any kind of running rhythm until you start doing longer runs so don't worry if you feel you're not doing it 'right'. Speed isn't the aim of C25K, you're building up your stamina. Keep going and follow the plan, it really helps if you do all the runs each week. Good luck!

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 19/04/2020 20:38

It definitely works. I have let my health slide a lot in recent years and couldn't run to save my life. When clubs etc got cancelled with covid my child needed someone to be out supervising their running training now they were not getting it with the group.

By running every other day I'm now part way through week 6. The last week 5 run is 20 min continuous and I did it fine. I didn't get as far as my child but I did it. We had a competition, each took a running watch and did it at our own pace. Bloody rotter raced past me.

It's good though.

QueenieMum · 19/04/2020 20:42

@Card1gan - could you repeat the shorter runs and build up that way? I didn't feel ready for the 25 min run but went out to do what I could and ended up doing it. I NEVER thought I'd be capable of doing it & giving myself 'permission' to stop if I wanted to really helped. You can do it!

mindutopia · 19/04/2020 20:45

Running and jogging are the same thing. You just go out for 30 minutes and run/jog as much as you feel comfortable. If you need to do less the next day, do it. Just listen to your body. There is magic formula. I did it more than a decade ago and thought there would be no way I’d ever run 5K. I was not a ‘runner.’

I ran 2 half marathons that year. I was regularly running 9 miles on a Saturday morning. It was wonderful. (2 dc and a busy career now and I miss having all that free time).

bellabelly · 19/04/2020 20:46

Join the C25K Forum on Health Unlocked (NHS website) - it's super supportive and very friendly, helpful admin. Good luck with it, it really works!

flowerycurtain · 19/04/2020 20:48

Well done you. Running or jogging doesn't matter. As long as you're a slightly faster trot than a walk then you're good!!

LolaSmiles · 19/04/2020 20:48

They're the same thing and you should be running slowly to begin with to build stamina. Too much too quickly risks injury.

Good luck. I've kept running since doing C25k 5 or 6 years ago. It works.

ShayAndBlueSeeker · 19/04/2020 20:50

How do I find the c25K podcast with different voices? Is that still a thing?

ivfgottostaypositive · 19/04/2020 20:52

I started this week too - it was definitely a jog the first night - got overtaken by a couple of dogs who were off the lead 🤣 the second night I was definitely a bit faster as had more confidence (it's been years, one child and several operations since I've run for something other than the ice cream van!). I think/hope as the weeks go by it will be more of a run pace than jog

boxcar · 19/04/2020 20:57

You’ll find you learn the pace you need to run at in order that you can run for the amount of time. Your body knows. Listen to it.

Original poster
Trapordo · 19/04/2020 21:26

Thanks all! I'm ashamed to admit that I wasn't aware a jog and a run were the same thing Blush with a jog just being a slow run

OP posts:
Singlebutmarried · 19/04/2020 21:59

I’ve just done week one for the second time and I still struggle with the last one minute. It’s getting easier, but I just can’t seem to catch my breath properly.

Strength work I’m good with. Aerobic/stamina type stuff I’m not so good at.

Isawamagpie · 19/04/2020 22:30

Ive just done week 1, today done my first week two.
Stick with it, in 2016 I did a 10k mudrun after training with C25K, it really does work, and I do a light jog as not to do too much too quickly and cause injury.
Depending on your fitness by the end of week one you might be feeling it! I was (unfit since 2016!)
Good luck to all those doing C2 5K.

Cookiemonster92 · 19/04/2020 22:44

Well done! As long as you find a pace which suits you, it doesn’t matter - it may be a slow jog or a run to others depending on their own pace! Just do what you can manage :)

Tdaadfb100 · 19/04/2020 22:46

Well done for starting! Don’t do too much too son. I’ve just finished w4 run 3 .. felt great so did and extra one the next day, in the cold and wet weather; pulled a calf muscle and am out for a week or so. 😕
So warm up before and a good long stretch after!

lonelySam · 19/04/2020 22:51

I'm doing Couch 2 5k with the voice of Laura and she does say 'not to go too fast - it's just a light jog' .
Go as slow as you need to :) and good luck!

LisaSimpsonsbff · 19/04/2020 22:55

Well done on starting! I finished it a month or so ago and couldn't believe that it actually works, in that I went from not being able to run to being able to run 30 minutes.

The only problem with going too fast is when the runs get longer - if you try and go at the pace you sprint at you're going to find you can't do it once they get longer. So that's why people say to start slow, and just something to bear in mind as you go through the weeks.

HostessTrolley · 19/04/2020 22:56

Can I ask - is the nhs podcast the best thing to use or are there other apps etc that people can recommend? I’m overweight but feeling stodgy and sluggish with too many carbs and too little movement with lockdown and all...

Whatsername177 · 19/04/2020 23:02

I'm using the NHS app. I like that I can play music and it turns it down then the app speaks to me about running. I completed week 3 today and onto week 4 on Tuesday (I'm actually at work tomorrow looking after key workers kids - I cant bloody wait!). I am really enjoying it and feeling stronger with every run.

chocolateneededrn · 19/04/2020 23:03

I'm doing week 4 run 3 tomorrow, before this I would never have thought as myself as someone who could run. I was always the girl who made excuses not to do PE, and hated any form of exercise. I'm coping okay with it, I just stick a good playlist on and sing my way through it.