Couch to 5k. Does it work?

[emdrneeded]

Just did my first run. My god I'm so unfit. Can't see myself being able to do 5k in 8 weeks but I'll give it a go!

Need you all to tell me IABU and I can do it!!

Lost my confidence after my toddler was born and thought this would make me feel better but I just feel fat and unfit...

There was a long thread yesterday about this. I’ll tag you.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3987627-Does-couch-25k-actually-work?msgid=98919461

yes

It worked for DD who did it last summer and DH is half way through and says that on Day 1 he really thought he was going to fail and can't believe he's just run for 20 mins. HTH.

I'm NOT doing it as DH would make it into a competition and whatever I achieved he would have to beat.
DD isn't running again until she's left home for the same reasons.

It should be called ‘Couch to 30 minutes’ instead. You might not be able to run 5km in 8 weeks time (especially if you’re unfit to start with), but you should be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping. It turns out that is actually the end goal of the one that I did, that I should be able to run for 5k or for 30 minutes. It makes sense if you think about it, the app (whichever one you use) doesn’t know how far you’re running, just how many minutes you’ve been running for so it’s got no idea whether you’ve reached 5km or not. I’m pushing 4km in 30 minutes (finished it a couple of weeks ago) but I am getting faster!

A colleague of mine finished it last last year and only ran her first 30 minute 5k during lockdown.

You might be absolutely amazing though and easily be doing 5km by the end. Don’t give up!!

Yes it does. I nearly collapsed doing week 1 and was aching all over after, but I'm now able to run consistently for about 30 minutes.

I did have to repeat a few of the weeks though especially the ones where there's a big leap in running minutes.

I've posted on the thread linked, but yes it does work. Some of the jumps from week/ run to the next look very sudden, but it is the same time on your feet and the longer bursts actually add up to less time than some of the more broken up runs.

It got me running. Nuff said

I'm actually fast tracking through it again due to a rough pàtch through injury.

Yes! I started early in lockdown (fitness level was 1 hr dog walks) and managed it. Ran 5k in the end which took me about 35 mins at a steady pace.
I used the 'map my run' app alongside as it tells you the distance you've been too.
Nearly killed me along the way - particularly the day I did the first 8 min run, thinking I was on a 5 min day.
It wont be fun, it will hurt, but make the app your boss and stick with it.
I've carried on doing around 5k including warm up/down walks 2 or 3 times a week. Still don't 'like' it but know I need the exercise.
Good luck!