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Original poster

Any Couch25K new starters?

393 replies

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 09/06/2011 15:13

I got abit fitter a while back (had a trainer), he moved away and I kept it up and jumped in at about week 4 or 5, but that was months ago now Blush I really need to get fit for a job and lose at least 1 stone (ideally about 4!) Anyone want to start with me? Or are all the newbies jumping straight onto the massive thread? :)

OP posts:
inspireme · 14/09/2011 17:35

Thinking of getting the C25K app after having a baby 11 wks ago I need to loose a few pounds and get my fitness levels back. Was wondering though how it works can you sync it with your I pod and run with that or do you need to run with iPhone?

BsshBossh · 15/09/2011 13:11

No running for me this week. Too ill. Will start W4 again next Monday.

idealism · 16/09/2011 22:11

going to tackle W5 R3 tomorrow - 20 mins of running!!!! Ispireme - yes it syncs with an ipod. Go for it - great stuff!

idealism · 18/09/2011 17:10

finished week 5! hurrah, hope you others keeping going?

febes · 18/09/2011 21:53

Well done idealism!! I did run 1 week 5 last night which was easier than I thought it was going to be. I think I will do it again tonight because my running partner missed it so I'll see if he wants to move on or do run 1. Nervous about run 3 this week!!

idealism · 19/09/2011 16:43

run 3 is actually quite exhilerating and now my week 6 run seems remarkably short in comparison!

febes · 23/09/2011 08:23

Wohoooo! Just got back from run 3 week 5. 20mins baby!! I feel freaking fantastic.

BsshBossh · 23/09/2011 20:00

Wow febes, fantastic! 20 mins! Was it tough to make the leap?

I am recovered from my two weeks I'll health (time of month, tummy bug, cold combination) but instead of resuming week 4 I'm going to start back at week 3 this Monday. Can't wait!!!

idealism · 23/09/2011 20:11

good on you febes; I'm really excited about my 25 minute run tomorrow to finish off week 6. I'm finding that if I get up early to run - say 6.30am, then my whole day is just fab. Those endorphins set you up and you really feel great - although I feel I'm boring people with my running repertoire!

BsshBossh · 26/09/2011 12:48

You're doing terrific too idealism - I am in awe!

So after 2 weeks of illness and no running I went back a week and began week 3 again today. I really struggled even with 3 minutes Shock but it felt great running and hopefully I will be able to build my stamina up more quickly this time.

How are you all doing? Vanimal, inspireme, Wolef et al - how's the running going?

OTheHugeWerewolef · 27/09/2011 16:10

waves to Bssh

Just did W5R1 today. Agree with idealism - an early run really makes SUCH a difference to my mood during the day.

I ended up doing the W4 runs for three weeks. I decided to repeat the first time because I was struggling a bit on the uphill stretch through my local park, and then on the W4R3 second time around I managed to do something funny to my knee running downhill. So I stuck to the same schedule for a third week so as not to give my knee a chance to get any more pissed off with me. I'm glad I did now - I really enjoyed today's run and am full of bounce about progressing again!

Anyone else have running downhill ishoos with knees? I've been told to lean forward slightly and take shorter strides, so as to shift weight more over the knees and minimise impact, but any other tips are very welcome Smile

BsshBossh · 27/09/2011 17:08

Ooo Wolef, I'm glad you repeated a week too. I don't feel so bad now :)

OTheHugeWerewolef · 28/09/2011 10:37

Well, the C25K programme says repeat the weeks as much as you like, as you should go at your own pace. I've not run for aaages and am sturdily built, so there's a fair amount of impact on my knees/shins. So I'm going to take my time building up the bone/muscle strength; I'd rather take months to get there than end up out of action with stress fractures. So I've taken the view that as long as I'm sticking to my Tue/Thur/Sat schedule and progressing when I'm ready then all is good.

Cut yourself some slack, Bssh - we'll get there Smile

Quidsi · 28/09/2011 11:47

Hello! Can I join?
Just a dumb question first. What to do if you don't have an Ipod? Really can't afford one.

vanimal · 28/09/2011 13:00

Hello all,

Hope everyone is well!

BsshBosh I have also had some time off (travelling for work, then DH travelling), but I am back. I also repeated W3 last week, and I really needed it to regain some sort of fitness level gained from weeks 1 and 2. I struggled with it too to begin with, but my stamina did pick up.

This morning I did W4R1 - WOW! I was not happy hearing lovely Laura telling me that I would be doing 2x3 min runs, and 2x5 min runs, but I did it! Woohoo! The first run is always the toughest for me, and it was again, but I did my 2nd 5 min run quite well I thought (even though I run at a snails pace).

So I am really pleased with myself, and back on track!

I agree with OHugeWereWolef and idealism an early morning run is great. It encourages me to be more active and eat better for the rest of the day too.

febes, well done on 20 min running, that is truely inspiring! Is that really W5R3? Seems like a big leap from my 5 min runs today.

Quidsi I don't have an ipod either, I just downloaded the podcasts onto my phone instead, and bought some decent headphones with an ear hook thingy, so they don't fall out when I'm running. Good luck with it, it can be difficult to get started, but once you are you will be hooked :)

Quidsi · 28/09/2011 13:02

Thanks vanimal but really thick question here. How do I download the podcast onto my phone? Have been trying but there seems to be no clear instructions.

vanimal · 28/09/2011 14:07

I used this one:
www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/couch-5K-running-plan.aspx

Click on the link to download using iTunes, then download from iTunes onto your PC. From there I copied on to my phone. I am sure there will be an easier way of doing this someone else will know :)

Quidsi · 28/09/2011 14:25

Aw thanks for your help vanimal.
Just found a PC world voucher in my wallet so am off to buy some decent headphones. Any recommendations? £25 is my limit.
Thankyou for taking the time to help me. Smile

vanimal · 28/09/2011 15:08

Hiya, No problem :)

I got my headphones for £10 from Tesco Blush
No idea what make they are, they have a bright green lead though, which stands out a mile, and came with a very handy tiny little storage bag.

They were very similar to these ones

BsshBossh · 28/09/2011 19:43

Completed W3R2 this morning. I slowed my pace down and the run felt much better/achievable. Looking forward to the last W3 run this Friday. It was so lovely running early this morning in the park - there was this beautiful mist upon the grass and the sun was lemony and the sky was blue.... So happy I was exercising outside (for free!) and not stuck in a gym.

idealism · 28/09/2011 19:47

you guys are all doing so well.... I'm gutted have had a chesty cough since sunday so am taking this week to recover, but hoping to begin week7 on sat or sunday. I'm really enjoying it, so taking this time out is really frustrating!! I 've been using mapmyrun.com to see how far i've been running and am almost there with distance, 4.3k, so my target is so close. Will definitely achieve it and can really recommend the site for planning routes (although it can be a bit geeky...Smile

febes · 29/09/2011 07:55

Run 3 Week 6 done!!! 25 mins baby!! I was so not wanting to run tonight but hauled my butt out there and did it. Buzzing on the endorphins right now!!! Keep going girls you will get there. I am so slow but I just keep plodding. I keep thinking I won't be able to do it but once I start I just switch off and go into automatic pilot.

OTheHugeWerewolef · 30/09/2011 11:37

Did W5R2 yesterday - two 8-minute runs! I had no idea whether I'd be able to manage it when I started, but in the end I was fine and felt great afterwards.

Well done everyone! And wish me luck for my 20-minute W5R3 tomorrow...am a bit nervous Blush

BsshBossh · 30/09/2011 19:39

I am in awe of both of you wolef and febes. I'm still struggling on 3 min runs and can't even imagine doing next week's 5 min run. I did complete W3R3 this morning and though it was hard I ran all the runs.

I just have to keep going I guess, repeating weeks if necessary a la wolef :)

vanimal · 03/10/2011 12:10

W4R2 done! Wooohoooo!

It was tough - 2x3min runs, and 2x5 min runs, so 16 mins in total,but I did it, for the third time today. I honestly can't believe I can run for that long, when I couldn't do 1 min to begin with. I have no idea how I have become fitter, but somewhere along the way I have, and I am definitely starting to feel better in myself too.

I had to walk up a steep park hill this weekend carrying DD2 and holding DD1s hand. I really would have struggled with that previously but was surprised at my lack of huffing and puffing.

I changed my route today and am on my public roads, going past a very busy railway station, something I would not have daren't doing previously.

And although I actually HATE the first runs each time with a passion, once I am warmed up and have got a good pace going it's actually ok. So I am even starting to look forward to them although I am scared of starting W5 now

BsshBoshh you will be fine. I was in your position last week, but I managed it and you will to.

OhTheHugeWerewolef how did your 20 min run go?

Quidsi how are you getting on?