C25k - just did my first run!!!

[flossyfloo]

I can't believe I managed to do it! I am very unfit and about 3 stone overweight. But I did it

Just wanted to share with someone as I'm very proud of myself at the moment

Clocking in from w4 r2. Pushed a lot harder today and my split times show the results! My goal now is to better myself every single run. First time out without sunshine though - have been very fortunate so far! Keep trucking everyone.

Just completed week 1 day 2. Went well and found the running bits easier today. Found my trainers too!

Knee so far is holding up. Couple of twinges but no swelling or pain.

Finally did w6r2 this afternoon .. Was ok apart from the last minute when i felt like i wanted stop! I was desperate to run today as I was so worried about not having properly run since last Thursday due to circumstances and not having opportunity to run due to DH and work. Could feel myself starting to lose motivation and feel much better for having run today and got back into it. Will do w6r3 on Friday when I have the day off and will steer clear of the gym this time!

W7 R2 this morning. Gorgeous day here. Should have enjoyed it really but can't say I did, it felt like a slog from about 1/3 of the way in. Used MapMyRun for the first time too, which tells me my pace is 13.5 minutes per mile

I am really starting to question if I am cut out for this!

Oops, have just scared myself witless - have just looked at w5 on my app - it seems like a massive jump up. Run 1 is three reps of 5mins on & 3 mins off, run 2 is 8 mins on, 5 off, 8 on; but the final run is a full 20mins of jogging. That seems a huge leap from only doing five minutes a time just two runs previously? Did you all manage it, the full time without stopping? I've been able to do everything it's said so far but this worries me, a lot.

Everyone gets scared witless by W5R3 but I've never heard of anyone not managing it. It's psychological, you just have to believe you can do it. If you take it at a steady pace then it's totally doable, the first 4 weeks are building up to this so you'll definitely be physically ready.

And if you don't manage it the first time then you can just have another go. If you've managed everything so far then that's a good sign.

I'm on the 2 and day, of a 2 day rest after finishing week 2. I was going out tonight, but I went to a spa day today, and they had a gym. So instead I walled and ran on a treadmill, and went on the cross trainer for 30 minutes, and did just over 2k

W4 R1 done. Found it quite hard but got there.
hunter don't give up. it was just a bad run. you are doing brilliantly to be on Week 7.
I am very slow - mapmy run said 10mins per km, but its not about the speed for me, its about getting round.

Well done everyone. I've never tried a treadmill, would imagine I'd fall off it Miranda style.

I've just done my second running class, which was 4 sets of three minutes with three minute walks, which I'm counting as equivalent to w3r2, if that's not cheating.

Hi all
I did w3 r2 last night and I found it really hard. I don't know if its because I'd had a really busy day at work, but I didn't enjoy it and I felt terrible by the end although I have to keep telling myself at least I didn't stop! I'm just hoping that my run tomorrow night will be better and I don't chicken out all together

Ooof. Just back from w4 r3 and I went out far too hard on the first two intervals. Paid for it on the final five minute section - felt like a bit of a slog. I mean, I want to push to get fitter by working harder, but I also have to learn how to work smart too, and today wasn't it!

Just did wk4r1, skipped ahead as my running class 'homework' was 4X4 mins, with 3min walks, so need to keep up with that.
The last 5min run ended at the long park steps, so my warm down walk started with a climb!

I'm keeping motivated by the idea that all effort now will pay off at the 5k, it will be less painful.

How are all the people with injuries? Emin was seeing about her knees?

Completed week 1! Dd and DH came out with me today. DH enjoyed it too, lol! Found the first couple of runs harder not helped by having drunk over half a bottle of wine last night! But last couple of runs easier at least :)

Hello runners :)

Finished week 7 this morning. It's been a tough week and I set off with dread this morning... But it wasn't so bad actually. I decided to slow my pace (you wouldn't think it possible...) and the whole thing was more enjoyable and time seemed to go faster. So, I'm pleased with that.

I had a long think after Thursday's run and I've decided to complete the programme as it is - ie run for 28 minutes next week and finish with a 30 minute run. I am not, for now, going to worry about my speed or distance. Those will be my goals for after week 9.

I reckon it will be a will be a good while before I can actually run 5k, and a lot longer still until I can do it in 30 minutes, but I don't mind. If you'd told me 7 weeks ago I'd be speed walking running for 25 minutes non-stop I would not have believed it possible, so that's an achievement in itself.

Ultimately, if I'm not enjoying it, I'm more likely to quit, and that's the last thing I want. Slow and steady it is for me then. Sorted

Hope everyone else is ok, particularly those of us with sore knees and the like, this running business is a challenge isn't it?!

Finished week 6 this morning, had a mild panic when Laura started by saying I would be running for 25 mins especially after the previous run was a bit of a struggle! As it turned out it was probably my best run to date,no stitch and I didn't feel like I was counting the minutes, I just enjoyed the scenery and beautiful morning. I think I am definitely a morning girl as I seem to have my best runs first thing with no stitch.

Having said that I do have similar worries to Hunter about speed, distance especially as I didn't enjoy the run earlier this week and it felt quite a chore. Also concerned that it is just running now and keeping myself motivated. Like Hunter I just plan to concentrate on completing the session and worry about building speed after c25k. Will have to remember that Laura said I am a runner now!

Would welcome any tips or advice from people who have recently completed c25k on how to stay motivated!!

Enjoy the sunshine everyone.

Well done everyone!

I still haven't managed 5k in under 30 mins and I graduated a few weeks ago now. I think very few people manage to do 5k in 30 mins in the 9 weeks, it takes a bit of time to build up to that.

I'm gradually building up my distance because I've entered an 8k race in July. If you need a goal after C25K has finished then how about entering a race and then following a 5-10k training plan or devising your own training plan? I'm just adding 10% on to my distance each week (this is the most you are meant to do) and not worrying about time or speed for now.

Parkruns are good too if there's one near you, they keep track of your time so you can see your progress.

Heading out soon on w4 r2. Doing the hard yards bit by bit

Did it. Bring on w4 r3

Just finished w3r2, back on track . How did everyone find running in the warmer weather today?

I can run for 30 minutes!!!! Wk9r1 complete. I can't run 5k in that time but worked out I did 4.33k, so that would give me a 5k time of 34.6m assuming i kept a similar speed. I'd be very happy with that. And as a sign of long-term commitment to this running lark, I signed up for parkrun last night, so I'm nervously thinking of doing it next Saturday in what will hopefully be my first post-graduation run. I've got race for life two weeks tomorrow, so a practice in a group of people might not be a bad idea.

Great to hear how everyone else is coming along. It makes all the difference knowing there are others out there too willing each other along. I hope Emin and others with injuries are getting sorted. Hunter and newbeliever, I'm a bit scared of finishing the C25K podcasts because I don't want to lose motivation, so I'm going to try the stepping stone and speed and stamina ones once these end.

I also discovered I'd lost a pound this morning, so that was pretty good inspiration to get out too. I'm not trying to actively lose weight as I'm well within a healthy weight for my height, but there's a tiny part of me that would like just to shed those last few pounds to be back to pre-dd (dc2) weight. It's only four away. I'm definitely trimmer and have a flatter stomach which is my main goal in the vanity stakes. I do have better reasons though, like being fitter, keeping healthy for my children's sake and not getting type 2 diabetes in my old age like my mum.

Yes!! Well done! You'll have a great time at ParkRun and 34 mins is really good for a first time 5k. It is very different running in a group of people, just make sure you don't go running off with the speedy ones and then run out of steam! There should be plenty of people there with a similar pace to you, you'll probably end up running with the same few people for most of it.

Very well done for getting to week 9, just a couple more and you're all done. Are you going to treat yourself to some new running gear or something?

Thanks Eau. I definitely need another running top as I only have one and if it does warm up then a pair of capris or shorts will be handy. Hmmm. I have to admit to a slight longing for a Garmin, although I do wonder if it would be distracting while you're actually running. I'd definitely like the data afterwards rather than having to plot on mapmyrun. Anyway, I'm not going down that road for a while yet.