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Original poster

Couch to 5K- the first day of the rest of your life :)

999 replies

cinnamongreyhound · 07/03/2013 08:23

Come and join us if you're thinking about starting, have started or have finished and are loving running! Lots of support, advice and general cheering on for everyone. Find the old thread here.

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Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 27/05/2013 22:47

NamelessMcNally he's a greyhound Grin the best dogs EVER!!!!! this is him if it works

When I got Nelly I was working full time and she was great being left alone, just took a week off to leave her short periods, then increased it. I had cats so she was never totally alone. I met dh and he already had dss, both of whom were a huge shock to her!

I was getting up at 6.30 to walk her and will totally miss it, dh and I have both gone to take her out this weekend and then remembered she's not there :( I can't imagine my life without a greyhound, they are awesome! It is one more thing to worry about so I get where you're coming from but so rewarding!

Sorry you've had hail, but yay for the fab run! You've done so well, took me much longer to build up to longer distances. You did mention the half, I'm still wobbling! My friend did her triathlon yesterday, 148th out of 178 did 750m swim, 25k bike and 5.5k run in 2hrs22. She said she'd do the half with me in July so I will speak to her when she's up to running again and maybe enter Confused

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pennygallops · 28/05/2013 07:42

That's a great 10k time namelessmcnally. I too fancy a half-marathon, there is a local one in September but as we are away for most of the Summer holidays, I don't think it's realistic this year.

pennygallops · 28/05/2013 13:07

Sad My knee really hurts today. I can't run on it at all. I've managed to get an appointment with the doctor later this afternoon, mainly to get some advice on supports for when I run. A few days rest for now...

NamelessMcNally · 28/05/2013 13:43

Cin, I'm in love - Billy is a babe. I have looked into dogs (not literally) and think that the type that would be best for us would be a greyhound or lurcher. Big but not too big, built for energy bursts and then lazing, class disposition.

Penny, it sucks when you get an injury. I have tight tendons and am thinking of seeing a physio to try to get some exercises and tips to avoid them becoming a problem. Hope you are back up and running soon!

DietingAgain · 28/05/2013 13:59

I've just completed week 3, finding it tough but doable, think today I breathed a bit better which is the part I find most difficult. Am just wondering what sort of distance is averagely covered at this point to end up doing 5k in 30-35 mins at eight weeks. Thanks

pennygallops · 28/05/2013 14:50

Hi dietingagain I wouldn't about distance at the moment, speed and distance can come later. I would concentrate on running for the allotted time. Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm. I try to breathe slowly and deeply, rather than lots of short sharp breaths. Also, try to keep your shoulder and hands relaxed. This is just pennygallops advice (not pro advice), works for me.

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 28/05/2013 15:32

Oh no pennygallops, that's awful I know how frustrating it is!! Hope it's feeling better soon

Great family pet NamelessMcNally, can't praise them anough!

Well done DietingAgain, I couldn't run 5k in 30 mins at the end of the plan. My first 5k was 34 mins and over time I got it to below 30 mins. I think week 3 it was probably 3-3.5K but it was a while ago now Wink

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Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 28/05/2013 15:36

Whoops crossed posts!

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Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 28/05/2013 15:36

I had to answer the door twice between starting and finishing!

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pennygallops · 28/05/2013 17:34

Back from the doctors and the prognosis is good. It just needs a rest and then ease back into it. I think I will be keeping to a max of 10k for now, with a little more rest after a fast or long run.

The doc was happy with me doing a little gentle cycling, walking, swimming etc. He asked why I needed to run Confused. I went into my longish pro-running speech they I use to convert people Grin.
I also phoned the shop where I bought my trainers and had my gait analysed. I am going to see them tomorrow - have my trainers checked, gait checked again etc. They are going to see if they can help.
So I am happy enough with all that.
I was going to be doing the parkrun with DD this week, so that is more walking than running anyway.

DietingAgain · 28/05/2013 18:48

Thanks for the tips and advice.

dementedma · 28/05/2013 20:46

Week 7 and a 25 minute run completed relatively easily. We were laughing at ourselves just a few weeks ago, panicking at having to run for 3 minutes! This programme never ceases to amaze me.

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 28/05/2013 21:23

Well done dementedma!

My friend who I run with met a personal trainer a few weeks ago who was telling her that the c25k doesn't work! He said if you're running you should run and not stop start. The best way to do it is to run as far as you can and then add a minute each time you go. I don't know the theories behind it but it works for so many people how can it be wrong!?!

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dementedma · 28/05/2013 21:33

It bloody does work. Have done it several times over the years and it always gets me there. If you just run as long as you can it is very boring and you become one paced. You NEED the stop start in the early weeks to build stamina. That's why they are hard to do. How many people, me included, manage the week 5 20 minute run and then really hit the wall when it is back to intervals at week 6. World famous fartlek training is built on intervals.your personal trainer friend can eat my shorts Grin

5madthings · 28/05/2013 21:38

It does work, I started in Feb, had a few weeks off along the way but just ran the London bupa 10k yesterday,I would never have thought that was possible ever! It was fab and I am looking for other 10k events local to me. Will be going for a quick 7k run tomorrow morning :) lol at a quick 7km, when I started couldn't run to the end of the road!

BigStickBIWI · 28/05/2013 21:53

I'm always surprised that any of the personal trainers I have talked about C25K to don't seem to have heard of it. And I wonder if that is why he said it doesn't work? Because it's not something he does/trains?

All the different posts and threads here are clear evidence that it works!

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 28/05/2013 22:02

It worked for me!

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5madthings · 28/05/2013 22:18

I know lots of people who have uses of and I recommend it, prefect for beginners, so easy to follow and you see the results really quickly. It made me a running convert and I was a total NON runner before!

NamelessMcNally · 28/05/2013 22:25

Bloody does work.

Like 5mad at the beginning of the year I couldn't run to the end of the road at the beginning of the year. Now I'm looking forward to exercise for the first time in my 36 years.

pennygallops · 28/05/2013 22:33

Worked for me too and many other people I know. I was recommending it earlier tonight!

UmBongo · 28/05/2013 22:42

w8r3 28 minutes done. 3.76 Km this time. Next run is the 30 minutes so I am going to definitely get 4K done, not sure when the other k is going to fit in under 30mins!

I still can't believe I am running for that long either! Even if I think I look like Paula Radcliffe and actually look more like Paula Radcliffe's gran running Grin

Chopstheduck · 29/05/2013 07:21

cinnamon, that sounds like a brilliant way to either get injured or get fed up to me! I think that might be ok for people that are quite fit, but I can't see it working for people like many of us who have started from nothing. Maybe like you said, cos he doesn't teach it!

It's funny because I can remember my PE teacher in cross country trying to get me to do intervals and build it up, 20 years ago! Didn't work back then because I didn't have Laura telling me when to stop and start, but it's def not a new concept.

pennygallops, that is good news!

I went for my run at the weekend, ended up running around pretty much in circles around Acle, but found a bit of river and it was rather nice! Hopefully off out tonight once dh gets home for a 5 mile run. Seem to be falling behind with my training plan, as I can't seem to fit in four runs a week, but I'm working through it, and it should jsut take 21 weeks instead of 16.

Billy is gorgeous! Though I was looking at the pic on my phone and dt1 was looking over my shoulder and said awww, a pony!! Shock I had to explain to him about greyhounds and yes they are that shape, and they run very very fast, and now he wants one!

jchocchip · 29/05/2013 07:28

I did lamp post intervals without laura 15 years ago and didn't manage to get running, did a run run but it was more of a fun walk. Laura got me running in 9 weeks and at the end of the 9 weeks I ran 5k without stopping including hills. It does work any its free :)

SarahWithAFringeOnTop · 29/05/2013 07:28

Would it be too cynical to think that personal trainers don't know about/don't encourage C25K because you don't need a personal trainer to do it - all you need is an app or podcast, or even a kitchen timer! Though I suppose there's no reason you couldn't do it with a personal trainer beside you offering encouragement instead of Laura Hmm

As dementedma says, definitely does work and definitely not a new concept Grin

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 29/05/2013 07:37

We could all get one Chopstheduck Wink. They are the most lovely dogs.

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