Couch to 5K- join us if you dare, running is highly addictive!!

[cinnamongreyhound]

Another thread for us long termers and a new one for those just starting. Whatever stage you're at come and join us for lots of advice and moral support.

Old thread here

Hi all . W2R2 this morning, in the rain, and I could swear a man about 300 meters in front of me was doing the same week!

Haha! I passed three 'ladies of a cerain age' like me tonight an it was very obvious they were doing the course too. We sort of half smiled half griamced at each other

Can I join please?

Have just completed my first run, 11.30 at night. It was a spur of the moment thing and never again. I ran around my local common, nearly jumped out of my skin 5 times and ran longer and faster than I should because of fear.

I'm sure most of it was in my head and my logic was not wanting to be seen but I don't think I looked too bad so next time daylight is a must. Not one of my smarter moments I have to admit but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I started on week 2 run 1 and I was actually surprised how fast the running section passed compared to the walking parts. Much easier than trying to pound a treadmill, going nowhere.

I've lost a stone and a half in the last 2 months. I haven't dieted but I have been going to the gym 4-7 times a week. I feel like I've hit a wall so have started this to kick start a new body shock and help me get to the next level of cardio fitness, hopefully allowing me to do some harder workouts.

Crap at diets and all I seem to do is eat and think about food more. Interestingly I started out to loose weight but now I feel like that's secondary to wanting to improve my fitness? How common is this?

How have everyone results been so far? I'd be interested to find out peoples 1. Starting weights/dress sizes

1. Current weights/dress sizes
2. Your running time in weeks
3. Any other exercising and dieting you are doing alongside the app

Well done on your completion of wk 1 dramaalpaca onwards to week 2.

And well done to you too eminemmerdale. I love seeing other runners out when I'm out. if I'm with my DS, he always ask 'what would their parkrun time be?' I always find other runners (and cyclists) smile/say hello at me/us.

I quite like an early rise for a run babysocks, I find it a special time - I like the quietness at that time of the day. But it was pretty chilly in the winter months.

Well done pollydon. How are you finding the program? Week 3 soon.

episode I started running for two main reasons:

1. Help with stress - and it definitely does, especially once I could run for longer periods and not have to concentrate on Laura's instructions.
2. To try to maintain muscle tone and fitness (I hadn't long turned 40)

My dress size and weight have hardly changed - When I started my top half was 8/10, its now 8, my bottom half was 10, its now 8/10. I've actually gained weight 9st 2 to 9st 6lbs (but I'm trying to lose that weight before I go on holiday!)

Now the weather is better I try to cycle a bit more and I swim once or twice a week, but my main exercise is running. I also like to go out onto to the moors for a good long walk, but that's a family time thing and not really great for exercise.

Its about 10 months since I started the program.

It is lovely and quiet at silly o'clock pennygallops, not sure I will continue with the early mornings in the winter. By that time my youngest will be at pre-school for a couple of days so I should hopefully have time to fit my running in after the school run instead.

Episode, I started running mainly to fit some exercise into my life. I have an underactive thyroid and I have really tired days so hopefully running will help this. I'd love to lose a few pounds too... I have this need to look after my body now I'm a couple of years away from 40 eeek! It is also an opportunity to do something for me, after 7 years of having 3 DCs quite close together, I feel it's about time I did something for myself!

Hi can I join? I like reading about everyone's progress, it's very inspiring. I can't believe that I actually love running-I only started because my dd was competing and I was at the races anyway..it seems to be infectious.

I 'graduated' C25K last week and have my first race next week. I ran a 27 min 5k for practice yesterday on the course which is hilly on the second half. So I'm aiming for 26mins on the day. Dd is going for 22mins, but I am 28 years older than her...

I'm aiming long term for a sub 1hr 10k next March.

PennyGallops

I started running for fitness, I've got a few health issues so i thought the best defence is to be fit apart from the bits of me that are misbehaving!

I've put on weight like about 3lbs, but it is leg muscle, my waist is smaller, but my bust has not shrunk. I was a 10/12 bottom now 10, and a 10 top no change.

I have taken an interest in nutrition because I want to run well and feel well. Especially I've noticed alcohol trashes my running the next day, which puts me off it most of the time.

In general my energy level is much better, I'm less moody and I sleep well (with apologies to those with smaller children).

I finished week 2 yesterday, managed to avoid the rain. and got wolf whistled at [Confused]

I'm doing it to lose weight while calorie counting. And to bring regular exercise back into my life, and to achieve a goal as I had no goals and was stagnating. Losing 7 pounds would be good, 14 better.

BIWI - I get what you are saying but I have looked and can't find a run on grass near me that doesn't involve just constant loops of a field which I think would bore me to tears. I may try it though just to see. Also the grassy areas near me are used by dog walkers and I would be dodging dog poo!

I did go and get some new trainers today. My other ones are two years old. Went to a proper shop and had my feet analysed and bought a super expensive and much more cushioned and supportive running shoe. Hopefully that will help.

I am due to start week 2 tomorrow. Wondering about doing week 1 again to ease me in more. Also wondered about leaving two days between runs rather than one as someone else mentioned.

Episode - I have just started really. Running is something I always wanted to do but never did. I am 49 and would like to do a 5k before I'm 50. I'm also going to New York for my 50th next year and want to run in Central Park with my sister. Diet wise I have lost 3 stone over the last 18 months - 2 with weight watchers and now almost a stone since the end of April on biwi's low carb boot camp. I am doing it for weight and health reasons. Desperate not to have to shop plus size ranges anymore. Am now an 18-20 rather than the 22-24 I was.

Sorry you feel like that dementedma, I finished in March and took me probably until June/July to enjoy it. I always enjoyed how I felt afterwards but not the actual run. I know others here loved it much quicker! I would say that you CAN run 30 mins and I would suggest that you aim for 15mins before you walk and if you can get to that try to push through the next song or something like that as I genuinely believe that a lot is mental. But on the other hand if you are not enjoying it then perhaps running just isn't your sport? I think had I not started enjoying it when I did I may have quit but I know I'm a better person when I run and it's so convenient for me and I have also become a bit more social with my running which helps too.

Well done Betty5313, that's a good pace. DramaAlpaca, eminemmerdale, amigababy, babysocksneverstayon and Pollydon you are all doing great :)

Welcome episode, I started c25k in Jan 12 so have been running almost 18 months but have never run before in my life! I started losing weight in Nov 11 so was doing both at the same time I went from 15st/size 18 to 9st 8/size 8-10 depending on shop! But I did that by calorie counting I have been at my target weight since July last year but have got bigger pretty much everywhere since then due to running futher. I wanted to get fitter and so that was my reason for starting running rather than weight loss. I think it is helping me to maintain but I now stick to around 17-1800 calories a day.

Welcome FoundAChopinLizt, that's a great time took me a while to get a sub 27min 5k!

Managed my aim for the weekend, 28min run yesterday at 7 with the dog and 1hr 10min this morning on my own (took dog for a walk first as felt it was a bit far for him). Still having problems with endomondo so I roughly plotted on mapmyrun as it's a bit tricky due to lots of tree cover and I did 7 miles/11.3Km so I'm a bit disappointed in that. Next week 8miles

Oh and I watched all the results processing of the parkrun on Saturday after timekeeping and I am now going to be run director on 6th July, eeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy running everyone.

run director - that's going to be a bit stressful but very rewarding cinnamon. Don't be too harsh on yourself, it's better to build up the distance slowly.

Well, I went out this morning hoping to do a steady 5k but only managed 3.8k, because my knee started to hurt again. Came straight home and applied ice. I'll rest it for a few day before going out again.

Hi Pennygallops, I'm really enjoying it, I love the sense of achievement when you've completed a session & have just downloaded W3

Well I got out again today and managed the whole 5k in 42 minutes. I am going for sub 40 in the R4L next week and I will be very happy if I can do that. I am 50 next year and I think a 30 minute 5k is not going to happen!
I was a size 18 when I started with walking back in January. Am now a 14. Haven't lost much according to the scales bit have definitely lost inches. Down a cup size in the Norks department and all clothes fitting more easily. Feel more toned and more confident

Well done dementedma, sure you will manage sub 40 next week!

I had planned to have a week off running this week as was tired and had a bit of a sore knee...but I actually missed it and after watching my DH, Dsis and DBIL put in great performances (26, 27 & 28 mins respectively) at parkrun on Sat I just wanted to get running again! I was meant to be on Wk6 Day 2 but we were at my Dad's house and my step mum suggested running together so since she is quite fit I decided just to skip the 10-3-10 of Day 2 and go for the 22 mins of Day 3!! We were on the beach and when we turned back at half way there was a pretty strong cross wind and I struggled a bit with my breathing but just kept plodding on. Felt like I was going pretty slow but pace was actually 11.5 mins when I am normally 12 so was really pleased...and felt I had earned the copious amounts of gin, wine and bbq food I consumed after!

I think I run at about the same pace as I walk.
I've been working out distances of possible loops on mapmyrun.co.uk, and so put in a couple of C25k jog/walks, and a walk I did one lunchtime from work. Pace all coming out very similar!

Week3 seems a very short session?? Can't beleive I'm enjoying this running!

Cinder is there any chance of joining up several patches of softer running with pavement running? I do the warm up along a cycle path, and then get to drop down to the stream, through the woods, and back out of the valley on cinder track, which is softer than the tarmac, before more cycle path then grass along the river, and then back home. And yes, I live in suburbia - never more than 200y from the housing estates on either side of the valley, just happen to have a green belt patch through the middle.

Well done you dementedma. I think setting your own targets is best and sub 40 sounds good to me. I find when you run with a crowd you actually run faster, so that sub 40 is within your grasp.

Well done to you and your mum gingerpins, and a good pace. How is the knee tonight?

I'm glad you are enjoying the running so much pollydon. Have you got a parkrun near you? I think you might like a little 5k run on Saturday morning.

ciderwithbuda running in Central Park is on mine (and my DS's) list this summer. Our hotel is just a block away , so I need my knee better for then. I've bought a pair of (very short) running shorts for my holidays this year. I tried them this morning for the first time - think I need a bit of sun (or fake tan) on my legs!

Welcome foundachopinlizt - very impressive 5k time. I'm still waiting to go under 27mins (BP is 27.02mins), can't see it happening for a while.

Peeks in from behind a cushion (",)

I saw you Mum2Fergus! Come on in, we're not scary, and nearly all of us would only run a bath before we started the C2 5K programme.

Did my second 5k run on friday and forgot to report in (sorry!) I will really have to think how I can persuade everyone else in my family that mummy NEEDS saturday mornings off! What time do you finish after a parkrun people? Just for runners not run directors though cinnamon!

I go out at 7.30 on a Saturday, back by 8.15, it's not a park run, but at least I get out.

I managed w2d2 today. Early morning which was tough as I'd had a v late night. Stayed high and buzzing for the rest of the day. I'm still finding the actual workout easy, and can't wait to get to week 2. Just hope I don't struggle too much by then.

I'm doing d3 of week 1 tmrw after I do the shred. I'm doing both on the same day as I need to factor in rest days somewhere. Hoping to do a park run soon. Thanks to all on this thread, keeps me inspired.

Penultimate run before graduation tomorrow then, a 5k for my final run of the programme on Wed.
I have no real idea of my time as the GPS tracker in my app keeps loosing signal. Very annoyed Saturday as I tried pushing myself a bit harder than I have been and it only recorded 0.91k
Episode - running in the dark sounds very scary. Early mornings are also good if you're a bit self concious to start with. I went out of my way to pretend I wasn't actually running or would go in the opposite direction if I saw anyone in the early weeks. I actually smile and say hello now

Morning all , just completed W2R3, but my legs were incredibly achy, could this be due to my period ?
Ive downloaded week 3 ready for Wednesday

Glad to hear you're feeling more positive dementedma

Sounds great gingerpinz!

I seem to remember there was a short one that caught me out nextphase, maybe it was wk3.

When I run I finish before 9.30 UmBongo have a little chat and then I'm off! When I volunteer I'm usually gone by 10, marshals usually collect signs around them as the last runner goes by and so everything's back to the finish quickly. This week we went to the cafe to process results and even with me watching we were away by 11 so I'm thinking 10.30 once I'm good. I think it's just the social aspect amongst volunteers as well as runners that makes it last longer

Well done bakingnovice, I think if you're finding it easy it won't get much harder. I found it challenging all the way through but at a very stable level.

Mines the same jellybrain, really annoying. I am now going to mapmyrun when I get home to plot it!

Well done pollydon! Could be, I don't find my period makes much difference to my run but have a friend who finds it much more of a struggle.

Just finished run 3 of week 1! Not particularly enjoying it yet but optimistic that will come. Definitely feel a sense of achievement & determined to stick with it.