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

I'm back. God it was hard. And the lady says at the end congratulations you have run for 8 minutes. 8 minutes, it felt like hours!

Having said that it really wasn't as bad as I was expecting, considering this is the most exercise I've had in about 5 years.

Well done captainjameskirk you have taken your first step to being a runner.

Penny that sounds lovely :-) one of the reasons I want to be fit and healthy is for the kids. They're small now so hopefully I'll get fitter as they grow.

Wk 3 run 3 for me tomorrow. Will try wk 4 in a few days but I think I'll do something in between wk 3 and 4 if I can't do it but I rely on the voice to tell me what to do!!

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to call myself a runner. The main thing I lack is motivation, so I'm hoping the podcasts enable me to keep going at a good pace without overdoing it and/or becoming bored!

I start week 4 tmrw. Can't wait. I've downloaded some songs and have compiled a running cd to listen to whilst on the treadmill. Ago of tune can help me keep going. Don't flame me, but the running cd has a fab one direction remix on it!!

Completed wk 2 and actually enjoyed it today since it's not raining and then made the mistake of looking at wk 3. I'm not sure I can double my running time. Tell me Laura is not actually a sadist?

baking you may just surprise yourself. I did w3r1 today and couldn't believe I did 3 mins! On the way back it was easier because I already knew I could do it IYSWIM?

baking tins honestly, trust her! I'm a few weeks further on, and just done 5 min runs. Its amazing how you can build up the stamina over the week!

Is there someone out there who measures distance? How far do you walk in the 5min warm up / cool down?? ie how long a route do I need to find in total if I'm running 5km (which is home to the pub and back ) Getting ahead of myself here, but I knew the distance to the pub, and thought OK, can work up to that, but didn't factor in I've got to RUN that, and also some walking!

next yes, I do - my 5 min warm up walk is usually about 0.35 miles if that helps?

I'm new to this thread, so hello! I did wk 7 run 1 this morning and am loving running again. I started running when DS was a year old and ran a lot before falling pregnant with DD. She was 4 months old this week and I'm really really enjoying being back out there. It's been frustrating in many ways as I was running up to half marathon distance before pregnancy, but it's also very satisfying completing a run and being told by Laura how well I'm doing!

Sounds good hairtwiddler, well done!!!

Well done pennygallops, glad you were painfree :)

So what was your time scarecrow22??

Well done Dingle!!

Welcome CaptainJamesTKirk, good luck with your first run!

You'll be fine bakingtins, trust the program!!

My warm up walk used to be 0.4Km nextphase :)

Welcome backwardpossom! I've enteredy first half marathon in November, I'm up to 8 miles now :)

nextphase I use the free Nike app to measure the distance of each session. At the end it gives you all the stats: average speed, distance covered, map of your run (using GPS) etc & stores it so you can compare to previous. Would that help maybe?

I am not sure which c25k app you use but I use the Nike one in conjunction with the Get Running c25k app & it also worked with the NHS one.

Ooh next phase I think you are just ahead of me! Baking -honestly trust the programme! People told me that and I wasn't sure but it is amazing how your stamina builds up.

I did wk 3 run 3 this morning and I'm a convert!! I'm slightly high! After my complete disbelief in myself I found today quite manageable. I even ran an extra minute at the end. I truly cannot believe how far I've come in a month, from struggling with each minute long run to finding 3 minutes ok.

I'm going to try wk 4 in 2 days and I'm quite excited by it. I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't manage it but want to give it a go :-)

Thanks backward and cinnamon

Tina - thanks for the suggestion but I'm a bit low tech! My mobile can send and receive texts messages / calls, but no internet access, so its sitting with a map and working out where I can go to end up back at home around the right time - and to add to the complication, I prefer loops to there and backs!

I use the Run keeper app to track distance, its free and I find it really motivating. I used it at the same time as a c25k app and music/podcast.

Morning all - lovely morning here

Nextphase, have you found Mapmyrun.com on the PC? You don't need a phone. I found it easier to plan my routes on the PC - it even tells you the elevation changes so you can avoid the hilly bits

My first route was entitled " long way round to the pub" and you can also use it to map/plan walks and cycle rides for your rest days and set goals. Seems to more than the app although it does sync, if you want to use the app too

add my vote for mapmyrun. Found it very easy to use.

can somebody remind me the app which you can play over your own music? Think Trazzle suggested it?

started w2 today: borrowed dh's iSomething so ran with Laura for first time... She's lovely and music not too awful but not sure I can listen to somebody speaking on behalf of the British State who says "you're doing great" for another eight weeks

oh my park run time? oh, I couldn't oh go on then....... ok so I was a lot younger and a lot fitter, was pre DC and have v long legs...,just over 22 mins

Back to reality now, sigh

Well done to everyone, just keep running!

I went out for a half hour this morning-visiting family so had to find a new route. Had a lovely run up a canal path, now starving for a Sunday roast!

Everyone is doing so well! Feeling really inspired & chuffed to bits I found this thread. Unfortunately my body doesn't agree with me & after a week of resting my knee I planned to get back into it tomorrow. BUT after a bit of walking yesterday, I feel back to square one. My bloody knee is doing my head in! There's no way I can get my gait analysed today as planned as I can't even walk comfortably, let alone run naturally. Sooooo frustrated! For once in my life I'm not relishing having to rest & am straining at the bit to get moving again. Thinking of trying swimming for a while as hoping that may help get my knee functioning again. Am now off to sports shop to ask some advice.

hello again, I just finished week 4. after Wednesday 's struggle, yesterday went really well ( different location) . Still can't believe I've been out running 12 times.

I think I'll be looking for new trainers soon, my current ones are ok but more for gym work so not as cushioned as they could be.

How is it affecting you all mentally? I'm feeling stronger, in that I'm not giving up. more resilient.

queen I've been looking ahead to when I finish, and might start the 0-1650. swim a mile program, its the same idea, 3 swims a week over 6 weeks to build up to a mile.

I do like a challenge! I'd probably keep running twice a week too, I'm trying to get more exercise into my week ad I get nearer 50 so it becomes routine

scarecrow I use Get Running.

thankyou Trazzle, will check it out

I did Week 3 Run 2 this morning. I don't know why, but I found it tough. I got through it but spent most of the running sections giving myself a good talking to.

Hope Week 3 Run 3 is better. I'll probably leave it 3 days - at my advanced age (49) and level of fitness (dire) it's best for my body.

I'm pleased to report that DS2 & DS3 are persisting with the programme. They will catch me up soon as they are young & don't need to take a longer break between runs.

Can anyone advise me about the treadmill please? I've got the elevation set at 1.5 as I remembering reading somewhere that it is more like running outdoors if you use a low elevation. Is this correct, and if so, what elevation would be best to use? Thanks!

"Alpaca* I've struggled with run 2 of each week, but am still getting through. I've made it to week 5, and should be doing w5r2 tomorrow morning - my first day time run, all the others have been after the kids are in bed. Congrats on getting this far - sounds like you should try to keep one day ahead of the kids!