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

Well done starting amiga. Just see how it goes.. if it is too hard to run you could always turn and go in the other direction for a minute then turn back. But hill training is good for you and you will soon manage them. Think jog not sprint!

Hey pollydon we are at the same stage not sure I share the addiction though I'm hoping that bit will develop.

Waves at Watching , I think the lovely weather & the fact that every other runner I saw smiled at me has made it a great start, not sure I'll be as cheerful in the bad weather

I like the look of those earphones fruitpastile but I'll also need a holder for my iPod, as not all my running gear has a handy little pocket.

How's the toe this morning travellingwilbury and your aches and pains chopstheduck? I like a but of cycling and swimming - it's actually good to vary your form of exercise - uses different muscles.

Just believe in the program watchingout - it works. Just go with what Laura tells you, she'll get you running. And enjoy!

Welcome to the addition of running pollydon! Long may it last.

amigababy - hills are great for improving your fitness level and pace. But when I started with the program, back in the Autumn, I just ran laps round a small park area not far from my house. I walked there as my warm-up and walked back as my cool-down.

jchocchip the Leeds Abbey Dash looks like a good one for me. July seems a little early after my injury. I am doing the Tees Pride (10k) in Sept so the Leeds one would be doable. They also do a children's mini dash - my two like to get involved. They are doing the 3k at the Tees Pride.

cinnamon you could aim to train up to half marathon and enter on the day of the event (if they allow). I'm still thinking about it - fancy the Great North Run next year (2014). I need to persuade my colleague to do it with me.

O what a muppet... I have just investigated my podcast (that I thought was a bit fast) and noticed a teensy 2x button illuminated....

I went out this morning, and started all over again - so W1/R1. So far, so good - the shins seem fine, and I'm doing lots of stretching.

It was a beautiful morning for it, and I enjoyed it - it is so much easier than when I first started but I also found it a bit frustrating, having to stop after only a minute. You never actually 'get in' to the run, IYSWIM? It made me smile though, because it really reminded me just how long that minute seemed initially - and when you get the announcement 'just 10 more seconds' those ten seconds seemed to go on forever!

Hiya, just found the new thread and marking my place

Well done BIWI - at least you can see your progress!

Hi oopla come join us.

I don't have a Laura, it must be a different app. I just have beeps. I spent my run singing in my head
"come on and run to the beep "

(tune of Jump to the Beat)

I quite like the uncertainty of when the next beep will come as I can't see my phone in its holder. Which is a y-fumble from Amazon, its not bad for about £5

Hi everyone, mind if I join?
I've just finished week 1 of C25K. First day I went round my local loch - it was a good route, not too many people and nice and flat! However, the midges were awful! I spent a large portion of my run flapping my hands in front of my face, squinting my eyes shut and trying not to open my mouth/breathe through my nose so as not to eat them - not the best running technique! I felt it spoilt what was otherwise a successful run. On runs 2 and 3 I went round the woods at the back of my house instead. It's still a nice run but pretty up and down and I'd rather start off on the flat and progress to hills.
Does anyone know if there is a best time of day to avoid the midges? Or are they going to be a permanent pest around the loch all through the summer? It was about 10:30/11:00 when I went for my first run.

Can I join too please? Have just signed up to do a 10k in September, includes mud and obstacles too Seemed like a good idea at the time!!
Just completed my first run which went surprisingly well. Am worried I won't get up to 10k in time for the race. Has anyone moved up the levels faster than it says?

Second run done
2 questions for the more experienced:
Do you have the same route, or do you vary it about?
I've been adding in stretches during the warm-up walk, and then again once I've got home. Do I need to? Seems strange not to stretch, but is the cool down long enough to not need to stretch?

Must own up to not quite running the full 60 sec when it landed all up hill - should have taken the advice above and turned round to jog the rest of the 60s. Will remember for next time.

Rubbish run tonight. Only managed 20 minutes when I should be doing 30. Really struggled.
I actually don't like running in this warmer weather - much prefer cooler conditions.
lynca think midges and lochs are an unholy combination, particularly in still weather. Sunglasses will protect your eyes but swallowing some is inevitable. Think of them as protein

You should stretch after your cool down.

Hasn't there been some new research about not stretching? Someone I know who does running loads says she has read three different pieces saying it can do more harm.

lynca think midges and lochs are an unholy combination, particularly in still weather. Sunglasses will protect your eyes but swallowing some is inevitable. Think of them as protein

Lol thanks for the tip dementedma, but I think I'll maybe just stick to the woods for now

I've always stretched after my cool down, I don't know if it helps or not but I don't ever feel particularly stiff the next day, so I like to think it's doing something.

Well done watchingout You will have to run for longer next time you go out

You shouldn't do static stretches in a warm up but you should do some static stretches after your run. (just did a running for fitness leadership course through Run Britain)

Mrsbob - there is also a couchto10km programme which it might be worth looking into.

Ah! Well I have run three tonight..

Hi everyone, do you mind if I join in? I'm doing the getting started schedule on runner's world rather than the official c25k schedule and am doing run 5 mins walk 2 mins this week.

I was running before I got pregnant at the start of last year and have only just managed to get myself out the door again recently (dd has just turned 8 months! )

Thanks for that 'englishteacher78'. I'll hunt it out!

I'm looking at my window at the beautiful weather and really would love to be out there. But I'm still lurgy infested and have had two slices of toast since Saturday. Guess my training is out the window this week.

The 10k programme I've seen is pretty slow and maps the c25k with a couple of mad weeks at the end which I would have found tough. Think if you could maybe compress some earlier weeks? There may be a few of them though.

The website for women's running also has some programmes for 10km but not as an app

Done W4R1... cannot believe that after being so out of breath after 60 seconds in Week 1, I have run for 5 minutes without requiring a paramedic