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

A great run this morning in the local rspb reserve.yes,I am very lucky
Did 5k in just over 40 mins including managing to struggle up the hill of death.

Hello all. I'm in awe of how well you are all progressing.

I am so daunted. I've been doing the zen labs C25k ( rather than nhs) and I only have week 8 run 3 (28 mins) left to do. But I feel so disappointed with myself. Last week (3runs of 25 mins) and this week (28 mins) have been such a struggle and the realisation that 28 mins only takes me 3.25k, it's a very flat course, and I am so far off 5k.

I know that logically I should be thrilled that I have stuck to the programme. I have never missed a run, I am overweight & generally knackered and the heat is awful to run in.

I know that this glorious weather won't last ( I loved running in temps barely above zero when I started!)and if I keep on keeping on then i will get to 5k eventually.

So why do I feel so 'meh' about it?

My goals at the start were:
Complete C25k
Parkrun on June 22nd
Parkrun in Brisbane in August

I'm totally on track but am wishing I was flying instead of plodding.

mamageekchic you don't need to wait to join a parkrun. If you can do 3.5k in 30 mins, you'll be able to do 5k in around 40 mins. And if you start now, you'll get lots of BPs as you progress.

Well done dementedma sounds like a good run. Running up hill can hurt, but I think it's good for stamina.

itsnotusualtobe it might be the heat that doesn't work for you. Running in the heat increases dehydration and I find it tougher going than the cold. Don't be too harsh on yourself - plodding is better than sitting on the couch. I like your goals.

Well done amigababy!

Glad you enjoyed park run migrant, are you going to be a regular now?

Glad you had a good run dementedma, you deserve a good one :)

ItsNotUnusualToBe, you will get quicker. I had a wobble soon after I finished the c25k and I think it was the lack of goal! I wasn't anywhere near 5k in 30 mins when I finished but my quickest time now is 26mins 48 for a 5k. Try to enjoy the run and not worry too much about the distance/speed.

I didn't run today mainly because of dh :( oh well tomorrow's another day!

We've been away for the weekend and dh had the dcs yesterday afternoon so I went for a run!! I had had a quick look on map my run before we went and planned a route, but I forgot where the start line and finish was to get my 5k, so I have just re-mapped it and I ran 4.75km in 37 minutes (I think. Must get stopwatch!). Gutted to have missed the 5k! There was quite a big hill in it too, which I did something that wasn't a walk all the way up. I don't think it was a run either as it was very slow, but it was still bouncy so not a walk!! Never mind, I am sure now that I will be able to do the race for life.

It was my first run without Laura chatting to me too!

Whoo hoo. Thank you for sending me some virtual wings folks cos I was flying!!!

Week 8 run 3 was actually 30, not 28 mins and I had to add in 3 mini detours because my planned route was too short. I then tagged on an EXTRA 3.5 minutes at the end to take me to my five-minute-walk-to -cool-down point. To be honest, I could have kept going :jaw drop:

Much cooler this evening. I really think that is all it is!

3.8k in 33.5mins. The goal is to now add 5 mins a week to get up to a 40 mins run.

Apologies for the self indulgent posts but I am so proud of myself.

Thank you pennygallops and cinnamon greyhound - it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one to get to the end of the app / programme and not actually be at 5k. Especially with such a great PB now!

Well done itsnotunusual . You could do our parkrun now, no need to be fast just set a comfortable pb and try and knock 10 seconds off every time so you can get loads of pbs... I'm lucky I live near a lovely parkrun that encourages the shall I say slower runner. And if people haven't run before, walker. Regularly last position about an hour so anyone who has done c25k needn't worry. Depends on the course, it wouldn't work at some but we have wide tarmac paths and 3 laps so never on your own until the end if you are slow like me... so missed parkrun this week - first I missed since the last snow cancellation! Not long now 5 to go until my 50 shirt

I didn't get to 5K either, with my first 30 minute run, but each one, in the last week, got faster, and my last run was 5.01K!

But actually, it doesn't really matter if you haven't run 5K. You have managed 30 minutes of non-stop running - which is the really impressive thing

demented love the 'hill of death'!

Morning all! Back from my weekend away & completed wk 1 this morning
Starting wk 2 on Weds.

thank you all for the encouragement, I did my second run of week 2 on Saturday and it was great- not even out of breath at the end :) I think having proper running shoes really helped. week 2 run 3 this evening and I can't wait :)

Hi! Can I join in please? I tried to start last week, failed miserably at week 1 day 1, and gave up halfway through! But tried again today, downloaded music this time, and made it through alive. Need to do something to up my general fitness levels, been avoiding running as I really am rubbish at it, but I'm going to try my hardest now!

Has anyone got any experience of kids doing it too? My DD is interested in doing this with me, shes 9.5, and to be honest she needs to be more active.

, hi, I'm quite new on here too, welcome

Good evening ladies and what a lovely sunny evening it is too.

Did you manage a run today cinnamon?

I missed Laura so much when I first graduated umbongo I kept repeating/listening to week 9 for a few weeks. And you are definitely reading for Race for Life (and parkruns).

itsnotunusual - too right you should be proud of yourself. You set yourself a target and you made it!

jchocchip I'd be excited if I was that close to my 50 t-shirt. My DS and I have marked up his calendar mapping out our runs to 50! (We want to achieve it on the same day.)

pollydon and betty5313 Well done you've made a good start.

breakout welcome to this thread. I run with my DC, mainly my DS (he's 10). He's very active, but I've had to train his running - stamina, pace, breathing etc. He has got sooooo much better in a few short months. We went out together tonight and had a lovely chat.

Well, I'm a very happy person tonight. After 2 weeks of resting, I've been out for a little run (with DS). We did 4k in about 26mins and I have absolutely no pain!! . Yeah!! Going out again on Wednesday.

switched to some intervals as people have suggested and enjoyed it.
we did W2 R1 but when Laura said walk, we jogged very slowly, and when she said jog, we ran more quickly. it was nice to actually run. albeit only for 90 seconds, instead of plodding. I think it suited my longer stride to run more quickly, although my heart and lungs didnt like it . Need to figure out how to breathe, not gasp and pant.
Race for Life in two weeks and beginning to think we might just do it. would love to come in under 40 minutes........

dementedma I try to take long slow breaths, from my diaphragm. I also keep my shoulders down and relaxed. Using your arms, definitely makes you go faster. Don't know if any of this is scientific but it works for me. Running in a crowd/group tends to make you run a bit faster.

week 2 finished and it feels great! no foot or back pain.
Looking forward to week 3 starting on Wednesday.

Well done nearlyreadytopop. It does feel good, doesn't it? Just wait a few more weeks and you'll feel even better!

Will be back tomorrow to respond to everyone, after a weekend of stress and more today I made time for a run! Was supposed to be going with some ladies from my club on their doggy run but trip to vet buggered that up! Went for one of my usual route with dog, 40 mins of bliss, sooooo needed it! Training weds but may attempt a little run tomorrow :)

Well done UmBongo, it's annoying to miss a target by a tiny amount I've runs like that!

Well done ItsNotUnusualToBe!! That's why it's such a lovely thread, people from all stages able to support each other. I felt rubbish I couldn't do it in 30mins so glad I could help. It's good you have a target to aim for, you'll be doing 40 mins in no time :)

Well done pollydon and Betty5313 and nearlyreadytopop!

Welcome BreakOutTheKaraoke!

Glad you enjoyed the intervals dementedma, they really do work for speed!

So pleased to hear you're pain free pennygallops! I know how horrible it is to be in pain and not able to run! Are your reports done? What year are they? My ds1 is in year 1 and we have to wait until July :(

Morning cinnamon my reports are printed for their first read through (by me), then I alter print again and the assistant reads mine (whilst I read the reports of the other classes in my team) we correct our mistakes, print on posh paper, then hand to the head for reading and signing. It's a long slow process. They go out to parents 2 weeks before the end of term (most schools are similar). I'm in Y3 this year with a gorgeous class, it will be sad when they leave me.

Morning all!

Yay I did it properly yesterday! 5km in the rather impressive time (to me anyway) of 36.30 Dead chuffed! Also pleased with myself for figuring out that my ipod has a stopwatch on it!

Now all I have to do is work out how to get saturday mornings clear!

Glad you and Billy are enjoying the running again cinnamon. Penny I am keeping an eye on my watch or seeing how far I can get with each track on my ipod, it's got better music on it than Laura's music I do miss her telling me how well I have done at the end though Well done with the reports.

Finished week 6 although nearly had a bladder emergency but managed to make it home in time, phew!Still can't believe I managed 25 mins of running.

Well done, UmBongo, I'm impressed by that time...

Hello everyone, do you mind if I join you?

I've just done the Week 1 Run 1 this morning. It's my second attempt at C25K. Last summer I got as far as completing Week 5 Run 3, the dreaded continuous 20 minutes, & all was going really well. Then I went on holiday, twisted my knee while I was away, & unfortunately lost motivation while I was waiting for the injury to clear up.

So now I'm back, & I hope I can keep motivated this time. I was using the NHS Choices podcasts, but I found the music really uninspiring, so now I'm going to do the same timings but with music that I enjoy. I'm also going to do the programme indoors on the treadmill, at least for the first few weeks until I get my confidence back & start feeling a bit fitter.

Some very inspiring stories on here!

Welcome dramaalapca - of course you may join us.

Had a little chuckly to myself about the bladder emergency yetanotherworry. This has happened to me too.

Well done on your time umbongo - you can now run for 36mins.