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

Can I join too? After years of procrastinating I did w1d1 and loved it. It felt easy and I'm still on a high. I'm also doing the shred and want to run to improve my mental health (I used running to get rid of my pnd years ago) and to lose weight.

I'm trying to work out how to fit three runs in with three shred sessions a week, plus rest days. Any advice?

Also, I don't have any music on my iPhone. How do I get some so I can listen while running?

Have read this thread for a long time and am glad to finally post as a (novice) runner.

Well I've bitten the bullet and started with my first run last night. Felt so good after finishing. Doing it to improve my fitness and shift some weight.

I'm having to run on a treadmill at the moment as where I am it's too hot for me to run outside. Does anyone else use a treadmill?

Hello. Can I join too please? (Waves to BIWI!)

I did pop in and post in April but only did two runs and then stopped. I started again last week - in April I only managed to do 6 of the 8 runs so started again at that last week. Did that once but then next run managed the 8. I have now done the 8 runs three times so could move onto W2 tomorrow but am planning on sticking to wk 1 and moving on to wk 2 on Monday.

I am feeling a bit stiff in the legs but am hoping that as I get used to it I will be ok. I have dodgy knees too and they are a bit sore but again hoping they improve.

I am really enjoying it. Especially the feeling afterwards! Am even planning on going out at 6am tomorrow as have lots on and it's the only time I will manage it.

Theas - I only managed 6 of the 8 runs when I started. I think if you do a week on doing four and then a week doing 5 etc you can move up gradually. It's all good for you and the important thing is to not try to do too much at the beginning.

Great going, Buda! The programme really works, and as long as you don't push yourself unnecessarily you will progress surprisingly fast.

I'm on a treadmill until I get going & feel a bit fitter & more confident.

It's also more gentle on my slightly dodgy knee joints.

I'm also doing it to lose some weight & improve my fitness.

Me too. On a treadmill and trying to shift a bit of weight.

No not "with a baby" but in "baby steps" LOL

Mine are 20/17/14 !

But if I slow my run, I'll be walking??!!

I do walk quite fast (as in generally, not just the brisk warm up bit) - I did a 5km route last time, which took me 40mins - and thats week 2, so 9mins running, 31 walking?

Am I doing it all too fast?

I'm BACK! I can run again!! Ended up taking a week off, then two very very slow runs, this week and today back up to speed again. Still getting the odd niggle, but taking ibuprofen and it's not like it was before where I could barely walk after a run. I missed it so much last week, it's strange how important it has become to me.

nextphase, it is possible to run very very slowly and not be walking, it's a different movement. I think someone said on here once that they were going so slowly they could have probably walked faster but it still counted as they did have two feet off the ground at points! On Monday I was only running at 4.5mph at one point because I've been recovering from a knee injury. 5k in 40 mins with only 9 mins running does sound pretty fast to me. If you were walking briskly at 4mph, that means u were running at over 7 mph to cover that distance. I'd try to slow down to a really gently jog rather than to the walk, even if it is slower than your walking pace.

For those with dodgy knee joints I find it helps to do offroad as well as road running. I have hypermobile knees and so prone to issues, but running offroad is def easier on it. Running on uneven paths or adverse camber also plays mine up.

Leg better today. Guess I'd better not run today thuogh.

Just started Cto5K this week and finished run 2 this morning. Always hated exercise but needs must! Found it really hard & sweating like a trooper by the time I get home but that makes me feel prouder of myself for doing it. 8x1 min runs nearly killed me today but I did it! Can't imagine having to run for 5 mins at a time tho!

But you will, queenjellybelly, you will

Well I got up at 6 this morning to fit my run in as have a busy day today with summer fair at school. Very proud of myself for doing it. It was my fourth week 1 run. So Monday I move onto week 2.

My legs really hurt this morning - I think because I was on my feet all morning. But my right leg def hurt more. All the way up to my hip. There is an adverse camber on much of my run so I wonder if that is part of the problem. I must try and find an off road run. Most of mine is concrete. It's a great loop though. Perfect timing at the moment.

Queenjellybelly - me too! A bit nervous about week 2. Feel I have only just got th hang of week one!

Back again having not posted for a while (was on the old thread). Everyone is doing incredibly well. I'd like to add my voice to everyone who is telling the newbies that this really works - I really did not think I'd be able to run for 30 mins without a break 9wks ago and now I'm finishing runs with a feeling I could probably manage some more.
I have signed up for Park Run and plan to do my first 1 next week. Do those of you who have done park runs find running with others improved your time?

Buda - if you can, definitely try and run on softer ground. Running on roads/pavements is one of the reasons my shins became so sore.

Have done all 9 weeks yet tonight really struggled with 3x10 minute runs. R4L a week on Sunday and not convinced I will be able to do it.couldn't run for more than a minute when I first started so its still an improvement, but is it ever going to be easy/enjoyable.

You will get there Theas18, if you already have an injury it's best to start of slow. I don't think it means your run is asymmetric but could be that you have an issue already there before you've started. There was someone who had a massage and the masseur could tell which had she held her iPod in. I know I can't carry a bag on my left shoulder as it falls off so could be how you walk/sit every day. There are some Pilates exercises you can do to strengthen your hip muscles, trying googling it or have a look on YouTube.

Welcome bakingnovice, I have a separate folder in iTunes for my phone and have set my iPhone to sync from that folder only. I then just transfer what I want into that folder as I upload and play on shuffle.

Well done goodbyeyellowbrickroad!

Welcome back CiderwithBuda and well done for getting out so early!

That sounds a quite quick nextphase, my first 5k was 34mins and that was all running. You can run slowly and still be running not walking.

Glad to hear you're back Chopstheduck!

Well done queenjellybelly!

It doesn't make any difference to me jellybrain, I always feel a bit guilty overtaking and try to do it with plenty of space so that can slow me down a bit and I'm always worried about not being able to finish so tend to pace myself a bit too much but also have gone off a bit too quick once.

What 3x10mins were you doing dementedma? Are you doing some speed work?

I'm hoping to go for 30mins tomorrow am before parkrun as dh told me weds that he's working all day and got to leave at 8.30 so I'm taking the boys and not running after! Also want to attempt 7-8miles Sunday to see if I can manage the half marathon in July! Will be a busy weekend for running for me :)

Well done for all your running ladies - where ever you are on the program.

I managed to squeeze in a run tonight before our school's summer camp. I did 5k in 32mins, then a slower 500m, then I walked quite quickly home the last km. My knee twinged but not enough to stop me. I've started to run on the road, rather than the paths like chopstheduck suggested - it definitely helps. Due to having to return to the camp (I'm not camping on the school field) I won't be doing parkrunning in the morning but the rest of the family are.

Happy running everyone!

Not speed work cinammon. Just need a break to catch my breath after 10 minutes. Getting fed up with it all to be honest. Its boring and I haven't caught the elusive "bug'

Morning everyone. Going to be a slow parkrun for me today, feeling a bit congested. Keep losing this thread and finding it is hard! Have a good run everyone :)

You all sound like you are doing so well :) Really encouraging for me to hear about how people are doing who are further on in the programme. I did week 3, run 1 this morning and loved it! I've discovered I need more than one day between runs, my second run of the week is always awful otherwise. managed to do 1k in ,6.5 minutes which is my quickest yet. I'd be perfectly happy if I can keep the same pace and run further.

That's a good pace betty.

Hello everyone. Just finished Week 1 & am feeling very pleased with myself for getting back on the programme.

Also feeling a bit silly. I'm doing it on the treadmill so I don't have a lovely C25K voiceover to tell me when to run & when to walk, I use the timer on the machine. So I've worked out today that I've been doing 9 one minute running segments instead of 8 - a total workout of 31 minutes including 5 minutes walking each end. It's been fine, though.

Roll on Monday for Week 2!

Just done my second run of week 2 - I actually did three weeks of week one but I didn't want to go mad and hurt my knees again. Seems to be going well, getting into the 'stride' now and feeling good.

Well, I completed Week 3 Run 3 this morning! I feel so pleased with myself...getting up at 5.15 is pretty daft but I need to fit exercise in somewhere! It's not so bad at that time as there is no one else about apart from quite a lot of slugs and snails I get home and have a lovely shower then the rest of the house wakes up and carry on with the rest of my day. Looking forward to week 4...