Couch to 5k - just started! Help with podcasts, iphone apps and timing please.

[TinaSurrey]

Hi all, Hoping this is the correct place to post.

I have just done my 2nd Couch to 5k "run" from week one. The 1st time I went i timed myself using the clock on my phone so I knew when to run, when to walk etc but it was far from ideal. I used the Nike app to track my run and loved the fact it told me how far I had covered, average speed and calories burnt.

This time I had worked out how to get the NHS podcast on my iphone and played that and followed Laura's instructions which was much easier.

Questions are...
Can I make the podcast play AND monitor my run on the Nike app at the same time and if so how? I couldn't find a way to do it. Secondly, is there an alternative podcast without the music. Laura was great but I'd prefer silence in between her instructions rather than their music. Finally if you are running using the podcast how do you know when to turn round (at the half way point) as I expected Laura to tell me when it was half way but she didn't so I ended up too far away from my car before I realised I should have turned round!

I am determind to do this having not done any exercise to speak of ever!

[TinaSurrey]

Well done on w6r3 BIWI - how did you find it?

Mog poor you sounds rough. Hope you are soon on the mend. It's hard when you've stuck so well to have to miss days through being poorly but no way you can run when you are not well. Hopefully by taking the rest now you will pick back up more easily when you re-start.

Go Worley - you CAN do run 3! I promise. Nobody was more freaked out by it than me. Think I even posted a thread asking if it was a mistake in the programme!! But, you do it, take it really slowly and once she says you are half way there is no way you will give up. When it gets tough - slow down! When are you going for it?

We are away now house sitting so I am looking forward to my first ever run in a different place having run the same route since week 1. Assum

[worley]

Well did w5r2 again building up to the big 20 next run. Had to invest in the full get running app for ds as I don't think the free c25k is as good as get running. The count down clock really keeps me going..

Hope everyone's going well :)

[Forgetfulmog]

Thanks Worley & biwi. Still feeling achy & have a sore throat so no running for a bit .

I just hope I get better soon - don't want to leave it too long as I'm on w7 & 25 mins is a longtime to run when you've had a break!

Well done on everyone else's runs.

Memory like a sieve but which of you ladies was laid up with a dodgy ankle? Any better now?

[BIWI]

Sorry you're not feeling great, Forgetfulmog

worley - am very impressed that you have managed to get your teen out with you! And you never know, he might actually turn out to enjoy it!

Did W6/R3 this morning. Even though it was early-ish, it was still hot. I think the last time I was at this stage we were still seeing temperatures struggle to get up to 2 or 3 degrees!

[worley]

Are you feeling any better forgetfulmog? I had a cold a few weeks ago. Threw me off track a bit :(

[worley]

I have finally got ds1 (14) running with me too.. Started him on the free c25k.. Did w1r1 with him as not a proper run day for me today.. he did it begrudgingly but hey ho.. No Xbox if he doesn't ;)

[Forgetfulmog]

No running for me this weekend as have come down with a bug . Might explain why Thursdays run was so bad

[worley]

Ok.. Am back and have re-started week 5. So just finished w5r1. I have a few days off so am in mood for getting back in track and diet kick started again.
Glad your all still going!

[BIWI]

Oh goodness, I'd forgotten that W6/r3 was a 25 minute run! I will definitely have to make sure it's a cool day when I do that.

llynnnnf - I do remember from the first time around that once you've clinched the 25 minutes, 30 minutes is suddenly really doable.

[llynnnn]

Tina, cows sheep and alpaca sound brilliant! I have running-route envy right now! We live close (10 min drive) to the coast so would love to run along that one summery evening. Hope you discover a nice route near your friends next week

[TinaSurrey]

Well done on the runs everyone! What a great team!

Go for it Llynnn. A change of scene sounds appealing. I live in the countryside but was only thinking today that I need a new motivator and that a change of route could be the thing. I have run (and walked) the same lane since w1r1! The cows, sheep and alpaca in my head all have cheerleader style pom poms willing me on as I approach!

Hoping to be away house sitting for my friend next week and really looking forward to a change of running route! I am too nervous to try anywhere else round here for fear of coming across a slight incline mountain that makes it harder!

Well wk8r1 tomorrow morning then I get the weekend off! (Although thinking about it I may do Sun, Tue, Thur instead of Mon, wed, Fri) to better fit in with going away on Mon...

[llynnnn]

W6r3 done!! Can't believe I ran for 25 minutes!! I was a sweaty mess by the end, but suddenly running for 30 minutes seems very achievable

BIWI - good luck on your second interview :)

Mitten - try not to worry about your hard run. I found w6r1 hard, think sometimes its just harder for whatever reason. The main thing is that you got through it.

We are away in our caravan this weekend with family, I'm very tempted to take my running kit and go for it on Saturday morning. Would be nice to run in the countryside with nice scenery for a change, rather than pounding the streets!!

[Forgetfulmog]

Well I have no idea what I'm doing with these podcasts - I think I mistakenly ran w8 last run

So today I did w7r2 - found it really really hard going & I was v v slow - only 3.7 km including warm up walk (but not cool down). Not very good

[BIWI]

Thanks, Forgetful!

[Forgetfulmog]

Congrats Biwi on that interview & good luck!

Well done everyone on their runs. I'm hopefully going to attempt w7r2 later...

[BIWI]

Thanks, Mitten!

Managed to get out this morning and did W6/R2. It was lovely and fresh after a massive amount of rain last night. Also meant that the ground was a little bit softer, which can only be a good thing.

And my phone/music/Get Running app all behaved themselves today, so I didn't have to listen to the sound of my heavy breathing!

[MittenKitty]

Well done BIWI on the 2nd interview - fingers crossed for you. And for you Tina in getting your knees sorted. Mine were really bothersome when I started but I'm less aware of it now. Have v good trainers though that are slightly raised at the back - not too flat - and that really helps. My very flat converse seem to make my knees ache when I walk a lot in them.

Well done Lynn on the run - I managed to do w6r2 on Weds and really liked it - but i was v slow and only covered 3.8k inc the walking bits so need to speed up. I definitely could have done so - didnt feel completely wrecked at the end - but was nervous of running out of steam. What's the verdict on going faster - quicker steps or longer strides?

And thanks for Nike app recommendation Tina - I might try that although on this last run all went well - i think its about opening them in the right order.

[BIWI]

To be honest, I really don't know if the supplements helped, or if I just got used to running. It was sort of eclipsed by my shin injury in the end!

I wear the inserts all the time, because they are what sort the gait out.

[TinaSurrey]

BIWI - well done on getting 2nd interview. No mean feat in the current climate.

Did the improvements you got tie in with taking the supplements and having the inserts? No idea if there is a sweatshop near here. Will investigate. Thank you. £45 is about what the supplements cost so I am happy to pay that to try inserts. Going to investigate places/prices. My knees really feel bad tonight and top of one foot hurts too :-(
I need to fix this as if I don't stick to the schedule that will be me out I just know it! Do you now wear the inserts every time you run?

[BIWI]

Interview went well, thanks - they have already said they want me to go back for a second interview.

Tina - it was me that recommended the Regenovex! I did take it for a while, and then suddenly realised that I wasn't having any problems with my knees. I only take one now, and have actually forgotten to take it recently - because I don't have the problem any more.

Gait analysis at The Sweat Shop (Teddington) was free. The tailor-made inserts were £45

[TinaSurrey]

Am thinking I perhaps need to get that gait analysis thing done. Friend said he paid podiatrist one off fee of £120 which included the inserts to go inside trainers. Said it made the world of difference.

[TinaSurrey]

Meant to add...
Is anyone else taking Regenovex? Can't remember who recommended it on this thread now! I bought 3 packs on 342 at Boots and have been taking 2 a day for about a week but not made any difference yet - how long did it take to help other users? Hope it works as it was pretty expensive. My knees really ache! Am th

[TinaSurrey]

Hi everyone
How did the interview go BIWI?

Mitten if your combination of apps has let you down you can do all those things with the free Nike app (it plays your own music thro the app so music starts when you start measuring the distance) and Get Running to give you the c25k bit. Works without a single hiccup for me anyway!

Did wk7r3 this morning. A little slower than Monday's run. My next one will be 28 mins. I need to find/buy some new tunes as the same 8 or 9 tracks each session is not doing it anymore!

I am secretly dreaming about what it will be like to run in winter gloves etc when it's cold. This heat is v hard going!

[llynnnn]

Tina that is a really good plan and something to really aim for and keep in your sights. You've actually got me thinking about my first 5km attempt...

I did w6r2 tonight, it was so muggy here, no air at all but I really pushed myself especially through the last half of the second run. I managed 4.7km (including the walks!) but that so doesn't seem too far off the much wanted 5km!

BIWI good luck with your interview!

Hope you get out soon Mitten, this weather is draining!

[BIWI]

I really can't go tomorrow morning as I have a job interview!