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!

I did it!! It was ok, but seemed loooong! And my legs were like jelly during the cool down walk!! But...I did it!! A black cat walked straight across my path about 7minutes in, so I spent a good couple of minutes debating with myself whether that was lucky or not!! It certainly distracted me and passed a bit of time haha!

Hope everyone else is well on this boiling hot morning

Brilliant llynnn!

Where I run there are lots of magpies. I hate it when I set off and see a single one. Have to see if I can spot a second one asap

Well done Llynnn! It seems quite daunting doesn't it, but it is all completely manageable once you've made a start.

I now have to change my running plan as the dog has discovered a way into the locked bowling green. It took me an hour to get him back, he was a complete git and would not come back. So it took me a total of two hours, and I nearly missed the school run. I did wk8, run 1, 28 minutes, which considering I went out last night, drank beer and went to bed at 1am, I'm pretty pleased with.

On a more sensitive note, any remedies for chafed (sp?) thighs?

I've heard people talk about using anti-perspirant, OFFS.

Well done Llynnn! Way to go girl!! Hope your legs have returned to normal now. Have a great day :-)

Thanks for the stretches link BIWI. I will try those. Meant to this morning but forgot. Perhaps I should try your supplements too. Just want to make sure I don't injure myself or end up with knees so sore it scuppers the chance of progress.

Sorry to hear about the dog Fox. Sounds like a fab result for you today especially after such a late night.

Had my first good nights sleep in a while last night and got up to run early to avoid the heat. New running trousers on, tunes on the iPhone and I ran 25 mins (wk6r3) before 8am. Happy me today. I can honestly say it was my favourite run yet. I sat down to have a look at the weeks ahead whilst I was eating my breakfast after the school run. All of the remaining runs are straight running - no more walking breaks. I was actually pleased! I used to live for the walking breaks and here is me wishing them gone!! What HAS happened!

Well done Tina! & everyone else too!

Ok I think I'm going to brave w6r2 when dh gets home later. Wish me luck!

Good luck Mog. Do wait until it cools down. It made such a difference to me going ahead of the heat today.

Thanks Tina! I went at 4.30 & stuck to the shade. Was bloody hot when I finished though! That's w6r2 done now - found it really really hard going at first as my thighs ached but soon got into the stride of things!

Wow it's hot today! Pleased its my rest day today, hoping for a cooler day tomorrow for starting w6!

Well done to every one else, we are all doing so well to keep it up

Is anyone planning to extend this to 10k? I am just wondering what to do next as if I don't have a plan I might end up slacking off.

I have wondered what comes next, but wonder how long the sessions are to complete 10km. I'm not sure I can escape the house for more than 45 minutes at a time, regularly enough to keep it up! Definitely don't feel like I want to stop running and yes I do love following a plan to keep me going...

I was also thinking about what comes next Fox. The defined structure to this programme has been everything to me.

I don't think I will be at 5k by the end of it as I don't think I will cover 5k with 30 mins running especially if I exclude the warm up & cool down walks. So I was thinking when I finish week 9 I would use the next X weeks to get up to running 5k (although not sure how long that would take.)

If and when I make 5k not sure what to do next.

Currently my distance is logged from the start to finish so includes the walks? Should I start holding off activating the measuring app (I use Nike app) until I start the actual running?

Those of you who have finished c25k (having not run before the programme) - what distance were you on at 30 mins by end of week 9?

Rest day for me today. Due to do w7r1 tomorrow or Saturday. I'd like to get it done tomorrow as we go away for the weekend on Saturday morning. Need to drag myself out early to beat the heat though!!

Tina , I dropped off the measuring off the complete distance at w6r3 as from then on, I think, its just running with no walking breaks.

So now in week 7, I'm just measuring the distance run. Except my bloody app keeps going wrong but I know how long (time) I'm doing and just plot the route once home at work

I think you will get to the 5k - still a bit of time left and I bet w9r3 will be a personal record-breaker!!

Did w6r2 this morning - glad I was able to go early as I was still sweating like a pig so god knows what it would have been like if it had been later!

Ooh weekend away workingout - where are you going?

Watching not working, sorry!

I did W8r2 this morning. It was way too warm at 10am when I started to run.

I think once you get to running 15 minutes straight, you really want to get through the next 10 or 13 so you keep going.

I'm looking forward to being able to get out earlier on Sunday for the last run of the week so I don't have to do it in the heat. I can't believe I'm typing that.

What does everyone listen to while running? I am embarrassed to admit to a bit of Girls Aloud for running purposes only.

oh and I've been meaning to ask - what do you do with your ipod? armband or bumbag? any recommendations?

W7r1 done this morning. Was too hot again. Shouldn't have spent so long fiddling about. Ended up going at 8.45am when I should have been out an hour earlier really.

Fox - I have my iPhone in an armband. It was my partner's that he gave me. It's really good, very adjustable and extremely comfortable.

Fox - I put my iPhone in my trouser pocket - do have an armband but was worried about having my phone on show (don't live in a particularly naice area)

.

Fox I use a bum bag. It Takes a water bottle as well. And as I'm ancient as well as large, I have music going from blondie, billy Joel, talking heads, lady gaga, scissor sisters, beautiful south. Not all of which are ideal but it was a matter of what I could get from computer to phone. I would love to find a whole list of songs with the right beat for running.

Tina, forgetful and fox i am v impressed with your progress. I'm repeating w6 r1 a few times. App seems to not register I've done it and I'm in no rush todo anything harder. As long as I'm out 3 times a week doing stuff for 40 mins or so that's good for me.

Next go is Sunday. Will need to get up early.

Happy running.

Well done llynnn!! I still havnt made it to the w5 r3! :( :( had too many sleepless nights in the heat this week and am so tired. Thankfully it's end of term next week and no more school things to go to.. In missing it though.. Been 4 days now with nothing :( I went for a walk and the heat was too much it really made me start wheezing..
I need a massive kick up the bum to get on it tomorrow morning when it's still cool!!

I've been listening to Simon Mayo's confessions podcasts but I did spend a bit of time today hunting out playlists on t'internet. Haven't listened to them yet as I need to nick a child's Spotify but will link if they are any good and if I can remember how

Tina - my 3rd run of week 9 was 5.01km (first time around! I'm fascinated to see what it will be second time around)

I've just been listening to the nhs podcast, so Laura and the music that comes with that. Is it possible to have it without the music or so I can have my own tunes on?

BIWI that is impressive, brilliant! Do you feel like you are running quickly to get that far? I feel like I'm very lightly jogging at the mo, only slightly quicker than walking speed!

Worley hope you do manage to get out, but I don't think there's any way I could get through them after a sleepless night! Hope you are fast asleep now so you feel energised for the morning

Tina hope you have a great weekend away!

I did w6 r1 early this morning. Found it the hardest one so far! Not sure why but its the first time I've thought about giving in and walking before I should. I got through it though and fingers crossed Monday will be better! Maybe I was just shattered at the end of a busy week or I can blame the heat!