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!

Week 4? Wow [mitten] I'm in awe of you!

Yes I ran and sang for about 15 seconds of each run, before I reverted to gasping and turning a very fetching shade of bright red . the only good thing is I run on a cycle path, so the only people passing are also either exercising or dog walking, so often look equally glamourous

Hi everyone, I am really impressed with all your posts! I have decided to do c25k, as my dc are now old enough to be left alone in the house for half an hour.

I am terribly unfit, and definitely need a programme to follow.

As young woman, I has a boyfriend who was a personal trainer for a while, and he taught me to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, in rythmn with your steps.

I found this helped immensely, and I hope it helps you too, tina.

My first run will be on Sunday. I will report back....

I did week 1 run 3 today, and it was definitely easier than runs 1 and 2. We even made it a family event, DH and the kids came out and cycled/scooted up and down the cycle path while I ran. I kept changing direction so I didn't leave them behind, but it was quite good fun getting everyone involved.

DD is normally a bit of a lazybones, but today she scooted for the whole time I was running, so I'll definitely be taking her with me again!

Week 2 run 1 tomorrow... A little aprehensive.. I too had a look forward at the other runs and am scared !!!

Well done all :-)
Thanks for the breathing tip Frax. Is there a number of steps you should breathe in for and out for or is it just about keeping in line with steps. I had thought you were probably meant to breathe in through the nose but I get so out of breath when I tried that. Will try again!

Did 2nd week 2 run today whilst dodging the puddles! 226 calories burnt.

Hi Tina, it depends on your fitness. If its 2 steps per breath that you can manage, that's what you stick too. As you get fitter, I think you might be able to extend it.

Am getting ready for run. Have decided kids can scoot ahead. Now need to download app onto galaxy... No headphones though?

I've had a cold and no sleep and got behind with myself (the eating went to pot too :-()

Want to do wk 2 run 1 later but having had time out I don't know how it will go. We will see!

'twas brillig..... Is there any way you could start out doing w2r1, and if it's too much, switch half way to w1r4? Or is the kind of defeatist attitude.... Planning for failure, that has got me unfit?

Not sure what to suggest, but if you have had a cold, it's not a great idea to push yourself too much IMO.

I have just done w1r1, and I think it was a good starting point for me. I didn't manage to download an app, and I had difficulties sticking exactly to the timings, what with kids coming off their scooters, going off down the wrong (hilly) path, and cyclists stopping me to ask for directions!

I think 9am on a weekday morning is going to go much better! Need to find a third day in the week though.

Not sure whether to wait until I'm 100per cent or have a go. I might see how it goes. I've got a long way to go so happy to repeat a few days (weeks) if necessary!

Brillig I'd give it a go if you can - do it really slowly but try and do it. i think we're all on here because we're easily put off doing this kind of thing and we shouldn't always listen to ourselves! Unless you're really poorly of course in which case ignore me!

Ophelia your run with the kids etc sounds great - good way to get everyone outside.

Frax the breathing tips sound useful but like Tina I struggle - if i breathe in through my nose it never seems quite enough air so i go for the inelegant mouth open approach - to go with the red face. Will try again. Well done on making it out for your run - do try and get an app, it really helps to just listen to it on headphones - much easier to keep to the timings.

I did wk 4 run 1 on Saturday - killed my legs - hobbled about a bit yesterday but I just about managed it which is truly amazing as haven't run in years and years. i take it very slowly, 'running' is not an accurate description, but the difference in what I can do now compared to 5 or 6 weeks ago when i started is amazing. Amazing to me anyway - still looks rubbish to the young gazelles sprinting past me in the park but I'm sticking with it as it seems to be helping with the diet as well.

I hope we can all fit some 'runs' in this week - harder when there's work involved...

Oops. Feeling a bit of an idiot. Have had a cold or a week, feeling a bit fed up and in bed a bit too much so decided to go out and face week 2 ...

First run fab and felt the walking break was quite long, but aware chest was a bit tight. Thought it must be because of my cold and made it through run 2 and 3. At which point I realisedmy asthma was playing up. In sure stubborness I tried run 4 and full blown asthma attack. Oops. Not had one of those in years. Had to text husband who had to get in car with kids to come with inhaler and scoop me up from side of road.

I feel stupid.

Well I did wk2 r2, first time id been out running since being ill. Was ok actually; I then felt justified in eating cake & custard for pudding

Oh no, Twas - are you alright now?

Forgetful - I did w2/r2 today as well!

Fine now, just needed a lot of inhaler. Wouldn't have been fine if he hadn't been able to get it to me!

Guess I'll do wk 2 run 1 again. I don't like being behind!

Oh brillig, what a horrible experience for you. I am soo impressed you pushed yourself to go for it, and so unfortunate that that happened. I think maybe you were not well enough to start up again....

Hope you are feeling better, and resting for a few more days until you are fully recovered. It's a complete bummer when illl health puts you off once you have started. I joined the gym last year, and was enjoying going twice a week, just starting to get somewhere when I got flu. I was not well enough to go back for 2 months. And this is me just starting up again.

Do you feel confident that you'll know when to start again? At least you will recognize an attack earlier should it happen again.

Mitten, I think you are right, but I have never downloaded an app on the galaxy, so not sure how it's done! ( love my iPad)

I hope you find a more comfortable breathing technique. I find it's impossible to get enough air in if I have not blasted it out through my mouth! So I am a very sorry looking runner, but I get so much further when I remember to breathe this way.

I am looking forward to going alone on Wednesday! Must remember not to eat breakfast with the kids so I can go straight after I have dropped them off at school. I can have breakfast after, but hate running on a full stomach.

Oh Twas - what a nightmare. Glad you are ok now. Is there anyway you could carry the inhaler with you from now on? Worried about you running alone now!!

I did w2 r3 today. I am so sure I won't be able to do a three minutes running. It's such a jump from running for 1.5 mins to 3. Wish it went via 2mins & 2.5 first!!! Those who have gone to week 3 or beyond - was that a hard leap from wk2 to 3? I guess I just have to do another week 2 run for now.

Well done everyone - we are winning!!

You will manage it. Honestly!

Oh brillig poor you, sounds really scary! Glad to hear you're ok now.

I did w2 r1 tonight, and I managed it (just). I was desperate to hear 'just 15 seconds left now', but hopefully run 2 will be easier. Mind you, I've got a hysteroscopy tomorrow to remove a polyp, so I'm hoping I'm recovered enough to go out on Weds or Thurs.

Sorry brillig, missed your post when I posted mine . God how scary - be careful next time!

What does wk 3 look like in terms of length running/walking? My app won't let me jump ahead just to see

Week 3:

Begin with a brisk 5-minute walk, then two repetitions of 90 seconds of running, 90 seconds of walking, 3 minutes of running, 3 minutes of walking.

Did w2r2 today.. As I got to the end I felt like I was stumbling more than running
Am annoyed I've stuck to diet and running and not lost any weight at all. But I know I've shrunk as my trousers are looser.. :)
Does it get easier as we go?!

Yes it definitely does!

Thanks Biwi

Poor Brillig! - so sorry I encouraged you to run! Def take your inhaler next time.

Worley it does definitely get easier, and Tina I know 3 mins sounds a lot but it does somehow happen. I find if i'm waiting for it to finish it seems to take ages but if i give myself little targets - get to that tree over there, then head for the bench or wherever, then I don't notice the time so much - my body's easily fooled clearly.

Have to wait until tomorrow before I've got time to go out again - will be interested to see how it goes as haven't run since Saturday and I worry if the gap's too long any benefit of having done it before will get lost. But hopefully 4 days is okay.

Good luck all