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]

Thanks for the encouragement. Dare I try week 3?!! Will let you know -due to run tomorrow or Thurs.

Went out for dinner tonight - 3 courses, millions of calories BUT my only treat in two weeks!

[Fraxinus]

Hi everyone. Did w1r2 today.... I'm quite behind you lot. Still, it was better without the children today. I tried to actually run a bit instead of jogging... A bit.

But there was definatley a dawdle to the walk sections!

I'm glad I went straight after dropping the kids off, i was tempted to leave it til later but it would have never happened, as I dropped by at a friends house and ended up spending several hours there, sitting with her terminally ill husband while she ran errands...

[TwasBrillig]

Going to have another go at wk 2 after bookgroup. Hoping it will be a bit cooler and not too dark!! Bit scared of being out in the dark on my own.

I weighed myself and I'd lost more than I thought so far. Half a stone an 3 and a bit weeks! However its been up and down figures which have been odd. I've got a LOT to lose so its probably mainly water etc but at least its a start.

I'm doing mfp and trying to eat more sensibly. It all adds up so quickly.

[BIWI]

I find that if I'm listening to my music, I sort of count it down by the number of tracks - each track is (usually) about 3 minutes long.

[TwasBrillig]

Just a quick question - she said on the nhs track to put heal down first and run through the foot - I've read somewhere we shouldn't do that?

I'm just wobbling along.. anyone tell me what I should be trying to do? Depends if its dark when I get home if its today or not!

[BIWI]

From everything I've read and been told by my osteopath, we shouldn't be striking with the heel - the aim is to sort of land more 'flat' on the foot, with a slight predisposition to the front part of the foot.

[TinaSurrey]

Goodness I have no idea which bit of my foot goes down first. I can't even manage to keep up a breathing routine so no chance of repositioning feet!!

Am v surprised and pleased to say I did W3 R1 today! I tried to run more slowly so that may have helped. The first 3 minute run was actually ok but the second really hard. I did however cover less distance & burnt less calories than on the week 2 runs :-/

[Fraxinus]

Well done Tina! I'm sure the hard work will enable you to cover more distance and burn more calories in the future. It's stamina we are building. Once we have got the stamina to run for half an hour we can cover what distance and burn how many calories we like!

I have discovered that lap timing is better than split timing on my ancient phone. It meant that this time I was not trying to add 90 seconds onto the previous total.

[Fraxinus]

illustration of heel strike and toe strike

[TwasBrillig]

OmWell done Tina!!! I'm a week behind you nowh I don't think I can count my half run so I'm still on wk 2 run 1 but I did it and feel great about it! It was dark and I freaked out a bit anytime it looked like a car was slowing down but I felt great. 90seconds was fine, although the moment I went back to walking was the time I went red and hot! The 2 mins in between felt too long and I was quite impressed how different I felt to wk 1 run 1 already. But I'd calculated 5 runs so found run 6 a surprise and really felt that one!

Love the nhs app. Not so much the music although I think the fast tempo does encourage me.

Funny thing -didn't want to risk being out without inhaler so one side of bra was phone, other was inhaler!!!

[TwasBrillig]

Interesting link - I've got standard supportive running shoes so maybe I should be heel first? I think barefoot running is a different style with different, more flexible shoes isn't it?

[Forgetfulmog]

I finished wk2 yesterday so my next run (sat morn at ridiculously early o'clock when dd wakes me) is when ill be tackling wk3 - eek! God it was hot yesterday - I'd taken my water bottle with me & was bloody glad I did so!

Running at night - that is brave, I'm not sure I'd want to do that! Well done though & glad all was ok

[BIWI]

Twas - my osteopath still recommends landing more towards the front of the foot

[TwasBrillig]

Well done forgetful!

Biwi I've googled and it looks like the nhs has retracted their advice but not changed the podcast!

[BIWI]

That's not good, is it?

I'm interested in the whole barefoot running thing - how can it prevent injuries from impact? It doesn't make sense to me - all the cushioning in our shoes must surely help in that regard!

[Fraxinus]

I don't know too much about barefoot running, really, it just seemed to illustrate the difference between heel and toe strike clearly. There is far too much broken glass and dog shit round here to even consider running barefoot, although I suppose on a treadmill?

A friend has just said she is going to start training for the great north run, which is in September! I think she is bonkers, although she may prove me wrong. I still Think 13 miles is a long way to train for in 3 months! If I manage to complete this programme to schedule, I will be able to do 5 k by end of August...

[TwasBrillig]

Wow I still think 5 k is an unbelievably long way!

[OpheliaBumps]

I've done w2 r2 tonight, again with dh and dcs scooting/rollerblading to make it a family activity. I found it much easier this time round, and I'm starting to beileve I could run for longer next week, the week after etc.

I'm not addicted to it yet, but I did feel disappointed when it rained heavily this afternoon, as it was so heavy I really couldn't have run in it. Luckily it cleared up by the time dh got home, and I was able to get out.

[worley]

Finished w2r3 today ! Nervously looking forward to week 3..
Got to park with ds2 at 6.20 am this morning Nd here was already someone else doing the same kind of interval running !!! I kept to bottom half of field and he stayed at the top half.. I live in a small village and only used the paper boys and the horsey people being out at that time.. I almost didn't run as too embarrassed still but swallows my pride and did it.. Pleased I did. Not brave enough to run on paths yet though..

Has anyone noticed any difference in their figures since doing this ? I'm calorie counting religiously but just staying the same in weight.. I'm sure my legs have slimmed down a bit but it may just be wishful thinking !!

[Forgetfulmog]

Worley I'm not calorie counting - still bf a 9 mo so need my daily cake & pack of biscuits but I've noticed my waist & belly toning up. That's all I was really doing the running for anyway, to tone up the flab

[TwasBrillig]

I've lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks but in one of those it looked like I'd actually put a pound on before them losing!

I googled it a bit at the time, lots of theories as to why but lots saying no real weight loss first week or two but then body changes, weight can come off easier once there is muscle etc.

I've also read that we're not really burning that many calories at these early stages, so it needs to be in conjunction with diet. I'm doing ok at that some days and not others!

[Fraxinus]

I am weighing myself monthly at the moment, so not sure about weight loss for the time being, but I am more body aware, so standing up straighter, pulling my tummy in etc.

Thwarted tody's run slightly by a school mum accompanying me, so didn't concentrate properly. I will make a second attempt before I get the kids from school, as I have to be in the house all day with the electrician.

Mind you, I think the walk to the swimming pool is a good opportunity for a run later... 30 minutes walk along the flat, and 30 minutes back....
I will do the amount of time, for today's run but not all in one go, I think!

Have got backpack instead of normal handbag, and wearing trainers,mso just taking any chance

[Fraxinus]

'twas brillig.... That is a great result, Well done! it is nice to have a result you can measure, but I guess it will be inches round waist, and fitness measures for some of us.

[TwasBrillig]

Oh my result will be partly water and diet change -very obese, so not directly running related or realistic for someone already slim!

It didn't look like anything was happening the first 2 weeks though. And I suspect not this week. Its never straightforward I don't think!

[TinaSurrey]

Hi everyone, so good to hear the progress we are all making.

I did W3 R2 today. Also weighed myself and after a poor start in the first week or so I have now lost 4lbs since starting this. I am calorie counting too but do feel quietly proud of myself for keeping up the running every other day.

Have a good run all those who are out later and tomorrow.