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!

[TwasBrillig]

Well done Tina!

[OpheliaBumps]

Ouch! I've got a problem, since I got up this morning, my knee has been really painful, especially when climbing stairs. It's just below and inside of my knee joint, and googling suggests I need to rest until it's better.

I'm gutted as I'm now looking forward to my next run, but I don't want to risk making it worse.

Has anyone else suffered from this, and how long did it last for?

[TwasBrillig]

Ooh that doesn't sound good :-( definitely rest until you know what it is.

Can someone tell me to go out? I'm exhausted but presumably could crash after the run.

[OpheliaBumps]

Go out! You'll feel so much better for it then you can crash oncthe sofa and feel all virtuous

[TwasBrillig]

Thank you. Yes just done it and do feel good. I'm prone to feeling low and being in the house doesn't help! Being out in countryside in the evening light is fantastic!

Feel great after, like I could log another 90seconds but very anxious I'm too unfit to go up to 3mins. I was puffing away after each time she said to slow down.

How was the first 3minute jog those that have done it?

[OpheliaBumps]

Well done! If your weather is like ours going out is definitely better than sitting at home, we've got a lovely evening!

I've got one more w2 run before I move to w3, i'm not convinced I'm ready for a 3 minute run either, but I'm looking forward to trying it.

[TinaSurrey]

Well done Twas! The feeling having done it is great isn't it?! I admire anyone going out at the end of a tiring day.

Re the 3 min runs in week 3... for me it is the second 3 min run of the session that is the killer. The app I am following gives 4 runs in week 3 & two of them are 3 mins. The last bit of the last three mins is hard but at the end you are finished which feels like a treat having had to do 8 and 6 runs in previous weeks!

[TwasBrillig]

Ooh hadn't thought of it like that. Thinking of it as just 4 runs might help. If I can't do it I can just repeat can't I!

Seemed to have put a pound ON!! On?? That's not right!

[Forgetfulmog]

Well I did wk3r1 at 6 this morning! Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! Kinda ruined it by having a piece of homemade walnut shortbread for breakfast though

[worley]

Well done forgetful mog :) I don't blame you on the cake for breakfast though! I'm not due to do w3r1 till tomorrow.. Thought about getting up to do it this morning but as its chucking it down with rain I decided against it..
I have to go swimming as well as the run tomorrow so may well treat myself then with all the extra calories I'll have earnt :)

[OpheliaBumps]

My knee was feeling much better so I've just done w2 r3. My knee did play up a bit, so I just took it easy and went slowly, even running slowly, but it feels ok now so hopefully I haven't done any harm.

I think I need to get my gait checked, has anyone had this done, and where did you go?

Mog you deserve the shortbread, it sounds delicious by the way, I've never had walnut shortbread.

Worley well done you, a swim and a run, can't you squeeze in a bike ride and call it a mini triathlon

[Forgetfulmog]

Bumps it wasn't supposed to be shortbread, I just misread the recipe

Well done on w3r2 btw

[Forgetfulmog]

Or w2r3 even

[TwasBrillig]

My wk 2 run 3 tomorrow. Kind of dreading the 3 minute run in a few days time.

I know that I used to log at uni and right now I just can't comprehend how I did it!

[MittenKitty]

Well done everyone with your runs. Sounds like you're all doing great. Getting outside and being active is definitely uplifting.

I have knee problems sometimes but it doesn't seem to be getting any worse and as long as I have a day or two off in between runs its fine and recovers. I did get one of those ice packs you can freeze and if I remember I put that on my knee in the evening after a run. I think it helps

I'm on week 4. The first time I did a week 4 run my legs felt so heavy at the beginning. The first 3 min run was by far the worst and then I seemed to get into it. Today I did w2 r2 in richmond park and loved it. Also came v close to big deer with big antlers which was surprisingly scary in the flesh. Theyre big animals!

Diet wise I had 2 weeks in a row of losing 2 pounds and then last week went up half a pound but I'm sticking with the running. It seems to make me feel good .

4 days in France next week though. Planning a focus on wine and cheese but will try to keep up the runs as a gesture against the calorie influx.

[worley]

Arghh... W3R1 complete.. Was hard work but doable.. I think I went a bit too fast on the first three mins so slowed a bit on the second 3 mins. My legs are aching now! I found a rabbit hole at the end of the second 3 mins run :( but not badly wrung my ankle luckily..
I put my jeans on yesterday and noticed the difference putting them on (in work uniform all week) so I must have slimmed a bit. Although no weight lost.

Mittenkitty what a fab place to run :) and to come close to the deer.. I get the rabbits at the end of the field which is as exciting as it gets!

[blizy]

Hi, can I join in? I have just completed my first run and looking forward to the next one. I am very overweight with a BMI of 35 which I have to get get down to 30 in order to start fertility treatment. I am also joining the gym this week and calorie counting, I have lost 2 stone already and would like to lose another 2 at least.

[Fraxinus]

Oh dear... I'm out...week 2 run 1 heralded the Return of patellar tendonopathy which stopped me running in 2002. I have had rehab for it, but I think running is not the exercise for me. I will go back to physio and see if I can get more rehab and discount membership to gym, because I did not have this problem when using the cross trainer or other machines. I am disappointed because I thought I could do a free and easy to access form of exercise. Now it seems I will have to pay and only do it when my children are in school... So 2 x per week.

[Fraxinus]

Good luck to all of you in achieving your goals... Fitness, energy, weight loss, tone up, and for blizy, fertility.

I'm sure this programme will lead you in the right direction.

All the best

[TinaSurrey]

Sorry to lose you Frax. You were doing so well. I hope your injury eases soon and you manage to refocus with the same commitment to the gym or whatever else suits. Good luck. Do post back and let us know.

[TinaSurrey]

Hi everyone and welcome Blizy. We are a commited lot aren't we?! I can't be the only one inspired and impressed by the dedication on this thread.

I did w3r2 on Fri but had the weekend off (which is ok as so far done alternate days not have the 2 days off you are meant to). Have been a bit poorly over the weekend so really glad I ran Fri. Tomorrow I am either running or seeing my GP depending on whether I'm better or not!

[Forgetfulmog]

Hi blizy . Good luck frax - I hope things work out for you.

Hope you're better tomorrow Tina - what's wrong?

I'm doing w3r2 tomorrow. The wheels kinda fell off this weekend eating wise - I've just had a 200g bar of coconut chocolate for my tea . Was lush though

[TinaSurrey]

Thanks for asking. Had cystits (uti?). Felt really rubbish with it. Had Sat & Sun as 2 day break and did w3r3 today. The second 3 mins was hardest run so far. Wondering if I should see GP tomorrow to see if I need antibiotics as its not cleared up despite taking full 2 day dose of over the counter stuff Fri & Sat. Not had this for years :-(
Proud that I did my run today though.

[Forgetfulmog]

Ooh nasty, yes it might be worth you going to the Gp. Impressed that you went running though!

I found yesterday's run surprisingly easy - I don't know if I'm running too slow or what but I found I had so much energy at the last 3 min run that I could speed up for the last min or so. Has anyone else found this? Am I not pushing myself hard enough or am I doing it right?!

In terms of benefits, my waist is starting to tone up, which is great as I had a CS so hoping things will start tightening up.

Hope you feel better soon Tina