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Original poster

Couch to 5k- We do run run run, we do run run!

972 replies

cinnamongreyhound · 18/07/2013 16:24

A thread for anyone thinking of starting, doing or completed the c25k plan!

The last thread had so many new people starting and working through the plan it was lovely. As well as those who had finished and working towards faster times or greater distances. Everyone welcome no matter age, fitness or ability.

Join us for lots of support, advice and gentle butt kicking of required Wink

Old Thread

OP posts:
LauraPashley · 28/07/2013 22:55

Everyone is doing so well!

I don't think I am paying enough attention to preparation in terms of eating and drinking, can I ask what people's rules are in terms of how long to leave after eating, how much/when to drink etc?

scarecrow22 · 29/07/2013 00:30

brilliant bakingtins Grin

TinaSurrey · 29/07/2013 01:41

Well done bakingtins. Bet you are still buzzing! That's the big one nailed. Congratulations!

watchingout · 29/07/2013 07:28

Glowing start to the week in all ways.... Just done w9r1.... And did the magical 5km GrinGrin

31mins. The map my run lady said 4.8 k at the 30 min checkpoint so, what the hell, it's only 200m more..

jchocchip · 29/07/2013 07:31

Wow watchingout! Well done Flowers

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 29/07/2013 09:16

Fantastic watchingout!! It's a great feeling and a really good time :)

I am not affected by food really LauraPashley, I can eat very close to running and run on an empty stomach but I am quite negatively affected by lack of fluid. I try to have a litre of water before I run and if I'm running in the morning I try to make sure I drink plenty the evening before and have as much as I can stomach before I go.

My friend didn't make it today so it was just me and peanut, he didn't cope very well today but it was very muggy and I was quite slow too!

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DigWeedSow · 29/07/2013 09:32

Good Morning, great progress being made by everyone. Well done watchingout that's brilliant.

Just back from w7r1 and found it a little easier than last weeks runs, I covered 4.1 km in 25 mins. This morning I ditched the podcasts and ran with my own music which may have helped, Abba's greatest hits was just the thing to get me going Grin

amigababy · 29/07/2013 09:42

week 8 done. I thought it was cooler when I set off but it got hot quickly. I was in a down mood, stuff going on, so it was an experiment to see what running can do. And guess what? I feel so much better, battling the chimp made me forget my mood. And it was a silly mood anyway. Go endorphins.!!

lurkingfromhome · 29/07/2013 11:02

Can I join you? Am ashamed to say that I used to be a really keen runner and got to the stage that I was doing 10K a couple of times a week.

Sadly, general apathy, the pressures of work blah blah blah all got to me and I have let myself go to seed to the point where I haven't as much as run for the bus in years. Also I work from home now and have such a sedentary lifestyle that it is making me feel really shit about myself. Am in my mid 40s and I know that time invested in exercise now will really help when it comes to fending off the horrors of old age Grin

Anyway, enougy of the negativity. I still have my old running shoes and have for a few weeks/months now been mentally working up to going back out and starting again from the beginning. This morning I went out and did W1R1 and I feel great. Am a bit [shocked] at how the last of the 1-minute runs was a bit of a struggle when I used to be able to run for an hour, but the good thing is that I remember from last time how quickly you develop stamina and see results. My birthday is at the end of October and so I'm aiming to be able to run 5K by then. Hope I can do it.

wem · 29/07/2013 11:25

lurkingfromhome - I think knowing it's worth it is half the battle so you're off to a good start :)

I took my phone with me for wk7 r1 this morning, so I could see how far I was running. I ran 3.3km in the 25mins, which I'm pleased with as I was hoping to manage at least 3k.

My SiL wants me to sign up for 10k with her in November. It's a sign of how far I've come that I'm actually considering it! Grin

Dingle · 29/07/2013 11:42

I love this thread. I love the activity and the sheer drive from everyone! Thank you! xx

I want to do something on my non run days and just cannot get me head around it. I tried to do a few arm toning exercises and a few sit up but am tempted to jump on the TM again! Do you think a WALK would interfere with the C25K program? I do my C25K walks at 4.5 mph but was thinking even if I walk at 4mph for 15 mins it would give me some regular cardio work on my "off days!

Opinions/ideas please.

amigababy · 29/07/2013 12:13

I think walking would be fine. We do a regular Sunday hike, yesterday it felt so easy even on the hills. I must be getting fitter.

I tried body weight exercises. 16 minutes at quite high speed. I could barely move the day after, it really put me off as I don't want to spoil the running. And some time this year I've hurt my biceps so I'm wary of weights just now, though I could manage lower body.

so, when September starts I'm going to add in one swimm a week starting at 30 lengths and building up to 80, a mile in our local pool.

nextphase · 29/07/2013 13:07

I've been swimming between runs.
The time I did aerobics, swim run I struggled with the run, but that could also have been food related (not enough having skipped tea to fit everything in).

There is a toning programme on the C25k NHS website, whihc migh tbe worth a look?

Going the other way, how detrimental would it be to running if, now I have bulit up to 4 km running over 30 mins, I ran once a week, swam once a week, and went to an aerobics class once a week? Will I loose running fitness?

Bakingnovice · 29/07/2013 13:11

I used to shred on rest days. It's only 20 mins and I swear my runs felt much easier. Haven't done it for a few weeks. Must restart.

Judyandherdreamofhorses · 29/07/2013 17:14

I'd love to swim on rest days, but can't fit it in with DH and children really. I start work in September though and there's a leisure centre near work, so maybe I could manage a weekly swim.

Someone asked about nutrition. I weirdly feel best running first thing in the morning before breakfast, then just having a normal breakfast. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to do that if I was doing really long runs though.

LauraPashley · 29/07/2013 18:26

Thank you for food advice, I guess it is quite personal and I will figure it out. I think I am guilty in general of not drinking enough so will try to up that and see how I feel. I did w2r3 tonight and i felt quite nauseous towards the end which is a first for me :(.
On the upside I am apparently doing just over 5k in my 30 mins, obv that includes my warm up/cool down walks etc, but pace wise it gives me some idea. I can't ever imagine running that whole route tho!

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 29/07/2013 20:28

Welcome lurkingfromhome!

I think you'd have to play it by ear nextphase. Personally I've realised I'm a runner so don't want to do anything else but my understand is its better for your body to do different forms of exercise.

That's pretty quick for week2 LauraPashley, could be why you're struggling :)

OP posts:
TinaSurrey · 29/07/2013 22:25

Hi lurking. Welcome! I have quietly gatecrashed this group having started another c25k thread some weeks ago to ask for help with the podcasts and apps. That thread honestly was he reason I made it brought those early runs and then I found this one too so double bubble support from all these fab runners! I'm so grateful as I know I wouldn't have made it this far without you all.

Massive well done watching That is some achievement! Really impressive. I can't imagine being able to make that pace but will sure as hell keep trying!

W8r3 due for me tomorrow. For the first time ever I will be running a different route as we are away house sitting for friends now. Very much looking forward to the change of scene.

Just one Q for you all... Does anyone run with sunglasses or a cap on? The sun flashing thorough the trees is really hard going for me as it triggers headaches. Once I get to my cool down I find myself walking with my hand shielding my eyes from the sun but obviously can't run like that. Would a cap be too hot? Wouldn't sunglasses just move about?

Good luck to those also running tomorrow. Hoping for a dry morning as I've managed never to have to run in torrential rain so far!

watchingout · 29/07/2013 22:36

Evening all! Thank you for all congratulations today, great support here Grin Still feeling chuffed, and I was one who thought the endorphins were NEVER going to kick in...

Tina, I haven't run with cap or sunnies, but have found myself halfway through the warmup with my reading glasses perched on my head. Blush Had to hide them next to a neighbours recycling bin and pray that the collection lorry didn't come for 30 mins Grin

nextphase · 29/07/2013 22:45

Tina what about one of those caps where there is just the visor and a band. Do you get what I'm trying to describe??

If you ran in sunglasses, I'd suggest looking for wrap around ones rather than fashion ones, so they don't fall off!

trickydickie · 29/07/2013 23:15

Everyone is doing so well. Well done watching - wow getting to 5k, fantastic.

I tried to do w6 r3 tonight. Managed 20 mins of the 25 min jog so not going to be too despondent. Just telling myself I still did well and I will see what the next jog brings.

Nextphase - I keep thinking about doing something on my non run days. I might try and find the shred dvd. Will prob take me 15 mins to get all the dust off it.

LauraPashley · 29/07/2013 23:29

Oh is it? I have literally no idea re all this. Maybe I am walking too quickly? My run seems almost slower than my walk!

I do however know re glasses, although maybe not the answer you'd like- my dh runs a lot (whole different league, he finds my run/walk 1 min at a time quite bemusing!) and he had to buy special running sunglasses for that very reason - he got Nike ones, they are v g sunglasses but also lightweight and sort of grippy!

Bakingnovice · 29/07/2013 23:49

What about a visor? I know it's not exactly the height of fashion and when I wear my ten year old one dh laughs and says I look like a cross between an American tourist and 90 year old golfer. But it blocks the sun and let's the top of your head let off steam!! Besides, my sis told me the other day the might be back in fashion as rhianna was spotted wearing one!

pennygallops · 30/07/2013 03:18

Just a quickie - ran 7k on the National Mall in Washington DC tonight. So very surreal. I'll check in again in the morning to catch up with everyone's progress.

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 30/07/2013 06:53

Sounds fab pennygallops!!

TinaSurrey My friend runs in sunglasses, don't know if they are running ones or not as I don't really see her much out and about unless we're running Blush, they are oakleys I know that's posh but not sure about sportiness

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