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

[cinnamongreyhound]

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

Old Thread

Just checking in from sunny Mallorca . Well done wem, baking and drama

We've been here a week, I've got up at 6.30 three times to do my 30 minute run. Scared that if I don't I'll forget how And this morning I let dh grace me with his presence . Kind of annoying that he can run it with nil training whatsoever , when it took me 9 weeks to train for it! It felt odd having company . One week to go then I'm back to Normal temperatures, and hills. ( it's very flat here along the Sea front )

Ooooo just checked email so did ds1 :)

Hello! Can I ask an app question?

I started on C25k NHS podcasts in June, but found the music very uninspiring so went onto Zenlabs and my own cheesy playlist. Got up to W4R2, then the hot weather started and I stopped. I've since started from the beginning and have just finished week 3 but I remember Week 4 being a huge step up - I couldn't do the 5 minute run at all. Is Laura's motivation on the NHS podcast a massive help? Enough to counteract the music? Or does the NHS music help in a cunning subliminal way? Should I swap back?

I really want to crack this - everyone's stories are so motivating, but at the moment I can't see past this 5 minute run! I wish there was a week with a 4 minute interval...

Trust the program!
Honesty, if you've done all the runs to this point, your ready for the big step ups that they have programmed in. Read all the stuff above about keeping chimps in their box - basically your body is ready, so the thing stopping you is currently a mental battle.

Personally, I like the count down about how far I have / haven't gone. Can see why most would avoid!

Give it a go - you never know til you try.

I put up with the music and Laura was motivating but it could be because you're running a bit too fast. Try decreasing your pace and think positively and you'll get through week 4 no probs :)

I did my furthest ever run today, almost 15k/ 9 miles was so proud of myself! We got a bit lost so a couple of short walkin bits but still averaged 6m20 per km. feeling more confident about my half marathon now :)

Hi everyone - just checking in after a 5 day holiday, it wasn't possible to run DH said I had to follow your resting advice but we walked a fair way and swam every day which was lovely.

I ran W6 R1 today, which I was a bit scared of, and it was fine, I can't believe it! The advice not to go out every day definitely helped. Thanks also to Scarecrow for the swimming link, I'm definitely going to give that a go. Cinnamon - 15k! That's amazing. (thumbs up emoticon)

feeling v flat about aching hip - found out my pelvis is twisted which has caused.pain and muscle problems. Not been out since failed w9r1 on Weds and DH away since Fri so.alone with two small.children and dad in hospital.so trying to visit.him and support mum too. Lots of excuses but shattered. A friend has offered to babysit if I want to run tonight but just want to lie on sofa and cry with exhaustion. I should go out shouldn't I??

somebody kick me!!

Sorry to hear your struggling, Scarecrow.
Not going to kick you, but going to offer and

Anyone going for the 5k+ podcasts, may I suggest NOT starting with the stamina one! I'm wrecked! I got to the 25 min mark (with about 5 ijns of walking as my lungs just weren't coping) and it was where I normally start the cool down! I had another 10 mins of running to do.....

Who asked what the bpm meant above? its the beats of the music, and you keep going at with one foot fall for every beat. I've just done 158/160/160, and then an "invigorating 5 mins at 165"

nextphase I've just loaded my ipod shuffle with the stepping stones 5k+ podcast. I'm a bit scared by the pacing increase, but I've signed up for a 10k in November so I've got to get on with it!

I did it! I graduated!!! I can't keep the off my face.

I am so happy, I am on cloud nine this evening. I feel like I have achieved something truly amazing and I am so proud of myself. When I started this on 11th June I was overweight, unfit, had high blood pressure, sore knees, and was getting depressed (again). Now I have lost quite a bit of weight, am much fitter, my blood pressure is almost normal, the knees are fine, and the depression has vanished. I feel great.

I can't praise C25K highly enough, and I just want to thank all of you lovely ladies on here for your support and encouragement and for helping me to keep my chimp in its box and embrace my inner snail. You are all awesome & I couldn't have done it without you .

scarecrow and from me, too. Sorry to hear you are having a tough time.

sophiedaal I think nextphase is right - it is almost certainly a mental block not a physical one, and like cinnamon suggests you may find it much easier if you slow down. I ran the whole program very slowly and that was what has enabled me to build up the stamina to graduate. Good luck.

Go Drama Keep up with that grin.
I totally agree that the program is amazing. And the ladies here are what kept me going too. Your all amazing, however far you go, your still doing more than sitting on the couch.

wem I've had a quick listen to the intro of the other two 5k+, as I was horrified, and think I landed the toughest as a first go. So, suggest you try one of the others first. I covered much more distance than normal (was doing about 5.5km between warm up/cool down and 30 mins run), and it was 35 mins running. It really was stamina building, and got faster every 10 mins.

I've got a work trip next week, and it looks like there is a gym, so I'm going to try and treadmill a 5km 30 mins, since I havn't actually done that yet, and see how I go.

did it! ran slowly so sore but doable. stretched and brokered and heading for a long soak.in the bath.

thanks for the and . Phone did not show replies til I posted just now. Glad I went as a better sort of tired. Plus got to chat to.lively girl friend for a nit when I.got home so had a bit of a dump on her and got it off my chest

Drama fantastic news! Keep ing . Felt sad.this eve when realised should have been.graduating but was hobbling around with no watch on so not even sure I have done 30 mins yet.

what is vote? If I went put for two w9 runs but didn't do half of one because of injury (walked) and am only 90pc sure did the full 30m the second time do either of them count?!

Congratulations Drama! sorry I missed your graduation party (or is it still going on?) I love the stories of the HUGE positive impact this program is having on people.

And well done scarecrow for getting out there - that's the chimp well and truly beaten! X

Yes, graduation party still going on! I was still so excited last night I couldn't sleep so I am wrecked this morning.

And when I logged in to the C25K support site this morning I found a lovely shiny badge saying Graduate next to my username!

Well done Drama - that's brilliant! You have inspired me to keep going!

Scarecrow really sorry to hear you're having a rough time It sounds to me like your second run counted, but if you're anything like me you won't believe it until you can see for sure on your watch. Is your hip injury likely to ease up if you rest, or could you fit a physio visit in at the moment? I appreciate this might be tricky with DCs and your Dad being poorly, but hope you can find a solution

dramaAlpaca that's really inspiring - congratulations! My knees have been ropey since the Shred shredded them, so it's brilliant to hear running has helped yours.

And thanks for the encouragement cinnamongreyhound. I've tried jogging along slower, but weirdly that seems to make things worse? I feel like I'm jolting from foot to foot whereas when I'm running very slowly there's more momentum to keep going. I'm not very gazelle-like! I completely get what you mean about my body not being tired (it's not, and I know it can cope) but I need a mental trick to distract my brain when it starts 'suggesting' I stop running. Like going through the alphabet using band names or food or something.

Sophie, can you find the posts in the thread about the "chimp"? This mythical creature that's sits on your shoulder and buggers up your determination to keep going. Posters have come up with innovative ways of silencing him (the negative thoughts) and keeping going

I always think if in doubt go scarecrow22! Glad you went and felt ok, I generally find a run helps my mood. I would say they both count, they weren't great runs but you did them

That's great DramaAlpaca!!!! Congratulations! That's a fantastic testimonial for c25k. I feel so much better now I'm running in so many ways. Don't know about my blood pressure but my resting heart rate was 70ish and is now 55. My hormones affect me less, I have more energy, patience and smile more! I can run longer and further than both my children and can out jump them on a trampoline

I had a tough time around week 7 and after I'd finished sophiedahl and I literally would keep going to the end of a song or the next min/5mins or a specific point on my route and then set another target a bit further ahead. If you let your mind wander it does help too. I know enjoy my run so don't need that motivation at all!

Did the stepping stones podcast this morning. I had to stop a minute or two from the end - I thought I was going to be sick! The music was very effective at making me run faster. As Laura said - I've got something to aim for, so I'll stick with it til I can do it

SOunds good Wem!

The thread is very quiet the last few days has everyone graduated and left perhaps it's I left 17 months after graduating? We need some new c25k blood

it's time not just it's! Really should proof read