Couch to 5k- Cage your inner chimp and get started!

[cinnamongreyhound]

A thread for those thinking of starting, just starting, making good progress or finish the c25k. For all abilities and stages, come and join us for support and advice, we're a lovely bunch!

Old thread

Berstie - current thinking is not to stretch until you're warm.

So - before you start running, do a brisk walk for 5 minutes. Then do your run, then when you've finished do some stretches. here are some suggested stretches

You should go to a running shop and get your gait analysed, and then get proper trainers with insoles that match your running style.

If you can, run on grass/softer surfaces, rather than on the road/pavement.

And follow the plan - i.e. build up the length of your runs gradually, and make sure that you take rest days between your runs.

Week 8 run 2 done.

I managed 4.2 kms tonight - it felt like the (very strong) wind was against me all the way too, how does that work when I ran a circular route?

My period is on its way and I've just remembered that this time a month ago I planned to buy some new sports bras - wish I'd gone ahead and done it!!!

well done, Iwish

I'm off out again tomorrow morning for my second Week 7 run.

Didn't run today but walked 7.63 km in 1hr 5mins, on the way to work.

25 min run this morning. Beautiful day for it! However, an insect flew straight into my mouth and down my throat - cue lots of gagging and retching - but I didn't stop running!

I feel your pain with bugs! At least one of my runs now is in the dark with a head torch and I destroy hundreds of spider homes as I run around! Already longing for the light evenings and mornings back :(

Can i ask would it be ok to do this programme with DD who is 11 ? she is overweight as am i and i thought it would be fun to do it together , will get her some decent trainers .

I don't see any reason why not frumpet, take it nice and easy and you will be fine. Assuming there are no health issues. Have a look at couch to 5k on nhs website it may have some info on children. We have several 11 year old regulars at parkrun :)

doing a parkrun is what i am aiming for , we will have to take it easy anyway and she will be hindered by her ancient , fat , chainsmoking mother

I haven't checked in for a while. I also haven't run for a while - had a nasty chesty cold for ages, life & work getting in the way etc.

I'm hoping to get out again this weekend, so a bit of butt kicking wouldn't go amiss please, ladies. I need you to help make me get those running shoes on again!

Just been catching up on the running threads! So many people doing so well :-)

I started c25k in June but as I reached wk 9 I had such sore knees I had to stop for over a month. Back to it in Sept and a couple of weeks ago finally did my first 5k. Had a cold so not run since (had 10 days off) but going back out tomorrow and hoping I can repeat the 5k!

Then I need a new programme! Has anyone done another structured programme after 5k or is it best just to make your own targets?

I don't think I could run any faster so I guess I need to build distance rather than speed? I need to be careful I don't do anything too drastic too soon as need to look after the knees!

Tina I've started 10k runner but I seem to have lost any and all motivation. Very down at the moment and not sure why ;(

Watching Have a fab run and fundrasier this evening. Hope it stays dry for you (dry here atm)

Tina I've dropped to running once (or maybe twice if other plans fall through) a week. Excerice class once / week, and swim once / week.

So, I've been doing a mixture of the c25k+ podcasts - start with stepping stones, leave stamina til the end, and weeks 7/8/9 depending on how much time I've got. I really can't get out for more than an hour, so not pushing to 10k. Prob wont suit you, as you've mentioned distance, but thought I'd mention it.

Did week 7 run 2 this morning and decided to keep going at the end to try and run 5k. And I did it :) Did 5.05k in 29 min 40 sec so have broken the 30 minute barrier :) am quite pleased with myself as haven't run 5k since march.

Now just need to keep doing it...

Morning all

That's week 4 done and dusted, it was bloody hard going on session 2 but today was much easier.

Although I'll deny it any other time, my body is showing signs of wear and age, I think I've got arthritis in my knee, the joint is quite tender to touch. Got a well-woman appt next week will ask her to check up there.

BUT I feel ready to start proper running now. Bring it on!

25 minutes this morning. 2.5k. Am going to do another week of 25 minutes then increase. I'm doing most weeks twice, but as I said, I'm a hefty size 20 and I'm 55 soon, so I'm allowed to do it my way!

Oh, and actually that's a lie, I haven't lost any weight, but I had to put on size 18 jeans last week, so something is changing.

Sounds like you want to get out DramaAlpaca so that's half the battle :)

I just did 5k three times a week for quite a while TinaSurrey.

Sorry you're feeling down MaireadnotMermaid, I find a good run helps though.

That's fab MirandaWest, it's great to beat that barrier.

Well done GrippingArms, I often found run 2 harder than run 3 :(

You're doing great Dawndonnaagain, lots of people have got smaller but not lost weight doing the plan.

No parkrun for me tomorrow as I have a course, not sure I can be bothered to go out before my course for a run either. Planning 10miles Sunday do guess I shouldn't feel too guilty if I don't!

That's week 8 finished!

I managed another 4.2kms in the wind and rain. I'm now drying out my running shoes ready for next time!

Twilight Race for Life completed - my first run for over two weeks and.... I RAN EVERY STEP!! New personal best time too - Take that chimp

Huge mental battle not to give in and walk any, but SO glad I didn't. Great atmosphere and no rain. Very odd running in the dark though.

Well done watchingout! I'm looking forward to the clocks going back for a morning run in the light for a bit, not a fan of dark running but get used to it over winter :(

I won't be running again until Monday but there's a marathon happening here tomorrow and will watch runners go past (will be watching between the 3 and 4 mile point so guess there will be lots of them streaming past together :))

Hello All!

I have posted on some of the c25k threads before, but not this one. I have a bit of a not-so-stealth boast and hope that it will be encouraging for others.

I started c25k back in January of this year because I wanted to do triathlon this year. When I started I was finding the 90 second runs hard work, so was really pleased when following the program took me through to running 5k.

I have struggled to get my time for 5k below 30 mins, either in triathlon or on my own training runs (although I do have a hill to get over).

I did my first 5k run today and the provisional results say I did it in 26.44!

So chuffed! I feelI have come a very long way this year and am now running better than I could have hoped for.

Keep it up!

That's a very good time, Thistle, well done!

I'll be doing 5k mid November, I am determined :)

Hi all,

I tried to post on here yesterday but my laptop ate my post! Went for a run yesterday morning which was meant to be Run 3 of Week 7 but I got very tired at about the 20 minute stage so I am not sure I really did complete it, although I ran on (slowly) and in fact completed 5 km in the end. But I think I will try and do another good 25 minute run tomorrow before moving on to 30 minutes of running.

watchingout a friend of mine did Twilight Race for Life today too - well done to you and everyone else who did it - great stuff!

Well done to everyone, fab time Thistledew! Terrain does make a huge difference :)

Not feeling it today! Didn't do parkrun yesterday because of course and dh let me lay in today and now it's pouring :(