Couch to 5k- fantastic plan that works for all!

[cinnamongreyhound]

Come and join us for support, advice and a gentle butt kicked when needed!

From starting out to those of us who started 2 years ago, and everyone in between!

Managed week6 run2 for the third time today . Interestingly though, my pace and distance have both improved over the three times I've done it, so there is definite improvement! Will repeat again on Wednesday before moving onto run3 which is 25m continuous running, and which I am not looking forward to at all. The 20m of week5 seems a distant memory! I was exhausted by the end of my second 10m run today so goodness knows what Friday will be like

Well done lookout!

Oh complete failure at first attempt at week 4, feeling really disappinted as have managed all runs till now.

I had a feeling it would be a struggle when I walked outside on wat appeared to be a clear sunny day and realised it was bloody freezing and frost ont he ground.

I spent extra time warming up but never felt warm despite the layers I was wearing. I managed the first 5 minutes but it was hard and then for the first 5 min run I had to stop after 3 minutes. I knew I wasn;t going to manage all the rest, s crossed road to come back home, felt a bit better as cold air no longer in face, managed the next 3 minutes but was shattered and gave up after that. Don;t want to risk another injury.

It also didn't help that I had a weekend without my kids and me and DH went for a drink a curry on Saturday night. Had a bottle of wine to self and I don't drink often.

Might see how I feel in morning and give it another go.

Wow I am in awe of the distances some of you are running! Did you all start from couch, not running before?

I uninstalled and downloaded it again Dharma and it worked this time.

Was wanting to go for my second run today but have woken up with a raw throat and wheezy chest and toddler isn't well either. Hope it clears off quick as I want to keep my motivation up now I've finally started.

A 5am start is dedication cutsnake, well done! I've also been wondering where on earth I'll find the time as I'm a lp to two dc. It might turn out to be a case of taking them with me and letting them kick a ball around while I run up and down the same path in the park

Wow to 5am starts! Am very impressed. I am usually tucked up asleep at that time usually as one of my kids has had me up part of the night.

Well done lookout! You deserve a prize for determination to see it through.

Since I got to 5km a few weeks ago I have found myself getting faster and faster. Can definitely see an improvement this week. Not sure if its due to the HIIT class I did last week. Am doing the HIIT class again tonight so we will see.

Wow ok am inspired, but unfit and clueless. Have read the details of the runs but am confused by the ap references. I am a luddite, what is best an iPod nano and which ap? Or my phone? What works best for you? I can see that wobbling along peering at my watch might not work so well (especially as I will be off across fields in the dark).

Get the NHS couch to 5k podcasts they are free and thought they were quite good if you can get over the irritating music.

Bit smug cutsnake, you should be smugger than that:)

Sorry to hear you're poorly Morrigu. Hope you feel better soon and able to get out again!

Don't be downhearted Felicia. Just give it another try tomorrow. Have you tried wearing a hat until you're properly warm? I find that helps me on really cold days, then I just take it off and stuff it in a pocket or up my sleeve if I get too hot.

Halle It is sheer bloody mindedness I am determined to finish this thing!! Good luck on your next run. HIIT had a great effect on me, it was started me getting fit and enabled me to lose enough weight and build up enough stamina to start running. Does my knees in though.

Cakes the good thing about the NHS one is that it does tell you how long you have left in each run, which is very encouraging. The music is dire though I downloaded it onto my laptop then transferred it to my MP3 player. Here you go Good luck!!

I would love to be able to run at 5am (not really) but it's so dark in my village I have to wait until 7am for it to be light enough to see where I'm going!

Did my third week one run today despite it being v icey. My new trainers are soon much more comfy. Looking forward to seeing what changes when I get to week 2 on Wednesday.

How do you all work out how far to go? At the moment I'm doing the same circuit twice but obviously will have to further by the time I'm running most of 30mins. Just curious. Don't really want to set off down long road and then have to walk all way back when I'm done.

Good evening ladies.

That's a good distance and pace cinnamon. I need to start doing some longer runs.

cutsnake you can do it. That is the beauty of C25K it builds you so well and it works.

Well done to lookout and hallelouja you are making fine progress. Are you enjoying?

Felicia don't be disappointed with a bad run, we all have them. It can be connected to a variety of things - hydration, tiredness, time of the month, weather etc. The next one will be better.

morrigu I did C25K over 18months ago. I didn't find it too hard, but I was already hiking, cycling and swimming regularly. I didn't have any walt to lose and I had played hockey and netball weekly from 13 to having children. So I was reasonably fit. I started running for convenience, muscle toning and stress relief. It has given me so much more - parkrun, running club, new friends and the impact running has had on my son has been quite remarkable.

Currently, I am waiting patiently to find out my GNR fate. One non-running friend has a place and my parkrunning buddy from work hasn't got a place. Fingers crossed for me.

Sorry you had a bad run FeliciaHardy, definitely go out in the morning and try again :)

For me yes Morrigu! I had never run before in my life and started c25k two years ago now. Hope your cold buggers off!

That great Hallelouja!

It depends on your phone cakesnbeer. If you have an AppStore or podcast app then easier just to download straight to your phone. The nhs podcasts are good because you get encouragement but with the apps you can use your own music. Either way they tell you when to start running and stop.

I have a headtorch MissSmiley :). For distance you can use a variety of apps such as endomondo, runkeeper, mapmyrun on phone or iPod that you take with you or plot it into a variety of websites when you get home. I got a garmin GPS watch for my birthday which I love and it's very accurate.

Not sure I want to do a race that's so busy pennygallops but keeping my fingers crossed for you!

I know a few people who have done the GNR and said the support and atmosphere are amazing - as a northerner I just want to do it once. I have a few other smaller races penciled onto my calendar too. I am also looking a trying some more fell and trial runs.

I too have a Garmin Forerunner MissSmiley and I love it. It's the most basic one and does the trick for me - distance, pace, time and then calories.

Ran w5r1 today, it was ok despite being seen off by a horrible little dog whose owner looked the other way... My knees seem to be fine, which is fab after the awful pain I had in the autumn. Weird, I guess going from nothing to running the first week was just too much of a shock to the system!

What have you got pennygallops mine is a 110 :)

Can I join the party? Just downloaded the NHS podcast tonight with intention of starting tomorrow. Total running novice - wish me luck!

Right will go with the encouraging lady, dh is making her magically appear on my phone. It wouldn't work for me...let's hope it's not predictive.

Good luck Raindancer and fingers crossed you dh sorts it cakesnbeer!!

I didn't try and run again this morning, snow was forecast and it was colder, damper and more miserable looking than yesterday so didn't risk the same thing happening. Tomorrow is supposed to be a better day!

I do wear a hat Lookout, helps keep my hair out my way. I wear gloves too when it's really cold but have to take them off as soon as I'm warm as hate having hot hands. Yesterday the only warm part of me was my face, you could probably see it for miles it felt like it was glowing!

I use the GetRunning app on android with my own music playing, it tells you when you are half way so I just turn back then.

I ache today! First time ever

Felicia must be very cold where you are then! Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

MissSmiley my app (RunDouble) gives me distances and also tells me when I'm halfway so I can just turn around and come home, same as Felicia. You could try plotting your path on a website, there are a few. It might not be exact, but at least it could give you a rough idea of distances.

Good luck to you RainDancer and cakesnbeer

Mad the shoes probably helped with your knees. I had terrible trouble with my knees too until I got new shoes then the pain just stopped immediately!

Fingers crossed penn. When will you find out?

I struggled today. Blame the HIIT last night.

First run complete! Felt like hard work but I enjoyed it. Helped that the sun shone for a change. Think the NHS podcast is great because it tells you exactly what to do...but the music IS dire! Are there any other apps that do exactly the same thing but with better tunes?! Here's hoping I've found the motivation to stick around with you guys for a while...

Mine is the 110 forerunner cinnamon the grey and pink one. Love it!

Well done raindancer - may it be the first of many.

I have managed an hour of running tonight but only covered 8.5k - it's snowing here, so I had to be carefully at times on the sloppy bits.

lookout I should find out by Friday. My colleague who didn't get a place has been given a charity place, which she'll probably accept.

I am on week 2 of C25K :)
I did the first run yesterday and will do run 2 tomorrow. I have to admit I downloaded it weeks ago and am averaging only 2 runs a week but I'm hoping that I'll pick up once the weather starts getting a little better.
It seems really manageable and achievable so fingers crossed, I have at least a stone to lose and really want to tone up and get fit.

Quick question, my NHS app just talks, it doesn't seem to have any music, do a need a different app or just to have my own music?

Hi there I am just finishing C25K and am looking for the next app to take me to 10K. Is anyone here in the same boat and does anyone have any recommendations?