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Original poster

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

995 replies

cinnamongreyhound · 04/02/2014 12:57

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!

OP posts:
TheDrugsDontWork · 03/04/2014 18:45

I'm a regular lurker on this thread (and the other running ones). Think I've only posted once or twice but just had to come in to say I did W9R3 tonight, and managed 5k! In 32.34 Grin It's 20 degrees at the moment where I am which is not my ideal running weather either.

Can't quite believe I did it, I know everyone says it but nit that long ago running 30 minutes seemed so far off, and somehow now I can just do it!

Keep running everyone! Grin

Kasterborous · 03/04/2014 19:22

You've caught me up now stillearnin glad you managed it well and felt like you could keep going that's really good. I'm going to go on Sunday I think for my third week 6 run. Did you get some skorts Grin

Hi TheDrugsDontWork that's really good. I like reading about people who have done it, especially when I've found the last run really hard.

StartWhereYouStand · 03/04/2014 22:13

Hello the the new people and good on you for starting this plan.

Well done thedrugsdontwork - 5k and that time sounds really good. I am a few runs behind you as just done w8r1 but found the 28mins surprisingly ok. Am going way slower pace than you though as only covered 4k in the 28mins.

Am keeping with the received wisdom which apparently says to work on keeping running (at whatever slow lack of speed you can) then improve pace later.

I am doing my 2nd ever parkrun on sat and really want to just get round without walking (and beat my previous time) but I know I will need to go very slowly and ignore the 490 other runners who will leave me behind at the start!!!

Still can't believe I am able to run for that long though - total miracle for me.

Finlaggan · 03/04/2014 22:17

Just had my first run in a week as I've had a cold.
Managed 25 minutes so that's week 6 done Grin

Well done to everyone!

StartWhereYouStand · 03/04/2014 22:19

Oh and I like the look of those aldi skorts (skeggings??? Grin ).

Covering my bum when running - big thumbs up from me (and from all the poor motorists who have to witness my wobbling rear view!).

Has anyone got them?

anja1cam · 04/04/2014 11:08

TheDrugsDontWork wow WELL DONE! I think it took me several months after completing W9 (and stickign with the W9 routine) before I was anywhere near 5K.

TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals please don't worry about pace / speed! At the moment you are getting your body used to running, so stick with the programme, and just run whichever speed you feel comfortable in. I would do / progress the weeks as laid out regardless of your pace. Once you can do longer stretches (and are getting bored) you can start focusssing on speed/pace. I had nothing but NHS Laura in my ear for the beginning and only much later started to measure and maybe push a bit for speed (I do a proper short ~2K race every year in September)

And yes, I went to Aldi especially yesterday :-) for some tops and jackets and cheap shoes. The Skort looked good if you feel it would help you for confidence, I didn't buy though because I didn't want an extra non-functional piece of fabric attached to my shorts Grin

MadMonkeys · 04/04/2014 11:11

thedrugsdontwork woo hoo, well done! I'm doing my final w7 run tonight, so finishing c25k is actually in sight.

Kasterborous · 04/04/2014 13:41

Hi everyone. I've got the last run of week six to do, but I'm not going until Sunday. The last run I did on Wednesday was really hard. Though I have got a bad flare up of eczema on my arms and legs that has got infected. I had to go and see the GP toady and have got two weeks of antibiotics and some strong steroid cream. So hopefully will be kicking in by Sunday. At least that explains why I've been feeling tired. I usually feel a bit rough when it's got an infection brewing.

TheDrugsDontWork · 04/04/2014 17:23

Thanks everyone!

StartWhere I don't think you're that slow, I was doing 4.3k or so in 28 minutes and you're definitely right about pace anyway, I think it improves automatically as you cover longer distances.

Kasterborous Go easy if you've got an infection, it's frustrating but not worth doing too much too soon.

MadMonkeys You'll be finished before you know it!

Kasterborous · 04/04/2014 18:57

Your probably right thedrugsdontwork although hopefully in my case the drugs will work!

This is what my arms and legs look like now.

Couch to 5k- fantastic plan that works for all!
MadMonkeys · 04/04/2014 20:16

Ouch kasterborous that looks painful.

Just did w7r3 and it was a grind... Anyone watch Katie Morag (with their children)? I could hear Neally Beag's voice in my ear "you're a tiger"...

anja1cam · 05/04/2014 10:06

Ohh kasterborous my commiserations. Ouch, hope you get better soon. My DD gets minor flare ups occasionally, a sure sign that spring is on the way in our case!

Have a good weekend everyone, I'll be out of contact, major family invasion coming up between now and Easter... But keep running, I promise I will!

stilllearnin · 05/04/2014 11:49

kaster my son has this too all over except his face (thankfully). Painful and sleep doesn't easily come eh? Hopefully the worst will soon be over for you. I'm really looking forward to my next run think I'm at w6 r2- cannot believe how quickly it's gone!

Kasterborous · 05/04/2014 14:36

Your poor son stillearnin no, sleep doesn't come easily. My next run is week six run 3. I agree with you I can't believe how quickly six weeks have gone. I think wk 6 run 2 is the last one with any walking in between the running. I'm quite glad about that as I've found the walk/run/walk ect in the last couple of runs harder than the constant running of the last run of week five. You just get past that hard first five-ten minutes then have to stop and do the first five-ten mins again. Though I think it might take a bit longer to manage the full 5k in 30 mins. I'm going to try the final week 6 run tomorrow.

stilllearnin · 06/04/2014 08:03

W6r2 yesterday was a hard work! Right until the end (again). I went at tea time rather than after the school run so maybe that didn't help. Problem is I cannot imagine doing w6r3 which is a straight 24 or 25 mins. I think it's harder when you know you're going to stop but both times I was ready. In my memory I was finding it easier at this stage when I did it before. I suppose I just need to go for it tomorrow.

Kasterborous · 06/04/2014 13:09

I feel the same as you stillearnin I found W6r2 really hard work. I'm going to do W6r3 today. I'm quite nervous about actually being able to finish it. Going to give it a good try though.

HalleLouja · 06/04/2014 18:47

[Waves at everyone]

I finished c25K a couple of months back. I still haven't done 5k in less than 30 minutes but edging closer and closer. I ran it in around 31.30 on Friday. So not so far away.

Kasterborous · 06/04/2014 19:38

I've just finished W6r3. Ran for the full 25mins. The first ten mins was hard going but I was determined not to stop, glad I didn't, it was hard on my legs at the time, but nothing beats the feeling now I've done it. I'm a way off doing the 5k pace, but the fact I managed to run for 25 mins is great for me. Even Laura said at the end 'your a runner now' I was Grin Good job no-one saw me grinning like a mad woman with my very red sweaty face.

If I can do that fighting an infection hopefully I can pick the pace up a bit in a week or two.

It was the easiest run of week 6.

teawomen · 06/04/2014 21:54

Hi I'm new! Just done my first day today aaah was so relieved when finished. Hope I don't ache tomorrow

tinkywinkyshandbag · 06/04/2014 21:57

Hi all, does anyone have any experience with shin splints? Am trying to do C25K but never get past week one - I start the jogging/running parts and my shins just feel so painful. I stretch beforehand and during, and am wearing decent trainers. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Kasterborous · 06/04/2014 22:01

teawomen I did have aching legs for the first week. But after that they were fine. So if your legs are a bit achy tomorrow don't be disheartened.

spookyskeleton · 06/04/2014 22:03

I have just started this with a local voluntary group...am just in week 2. Has been reasonably easy so far but can see that it is going to ramp up fairly quickly -3 minute run next week??

Just looking for reassurance that it works and that for a very resistant runner like myself, I will be running for half an hour in 7 weeks Smile

stilllearnin · 06/04/2014 22:06

Oh Kaster well done - with your infection too! (any improvement?) so that's when Laura says that. I'm feeling a bit more encouraged by your success. Plus I may have worked out a flatish route! I'm hoping to get out when the peak traffic dies down tomorrow.

Kasterborous · 06/04/2014 22:08

Hi spookyskeleton I've just finished week six which was a 25 minute run. When I started six weeks ago I thought there was no way I would ever manage it but you do.

There are lots of people on this thread who have finished it, worth reading the thread for some inspiration.

Soon you'll be looking back thinking three minutes, that was easy!

From my experience it works, I want to do it now, I'm determined.

stilllearnin · 06/04/2014 22:09

Spooky it works- really - just do it!! Good luck

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