Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
MaryShelley · 29/04/2014 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaryShelley · 29/04/2014 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kasterborous · 29/04/2014 20:52

Waves to DevaDiva the hardest bit is actually starting it. The weeks fly by after that. I joined the thread when I was doing week two and there were a few posters who were just about to finish it, and I was thinking 'how on earth will I be able to run for 30 minutes'. That poster is me now, I've got my final run of week nine and the programme tomorrow. I look forwards to my runs and pushing myself, I get grumpy if I can't go out.

Kasterborous · 29/04/2014 20:54

stillearnin sorry to hear you are having a few difficulties. The fact that you are still going out and doing it is real commitment. I hope things are better for you soon.

spookyskeleton · 29/04/2014 21:41

I have my W5R3 looming large on Thursday Confused am apprehensive as it seems such a large jump from 8 mins to 20 mins and I don't really understand why the programme is this way.

But I do trust it. As I am doing it as part of an organised group rather than with the podcasts, I have set myself up with a 19 minute playlist so that I can still hear the whistles at the end of the run. I am just goibg to tell myself that I just need to keep going for the 5 songs and then just a little bit longer. In a weird way, I am quite looking forward to it as I have never run for 20 minutes without stopping so it will be a massive achievement Grin

Kasterborous · 29/04/2014 23:31

Hi Spooky I remember that feeling well when I had to run for 20 mins for the first time. But I can honestly say and I'm sure a lot of others will agree with me, is that you really can do it, I was very apprehensive but I managed it, the thing is just not to go too fast. I found when I started week six and the first two runs had walking in them I hated doing the walking and just wanted to run, they were actually harder to do than 20 mins of running!

It sounds daunting now, but just wait until you have done it the feeling of achievement far outweighs anything else. Smile

Kasterborous · 30/04/2014 20:11

I've just finished my final run of the programme Grin I feel great. I've not finished properly yet as I've not done 5K yet. I did 2.7 miles tonight the furthest I've ever managed.

I'm going to make myself a playlist of some decent music to run to from now on. The music on the podcasts was a bit naff at times.

Than you for getting me through 'Laura' and everyone on this thread Smile

MadMonkeys · 30/04/2014 21:04

Yay Kasterborous, it's a great feeling isn't it! I just did my first post-c25k run :) 5k in 31 minutes, so I'm quite pleased with that. I still feel like a wounded buffalo, huffing and puffing and sporting a beetroot complexion! Someone mentioned they were hoping to get to the point where they could elegantly breeze through a run - if anyone knows if that actually ever happens please spill the beans...

spookyskeleton · 30/04/2014 21:15

One thing I did notice using my ipod with my own music on was that I couldn't hear my huffing and puffing and it wasn't till I switched the music off towards the end of my running that I realised that I was breathing heavily and all of a sudden I thought I couldn't continue. Which makes me think that part of it could psychological if that makes sense Hmm

Anyway, 5 weeks till my first ever 5k run...Shock Shock Shock

Kasterborous · 30/04/2014 21:58

That's impressive MadMonkeys

Spooky I think a lot of it is psychological . I always find the last five minutes and especially the last minute the hardest. I think it's easier in the middle as I know I've got a while left so 'just get on with it' were as at the end I've nearly finished and just want it to end.

I've found doing the same route all the time very helpful because I know when I'm half way round and how much further I have left. I also know where the inclines are too and know to slow down a bit. I try and let my mind wander and not think about the running.

anja1cam · 01/05/2014 11:19

Three cheers for MadMonkeys and Kasterborous You've done it! Thanks Now keep going Grin

Spooky oh absolutely! I find it quite hard to run without music in my ear - though I made an exception going through the park yesterday morning, lovely birdsong on a spring day Smile. But I have had occasions when I ran out of batteries etc and hand to finish my run 'on silent' and it was much harder indeed! And good luck for the 5k - you CAN do it!

spookyskeleton · 01/05/2014 22:08

Well done to those of you that have finished Smile Thanks Thanks

I did my 20 minutes tonight...yay Grin Am so chuffed. The first few minutes were difficult but it got easier and I managed it relatively easily and I actually enjoyed it Shock

We think we did about 2.75k which means I have to double that in 5 weeks - is that possible??

MaryShelley · 01/05/2014 22:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dizzyday07 · 02/05/2014 11:32

W3R3 last night. I must have nudged my phone so it didn't register my time but I followed the same course as earlier in the week and I am fairly sure I had got slightly farther before the final 3min walk finished! Hmm

I have checked the calendar plotting run/rest days against the programme and I would be doing W5R3 (20 mins) 2 days before my 3k run. I have a feeling though that as I am slower than a snail on crutches my time for the run may be closer to that of Mo Farah's marathon Blush

Kasterborous · 02/05/2014 19:59

dizzyday you will be surprised how far you get in 20mins. Even if it takes you very slightly longer you will manage 3K.

MaryShelley I found the opposite, that first run of week six nearly killed me!

I did my first post C25K run tonight with no Laura in my ear. I made a playlist of music and have got an app that tells me how long I've been going every five mins so I don't need to worry about timeings. At least I could listen to what I wanted too.

spookyskeleton · 02/05/2014 22:05

Well after the high of last nights completion of W5R3, I feel abit disappointed that we will only be running for 5 minutes and 8 minutes at a time...is that normal??

I feel that I want to do 20 minutes again and keep pushing myself. I have mentioned it the group leader and he just said to trust the program Grin

Kasterborous · 02/05/2014 23:38

Yes spooky I was exactly the same. I hated having to stop and walk again. I think it's a clever ploy to make you want to run.

dizzyday07 · 04/05/2014 00:21

I can't believe it! I am a 46yr old, 19 stone SAHM who leads a pretty sedentary life but tonight I ran (in total) 16 minutes by completing W4R1 Shock.

It was at my normal snail pace, and I found myself shouting out loud to encourage myself along towards the ends of the 5min segments but I am still proud that I managed to complete it. Blush

spookyskeleton · 04/05/2014 07:35

dizzy well done Smile this program is so great isn't it? Every week completed gives you such a sense of achievement as you achieve sonething that you did not think was possible.

I did W6R1 yesterday and, as I suspected, it was a bit of an anti-climax after Thursday night Sad After the first 5min run, I wasn't remotely out of breath and was most disappointed I had to stop Wink ah well, 1 more run with a walking break and then running all the way.., am so amazed that 6 weeks in, I am looking forward to that Grin

Kasterborous · 04/05/2014 09:56

That's brilliant dizzy it doesn't matter how fast you go it's the fact that you actually do it that counts. I'm still really slow myself. Smile

Only one more run with walking in it spooky then there's no looking back. Smile

Kasterborous · 04/05/2014 20:09

I went out for a run this evening and I hit the wall (physically and mentally). I'd been running for 25 minutes and just had to stop, just before I did I stumbled on a stone and fell over taking all the skin (well felt like all the skin) off my arm in the process Sad. I've never felt so worn out on a run and have never had to stop before. My period is due, so I'm wondering if it's that. I'm going to have a few days off now, I'm not giving up, not now I've come this far. I might listen to the podcast again next week.

anja1cam · 04/05/2014 21:43

Oh Kasterborous! Take a break Cake, it won't wipe out what you've achieved. Sending you lots of recuperative vibes and soothing for that arm ! Yes I still get the odd day when it all feels crap. After 10mins my shins start hurting (they never do) or at 15mins I'm really really tired... I just give up or turn round and carry on gently / walk & run, (depending on whether I am on my loop route or further out). And carry on the next day on my schedule when it's due. And I have not yet managed to identify a reliable pattern on why this happens: time of day, general temperature, wind, time in monthly cycle, have I done an IF fast / eaten healthily/ lots of bad refined carbs the day before.

spookyskeleton · 04/05/2014 21:55

kaster Sad I think you need to chalk it up to a bad day and just go out again when you are ready. Don't dwell on it as you won't have undone all your good work.

Although I haven't been running for long, I am a regular gym goer and there are always some days when I am just not 'feeling it' and as a PP said, there is often no rhyme or reason!!

Right, I am due to do my first 5k in 5 weeks but have just realised that I cannot do my group run next Monday evening so I will need to run in the morning by myself instead. I know the route for the 5k run and am really tempted to just give it a go...am I mad to do this during week 6?? My thinking is that I will run as long as I possibly can and then can always walk the rest. On the negative side, part of me wants to make my first 5k the celebration one with friends, family etc there and the big occasion as this would give me much more of a sense of achievement. What do you all think?

Kasterborous · 04/05/2014 21:58

Thanks anja1cam it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who has felt like this. I've been close to stopping before but never actually done so. I managed 25 mins so not too bad, but took me ages to get my breath back. Arm is throbbing well, I didn't think it was too bad but DH took this photo of it.

I'm going to give myself a couple of days and try again on Wednesday, I just don't know what happened tonight.

Kasterborous · 04/05/2014 22:01

Thanks Spooky if I was you I'd stick to the programme if you've got another 5 weeks until your 5K run. You don't want to over do it and injure yourself. You could probably manage it especially as you are a regular gym goer but if it was me I wouldn't risk it.