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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:
spookyskeleton · 23/05/2014 21:46

watto well done Smile completing that W5R3 is just amazing isn't it?

DevaDiva · 23/05/2014 23:30

So week 4 is going ok, I honestly never thought I'd be able to run for 5 mins continuously. After being scuppered by the thunder storm on monday, I even went out at 6.30am in the rain yesterday so that I can get my three runs in this week!!! W4R3 tomorrow then I'm off on hols to Cyprus for a week, the trainers are coming with me so will see how I get on Grin

spookyskeleton · 24/05/2014 12:52

Well, after 8 weeks of the program, I ran 7k in 55 minutes this morning Smile I am so proud of myself! It was difficult - my friend ran it with me and kept me going otherwise I think I would have quit!

Check me out - I am a runner Wink

ChameleonCircuit · 24/05/2014 13:03

Dizzy, you just can't give up now! Remember what someone said earlier - those who were watching and might have been judging.....you were running 3K, whilst they're doing......sweet FA! Plus you're my inspiration. I am 17 stone, have never run in my life, and have just bought some running capris with a view to starting C25K.

bobinsky · 25/05/2014 16:04

Well.....W1R1......I'm right at the beginning, I hope I last the course. Am doing it with my 20 week old puppy! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to give me the motivation I need - well done to everyone!

Goldensunnydays81 · 25/05/2014 18:12

Can I come and join you! I completed day 1 of week 2 this morning feeling very proud of myself as I am very overweight and need to lose lots of weight and just get fit! Sounds silly to be proud of running for 90 seconds Grin. Also I can't believe that in a few weeks I am going to have to run for 20 minutes!
What time does everyone run? I have been going at 6.30 in the morning so I hopefully don't bump into anyone.

Kasterborous · 25/05/2014 19:35

Waves to bobinsky and Goldensunny welcome to the c25k. I find this thread great for motivation and encouragement. It's also amazing just how quickly it goes once you start and you'll soon be running for 30 mins.

When I started it was February and I used to go out in the evening after dark. I go in daylight now and I don't care who sees me anymore, I usually smile at people I pass now, especially other runners.

Be proud of running for 90seconds. The fact that you are doing it is something to be very proud of. I got goose bumps when I did the 20 min run as that's the first longer one you do. Nothing beats the feeling of achievement after every run be it at the first or last week.

dizzyday07 · 25/05/2014 21:44

Thank you all very much for your support after my very self-absorbed post earlier in the week. Have some Cake and Flowers. I really can't believe that a couple of you find my progress inspiring Blush.

Obviously giving up when you are the size of a house is the very worst thing to do as I will never lose weight that way!

Today I did W6R1. I started off and immediately thought "you are not slowly shuffling along as normal, best slow down so you don't burn out" but by the end of the 8min run I was begging for the time to be up! But the last 5min run wasn't too bad.

Kasterborous · 25/05/2014 21:49

Glad you didn't give up dizzy Smile

proseccoco · 25/05/2014 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

addictedtosugar · 26/05/2014 09:10

Yeah dizzy you go girl!

proseccoco
May I suggest starting from the beginning, but maybe only doing one or 2 runs of each week, just to get you up and running again? The programme really moves around in weeks 5 and 6, and works on the basis your used to the changes.

stilllearnin · 26/05/2014 21:29

See dizzy, an inspiration for sure! Proseccoco. I did it by starting at the beginning but running the early weeks together. So maybe week 1 only twice then in the same week do week 2 (did any of that make sense?). Every time I tried to restart later in the program it didn't work out for me. I am v tired ad just back from a festival but I think I'm going to attempt 30 mins again tomorrow.

proseccoco · 27/05/2014 07:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LakeFlyPie · 27/05/2014 22:53

Hi, can I join you inspirational folk please.
Managed my lumbering W2 D2 effort this evening.
Spent each run thinking about the 3 minute run next week; carrying on for twice as long just doesn't seem like a viable option ATM but I need to have faith as there are so many inspiring success stories about C25K out there.

Am gaspingly breathless at the end of 90 secs jog ATM so the thought of managing 30 minutes any time soon is amazing.

Goldensunnydays81 · 28/05/2014 09:06

Oh no lake I didn't realise it was a 3 minute run next week! Have just completed w2 d2 so now I need to upgrade my app thing!

I found today hard tho, I'm not sure of it was because I have had 2 days off inbetween this one and the last one but more than likely is that I am very overweight and very unfit Hmm.

FeliciaHardy · 28/05/2014 13:28

Did my first run in a month yesterday morning, decided not to follow C25k as wasn't sure what I was capable of. Was struggling at W6R3 before I stopped.

Managed a 10 minute run had 5 min rest and then ran another 5 minutes. Stupidly I came in and had a bath and forgot to do stretching so front of thighs have been stiff today. Going to try from beginning of week 5 or 6 tomorrow.

Kasterborous · 28/05/2014 13:58

Hi LakeFly don't worry about managing it. You will get there I was just the same thinking there is no way I can run for 30 mins but I now do, three times a week. I won't lie it was hard at times but well worth it.

Golden some runs seem to be much harder than others. I still often have one day a week when I struggle to keep going, not always the same day one week it might be the first run of the week, one week it will be the middle or last run. You can do it. Give yourself a few weeks and you won't look back.

I felt when I joined this thread when I was on week two that I would never manage it, and all the people here who had done it must be super fit athletes already. Having finished it though I can see that they are everyday people like you and I, it really does work!

morethanacondiment · 28/05/2014 22:23

Oh, I haven't been on here for a fortnight - horrid bout of sciatica caused (apparently) by running after 3 births in 3 & a half years with no initial strength or fitness??
Physio has banned me from running again until I've built up my core muscles, so I'm going to lurk on here, silently cheering you on, and will hopefully be back in a few months. Good work, you runners!

Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 29/05/2014 07:30

Lovely to see some still going and new people joining! I'm still running and promote c25k whenever possible. Those who are not sure they can do it you can. There's a general running thread here for anyone who wants a few more positive running stories.

OP posts:
stilllearnin · 29/05/2014 08:43

Hi not been on for a fortnight!!! I'm going out with the 30 min podcast on and see how I get on. Decided to go at it joyfully today and hope that carries me through!

Kaster above has it spot on...but first I need to find me trainers!!

Morrigu · 29/05/2014 09:27

That is amazing spooky, well done!!

Glad you decided to carry on and not give up dizzy. You should be proud of yourself.

Ooch hope you feel better soon morethanacondiment, sciatica quite literally is a pain in the ass. Building your core muscles is the definitely the way to go.

kaster you've hit the nail on the head. I thought exactly the same and was far from anywhere near fit in Feb. Think more along the lines of a 20-a-day, drinks too much, junk food addict.. now I can run 10k and db is taking up c25k after seeing how I was able to do it from nothing.

Watto1 · 29/05/2014 19:12

Did W6R2 this evening. I thought that 2x10 min runs would be OK after doing 20 mins non-stop last week. How wrong was I?Sad My calves were killing me after 2 mins. I think that was the hardest run yet. Hopefully W6R3 on Saturday will be better.

It's really inspirational reading all your running stories. Please keep posting! You are all spurring me on. Thanks or Wine all round!

addictedtosugar · 29/05/2014 20:23

Week 6 is notoriously tough, Watto
Congrats on keeping going. Personally I found it easier on week 7 when we got back to continuous running.

LakeFlyPie · 29/05/2014 20:41

Well done Watto and all other runners

My 3rd W2 run is postponed due to acute back pain Sad
Never had a bad back before and woke up with stiffness in lower back yesterday morning and took some painkillers and kept moving thinking I'd slept in a funny position and it'd all be fine by today.
This morning it's even more sore, OK if I keep moving but excrutiating stabbing pain (muscle spasm) at the end of a deep breath in.
I did carry DS(3) quite a distance on tuesday which I wouldn't usually do but I'm concerned it's related to my poor running technique and hefty form.

Will max out the painkillers, heat and keep stretching and aim to repeat a few W2 sessions ASAP, am gutted, I was so motivated Sad

spookyskeleton · 29/05/2014 20:43

Yep the first 2 runs of week 6 are tough which is weird as they are much shorter. You will find your running improves very fast now you have got to this stage - well done Smile

Well I bought new trainers today (had a proper gait analysis) and decided to do a 5k in them tonight... stupid idea as I now have 2 big blisters on my heels Sad DH told me to break them in first and I wouldn't listen to him so I am now getting a lot of 'told you so' Wink.