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!

hi :)

I did my first C25K run on saturday and i am doing Week 1 Run 2 either today or tomorrow :)

What - if anything - does everyone else do in between runs? i was thinking of Yoga/Pilates or similar but i dont want to over do it...

hi nomore well done on your run

I try and fit one yoga class in a week plus one other gym class (aerobics/combat) but finding the time is difficult so running takes priority.

was supposed to do w2r3 this afternoon but it's too hot I did 30 day shred instead back to running tomorrow.

oooh spooky! My plan is not to increase running until September as time is tight between now and then - but I am so tempted!!

Well done spooky. I know what you mean about feeling you're going backwards. I looked at it yesterday and thought it strange to have intervals at each 10 mins. How did you find it?

My running buddy and I ran 38 mins last night. She's not too keen to do 10k simply because of the time needed for each run but I think I'll go for it.

Whwtsthatnoise, what's this 30 day shred I keep reading about? Is it an exercise DVD?

I can't believe I'm on the final week of c25k already! Did my 1st 30 min run earlier and it was OK (ish!). I think I'll carry on doing 3x30 min runs a week for a few weeks and then take a look at a 10k programme. I like the sound of the bridge one spooky.

Well done Watto! How do you feel?

I found it great to be honest and enjoyed the run this morning far more than I have enjoyed any of my 5k runs. There is loads of advice on how to progress from 5k to 10k so I guess you need to find out what suits you - I think this might suit me

However, the workouts take nearly an hour so it is much more time consuming than 5k training.

Hi all

I'm joining very late to this thread - have only just discovered it and have just finished week 2 of C25K tonight at the gym.

I'm a bit nervous though about week 3 - the running time goes up from 90 seconds to 3 minutes and I'm not sure I can do it - I'm overweight and unfit and have never run before...

I'll take a break tomorrow then give it a go on Wednesday but did anyone else struggle to move between weeks? I'd say so far I'm doing OK but am only just making it through the 90seconds - can probably do 2 minutes but really not sure about 3!

Well done Watto

mineallmine I finished the programme two months ago but I'm sticking at 30 min runs as I don't think my knees would take anymore. It's good to know there is a follow on programme if you want to do it. The only thing I found when I finished the c25k was I felt very 'flat' and a bit lost. I'd spent nine weeks following a programme and suddenly it was gone and I didn't have a goal in mind. I had a bit of a wobble for a couple of weeks afterwards. I still listen to the week nine when I go out as I prefer that than my own music or own steam. Well done on finishing it and you'll soon be joining spooky at 10k

Wow spooky you'll soon be running 10K that's amazing

DottyDot I think you will be pleasantly surprised about what you can do, you will be able to do the three minutes, then 5, 10, 20, 25, 28 and then 30 before you know it. The big thing is not to go too fast, I made that mistake and it wears you out faster. You can do it.

No danger of me going too fast - I'm mortified when I see how fast other people at the gym run compared to me...! My walking pace is 5.6kph and my running pace tonight was 7.5kph. I'm not going to be breaking any records...!

Really hope I can push up to the 3 minutes but am telling myself there's no shame in repeating week 2 if I have to...

dotty you will be amazed what you will achieve - trust the programme and it will work

I am a long way from 10k yet I did 6.5k today but that included a 3 minute warm up walk and 5 minute cool down. Certainly, after the first 2 10 minute intervals and he told me to walk, I really didn't feel the need to walk, was quite happy running but I remembered how I felt like that in the early days of the Couch to 5k training so I need to trust the programme

You'll be back here on Wednesday Dotty telling us you've run for the three minutes. It doesn't matter how fast you go, as long as you do it. I still can't do 5k in 30 mins I usually manage up to 4.5k. But I am so much fitter than I was in February when I could hardly run for one minute.

Can you run outside instead of the gym? And listen to the podcast through headphones instead? I find running outside easier as there is more to 'distract' you and I actually quite enjoy the alone time.

Aww thanks both - you're making me feel slightly more optimistic! I'm enjoying the gym - it's only small and not too posh and I'm quite liking watching the telly as I run... . Will report back on Wednesday and am hugely impressed at all you lot running up to 10k..!

Nothing wrong with watching telly while you run Dotty sounds like a nice gym.

dotty don't worry about your speed, this is not about that Also, i don't think you are as slow as you think you are. I ran 7k in 55 minutes which is about the speed you are going and I am one of the faster ones in my running group

Kaster I've stuck with the 30-40 mins of running, purely because I can usually find the time to fit it in (lunchtime at work quite often), but have found 3 C25K+ podcasts on the NHS site - I've been doing the intervals (speed?) one and stamina, along with the w9 podcast just to put some variety in. Might be worth starting with the stepping stones one the first time, if you do go for it.
My 5km time is slowly dropping. Still not under 30 mins tho.

Hello, can I join you for some moral support? I saw this thread on active last night and you all inspired me! Just completed day 1 of C25k and feeling pleased with myself. It's the first time I've run in over 18 months and I'd forgotten how good it feels (afterwards anyway!).

mine 30 day shred is a workout dvd or you tube it. It's a mix of cardio, strength and abs but the best bit is it's only 20 mins so achievable for a seriously unfit fatty like me

Thanks addicted I will look for that. The last three runs I've done I've managed to get slightly further and it's easier than it was a couple of months ago.

Waves to thistime welcome to the c25k. It does make you feel good when you have a done a run. You'll be running for 30 mins before you know it

w2r3 complete. I am this colour right now. Cold shower then head to work. W3 tomo looks like a big jump

I always go that colour too Whatsthat when I smile at anyone when I'm 'running' past I think they think I'm about to keel over! It takes me about two hours to return to my normal hue.

W3r2 today which was tough but I had a bug over the weekend so I think I'm not quite 100% yet. Still, it's done and again I'm thrilled with myself (if knackered).

Last night I completed W7R2. My ipod's battery ran out about 2 minutes into the warm up so it was odd running with no music or instructions to listen to! Luckily I was just repeating the previous run so I just went to the same place to turn round as I did before.

There is a 2 mile fun run being organised by the local running club (alongside a 5 miler) in a couple of weeks but I don't know whether to enter or not as one of the Mum's from DD's class is a member and the thought of being seen hot, sweaty and the shade of a beetroot afterwards is rather off putting!

kaster the redness took so long to die down a couple of customers asked if I had sunburn