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!

Well, I got mine in the sale, and they were about £65. But then they flogged me some made-to-measure insoles that were about £30, and some trainer socks...

Can I have some motivation please.. I did my first (and only!) 10k last spring but I haven't even managed 5k since then. I try, get a bit bored and decide I've done enough once I get to about 3k. How can I make myself do more? I've got a great playlist, adequate trainers and running kit, lovely countryside around me and a treadmill for when it's really horrible out but I still can't seem to make it to a full 5k...

skills have you got a running app? Having an electronic friend tell you what to do and when to stop is very motivating!

When I trained for the 10K I did use an app but haven't since. Maybe that will push me?

I'm just starting Zen Labs 5k to 10K app (recommended by a kind person on this thread!). You could try that?

Or if you want, try Get Running 0-5k to get yourself doing 5k regularly again, then switch over to a 5-10k one?

For me what has helped is having fixed nights when I go out to run, Tues, Thurs and Sat. I run after I have got the kids to bed. DH who is v supportive knows about these nights and he is in charge of supper. Also when I get downstairs after reading my last bedtime story I am knackered and the last thing I want to do is go running.

DH has been briefed to goad me into going ("if you want to be a loser, Bumps, sit right down on that sofa now, if you wanna be a winner, move that ass!" or "I saw on FB your friend X did 5k in 32 mins yesterday, get out there now and kick her ass!).

It gets me going!

I think the one I have is just called 5k runner then there is the 10k runner too (which I've never actually used!) Right, the next run I do I'll do it with the app and see if that makes a difference. Thanks Bumps!

Mine were about the same price and sale shoes too then the insoles on top of that. There were loads of ones on the sale so you could go cheaper only there was very little in my size and I couldn't be bothered going anywhere else.

Only on week one R2 but quite heartened to find the distance I'm covering is 4k after mapping it out today. Mainly walking of course but still. Was fine although colder outside than I thought it was and got a good soaking.

It's better if you take yours Softkittywarmkitty then they can see where they're worn as well as filming you. The pair I ran in last weekend were £55 but I chose a more expensive pair as they're similar to my trail shoes that I love.

skillsandtea I'd got for a minute longer than however long it takes you to get to 3k and then 2mins etc with a deadline for when you hope to get to 5k. Sometimes you need a target to aim for.

That's a very good distance at w1 Morrigu!!

I'm taking a break. So tired atm and this just feels like another thing making me feel guilty for not getting it done. All the best everyone and may pop back in when I'm ready to start again. Thanks for all the support

Lookout hopefully we will see you again soon. I hope you are feeling more on top of things soon.

Hi everyone, time to check in.

Well done everyone who's running and / or starting! I set off this morning full of enthusiasm after having felt so good on Sunday - and it was HELL... My calves really ached. My pace was much slower... the weather was good, the time was the same (before breakfast) but it just shows how you can have good and bad days. But I stuck with my autopilot route for 5k but stopped the second I hit the target...

lookout good luck and hope to see you again soon! Yes I took an extended break last November when the weather was getting me down, it was just not working. Now picking up running again it's hard work but no longer with all the negative feelings attached to it!

skills - agree with cinnamon - set yourself tiny targets, do-able and celebrate each one. I found my GPS watch recording my every move made me want to stick with it and it was fun to plot the tracks afterwards and show my kids. Especially in the summer hols when it looked on google maps like it'd been running in the sea (beach at low tide)

DD and I haven't been out for about a week and a half and as we were only on Week2, I don't know whether we should restart from the beginning

I am seriously contemplating getting up @6.30am and going out before DH leaves for work! I tried to get him to come out with us but he's not good at getting up early and he's back too late in the evening to be going out after dinner

Actually it's been 2.5weeks not 1.5!

I did it! Completed my W9 R1 today, my first 5k. And I didn't keel over and die, which was an added bonus... I'm going to work on upping my pace as it took about 33 minutes to complete the 5k (I'd mapped it out and I still had a bit to go when Laura was telling me to cool down). So happy to have got this far, wouldn't have believed it a few weeks ago. I don't post often but I've really benefited from reading the running threads. Good luck to everyone!

Well done Cadi, I'm at exactly the same stage as you. 5 - 10k app next!

Haven't been running for a week now, thanks to a persistent cough. I'm missing it so much! Tuesday is normally a run night for me so I'm feeling a bit glum. On the other hand I have noticed I'm a bit trimmer (or a bit less flabby!) in certain areas than I used to be before I started running and DH has started commenting on it

Well done CadiM, that's fantastic!

Go for it Dizzyday07!!

Hope your cough sorts itself soon MadMonkeys, I've had one for nearly 5 weeks now, I cough like mad when I stop running but I'm mostly ok while running.

Stick around lookout, so sorry you're not feeling great :(

Well done anja1cam :)

Thanks Cinnamon, hope your cough goes soon too. Running makes me cough more so I'm kinda hoping it will go quickly if I rest for a few more days...

Sports Direct have lots of running clothes in their online sale - I just ordered some running gloves and a couple of tops (optimistically in a slightly smaller size than I am now...)

CadiM Fantastic, congratulations! Enjoy the achievement.

DizzyDay just start again, don't worry too much which week to go with. See how you feel. Maybe one W1, and if that's okay move up gently to W2 etc? I remember being stuck in week three at some point because I went away for a few days and didn't feel comfortable moving on too soon and was worried about doing damage if I pushed to hard I have to add here that my hip joints ached for weeks and weeks at the beginning, not a problem I've had since, even if I've not run for a few months.

We went with a W1 run as although there are more "runs" they are shorter. We did really well and I didnt feel towards the end of each minute that I was wishing it over - if that makes sense - and in fact on the last run I actually felt like I was running and not just shuffling along! Maybe its my new trainers

Hi all - can I join in pls?

I started c25k 2 wks ago and just did w2r2 yesterday and I am turning into a running evangelist! I know it is early days but I have totally HATED running for the last 40yrs - built for comfort not for speed, me. But I have the NHS app on my ipod and it is fab. Keeps me going when I would definitely have given up (agree that music is bad though!).

So I am mapping my runs (walks) with mapmyrun and it says I am doing 6k in about 40mins. My aim is to be able to join my local parkrun - so I want to get to actually running most of the 5k before I brave something so public!

Much respect to those of you getting up early to go out. I try to go on my own twice and take my kids with me once at wkend. They are great motivators ("come on slowcoach") but I was delayed getting out the door becuase they had an argument about who would have my 'cool' running headphones!

Anyway it is very inspiring to hear other people's progress and good that I can chat with other like-minded new 'runners' instead of boring my friends senseless

Can I join too? I'm due to do w3r3 this evening, and have surprised myself with how much I enjoy it! I look forward to the runs, and can't wait till I can tackle the later weeks. Must be those endorphins .

I started off with the NHS app, but couldn't take their music, so I changed to the Get Running version and now I can use Spotify at the same time - much better.

I'm pleased also that I haven't found it painful at all - I stretch after each run and have kept to a slow pace, so hopefully that has helped. My knees are a bit dodgy though, and I'm worried that my £15 Avia running shoes may not cut it for the later weeks, so I expect I will upgrade to a decent brand.

It's really encouraging to see people here who have finished it, hopefully that will be me soon!

Welcome StartWhereYouStand and SadEyedLady!! I totally understand not wanting to do a parkrun until you are a bit further through but you would be welcomed and supported even run/walking the parkrun :)