Couch to 5k...it's not about speed (thread no 2)

[spookyskeleton]

Thought I would start a new thread for us to continue our chat

Sorry to have abandoned you all lately. My DD gave us all a vomiting bug so there was no running for a week or so. But I am now back on it, and have run w9 3 times, so I'm finished!

I'm absolutely knackered by the end and have to make sure that I get up super early to do it as it is too too hot in the middle of the day at the moment.

So I guess I'm like a few of us now, wondering what next. I haven't got the spare time to be running 10k so I think I will concentrate on actually running 5k rather than 4.6 or whatever and then hopefully it will increase my speed over time.

I have a really stressful problem at work and yesterday it powered me round as I kept getting really angry thinking about it and then using all that energy to keep going!

That's awesome Ladyflip, well done!

Went running again this morning and managed to run through the first walk so did 9.5 min then 2.5 min walk then 3 min run, 1.5 min walk and then 5 min run. Need to keep going a bit more - my legs and lungs weren't exactly cheerful .

I used to be able to run 5k in 28 min. Those days seem a while ago...

Hello all.

Can I ask a silly question - what is Couch to 5k ? Is it a book or an app? I think that I need want to do it.

Just noticed this thread on most active and wanted to say a big well done and keep going to you all.

C25K is one of the best inventions ever. I started nearly two years ago now, barely able to run one 30 second split (I think I was on week one for a month!). Now I can run half marathons and am trainging for the full marathon in a couple of months. It's transformed me physically and I still love getting up early and running in the rain when nobody is about!

So just a well done and keep going!

Hi wasting- its a running program that builds you up until you can run 30 mins non stop. You start, I think alternating 60 second jogs with walking in between to recover. I used the nhs choices podcasts but there are apps. Barring injury it'll get you there in 9 weeks. And it honestly works- you just have to stick with the program (you can take longer of course). It's fantastic and so is the encouragement on this thread. We love new starters and you nearly always find someone on the same week as you. Go on - get started!

I Still didn't explain it well. You play the podcast as you go round and it tells you when to walk and when to run. You then move on to week 2 and run for slightly longer and walk less.

Ladyflip if you used the NHS podcasts, there are 3 more - C25K+ - one intervals, one where the pace you go at speeds up slightly with time (the speed of the music helps you keep pace), and a 40 min run. Worth having a look at to help stretch you, and get to the 5km marker.
It has taken me a year to go from couch to a 30 min 5km. I've only done it once, btu was injured shortly afterwards. Been out for 1 post injury run, and it wasn't fast!

Thank you addicted, I will check that app out.

Thanks addicted. As it has taken me since February to actually complete the c25k I will do my usualy trick and wait til I'm really comfortable doing the 30 mins before stretching even further. But I think I do need something to aim for as the desire to finish the podcasts has seen me through cold, wind, rain, sun and early morning starts to finish.

I am actually really proud of myself. Despite still being overweight, I actually feel fitter than in years; even when i wasn't fat, i still couldn't have run for 30 mintues without stopping, so I reckon my heart and lungs must be so much healthier now.

I feel really inspired after reading all your updates over the last few days. Some great achievements (well done on your 10k's Spooky!). Also though, those of you battling injury, illness and family probs - you're still here posting, not losing sight of your goals... I think you're all amazing !

So I did w1r3 today. Can't quite believe that I've managed it, and feel really motivated for week 2! I'm in Sydney, so quite opposite to the UK's heatwave we're in the middle of winter and it was really windy and cold!

Aldi happened to have an exercise special today though, so I've invested in a couple of t-shirts and a jacket with the water wicking technology. Didn't realise how much more comfortable I'd be!

WastingMyYoungYears, I don't know if you've come across coolrunning.com? There's lots info about c25k on there. I've downloaded Chubby Jones podcasts from iTunes and really like her playlist.

Ah, thanks maffive .

Checking in after a 2 month break (too busy, on holiday, too tired, blah blah) straight back into w4 and although I had to slow down a bit towards the end I did it. I am really pleased with myself! Must keep it up this time and lose the flab.

Hi all

I did W2R3 this morning. I found it quite hard in places (it's really humid here) but I think I'm getting fitter. Quite good because I had a sore knee yesterday (after having done a four hour drive) and today it's much better.

Hi everyone

Welcome to all the newbies. Am looking forward to hearing all about your progress.

This weather is making it hard to run isn't it? I helped out at the group run on Thurs and it was SO hot and then again today and it was torrential rain - cannot win

So, my official journey from Couch to 10k in less than 4 months ends tomorrow with my first ever 10k race. Then what do I do??ð???ð???

Good running tomorrow, Spooky
Half marathon? Marathon?
a group of runners who are far fitter than me have done things like total warrior or tough mudder and there is a bloke who does triathlons. Any interest?

A year on, I'm doing 5 mile runs, and generally continuing to slowly loose the baby weight.

A friend is running the Great South Run in October - think it's 10 miles. Or you could do the Great North Run?

Well done all for great running in spite of this weather! Good luck tomorrow Spooky! It's fab to have got up to 10k distance in 4 months - it is going to take me that long to get to 5k I think!! I don't mind though - still better than 0k which was where I started!!

I haven't been out for about 10 days due to illness/ ongoing birthday celebrations so feeling a bit nervous about running this evening (or tomorrow morning if the thunder starts ). I should be doing w7 r1, but think I might go back a week to a run I know I can do to get back into the swing of it…

Good luck for tomorrow spooky

I admire anyone who can run in this weather. I went out tonight in 88% humidity. I only managed a mile. The sweat was pouring off me and still is 30 mins later. I just couldn't breathe. I was dizzy, if I hadn't stopped I think I would have passed out.

I guess a half marathon would be the next target but not sure I could commit to the training for that as it would be very time consuming - I think I would have to go for training runs of 2 hours

Maybe I need to try and improve my speed for 5k??

Hi all

I feel a bit out of the loop at the moment - have got a horrible virus thingy and had to be away this weekend, so I haven't been able to run for 6 days . Am on the mend though so going to go to the gym on Monday. It'll have been a whole week since I last went so I'm quite nervous I'll have forgotten what to do and will have to stop after a few minutes.... Has anyone had a break and then been OK getting back into it? Think I'll focus on stamina and getting through it, rather than speed, especially as I'm still coughing like a good'un....

Spooky I'm already thinking about how starting to work on my speed when I've finished week 9! That will be the biggest challenge for me and one I'll probably have to work on minute by minute! I've got a friend at work who is 6'7.5" tall and does 5k runs in 19 minutes - he says it's his long legs but he started 3 years ago with the C25K programme not able to run to the next lamppost! He also runs 10k in 48 minutes...! So, as I'm ridiculously competitive, it'll be all about building speed for me, once I can actually run 5k...

DottyDot - he sounds super fast (and tall!).

Wow, Dotty, imagine trying to keep up with him!

Welcome to the newbies - worst bit is over now, you've decided to start. It took bout six months for me to get to actually starting running.

I've been out this morning and done W4R3 but I'm on mega-strength antibiotics for a facial infection and my legs felt like lead weights. It wasn't fun, I only kept going through sheer willpower.

I think we'll probably do a couple more W4 runs until I'm done with the antibiotics, then move to W5