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

Wasting I'm on w5 but struggling for childcare in the hols and my dd is going into hospital soon. So I'm having a break for a few weeks

It took me a couple of weeks to be able to do w1 so you're better than me already

wasting you'll lose that stone in no time. I've lost 10kg (about 1.5 stone) since I started "running" 10ish weeks ago. I'd like to lose at least another 10kg.

I have a friend that went from size 18-20ish to size 8 in about a year. The transformation was amazing. She's now settled comfortably around a size 10-12.

When I started running I was a good size 18 (20 before christmas). I'm still not quite in size 16. I'd love to be in size 14 by Christmas but think that'll be unlikely. I haven't been a size 14 since i was a teenager.

Thanks for the encouragement. So impressed by you all. A thread like this will be perfect motivation.

Buying trainers and gear today. Going to restrain myself from spending too much until I get into it.

Don't skimp too much on the trainers - and get a gait analysis! Good luck!

Agree with Chameleon get yourself a half decent, well fitting pair of trainers (I was advised to size up by 0.5size, as your feet get hot), and a sports bra.
Old gym kit/ supermarket clothes are fine for the rest til you decide what you want - for example I still can't bring myself to run is shorts - they get all caught up in my (thunder) thighs!

Wasting you might also find you shirnk without weight loss - so initially my clothes got looser, but the scales didn't change. Took me to about week 7 before the weight started going - so running 30 mins 2-3 times a week is what caused the weight loss - but then I didn't think about eating sensibly at the same time....

I've not been on this thread for a while, I'm just reading all the posts to 'catch up' with everyone! I see there are a few newer runners, welcome to you all

Dotty I can't believe you've nearly finished - not because I didn't think you would- but because it doesn't seem two minutes since you started.

I've finally stopped listening to the podcast and I now usually go on distance rather than time. I can only do between 4-4.2 K in 30 mins so now I run 5K - sometimes more, it takes me around 35-40 mins. I doubt I will ever manage 5K in 30 mins. I've managed to pace myself to around 12.5 minute miles and I can keep that pace up, the longest run I've done is 4.2 miles but I intend to try and go a bit further once the weather is a bit cooler.

This thread really helped me to keep going too, especially after my first bad run when I had to stop. I've found now though that I actually enjoy my runs and the reverse is true and I hate it when I can't go out.

W1r1 done.

was tougher than I expected. The runs feel long and the walks short. 2.8km covered.

Time for a shower.

28.56 5k tonight I still can't believe this is me!

I would have laughed and laughed if someone had suggested that I could do this 3 months ago.

Starting to tentatively think about working up to 10k...

Yay, well done everyone . It's really motivating to read about those who can run for 30mins (even though that seems like a million years away for me ), but also newbies like me who are just starting out.

Someone on another thread said that just getting dressed and getting out there was the hardest part - I really felt that yesterday. Once I was out, it was okay.

I'm doing W1R2 tomorrow - I can't wait . Kind of .

lovelidl that's really fast, I'm impressed.

I managed to do a 4.5 mile (7.5 K) tonight. Something I never thought I would manage. To all of those starting out, I was you in February thinking how on earth can I run for 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 28 then 30 mins let alone 5K but you can. Look at Spooky she's amazing.

kaster thank you I don't feel amazing but I guess i just need to think where I was 4 months ago and how far I have come!

love my current goal is to get my 5k time under 30 minutes...how do you run so fast??

To those of you that are just starting the journey, I know it sounds like a cliché but the hardest step of all is that step out of your door

Good grief, Lovelidl! That IS speedy!

EdwiniasRevenge - those one minute runs get to feel dead easy as you go along.

We've just done W5R2. The first 8 min run was torture, but the second one just flew by. We were feeling so good that we ended up running for 10.5 minutes, which I'm hugely chuffed with. It's the first run where I struggle to control my breathing. For W5R3 where it says run for 20 minutes, I'm thinking of sticking in a five minute run after the warmup, walking for five, and THEN RUNNING 20 mins if I can.

I'm keep referring back to my posts where I said "I tried to run for 90 seconds, but had to walk some of it" and similar. Then I look at where I am now and it just seems unbelievable. does the ZenLabs app actually tell you when "you're a runner" like Laura on the podcasts?

Is it speedy? DH is still much, much faster than me so I still feel slow!

There are no routes from my house that I can do a loop, so have to run for 2.5k and then double back. My two faster runs I have run 5k in one direction and then got DH to pick me up in the car. This def helped, as had somewhere to aim for and didn't want him to be waiting. All in my head, but certainly makes me go faster!

This is a very inspiring thread! It makes me determined to do c25k again - I did it a few years ago and got through almost to the end but my hip hurt the whole time! (So stopped) Maybe it was the trainers I will need to get a gait analysis this time - any recommendations for places to go in midlands? (Warwickshire).

Lidl a 30 min 5k on map my run tells me I'm in the fastest 25% of runners (female, by age??). Under about 5min30/km (27 1/2 mins for 5km??) apparently you are in the fastest 10% - I've not run that fast (In fact, I've only done 5km under 30 mins once). I'd say its fast!

Blokes need to run faster to get into the same brackets.

Likewise, run over 8km, and it tells you that you run further than 75% of runs.

My original intention was to possibly skip to W2 at this point (given that I've been doing run/walk segments for a few weeks now) but I'm not so sure after tonight.

I found the 60sec runs tough but acheivable. I wouldnt have been able to do it 12 wweks ago.. BUT I found the 30min workout comparatively easy overall. I guess thats because I'm 'used' to a 45-48 min session where I probably spend 15-20mins running but in shorter bursts. This just feels like a backwards step but I wasn't moving forwards doing what I was doing. I think the sessions were too long overall but necessary to prepare me for the full 5K.

I can't decide whether to try a W2 run on Thurs to stretch myself and see if I can do it, or do W1R2 'properly'.

I finished c25k a few weeks ago but then had a calf injury so I have gone back to week 7 to get my fitness up again. I did try some of the speed podcasts but they were hard.

Does anyone know if 'real' runners run every day or whether it's always a good idea to have a rest day in between?

I was thinking this would speed up the fitness and may help with actual speed but I don't want to get injured again.

I think rest days are crucial to avoiding injury with running.

Help! I need a motivation boost.

Realised I started C25k September last year and still not managed to finish the bastard! Two injuries, one complete loss of motivation and 3 restarts later, I've completed a few 20 minute runs but had umpteen tries at w6r3 and still not completed 25 mins.

I asked on here a few weeks back about exercise induced asthma as thought I might have it, I did book an appointment with GP but carried on running in the meantime, it was only after I finished a run I felt really breathless and it usually passed so I wasn't too worried. The day before my appointment I set off trying yet another 25 minute run. I had to stop after 5 minutes and I usually run 10min quite comfortably, I felt worn out, I just couldn't go another step. After 2 minutes I felt fine so started again but stopped within a minute as couldn't get my breath, had to walk back the route struggling and worrying I was going to collapse or something, but it didn't get any worse.

Anyway. did peak flow meter for GP and it was well below what it should be so I have an inhaler and need to see nurse next week for more tests. So I'm all set for another run but think it has scared me as not been out since then and keep putting it off! I do not want to reach September and still not have finished this, which doesn't give me long!

Drop back a week or so, use your inhaler before and during the runs/walks, and I reckon you'll be whizzing through it!

Hi all, I did W3R1 today! My neck feels so much better.

Yay! Brilliant news, CruCru, on both counts. How did you feel with the runs? Are they the 3 minute ones?

Hi everyone . Just checking in to say Woop! I just did W1R2. I have to tell you lot instead of boasting about it on FB . Eurgh, I am sweaty though. A proper runner said Hello to me, which was nice.

And why can't you boast on FB? I share the C25K finish, AND my Strava results. There is no escape from it. You should be proud of yourself. Well done!

I dont boast on fb. Too personal. I text my dp (he's forces and motivating me) and my Strava friends can see.

wasting how was W1r2 compared to r1? I think I'll go out and do r2 later.