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

I've done w8r2 & got on great, managed to keep going the whole 28 mins! I'm really pleased with myself. The only thing bugging me now is I'm doing weightwatchers & my weight has plateaued. I've stayed the same 3 wks in a row, despite doing more exercise than ever before.

Well done flashnorman, running for 28 minutes straight. I'm really impressed. Just doing 60 seconds was taking it out of me today. If you don't mind me asking how difficult did you find the programme when you started and how long has it taken you to get to w8r2?

The weight thing is odd. I suppose staying the same is better than getting heavier. I wonder if it's plateaued because you have more muscle and less fat. Muscle is heavier than fat. Maybe waist measurement would be a better guide.

I did it W4R1 complete can't quite believe I managed to run for 5 mins a few weeks ago I struggled with 60seconds.
I'm off work this week so think that has probably helped, going to sit down with a celebratory

We'll done Flash! Hopefully I will be able to do the same in a few weeks.

Anyone who is having doubts about improving....

I repeated the solid 20 min run tonight - just for fun! Now there is a sentence I never ever thought I would write 6 weeks ago. Or even last week come to think of it!

Bloody hot though - even in Scotland for a change!

Just done W1R2, and I actually enjoyed it. For a bit. I stupidly chose to run along a bit of road that has a sharp downhill and uphill bit, and so running uphill on the way back was really hard.

My ankles are really sore though. Anyone else got this? Nowhere else hurts!

I did w1r2 yesterday and struggled after the first two runs. I started dropping 10 secs off the remaining runs but stopped before the end. Was totally and horribly knackered last night afterwards. I really REALLY want to be able to run, but it's not coming naturally. How can it be such a good programme if I can't even manage to jog for 60 seconds?

Yellow - repeat, repeat, repeat until you can do it and then move on. Just push yourself to go a little further each time.

I found I repeated days more in the earlier weeks before it all seemed to come together.

yellow It really will work so don't give up. The hardest thing is starting. Just keep trying every other day. I found that my fitness would suddenly take a leap forward after a day off and what was impossible becomes doable. Don't give up!

yellow I have done w1 and w3 twice sometimes you have to repeat. I have never done anything resembling proper exercise in my life but somehow managed to complete w4r1 tonight. YOU CAN DO IT

yellow keep going and definitely repeat runs if you need to. you'll be able to do it, honest. I felt terrible after a couple of week 4 runs and really had to slow down at the end of each run - virtually stopped and felt really bloody rubbish, but somehow I've made it to week 5. We can do this!

Fun, I started on 23rd May, so I've done it over 5.5wks. I'm doing 4/5 runs per week. My fitness levels before I started this were practically zero. I was doing no exercise at all. I've been amazed by how I've got thru it. My brother is a runner & has kept me motivated, when I would say I'm never gonna be able to run for 5 mins straight he would say: it's mind over matter, just stay focused on what's in front of you & everytime you think of stopping just tell yourself you can do more. I've had some great tips on here too, one of the best was to shorten my stride.

I guess I just need to be a lot stricter with my diet, either way I won't stop running, I love it now

yellow I second what everyone else has said - just keep going until you can do it, you will get there! It has taken me about 9 weeks to actually get to week six because I needed to do each week about 4/5 times to really feel able to move on. I do feel a bit jealous of runners like flash who have whizzed through it - but a huge well done! At the end of the day, it's the doing it that counts - not how long it takes or how hard it is. Well, that's what I tell myself anyway .

Repeated w6r1 today - should have been run 2, but it's been a while and I was doing quite a hilly route, but one which I could co-ordinate the hills and the walking sections! That's not cheating is it?!

hi,

halfway through my repeat of week 4. I fell asleep on the couch last night - before the run not after! still managed to get my mojo together enough to do the run. Once I got going it was ok and I'm very glad I bothered.

Flash - really impressed with your progress. You are what I would like to be on the programme!

yellow - keeo going. I struggled just a few weeks ago to do the first couple of weeks running. every run you do makes a difference at this stage so repeat runs and you will get there. it feels fantastic to make progress - just wait and see!

I'm going to attempt W5R2 later today. GULP. Feeling OK-ish about it but not looking forward to 8 minutes of running...! I'm definitely better if I don't look at the app - the second I glance at it and realise I've still got x minutes to go, my breathing goes all over the place and I feel panicky. The runs where I haven't looked have been much better - mustn't look!

Ok. Advice needed. (Feel a bit pathetic.)

I did w1r1 yesterday. Felt fine. This morning my muscles really ache. So, should I go ahead and do w1r2 today or rest a day? Seems a bit ridiculous to rest after what was fairly minimal exercise and I'm keen to move on and get fit, but will I feel even worse tomorrow if I run/walk now?

If I rest for a day then I suspect I will still feel achy the tomorrow, so will have to do w1r2 with aching muscles anyway, so should I just do it today?

I'd rest, Fun

The thing that really helped me was some simple stretches after I'd finished. Maybe you could go for a walk today, warm your muscles up, and then stretch, ready for tomorrow?

I know others think differently, but in the early days, I wouldn't do more than every other day - so 3-4 times a week. Some people have been doing the shread, or other excerise on the days off. I suffered when i tried to C25k, swim, C25k in the early days.

Oh fellow runners, thank you I was feeling rather sorry for myself and expecting instantaneous results I suppose. Thank you for the pom pom waving

Fun - rest day!

Hi, welcome to the newbies this thread is growing which is fab.

Fun yes, definitely rest day. The plan is not designed to be done on consecutive days to ensure you are not injured and have the necessary recovery time so always leave at least 1 rest day in between. Did you stretch after the run? If not, then make sure you do (calf, hamstring and thigh stretches are a must).

Yellow totally agree with the others, repeat the runs if necessary and don't try and rush through the programme, you will get there whether it takes you 9 weeks or 15 weeks

Well done to those who have run for 20 minutes - great feeling isn't it?

Right, my 10k training is not going well at all - don't seem to be able to get out very often and with the helping out at the new C25k running group twice a week, time is limited Think I am just going to have to run as far as I can on the day and then walk the rest which is not what I wanted to do but I have less than 3 weeks

Fun- you are where I was last week. I recommend the rest day 100%. By the third run my aches had gone & you can always do something else on the rest days. I take my DD for a walk usually.

Yellow I did my W1R3 on Saturday & it amazed me how much easier I found it, it does get better! Although I did W2R1 yesterday and on my last two runs I didn't make it to 90 secs. But hopefully tomorrow I will!

Thanks so much for all the advice and reassurance. I'm having a rest day. Off to buy some proper running shoes so I'm ready for w1r2 tomorrow.

I didn't stretch afterwards. Just did the warm down walk then collapsed onto the park bench. I'll have a look on-line to see how to do calf, hamstring and thigh stretches and will make sure I do them after tomorrow's run.

spooky I bet you'll be great and so what if you have to walk a bit - you're doing it and that's what counts!

I got chatting to someone at work today who had done a 12 mile run this morning before coming into work - she started running via the C25K programme 2 years ago..! Clearly bonkers though, obviously... . I felt a bit of a wuss confessing my worry about having to run for 8 minutes today...

Me too Dotty. Was boasting about my 20 min run and work colleague casually mentions she did 11 miles at the weekend

Just back from W6R1 not too bad at all - although I have got my first blister

Maybe time to ditch my (at least) 10 year old trainers and buy a new pair...any suggestions?

Good luck everyone running tonight

Lovelidl - get a gait analysis before buying any trainers. It depends on whether you're neutral, overpronate or supinate (whether your foot rolls inwards, outwards or not at all) as to what trainers are best for you. I'm fat with extreme over pronation due to flat feet so got maximum cushioning and maximum support.

I agree, if you are serious about running and need new trainers then definitely get a gait analysis done so you can get trainers that will protect and support your ankle