Couch to 5k...it's not about speed (thread number 3).

[CruCru]

Hi all

Here is the new home for our chat. Hope to see you all soon.

Love

Cru

I am with wasting, I would be aiming to complete the runs at a steady pace, speedcan cone much later once you have finished the programme (that is what our group coaches always tell the runners). However, if you can still breathe and talk, the pace is obviously ok for you. Once you get to the longer runs, go at your natural pace and if you are struggling, slow right down (rather than stop) until you get your breathing back again - you will be amazed at how slow you can run if needed

I can talk, I think. But I'll try and slow down. Probably serve me better in the long run

I did W7R3 this morning in Scotland. Went with a super fit mate and just asked him to time things rather than have my C25K app running. The sneaky bugger didn't tell me when the 25 minutes was up so I ran longer and ran for 3K, whereas usually I only manage 3.4k including the walking. I was completely knackered, but I managed it. Bring on W8.

Need to tell you a funny story that happened on my run this morning as I am too ashamed to tell anyone in real life

I was running out of our village, there is a row of houses on one side and fields on the other. A farmer pulled out of the field just ahead of me and parked his quad bike in my road while he shut the gate. Rather than stop I tried to look good and sprint across the road and round him. My mistake was looking back to see if it was a young attractive farmer someone I knew, and I ran full pelt into a for sale sign.

Oh lovelidl , bless you.

Morning

lovelidl that is hilarious hope you didn't damage anything (other than your pride )

Ha! Was it the young attractive farmer then?! He should have dashed over to help you...

Anyway love you're a proper runner (58 minutes is bloody brilliant) so you will have looked fantastic!

Rest day for me today but might venture to the gym to do different stuff. And am nearly getting into more of my old clothes - hurrah!

Spooky "breathe and talk"??! I so can't talk at all while running. I have to just breathe in and blow hard out - I find it hard even to drink water as it disrupts my flow...

Have told dp not to talk to me during the Parkrun - or at least not to expect any replies

Hi, I'd like to join you. I just graduated two weeks ago from C25K and did my first "real" 5K on Saturday, in exactly 32 minutes (exactly where I suspected I would be). I can't say enough good things about C25K and want to do the Bridge to 10K when I can do 5K in under 30 minutes. I am also intending to get a ParkRun or two in as soon as I can. I don't think I've lost any weight but haven't been checking. It has made me much more conscious though of what I eat and drink and it's helping me fight the evil menopause.

On my "off/rest" days I've been starting back at the beginning with my 9yo DS, who gets lots of sport and activity at school but who doesn't have much stamina. We did W2R1 yesterday and so far it's going well. Was going to do a 5K today but the weather is truly shocking - it just hasn't stopped raining. We have an old exercise bike in the house and I think I'll do that for 30 minutes instead!

Good luck to all those brave souls who venture out today!

Hi mommybunny! Well done on completing C25k, let us know how you find the next stage.

I just did W5R3 . I found it quite hard, both mentally and physically. I'm really pleased that I did it though.

I'd better check out the W6 runs now .

Hi all

I'm going to take a few days off running as my shoulders are really hurting. Think I should take my own advice and have two pain free days before I run. Ugh.

Ah well done Wasting!

Thank you Cru .

I'm sorry to hear about your shoulders though, I hope they're pain-free soon.

Thanks Wasting, I'm sure it's not serious, just don't want to cause damage.

I wimped out today, came on last night and wasn't feeling in the mood, will pick it up on Thursday. BCk at work tomorrow after a week off

Place-Marking, I joined you on the last thread.

You guys can really chat.

When I started C25K, I used my iPhone with earphones, but I found these uncomfortable, even when I borrowed DH's (which stayed in). Then I used my iPhone without earphones, just turned up to maximum volume - this worked pretty well. But today, I upgraded my iOS, and I couldn't hear Laura properly any more. I think I'm going to use my iPod Nano now, just as a digital watch basically. I like to be able to look to see how long I have left to run, and I don't really like the uncertainty of not knowing when Laura will say how much time has passed on a particular run. I quite like running on a treadmill, partially for this reason too.

What does everyone else think ? How do you get through your runs?

How was W5r3 wasting? Any tips? I'm due to do it today but not sure when timewise.

I use my phone and earphones. I have mixed opinions about Laura. She really really really annoys me when I'm expecting her to say "60 seconds left" and then she tells me I'm only half way through a 8minute run LOL. But when she finally does pop up and tell me I've only got 60secs left it really does push me forward.

Like you I'll be on solid runs soon so I might ditch laura and just set a timer on my phone for the 20mins or whatever. ..

Scared about my 20min run later......

Hi Wasting, I use a free C25K app from Zen Labs (I think it's in conjunction with breast cancer research?). When I started running I was following Laura but the music wasn't really to my taste and I wanted to listen to my own 80s music playlists. I was using a pair of cheap earbuds I got in TK Maxx but the sound in the right side completely went once in mid-run and never came back. When I "graduated" I treated myself to a posh pair of Sennheiser earphones which are brilliant.

The app I use has very little in the way of voice cues - just a bell for each transition and a cue saying "begin warmup", "begin running", "begin walking", "begin cooldown" etc. It does let you know when you are halfway finished and when you have a minute to go before cooldown but that's it. If you want to know otherwise how much longer you have to go you have to look down at the phone. I try to avoid that as I find it makes me concentrate on how badly I just want to be finished, iyswim. I let myself cheer a little when I'm halfway and when I have a minute left but otherwise try not to pay attention to the time.

Hi Edwinia - if you're looking to ditch Laura I can recommend the app I just mentioned very highly. Don't be scared of the 20 min runs - you can do it!!

Yeah. I have the zenlabs one installed but I never used it. More in case my podcast fails to install.

I think it will either be Laura or nothing (other than an alarm clock). I'm not worried about music and my phone alarm is loud enough for me to hear from my back pocket.

Good luck today Edwinia .

I felt a bit daunted before I set out, but in the end my cardio system and legs could do it. So, I'm hoping that I'll feel more confident before my next run .

I focus on my breathing quite a lot when I'm running (I breathe in through my nose for 2/3 steps, then out through my mouth for the same number of steps). I find having to cross roads / run round people quite distracting unfortunately . It just seems to break my rhythm.

mommy, yes , it can be difficult to resist clock watching.

In the earlier days I got my knickers in a twist over my breathing....its burny hurty to breathe in through my nose....hmm. now I try not to think about it and it stresses me less.

With the shorter runs I guage where I expect to stop - as a guess first time and from experience on 2nd and third. I have no idea where 20mins will take me....

And yes cars annoy me too. There is only really one point on my usual route thats an issue though. There are other roads to cross but rarely encounter traffic at those. It comes as a bit of a shock when I do....habe nearly been hit by a car a few times . I might use a different route today though and make it circular so I don't have to work out where to turn around and go back given that there is no walk in the middle....if I time it right I might be able to get to the top of the hill on my warm up walk then the running section will all be downhill......but if I time it wrong I'll start with a nasty uphill.....hmm...decisions decisions....