Couch to 5k - it's not about speed (thread number 4)

[CruCru]

Would you all like to join me here?

can i join in? not sure the right thread here to join, but this one most recent posts you guys seem a similarish point to me?

did week 5 run 1 today. am on a twp day break now because of work, so back in tuesday for w5 r2. getting nervous now im seeing the length of runs extend. then again im doing 5 mins ok, and a month ago couldnt do 2 mins so it works!

am all indoors on treadmill currently. aiming to do the whole programme indoors and then repeat bits of it outside to build up my outdoor running when weather better

Hey can I join please? Have attempted c25k a couple of times and had to stop due to various reasons. I'm currently living on my own with DD and have a couple of late nights a week due to personal commitments so am thinking I could run twice a week and I'm hoping to fit in a third day. I will have to modify the plan accordingly! I am a complete beginner and am hoping to rely on your wisdom to help me through it!

Hi Velma and banana

It is amazing when you see such quick progress!

I agree with cheerful on the 8-10 minute thing. I found that one difficult. Although I'm having issues with the 18 minute point too!

I didn't run today. I might tomorrow. If I don't, I definitely will on Tuesday.

Day off today, itchy to get back in there tomorrow.

Going to attempt my first outside run Saturday afternoon. Bought outdoor clothes and MP3 holder. What advice for transition from treadmill to road?

Well leg been better all week so did a run tonight. I was surprisingly nervous after 8 days off so I did w3r3 again and it went really well! I carried on going after the last 3 minute run as i would have had to stop about a foot behind a loved-up couple ambling down the footpath (isn't that always the way) and i didn't want to freak them out, so i went past them and than ran for 6 minutes in all. Whoop whoop! I only stopped because i got to the bottom of the uphill bit and didn't want to push my luck.

It was a really lovely evening for running and I felt marvelous at the end.

So I'm going to go back to week 4 run 1 on Thursday.

Back on it w5 d2, but felt the jump from 8/5/8 to 20 on d3 might be too much, so actually did 8/5/10/5/2. Really chuffed.

Well done Velma!

I'm off to do my w7r1 in a bit and am going to attempt 5k for the first time. I covered 4.3 on my last run so I'm hopeful :)

Grrrr... 4.6k this time.

I'm sure I could have managed 5k if I'd have wanted to but I'm a sucker for a program and really don't want to deviate until I'm sure I'm ready.

Now just need to run a bit faster...

Excellent news Whowould!

Well done Velma! I've only run on a treadmill once and didn't enjoy it. But for outside I'd recommend a hat or headband to cover your ears. If it's

Ooh that's good indomitable!
You've nearly finished then!

Well done indominateble!

Well I did w5 d3. I ran two minutes and needed a wee!! Jumped off, back on and did another full twenty. 20!!! 20 minutes!!! I thenwalkedand did a last three minute jog. Did 5k in allin 42 mins

Indomitable! God knows whether that was a me or an iOS typo.....

Lol!

Well done Velma!

Well done Velma! Big cheers for the W5R3!!! How did you find the 20 minutes? Was it easier/harder than you expected?

I've got week 4 run 1 in the bag now. I managed to stretch the last 5 minute run out to 6 minutes.

Does anyone else find the first run of each session the hardest? I'm wondering if i need to walk a bit faster on my 5 minute warm-up. I always find the last runs much easier than the first ones/

Yes the first 5 mins of running is always the hardest for me. Even with the continuous running, it gets easier the longer I run for. Sounds wrong doesn't it?!

Its a year today since I went out for my very first c25k run. Since then I've been out for 127 runs, run for seven miles once, done 91 miles so far in 2015 and am doing a 10k race in two weeks. I know it's a self indulgent post but I'm proud of myself that I stuck to it and if I can do it anyone can. And I've lost 1st 10lb since May

Well done kasterborous! That's where I want to be next year, on track for a 10k!

I loved the 20mins! The first five are alway hard, always feel like I will have to quit, but I love it once I'm over that. Feel like I could run for ages. Hips and knees achy today but nothing too bad. Doing a short session tomorrow maybe but definitely Saturday asits my first outdoor run. Got second hand iPod and outdoor clothes cheap, bring it on!

Well done Kaster!

I find the whole thing pretty hard! The worst is the last 5 minute, second worst is the second 5 minutes. It's easier in the middle!

I found the 20 minute run hard. I struggled at 18 mins. But I've done the 25s and a 28 now and they were ok. Progression I suppose!

Hi all

Hope no-one mind me popping in as I'm now technically a C25K graduate - gasp! I don't feel quite qualified to join the grown up running thread yet though and wanted some advice please.

My story first - I started the C25K last June/July. At the time I was mostly looking for a 'quick' exercise as I'm a SAHM to a crèche-refusing 2 year old and needed something I could reasonably do when DH gets home from work at 6pm without taking up the whole evening. I was and still am very overweight - close to 15 stone at my heaviest and still that heavy when I completed the program, it can be done. I've since started a proper diet (weightwatchers) and have lost over a stone since January - so although running didn't make me loose weight it is helping boost my metabolism now that I'm dieting. I found the program hard and it took me a LOT longer than 9 weeks; I had two false starts where I ended up going back to week 1 after illness/injury and had to repeat several weeks - especially the last few, however at the end of December - 6 months after starting I finally managed to run a full 30 mins. I did that for a couple of weeks before pushing myself to run a bit longer and eventually (with the help of a tracking app) to run for 5k - it took me 37.5 mins.

I've managed to get that down a little and am now consistently running 5k, 3 times a week in around 36 mins. I'd like to go faster but a few times I've tried to push myself I've gone too fast, managing to just about run 4k in a reasonable time - but then having to stop. What I'd really like to know is what's the best way of speeding up now? Should I download the C25K+ podcast? Should I try running faster for a shorter distance and then try to increase my distance? Something else?

Thanks for any help and sorry for waffling - I'm hoping my story might be of interest to newer runners :)

Hi all

Hope no-one mind me popping in as I'm now technically a C25K graduate - gasp! I don't feel quite qualified to join the grown up running thread yet though and wanted some advice please.

My story first - I started the C25K last June/July. At the time I was mostly looking for a 'quick' exercise as I'm a SAHM to a crèche-refusing 2 year old and needed something I could reasonably do when DH gets home from work at 6pm without taking up the whole evening. I was and still am very overweight - close to 15 stone at my heaviest and still that heavy when I completed the program, it can be done. I've since started a proper diet (weightwatchers) and have lost over a stone since January - so although running didn't make me loose weight it is helping boost my metabolism now that I'm dieting. I found the program hard and it took me a LOT longer than 9 weeks; I had two false starts where I ended up going back to week 1 after illness/injury and had to repeat several weeks - especially the last few, however at the end of December - 6 months after starting I finally managed to run a full 30 mins. I did that for a couple of weeks before pushing myself to run a bit longer and eventually (with the help of a tracking app) to run for 5k - it took me 37.5 mins.

I've managed to get that down a little and am now consistently running 5k, 3 times a week in around 36 mins. I'd like to go faster but a few times I've tried to push myself I've gone too fast, managing to just about run 4k in a reasonable time - but then having to stop. What I'd really like to know is what's the best way of speeding up now? Should I download the C25K+ podcast? Should I try running faster for a shorter distance and then try to increase my distance? Something else?

Thanks for any help and sorry for waffling - I'm hoping my story might be of interest to newer runners :)

Nightfall They haven't kicked me off the thread yet, and I'm more than a year post graduation....
I'd do some intervals to try and improve speed.
The C25K+ podcasts are quite good - I'm still running to them.
I'd try with stepping stones, and speed (which is intervals).

Also, if you occasionally did 5.5 or 6km (slowly!), you'll increase your fitness for the shorter distances.

I guess that summarises as try mixing it up, and do some longer slow runs, and some short fast intervals, and see if that makes a difference.

Congrats on your progress with running and weight.

Addicted and Nightfall it's really helpful to have graduates stick around. You're giving me ideas of what to do next.

I've got that feeling like when you get close to the end of a book and you're not sure what you'll do to fill the gap when it's finished.

I'm supposed to finish this next Sunday (if I actually manage to run next weekend). I don't know whether I should stick at 5k for a while and see if it gets easier, or if I should work on extending the time/distance gradually. Or whether I should try another motivating app or just see where my feet take me.

What do you think?

Indomitable

What would you LIKE to do? Or how much time do you want to dedicate?

I've pretty much stuck at 6km, as thats what fits with work / kids / eating etc. However once a week I tried to push further or faster, and while I've not made more than 1 sub 30 min 5km, I have run 10km once, and 8 km several times.

I like the stamina C25K+ podcast from the NHS for 45mins out of the house.

Several people have used bridge to 10km apps, and moved up the distances. Personalty, I'm struggling to get out twice a week, and the time requirements are too much for me.

But it depends on what you want out of it!

Just back from my first outside run!! Bloody loved it, did 5k, ran for 18mins solid then a hill killed me, walked for a minute then ran for another two. All in all about 40 mins so similar pace to gym. So happy

Well done Velma.

I don't really know what I want, Addicted. I've got a friend pushing me towards entering a 10K in the summer (having begun running in the winter I'm a bit concerned that anything over 7C will be too hot!). I don't want to commit to that yet, although I should (for her rather than me).

I might give it a week of freedom and try some podcasts/apps (Zombies, Run!)

Glad I ran last night, it's horrible this evening. Hope tomorrow is better.