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

[CruCru]

Would you all like to join me here?

Did the doctor check your iron levels? Anaemia could be another reason you're finding it difficult.

Yes anaemia will definitely have an impact. I found this to my cost!

I am struggling along on week 8 I am finding the long runs 3 times a week a bit relentless. I am hoping to get to a point where it is t quite as difficult. I know it has to be a push or what's the point, but God it's hard work!

Did Week 2 Day 2 and I think it's getting a little easier.

I've realised if I don't look at my phone to see how much time is left, then it isn't so painful.

stillearnin I'm still a very amauter 'runner' I finished 9th from last in the 10k. Don't be put off doing one, to me it doesn't matter how long it takes, I enjoy taking part. I've just signed up for another 10k in October. If you want to do one go for it.

Hi Indomitable and Lagoona, she didn't check my iron levels, just my blood pressure. I'm really thinking of going back and asking, because I never used to find walking up hills that hard (I have two on my way to and from work each day), even before I stopped smoking, but since February have been feeling like I need to stop halfway up and that I'm dragging myself around.

Thanks for the advice and more power to all you runners!

I've just done W7R1 - my 2nd 25 minuter. Am feeling a bit daunted by it being just long runs from here on in (as lagoona said) and can't say the 25 mins were fun, but as always felt brilliant afterwards.

Bumped into someone I know on my way back who was just heading out for a run herself and she's invited me to go out with her and another mum from school. Panic! I said I would in a couple of weeks (ie when I've finished the programme). God help me.

Anyway just read a running book (this one) from which my main take away (aside from run more, drink more water, eat less crap) is that the good bit about running is not the running itself but how you feel about having done it. I paraphrase, but that pretty much sums up how I feel. I love having done the run.

zinnia I'm with you about loving the run once you've actually done it. It can be a real slog at the time but afterwards you feel great. The longer runs are daunting to start with but you will soon get used to then and might well find you want to do more. I finished the c25k last May and have never managed to do it in 30ins I'm a slow runner and go for distance rather than speed.

I went out this evening to do w6r2 - and had to stop after about a minute of running.
Started getting a bit of an asthma attack, so ended up sitting beside the path gasping for air after only a minute or so of running. Feel rubbish as I just bailed and went home at that point - was dark, was on my own, and though I do have asthma it's not really exercise-induced nor do I usually have such bad episodes with it.
So, will go back out tomorrow and do the run then. I'm really dreading this weeks long run (25 mins)!

Saz - that must have been scary. You definitely did they right thing.

I'm another one who hates then thought of going running, doesn't really enjoy it whilst doing it but loves it once it is done. W4 R2 just completed.

Saz, it was very cold here last night (I went running) and we had ice on the ground this morning. So the cold could have agrivated things?
Do you have an inhaler? Take it, (and a mobile) with you. Are preventitive puffs recomended before excerise?

Yep, dislike the actual running, but like the post run feeling and scoffing

wk4r2 yesterday, found the 5mins toughish but really felt good during and after. I am particularly enjoying stretching when I get home!

yesterday was the first time I thought I MIGHT feel a bit leaner and fitter but think it is all in my head as the scales do not lie

I do like the interval style as I think I will get bored when I do one long run

Re the long runs: the app I'm using (Get Running) lets you know how long you've been going for every 5 mins, which sort of acts like a marker in the way the "start/ stop running now" reminders did on the interval runs. Which means I do find myself thinking "oh come ON it must be 5 mins by now" quite a lot, but like the sense of progression it gives.

The only thing I like about the uninterrupted running (though this is almost certainly novelty value) is the sense of wonder at each 5 minute marker that I'm still going!

Bottom line really is: I'm not doing this because I like running (I don't, never have, though I don't hate it any more) but because of all the benefits of having done it. Think I just need to get my head around that and not expect to start actually enjoying the act of hauling my sorry self around the park 3 times a week.

I use that app too zinnia. That's good to know about the intervals.

I am completely amazed by the fact that I am still running in my knackered muddy four year old adidas and I have no aches and pains !

I love the feeling of having finished and I have fleeting moments of enjoying it during I much prefer listening to podcasts rather than music, its been a game changer!

Hello all, hope you don't mind me dropping in on this thread but it seems there are lots of you here and was hoping to make some sense of how I am feeling. I have completed c25k two weeks ago today. For the last 16 days I can I have what I think is a tension headache feel tired all the time. I don't know if this is the running, I am still running and I am finding hard but don't want to ruin my progress. I am absolutely gutted because I was doing great, losing weight and finally exercising. I have had to stop trying to loose weight. I have been to the Drs and she seemed unconcerned, booked me some blood tests and told me to stop running whilst I feel like this. I have missed two runs, and tbh didn't feel a whole load better so ran again yesterday. Anyone else have any similar experiences or thoughts? I am loathe to pack it in as I run with two other ladies and I really don't want to loose my fitness and not be able to run with them.

Lemon you CAN be leaner and the same weight.
I for one shrunk in size before the scales agreed with me (as in bought new clothes shrunk, but scales stubbonly stayed the same).
If you are loosing fat, and gaining muscle, you will take up less space, but could weigh the same, as muscle is denser than fat.

Intervals are knackering!

isobel could you just have a mild virus?

thank you addicted. I darent believe that my shape is changing already

tbh I am doing this to get fitter, to keep up with my children (who are horrendously sporty) and to give me back confidence in my body which has been quite broken for ages. Weight loss and toning would be an amazing side effect

I don't know Lemon, i don't really have any cold symptoms but I am hoping it is because I just want it gone now so I can continue my getting fit resolution. ??

Lemon - i'm a day behind you & me legs are definitely looking leaner. It has also kickstarted my weight loss which had completely plateaued.

Yay! did my wk6r2 this pm... no probs this time (well, other than usual knackeredness!).
Isobel, could be a virus? Could be that you're missing the structure of c25k - have you looked into other training plans? I can't much help as haven't got there yet! Maybe give yourself a break, and keep fitness up in other ways - fewer easier runs, but add in some other exercise?
lemon -I totally agree re; podcasts, I really like "company" and someone telling me I'm doing well (yep, I realise it's only a recorded voice!).

I have finished w8 and start w9 on Saturday. What next? I don't want to do 10k but need somehow to keep my motivation going. I don't fancy park runs tbh. I may try and join a jogging group locally I guess. But is there any kind of running app just to keep you going?

C25K+ on the NHS website are OK - 3 of them, one intervals, one stepping stones, which is a 30 min run getting slightly faster as time goes on, and stamina, which is 35 mins running, paced slightly faster than stepping stones. I'm still (a year on) running to stamina, w5r3 (fits a loop round work at a lunchtime), with occasional longer runs. I'm also only running twice a week now, and trying to do something else the third "run"
Might be worth trying for a bit?

Isobel that sounds rubbish, poor you - have you asked on the general running thread? Think there are lots of experienced people on there (a bit too scared to do anything other than pop my head in myself at this stage!)

I had my first "bad" run today - W7R2 - it was pouring with rain, my app got accidentally paused with 23 mins to go so had to work out how long I'd been going for and ffwd it, usual route blocked off for resurfacing...really not a fun experience. Had to summon up all my willpower to keep going.

I've been trying to lose weight since W4, but scales have been stuck for 2.5 weeks now and don't think I've toned up much either (maybe 0.5cm from my thighs, but that might be just measuring slightly differently - sorry if TMI!). I'm keeping going obviously but one of my main objectives to to the C25K was to tone myself up so it's all a bit demoralising.

Thanks addicted I will look at them.

Afternoon all.

Regarding weight loss - I'm not trying to lose weight or anything, just get fitter & stronger and all the other health benefits of exercise. But, I discovered that my weight (& body fat %) stayed broadly the same until about 8 weeks when it suddenly dropped a kg (& a few %). I haven't noticed a change in shape though (except my boobs receding back to fried eggs on an ironing board level).

Off to run in a mo.