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Original poster

Will I be able to do C25K?

23 replies

MushroomOmelette · 30/03/2015 17:45

I am very fat and very unfit. I've been trying to get healthier this year and have lost 1st since January by calorie counting and using MFP. My problem is that I do very little exercise. I will walk to play group etc. each day and push dd in the pram but that's as much as I get.

I am 24, 14st, size 16 and have never ran in my entire life. I have memories of dreading cross country running at school and coming last every time. I hated every second of it. I've never been sporty or found an exercise I like, but I need to make a change.

I keep reading good things about C25K and lots of inspirational stories, but realistically can I do it? I really like the idea of having something which is just for me and getting time on my own without having my toddler dd pestering me constantly. DP is trying to encourage me to do it but I'm not entirely convinced. I have kit I can wear and good trainers from a failed gym membership a few years ago Grin

Has anyone else been in the same situation as me and got to the point where you're now fairly fit and decent at running? Also does it need to be done every day or is it a 3 times a week kind of thing? If anyone could talk me through the basics I'd be very pleased.

OP posts:
EdithDickie · 30/03/2015 19:36

I have a friend in the same position. What she has done is do C25K but instead of running the "run" sections she power walked them as fast as possible. Then just walked a moderate pace for the "walking" sections. Got her fitness up and conditioned her joints to the impact more gradually. She's now a couple of weeks into doing it walking and running and loving it. Maybe a similar approach could be good for you?

Good luck! And congratulations on your weight loss so far Smile

RoadRunner123 · 30/03/2015 19:42

Well first of all I'd say if you're a size 16 you probably aren't "very fat"!

I'd say, yes you can do it! The plan says you should run three times a week. If you struggle at all with any of the runs, you can always repeat them until you feel ready to move on to the next one.

I was always a PE avoided at school, never been very fit. I've dabbled with a bit of aqua fit etc over the years, but never been a runner. I've done the programme twice now (I lapsed so started again!) and think it's fantastic. I've even run a 10k since doing it. I'd recommend the Get Running app.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 30/03/2015 19:43

yes

i started at the same weight and size, but twice your age, 18 months ago

download the podcast and have a listen, I used the NHS one, and found it so useful. you can repeat a week as many times as you want, and because it's in your ears, no one but you knows what you're doing

lots of runners walk from time to time, it's all part of training

i'm running a marathon in just under 4 weeks, btwGrin

CMOTDibbler · 30/03/2015 19:45

Yes, you can. My dh weighs a lot more than you, and can run 5k now, which he never dreamed he could.

I thought I could never run - was rubbish at it at school - and did C25k at 40. Did a half marathon that year and now do triathlons Smile

Box5883284322679964228 · 30/03/2015 19:47

Expect not to fun joy the first few months. The pay off is huge if you continue

26Point2Miles · 30/03/2015 19:47

Is it london jenny? I'm running London marathon soon, started with c25k. You def are not 'too fat'!!

Go for it

JennyOnTheBlocks · 30/03/2015 19:53

It is VLM, 26

i'm soooooo excited Grin

i'm still a size 12/14, OP, but i can outrun a lot of people your age Wink

JennyOnTheBlocks · 30/03/2015 19:57

in fact i use the line 'want to be overtaken by a fat granny' when some of the younger ones are flagging at parkrun Grin

OP, sounds like you've got motivation (using the time to clear your head is an excellent one) and support from your DP, so go for it.

you really have nothing to lose (maybe some weight?), and so much to gain

Dancingwitch · 30/03/2015 19:57

I started C25K five weeks ago today and was so nervous having not done any exercise for several years and always hated the idea (and, when forced at school, the practise) of running. I started it as I knew I needed to do something and it seemed so much more economical in both time & money that joining them gym. I am loving it. Five weeks ago, I was struggling with the fourth 60 second run. Today, I did 3 lots of 5min runs! Yesterday I went out in the pouring rain. Try it.

Original poster
MushroomOmelette · 30/03/2015 19:59

Thank you all for the encouragement. Re-doing weeks if I'm struggling is probably a good idea. It's good to hear that others started off like me and are now running 5k, 10k and even marathons Shock

I'm going to try and pluck up the courage to start this week!! I know I'll be fine once I get going but I'm rubbish at motivating myself to get out in the first place.

OP posts:
JennyOnTheBlocks · 30/03/2015 20:03

well done, Dancingwitch

i love running in the rain too

mommybunny · 30/03/2015 20:12

Can't recommend it enough - I'm a last year "C25K graduate" who is now training for a half marathon. I would suggest, if you struggle even with the first week of 60 second runs (no shame in that, just getting the running shoes on is a huge step forward!), is to just run as much of you can of each 60 second interval as it comes UNTIL you can run them all without stopping, iyswim. Take as many weeks as you need to until you can do all 8 60 second intervals, and then you might find you don't need to repeat any further weeks.

Good luck!

Original poster
MushroomOmelette · 30/03/2015 20:16

Thanks for the great advice everyone. You're all very encouraging Smile

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meerschweinchen · 30/03/2015 20:24

Yes, go for it! I've just downloaded the C25K podcast and am really excited about starting. I have run in the past, and managed a half marathon once, but having had 2 dc am now feeling fat and unfit.
Think the programme is based on running 3 times a week, so no need to go every day.

Original poster
MushroomOmelette · 30/03/2015 20:25

I'm glad it's 3x a week as I don't think I'd be able to fit more in. DH is currently training for races this season as he's a cyclist and we will have to work around each other's schedules.

What do you all wear when you're running?

OP posts:
HerRoyalNotness · 30/03/2015 20:28

You will be able to do it. I'm not a natural runner, although I did run in primary school, ha, and did some cross country, and erm... that was probably the last time...

So I used Robert Ullrey's podcast for C25K and the first day was a blizzard, and I did it, again and again, and ended up being able to run 7km minimum, and loved it! And looked FIT and trim.

I'm just starting again, week 1 last week, of which I only did one day, so will this week begin week 1 again. I haven't run in probably 3yrs sadly, but will not feel guilty for that, and will do it as I can and build up again. It's a 3 day a week thing, you need the rest days, and don't skip the walk warm up and cool down, it helps so much with not feeling sore the next day. And it's only 30mins!

CarbeDiem · 30/03/2015 20:31

Honestly - try it. Take it easy but go for it.
I'm currently 12.7 and I started a few weeks ago when I was a few kilos heavier, not c25k but similar.
I was quite surprised at myself actually as I'm so not a runner :)
The 2 issues I have found are -

  1. I'm an asthmatic smoker Blush (I know and accept I'm a huge arsehole) I do want to quit at some point just not right now (I honestly don't have the headspace at the moment) So I get out of breath a lot quicker than a non smoking healthy lunged person.
  2. I have a spine problem which I can manage by itself but.... when I run my fat bum kind of jars my back if that makes sense and it's painful. I'm going to try and find some tight lycra shorts to wear under my joggers to try and keep my bum from bouncing so much until my weight drops down further (hopefully off my arse) :)

Dh is doing c25k and he's doing well. Sometimes I can follow but other times I can't and need to just run for 30 secs walk for 30 secs the whole session but you know what? It's better than sitting on the sofa not running at all.

You'll never know until you try.

Original poster
MushroomOmelette · 30/03/2015 20:32

How much distance do you cover per day in the first week? I need to work out where I can run. I live on the yorkshire moors so it's hilly to the extreme here! We have a flat-ish road which is quite long so I'm thinking I can go down that and back but not sure if it's too short. I would go and run on the moors but I'll probably trip over and roll down a massive hill in a rather dramatic style Grin

OP posts:
HerRoyalNotness · 30/03/2015 20:32

I wear capri running pants, and have just splashed on a new sports bra. I need the clip up ones, otherwise I contort myself in pain trying to the other kind off. I also bought a couple of racer back vests. I feel very self conscious about my weight just now, and would normally wear a baggy t-shirt, but i'm putting myself out there, and if people don't like the way it looks, they should stop looking.

Thankfully there is a running track right next to where my DC have tennis lessons, so I am using that and can keep one eye peeled on their behaviour as I run each loop. Grin

HerRoyalNotness · 30/03/2015 20:35

It's better than sitting on the sofa not running at all.

^^ this times a thousand!

Even if you find it hard, you will feel great afterwards, and that feeling is what will make you do it again on Wednesday. Eventually it will become such a big part of your routine, you'll feel 'itchy' to get out and run.

Saz12 · 30/03/2015 21:00

Mushroom, is difficult to say in distance, because it's all done to time. However, yr walking/running for 30 mins, so you'd be doing well to get more than 2 miles in that time. If the flat bit of road is around a mile long then that would be plenty, IMO.

CarbeDiem · 30/03/2015 21:01

OP - I started by ignoring distance and concentrated on just minutes. Set something like 1 minute of running x5/10 with 30 seconds or 1 minute intervals of fast walking inbetween. 5 mins of fast walking as a warm up and a cool down and there's a good start to ease you in for the first few times.
You can get apps that will calculate your distance too.

Original poster
MushroomOmelette · 30/03/2015 21:06

My choice of road sounds perfect then Smile

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