Couch to 5 K Its not about Speed (5!)

[addictedtosugar]

So, we seem to have filled up the 4th thread. Anyone want to join me here?

monkeymayhem I have a fitbit one , I wear it clipped onto my bra and I love it . It has really helped me to keep up my step count . I also log all my food which I do using my phone . The fitbit syncs using bluetooth to my phone . I also do challenges with other users which also helps .

It makes me get off my bum a lot more than I used to which is always a good thing

Thanks for all the Fitbit tips. Will definitely look into it more!

Hi all.
I have enjoyed reading this thread and thought I'd join you all. I started C25k in January (yes, January) and I've just done the first run of week 7.
I started off the programme very cautiously as I was quite afraid of running, having never enjoyed it before. At the start I was doing each run 4 times in 2 weeks. I think my baseline fitness level was probably around week 3.
I found weeks 4 and 5 particularly tough and really hit a wall at w5r2. I got stuck there for ages, had a break for 3 weeks cos of holidays and illness then made myself get back to it again.
Like many of you say, I was terrified of the 20min run at the end of week 5. I am happy to report, it was much harder psychologically than it was physically, and since I've done it I feel that I've been flying along. It does help that the weather has got nicer too.
I think once you get into the longer continuous runs, although they look daunting written down, they are easier as you're not breaking momentum. I find if I have to stop now, it's much harder to pick up and go again than if I'd kept on going.
Happy running everyone, you CAN do it, Laura says so!

For those who are struggling at the moment I just thought I would add that I really broke a barrier about week 5, before that my chest and heart were giving up long before my legs, I can now run until my legs struggle. I have just done 5k for the second time and got my time down to 35mins which I am really chuffed with. I can't believe the change in my ability in such a short period of time, I have had a few weeks were I havent done all the runs as I have problems with my foot and I have still made the progress. c25k is amazing.

Week 3 Run 2 done. My son came with me and was hurdling over the grass as we ran. Feeling positive!

fierypoppy I cope with wind and running uphill the same way: I run more slowly and take smaller steps – really tiny steps on a steep hill. I don’t run as far in the time but then I don’t get so tired so I can be sure of completing the time.

It’s probably why I’m only doing 4K instead of 5K in 30 mins – I have a couple of long hauls uphill. Or at least that’s what I tell myself

I did w3r3 today and am really chuffed as my first 3 min run I actually ran for 4 min then walked for 2 and then I added in a 5min run at the end. Overall it felt better than I thought it would so feeling more optimistic about w4 now as the runs seem to start going up more dramatically now. Dh who is very fit (done lots of half marathons) has told me at least 5 times this eve how great I did and how I looked comfortable whilst running which is already in such contrast to a couple of weeks ago! !

MonkeyMayhem I registered with MapMyRun to work out possible routes and how long they were. I think you have to use the website on a PC, not the app. It is the only thing I use it for, I use Nike+ to track my runs on my phone.

I've lost all motivation was doing so well, every other day, did w2r3 then had to stop for 4 weeks

Now terrified I won't be able to do it again and annoyed I'll have to go back to the beginning.

And lying in bed thinking "dammit woman, just go out and run!"

Noisy you probably won't have to go back to the beginning. I hurt myself so had to stop for over 3 weeks after only having done week 1. Just over a week ago I started again at the beginning of week 3 and it's been ok even though I found week 1 really tough. I did do a reasonable amount of cycling in between but that was mainly just pootleing about on holiday, nothing too strenuous!! Even if you do have to go back a little you will still be improving your fitness and overall health which can only be a positive

I'm so happy. After struggling with 10m runs and getting stuck on repeating the same run, just moved to W6R3 which is 15r 3w 5r on my app and found the 15m run easy. Such a thrill, I'm on a real buzz from it. No doubt I'll come down to Earth with a bump when I attempt W7R1 on Thursday which is 20m and find it impossible.

Noisy I'm waiting for the that to happen to me, but so far so good. Good luck with re finding your motivation.

AppleSnapple wow that's brilliant, congratulations!

MissisBee I agree completely. Once you're settled into your stride it's much harder to stop and start again. I'm sure there is some physiological explanation. Once you have trained your heart and lungs to be able to cope you can keep going much longer than you thought.

Noisy just go and see how it goes. If you feel like stickign to W2 for another few runs so be it. It does get better.

So I can report that I did W5R2 today. Really apprehensive at the jump from 5mins to 8min running as it had felt to hard doing 5m x 3 on Sunday, and it was FINE. Amazing but it really was no harder than 5min. Instead of listening to two audio tracks you get to listen to three At the end of the second 8min run my legs were feeling it though. But I think I'll redo R2 one more time, doing it the 'harder way' with a long slow incline at the start instead, today I did the 'easy' direction: a bit on the flat, then a short sharp incline towards the end of my first 8mins and then a long slow decline and flat for the second run. At the moment I run 'round the block' , I've not yet graduated to taking in the railway bridges .

But really it was COLD! Come one, weather gods, this is JUNE . I had grabbed my gloves on the way out, didn't need them but would have been nice to have a cover for me ears they really hurt.

Wk4 r2 done !

I struggle to get rest days at the right time but I am hoping at this level it is ok to do them one after the other sometimes ?

Hope everyone is having a good day .

I just did 30mins!! Was intending to do 25 (w7r2). Because there's a few 25 main runs in a row, I decided to vary what I do. Yesterday I sped up for the last minute. Today I decided to stay slow but keep on going as long as I could. I got 4 extra minutes done and thought well I HAVE to do 5 now. I'm all pleased with myself now but I'll regret it tomorrow - out 2 days in a row and today in new trainers.

Noisy don't worry about having a gap. I missed 3 weeks and started up where I left off. The first run nearly killed me but weirdly since then I've found it easier.

So good to read of everyone's successes - we seem to be going through a good patch at the moment!
I am having a rest day, but will be on Week 3 Run 3 tomorrow.

W3r3 tomorrow here too...hoping it will feel bit easier...

Well done to all, good to hear positive stories- there is hope for me

Seems like there are a few of us about to start week 4 dismal and lbn!!

I'm only on W2R1 but I only managed 3.96k by the end of it, am I supposed to be doing 5k?! There's no way I can run that fast!

MeDented - don't lose heart. You wi cover the distance by the end. I am on week 3 run 3 now but have done C25K before - it does work! Good luck.

I'm at the end and can't do 5K in 30. We aren't told by the ever-firm Laura to run at a certain speed, so it would be odd if we all completed the same distance! I'm not too worried as I plan to keep running for quite a while I can already feel myself more confident about keeping going for the time required and the speed will come when I am carrying less weight and more used to running. Or of course, I can gain stamina and run for longer so I complete 5K in that way.

MeDented quite a lot of that was walking, and you (probabally) run faster than you walk.

I very very rarely have run a sub 30 min 5km. On the occasions I have, map my run tells me I'm in the fastest 25% (of ladies? my age range? everyone??) so I think the c25k is catchy, but an stretch aim rather than achievable by 95% of people.

near the end of my podcasts, Laura says something like "and so you will be able to reach your aim of running for 30 mins, covering around 5km" which is more realistic, I think.

Morning everyone! I have just finished w4r3 and feeling good! Covered furthest distance yet and burnt the most calories. More importantly it all felt pretty comfortable although on the last five minutes run I was saying to myself, just got to reach that next tree, that white stone, that puddle etc!

Yesterday I made the mistake of looking ahead to week 5 as that is where it seems to really begin ramping up. I am taking comfort from you all though that it is achievable and if i need to repeat any runs then I do. It's not a race!

Thanks lbn for the tip about map my run. I had a quick look last night but will try and plan a route properly later.

Glow it was really cold here this morning. I went out wearing a headband thing that has earphones built in. Has the added benefit of keeping my hair out of my face and keeping my ears warm. Not the most stylish look though admittedly. I am finding I can't bear anything moving or flapping on me when I am running. Even my rings moving up and down slightly on my fingers was annoying me so I will have to remember to take them off for my next run!

Hope you all have a good day. Time to tackle work.

I've done it! Week three complete. I feel so slow and unfit though as I lumber along.,.

I have reached week 3 before and then never week 4, something always intervenes or I lose heart- not this time though, I am determined!

Good tip from someone unthread about small steps uphill- I was able to make it uphill home whilst still "running" my five minutes.

MeDented- that seems really good to me; I've never got that far!!

I finished w5r3 yesterday - was so proud of myself going 20 minutes without stopping. It is so intimidating psychologically to make that jump to a non-stop run of that length, but it was surprisingly manageable in reality. As PPs have said, you get into your stride - possible going back to doing intervals in wk6 might seem harder.

5 weeks. That's all it's taken. It's so incredible to feel fitness improving.

Good luck with your next runs everyone!

missis you are completely right. Went straight back in at w2r3 and although I was puffing, it wasn't any more than the last time I ran it a month ago. Feel weirdly proud of myself

then came home and ate two scones, Jam and clotted cream

Oops