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?

Well done! (I usually reward myself with a choc ice). Flaked out on the sofa today cos I'm knackered from running 2 days in a row.

W5 R1 completed this morning, the two 8 min runs were ok actually, legs were a bit knackered by the end of the second one though. 20 min run coming up in fri, excited and nervous in equal measures.

monkey I hate things flapping around too, I even have to take my wedding ring off to run. I do need to get a headband though and I like your headband/headphones combo, where did you get it from?

Well done McButtonwillow! I hope i find the same on Friday! I actually got my headband thing from the bargain bucket at Halfords. It was only a couple of pounds or less so thought it was worth giving it a go! I will have a look for similar on Amazon to show you.

Search for KitSound sports band and you should find it. Not sure I would pay £20 for it though. Mine is pink and black but plain black would be better.

Great thanks monkey

Hi all, I'm new to running and started C25K 5 weeks ago. Could not run to the end of the very short garden path before I started. Just did wk6 r1 tonight and am managing to keep going. Just! My main problem is the podcast keeps crashing. I mentioned it on another C25K thread and nobody else seems to be experiencing this. Halfway through tonight and suddenly silence. So I have to stop try and keep running, mess about with phone, swear a lot and cannot get it going again. I end up guessing for the rest of it and almost cried with the frustration. A bit dramatic, I know, but feeling so demotivated. Might give up on it. Sorry for ranting!

Think I might have a piece of cake and a lie down instead. Might start 5K to Couch!

McButton and Monkey yes I have several headbands (cheapies from Aldi), definitely wear them in winter and for cycling. Just could not find it quickly enough yesterday.

So I should do w5r3 tomorrow but will defer to Sat, and repeat r2. But I can say in my defence that I have been running alternate days rather than a weekly pattern for 4 weeks now so I'll still complete the week nearly in synch with you and move up a week on Monday despite the extra repeat

Good luck everyone, we definitely CAN do this!

Oh, asleep that's really annoying! I was using c25k generic sort of app and never had any problems. I was wooed over to the bright side by several posters here to Lovely Laura and her kind words but I have found the app to be a little unreliable! It seems to reset itself so I think I've gone for miles and then she says well done, that's 5 minutes!! Luckily I run mapmyrun along side it which also times it- it's easier now to get back on track as I'm on week 8 so it's just one big long run so I don't get too lost but back in the stop start weeks that would've been impossible. I wasn't sure if it was something in my pocket hitting it to restart it or what. Maybe delete the app and try again? It hasn't happened again for me since running holding my phone (rather than in pocket) but it's a bit annoying! Hope you get it sorted (although I do sort of love the 5k to couch idea tonight!!)

asleep don't give up now! I could not get the NHS app to work so am using 'C25K free' by Zenlabs, and play my music on a separate app. The running app lets you jump in at any time, so you could just pick up where you left off. The voiceover is really neutral though, none of the nice chat and encouragemwnt you get from 'NHS Laura'

Oh, when I said I might give up, I meant I might give up using the podcasts not the running. Have tried the app and, like you, Apple, I ended up running and running until I couldn't breath and then Laura lies chips in with 'well done that's 3 minutes!' I checked my watch and it was nearer 7 minutes. Other times, just endless silence - Laura just bogged off and never came back!! Checked phone and app has stopped! So, I downloaded podcasts. With those you get naff motivational music so it is more obvious when the thing crashes, though no less frustrating! Now I'm getting into the longer runs, I will just time myself and listen to my own music. Yes, will miss Laura, as agree with you GlowWine, she is very encouraging and I find her tone just right, though I know some find it a bit patronising. So, I am on my own now - no Laura! I do find running a bit lonely at times, but I am not giving up. In fact, I might ceremoniously burn the couch! Happy running everyone!

Finished Wk3 this morning, although don't feel elated, just knackered. I was running into a headwind all the way coming back, and felt starving hungry and then nauseous when I ate. Still, one bad run doesn't mean it's all a disaster - right?! Still planning to start Wk4 on Sat, but if it's really hard, I might repeat Wk3.

It happened me again this morning asleep .... I was waiting for Laura to tell me I was half way (14 mins) and she said... Hello and welcome to c25k (or whatever she says at the start!) I just switched to map my run... I think Laura and I will need to part ways but I will be sorry not to hear her wise words when I finish week 9 next week!!!

Oh, Apple, isn't it maddening!? To hear 'Welcome to c25k' when you're on your last legs/breath!! Think Laura is having a laugh! You are nearly there though, so well done you. What are you going to do when you 'graduate'? I might look at local park runs. They do all seem to start at some unearthly hour at the weekend though.

Heading out to do week 3 run 3. Posting here so I don't succumb to the lure of lying on the sofa. I suppose that should be couch. Work has been hard this week and I feel a bit sorry for myself, but no excuse.

Week 3 Run 3 done! Graduating to week 4 on Saturday. Yahoo!

Go for it, lbnblbnb! It's a lovely evening for a run.

Ooh - me too lbnblb - we can compare notes. Have you SEEN how much running is involved in Week 4 though - eek! I'm a bit scared...

I did it! W5 R3, I ran for a whole 20 mins without stopping! It was ok, the first 5 mins were the hardest mainly because I kept thinking there was no way I was going to make it to 20. But once I got to 10 and I was halfway through it did get easier. I took it very slow though but don't care about the speed am just so chuffed I managed it

I've done it! I've got to week 4!

W4r1 done. Ok, I was slow as a snail, but I had to run uphill all the way back...

Well done Dismal! How did you find the jump from Wk3 to Wk4??

Thanks!

It wasn't as bad as I thought, actually, and it was warm and still and with the aforementioned uphill return.

I had promised myself that if it was too hard running uphill I'd just turn round and go back down, but managed to keep going.

I am veeeeery slow though. And am using the small steps tip I got on this thread, which helps me keep going without so much puffing and panting

Well done everyone! I did w5r1 this morning and it was ok. The first run section i found pretty hard but i think it's because I didn't feel properly warmed up. I went out first thing again and I do find that harder though thankfully cooler! Just had a nice pub lunch catching up with a friend in a beautiful beer garden as a reward! I have been trying to eat better as well the past few weeks and really finding i no longer want the chips, bread etc. so feeling happy with the changes I am making. I hope they continue in the winter as that's usually where i come unstuck.

Also went out this morning for new inner tube and tyres for my bike but may have inadvertently bought a whole new bike instead........! So plan to justify that slightly more expensive purchase with lots of cycling with the children over the summer!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! Two rest days for me now before the 8 mins on Monday!

Ah, so great to see so many successes today. I could feel I was dreading Week 1 Run 1 tomorrow, so ambushed myself by going out for a run as soon as I got back from work. It felt hardish, but I got into the run in the way I used to for the first time, almost zen (er, if you see what I mean!). I also got a good glow and sweat, which might sound disgusting but I love the feeling that I am working hard, burning the calories, etc. So very pleased.

Bugger, I meant Week FOUR run 1, not week 1.