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?

We are very good, lbnb

We really are, DismalFuckers.

Yay! A soggy W5R3 done. Thankfully it was not cold, and only fine drizzle, I can cope with that even if gets you just as wet. Are we going back to intervals in W6? Ah well I'll do as I'm told. From a cardiac point of view I can cope just fine (unless jogging running uphill) but it's my shins and calves that give me trouble. And yes, I do stretch thoroughly after each run.

W4R1 was okay actually. I tried a new route with a downhill on the way back (although it wasn't as long as I thought it was!) which worked well. I was very slow and seem to be getting slower the more I run as opposed to walk, but I know not to worry about that for now. My left thigh at the back is very achey - I think partly because I "over-pronate" more on that side. Has anyone tried any sort of arch support, over and above just good trainers?

Hi Ladies, can I join? Found this thread after deciding to give c25k a go. It seemed a good, achievable introduction into getting some regular exercise and hopefully losing a little bit of weight. Completed w2r3 this morning despite the rain. My left knee has been sore this week but otherwise it hasn't felt too bad. The Les Mis soundtrack got me round the tricky middle bits without me realising this morning! Your stories are really encouraging and give me confidence that I can stick with it and hopefully reap the rewards. I must admit that I have enjoyed the "me" time. Never thought I'd say "ask your dad I'm going out for a run" !!

Hello Poy!

Week 8 run 2 completed today. Quite surprising as run1 felt awful, but this one was actually fun . I managed 4k, so am delighted. I am hoping my 5k time in about 2 weeks will be around the 35min mark. Just got to keep going...

Finished w5r1 yesterday so rest dat today for me. Found the last minute or the last run tough as was chased by a small cute dog and didn't know if I should stop or keep going..
Dreading 8minute run tomorrow and the 20 minutes run even more..

Hello Poy, welcome. I agree about the me time - it gets better as you move through the weeks. I am on week 4 now but have done this before and I used to feel like my mind had been rinsed out in some lovely clear cool water - the way my problems would seem more in proportion after a run was great.

Week 4 Run 2 for me today. I am looking forward to it.

Hello, all.

I have done w4r2 - and disappointingly found it really hard today Did it all, and feeling virtuous now, but today not my best.

Am sticking religiously to the plan so w4r3 on Tuesday, then the big guns of w5 on Thursday??

Hello all , wk5 r1 done today . Was actually ok , I even managed to speed up a bit for the last minute or so . Was still pleased when it finished . I definitely enjoy the feeling of finishing it more than the actual doing it . I am hoping that will change over time .

I am not looking forward to the 20 min run at the end of the week but I am keeping the hope .

Good luck to everyone for their runs today !

Week 4 Run 2 done. My son came with me on his bike as my 'trainer' - I had to split the kids up as they were arguing. It worked well - he had my phone with the app and told me when to run etc.

I did w1r1 yesterday. I started C25K a while ago but stupidly stopped after week two!

Did anybody find it difficult to begin with? I found yesterday's run ok but last time I really struggled with running for 90 seconds in week 2. I just don't quite believe that I will be able to eventually run for 30 minutes!

I think a lot of my problem is psychological and that I just need to force myself to do it Id love to hear from somebody who really struggled to begin with!

Dogwalker - when I started it I found it so hard, my first run was definitely the worst! And as time goes on the hardest thing is convincing yourself you can do it- when you're unfit (like I was/am!) then it seems unnatural to keep running even though you CAN do it, or that's how it felt to me at least.

Further on through the program I felt that the first 10 mins were super difficult and once I got past that initial barrier then I was flying with the rest of the run.

I'm not finished yet, and by no means an expert, stuck on w8r3 atm as I've been poorly this week so only managed r1&2 before being unwell, but I have suddenly noticed with last few runs, I no longer dread the first 10 mins, and it's def easier to just keep going- total mind over matter and your body just gets used to it.

So... Keep it up, it gets easier, there are good days and bad days but it always feels better going out and doing it rather than not. Good luck!

I did the last run NHS C25K run on Wednesday! I can’t run 5K in 30 mins though, more like 4 and a bit. I’ve been in France for a couple of days where I found I can run for 35 mins (carried on running right til the end of the warm-down music, then walked back to the hotel), not sure how far because I was running in random directions around a park. It was flat (unlike home) but hot (also unlike home!) so I don’t think I went any faster.

Now I’m trying to build a plan so I can run 5K and go on a parkrun. I guess I need to see how far a 35 minute run gets me, then see if I need to run for longer. But I have a swollen stiff ankle – it’s not very sore but I twisted it while dragging my suitcase in a hurry so I might not be able to run tomorrow.

Good luck to everyone running!

I am very impressed DontDoItDi I am just over half way and I need to keep the faith !

Well done you !

DontDoItDi yay! Congratulations! I am so looking forward to being at that point myself.

Can I join in! Been doing this for a couple of weeks. Haven't been able to go out for a week, couple of long shifts at work 7-7 but did W3 D2 ok this morning! Have a better set of shifts this week so will be back out Tuesday eve for the final run of week 3. I've found listening to music so much better as I sing a long in my head and before I know it the run is over!

Did my first 5K race today after doing c25k - it was great! : a few weeks ago I wouldn't have thought it possible - but it is !

I think this pic might work...

Well done Dontdoit and fantastic Knackered! I really hope I get there! This morning i did w5r2 which was 8 mins running, 5 mins walking and 8 mins running. Unfortunately when I listen to music I have to listen out really carefully for the cues because my app doesn't pause the music. I missed the cue to stop running the first time so ended up doing 9.5 minutes! Unintentional but good to know I can keep running. Really thought I would struggle to finish the second 8 mins after that but I did it so feeling happy with that. Still kind of scared of doing 20mins on the next run though.

Dogwalker i had to repeat the second week because I just didn't feel comfortable but after that, while it hasn't been easy (far from it), it has been doable. Amazing how much of it is psychological. Pretty much every time I go out I think I won't be able to do it so bargain with myself how much will be acceptable, but then end up completing it anyway. It would be nice if I didn't have to do that every time!

Wk5 r2 done

I was really worried about the second 8 mins but I did it . Like monkeymayhem I am also a bit scared about the 20 mins thing but I am also hoping that not stopping and starting will actually help (clutching at straws)

That is amazing Knackered I still can't quite believe I will get there but every week I am ticking off on the programme gives me more hope .

Well done Howlong! I shall think of you when I am running on Wednesday and hopefully our combined straw clutching will get us there!

Urgh - W4R2 was hard. I went back to my previous route, and hadn't realised how much the downhill helped on my last 5 minute run.... Also found I needed to eat more afterwards - my usual porridge with banana didn't cut it, and I needed 2 rice cakes with almond butter too before starting to feel more 'normal'.

Also made the mistake of looking on to Wk5 - eek! I think I might have to repeat some runs there!

Bramshott, I really struggled with w4r2 too and felt a bit disappointed. W4r3 tomorrow, am really hoping will feel a bit better....

Well done to those who have finished. I did w8r1 today. It was tough. It was very clammy out today and it's also 6 days since I last ran. I made it though, and got over the 4k barrier for the first time.
To those of you in wks 4 and 5 - looking back, I definitely think those were the hardest weeks of the whole thing, particularly that 20min run at the end of WK 5, it just seems so daunting. So, once you pluck up the courage to do it (I did run2 about 5 times cos I was putting it off), you will be FLYING along afterwards.