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

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

Dont It does sound like it would be a good idea to see someone about your foot . What a pain for you .

I have just managed wk 6 r 1 and it was actually ok . I still am always ready to stop by the end and I am counting the minutes but I did it !

Good luck to everyone else today

Well, after feeling smug last week that w2 had been completed, disaster has struck. My sore knee has got worse throughout the week and is now really painful when I put any weight on it. Taking anti-inflams but if it doesn't improve soon I'll have to go to gp. So frustrating !! I'm worried that running might not be for me. Anyone else suffered this sort of setback but been able to carry on ?

musicmaiden there are always better days than others, and I've never been able to really see a pattern in my 'fails'. Days where my legs felt like lead. The only thing I learnt early on was to leave more than one hour after eating.

If I were you I'd re-do the week or day till I had the confidence to continue. I seem to recall I did too many days in W4? And definitely two W5R2

Thanks GlowWine. Will keep going! Ache like hell now so must have still had a decent workout

Well... I am now officially a graduate!! W9r3 done... Mansged 5k in just under 33 mins. I know it's not fast but my god... 9 weeks ago that was unimaginable!! Am so proud of myself for sticking with it but most of all I want to say- seriously, if an overweight 12 stone chubster like me can do it... Anyone can!!

Well done AppleSnapple. That sounds like an excellent time. I started week 9 today, although I was doing 30 mins instead of 28 in week 8. Today was the fastest I've run but still only managed 4.6k and that includes my warm up and cool down walks.

Well done Applesnapple.
Did my w6r2 skipped W6r1 by mistake and it was alright.
Seriously thinking of doing w6r3 tomorrow as I am going to be away most of the next week.

Dontdoitdi get an X-ray of the foot if it is not settling down. Hairline /stress fracture should be ruled out.

Frank - yes I did !I struggled with my lungs too - main thing is to keep it slow ,to keep at it and not to become discouraged. Everytime you go out there your body is getting more and more used to it and even though it feels like slow progress your body is adapting and your stamina is increasing

I find that I struggle with the first bit of the run cos suddenly my legs feel like concrete !I have learned to take my time and not get discouraged and just carry on till they right themselves .

Yay Apple !! I am jealous that you got under 33 mins - I was 33! Well done you!

Hello, have had a cold and feeling pretty rough all week now so haven't run since Tuuesday - hoping I can still pick it up again ok!
Enjoy your runs today

Well done Apple what a sense of achievement .

W6 R2 completed this morning, hadn't managed to run for 5 days due to being in a very intense training course at work so I was expecting to maybe have to repeat the week but it was ok, once I got past the first 5 mins. I've noticed all the runs from now on have no walking intervals and I'm hoping to gradually increase my speed as currently not quite hitting 4k by the end of the session.

Keep going everyone

I have the dreaded/ looked forward to (not sure at the mo!) 20 minute run today. It looks like my 77 year old father will be coming with me. He puts me to shame - he no longer runs marathons, but did into his early seventies. He is very much of the run slowly but get there school of running, which suits me fine at the moment. I can really feel some changes in the shape of my legs - not toned yet, far from it, but better.

Good luck lbnblbnb 20 mins is a milestone!

And well done for graduating applesnapple

Thanks for the advice everyone. My ankle is still improvng but very slowly so I shall give it another week's rest and if it's not back to normal I'll see the doctor. I sympathise poyntonoldhams I'm still hoping to go back to running, hope you can too.

DontDoItDi- I wonder if there is a self referral physio service in your area? Where I work you can either call an advice line to speak with a physio over the phone, or self refer online for an appointment. Might be worth it? Would be such a shame to not keep going after all your hard work so far. I am pretty sure a GP would point you towards physio as a first point of call. Good luck!

And thanks all- feeling great today if a little sore- tomorrow I start "project go faster"... One month til my 5k race, want to do it in under 30 mins!

That’s a good thought apple. I’ve had a look and yes we do have a self referral phoneline. I shall rest for a bit longer first because it is slowly getting better by itself. My DH pulled his shoulder earlier in the year and it took several months to get back to normal even with physio, so I have to keep reminding myself to be patient and one way or another I will get out there again!

One of the three C25K-Plus podcasts on the NHS website is specifically for building up speed. I downloaded it but hadn’t listened to it before my ankle conked out so I don't know what the program is.

Hello - may I sneak in and join you?

I did wk6 r2 today and am duly dreading the r3. I must admit I'm still finding it all just as hard, but then as I've progressed through the weeks I must be getting better! I'm carrying an extra five stone or so at the moment and am over fifty, so I suppose it's not surprising my body's taking a bit of a pounding. Am hoping it can only get better

Welcome weaseleyes - I keep hearing a Roxy Music song when I read your name, can't think of the name of the song...
I did four miles with my dad, his legs are so much longer than mine that he was walking but striding out while I was running for part of it. So I did longer than 20 minutes, but very slowly. We had a good talk whilst doing it. So into week 6 for me - really not fearful of the longer runs now, just want to get to the end, then work on speed.
Good to see you still posting DontDoItDo - agree you need to get it checked if it carries on much longer. Well done to all you C25Kers - we will get there!

Morning all! I did w6r2 this morning but it wasn't good. I didn't manage to run the whole second section and the whole thing just felt a bit wrong which is frustrating. It is the first time I have come back after a session not feeling pleased. I ran on pavements / roads for the first time as well which was strange. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be and everyone was very courteous and moved over for me but i felt on edge! I also didn't listen to music so I could listen out for cars but I think the music helps me get through it as I can just concentrate on singing along.

So now I don't know what to do for my next run on Wednesday! Should I repeat today's run or move on? Should I go back to my normal route (up and down a farm track) which means a headwind when I turn around halfway? That does mean I can listen to music though. And do I go running super early, or after a long day on a field trip? Decisions, decisions!!

Hi all, I've just completed week 5, run 1 - again.

I first did it 3 weeks ago but had a busy week, then went on holiday, and then last week I just couldn't motivate myself.

It was tough at first but after the first 5 min run I fell into a better pace and managed to complete it.

Glad to be back into it, must carry this on though and not give up.

Well done monkey, I'm sure you'll find what's right for you! I mostly run on pavements and paths, but either in quiet areas or at outlandish times so 'traffic' is never an issue. I also hate having to interrupt my stride for traffic lights - plenty of big roads near us that are impossible to cross otherwise.
I find it much harder running in fields and especially over grass, it's so much harder, but presumably gentler on your joints.

W5r3 completed!

Monkey, I think I would just put today down as a bad day and just press on with the next day.

Morning all , well I managed (just) wk6 r2 . It was a bit of a killer , I had to really slow down the last 3 or so minutes but I did it !
Monkey I think we need to both cross our fingers that run 3 is easier .

Well done and good luck to everyone out and about today !

monkey I run with only one earphone in. Means I can hear most of what is going on around me, but also hear the traffic.

Well done everyone on their progress, and hope those with injuries recover soon.

Hello all, have had 2 weeks off and scared to get going again...any tips? Looks like you're all doing really well ????