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?

Hope it's ok to join in. I struggled up to w4r1 the day before yesterday and once I can shake this hangover slight headache, I'm off out for r2.
I've only read this thread and not any previous ones but I was really struggling to get to w4 and did w3 for about 3 weeks until I felt ready to face it.

W2r3 done today, dreading week 3.Planning on Sunday to run.
Biggest motivator has been my 14 yr did who runs with me and very enthusiastic.
Let's see.. Can't see myself running for 3 continuous minutes in week3

Goingtoffee - you will!
I'm struggling to time runs with food. For example, after dinner last night I thought I'd wait an hour an then run, but no, felt too full all evening till too dark to go out. This morning I want to run but breakfast is weighing heavily - what do others do? Is an hour not long enough? Do I have to give up eating?

Iggi999 - that's one of the reasons I lost weight last time I did this, NO snacking! I found I couldn't eat for at least 3 hours before a run or I'd retch when doing the longer runs so I had to go before a meal- pre breakfast, lunch or tea. There was absolutely no way I could go after tea. If I had left too big a gap and knew I'd be starving (eg are my lunch at 12 but couldn't run til 6), I'd have a little something to see me on but generally not anything protein heavy or it sat in my stomach. Something like a banana but still try to have a decent gap between that and a run

Going to be- I'm hoping to try week 3 today. Due to me taking a call during cool down on W2R2 I accidentally marked that I'd done R3 too so my app now thinks I'm onto week 3. Having said that I might change apps and give Laura a try following all the recommendations and now I know I can use my own music. Only thing is my toddler was ill last night and I've missed a lot of sleep so it could be disastrous. I'll report back on how it went...

Director - well done for making week 4! Another run and you're almost half way through the programme

Locket - how did the park run go? I've just found out there's a new run starting nearer here which is in a lovely spot so I'm really tempted to plan for it as a "graduation". Don't think I could run without instructions and encouragement though!!

Week 6 run 3 done, 25 minutes non-stop and Laura says now I’m officially a runner! Which is nice as all the other people out running pass me and disappear into the distance ahead

Iggi - one hour after eating is usually ok-ish for me though 2 is better. This morning I went out before breakfast, just had a drink of water first and had breakfast when I got back. I work part time (morning and early afternoon) so weekdays I can usually go out late afternoon (DS is on exam study leave so I haven’t needed to worry about being home for him after school). But on busy days fitting in a run can be a problem!

Locket hope your parkrun went well! I have my eye on a local parkrun but that’s a way off yet.

Apple have a lovely holiday in France, and enjoy running on those French boulevards.

25 minutes non-stop is fantastic Don't.

Iggi I find my best time to run is first thing in the morning after a cup of strong coffee, a glass of water and no breakfast. Any food and I feel rubbish - even if it was a few hours before. It's probably not the best way to do things but it works for me.

Hello! Joining in if I may. I have just done W2 R1 and feel good. I also can't run after food - so I normally run first thing in the morning which I like.

My friend writes for zombies run which is a fab series of apps. I think there's a 5km - 10km one for those who a) want one and b) like zombies! It's a story so each time you go running you hear the next bit.

Well that's my first parkrun completed! Harder than I thought, I took me a while to get around running with so many other people, especially when I was being overtaken. But, thank goodness for mapmyrun, because at each km interval I was reminded that I was actually going about my usual speed (everyone else was flying)
Completed it in 34:27, which I'm really happy with as I had to walk some of the hilly parts.

Wow, I'd love to be good enough to do a park run.
Did 28 mins today but found it very hard in the sun. I can run in the morning at the weekend but the rest of the time has to be after work, and fitted in around dcs bedtimes too. Lots easier in the summer though (trying to stay positive!)
I was running behind a couple walking for about ten minutes today and I never caught up with them Oh the shame

That's really good locket.

This week has been hard to fit runs in as dds had various events on. Managed to finish week 5 today with the 20 minute run. Hard work but completing it was awesome. Dd2 who is 12 came out with me and managed to run beside me for about 13 minutes before needing a break. I think she is disappointed she didn't keep up for the whole run but I'm impressed with how fit she is to be able to do that with no training.
My legs are feeling it a bit but hopefully I can get out again on Monday morning. I would love to finish week 6 by my birthday next week and have Laura tell me I'm a runner.

I'm just popping on as I started C25K at the beginning of March and really struggled to do W1R1 when it was 60 seconds running, 60 seconds walking (or similar). I just did 6k! My longest run yet. I'm going slowly so it took me the best part of 50 minutes but I am really chuffed and proud of myself, especially as it included a hill.

Good luck to those of you who are in the early stages of the programme. I am constantly amazed at how much I have come on in the past few months - and that a large part of my thighs and bum have disappeared!

strawberry that's brilliant, well done! I'm starting from scratch after 6months at the moment, but agree totally, it's amazing what you can achieve with this programme. About 4 years ago I started it as a not very active 40odd year old who'd never really done any sports, and was running in a local charity race the year after, doing 1.7 miles /2.7km in 14minutes. I would like to add that I don't usually run for speed though and normally stick to my 5km/30min every run. It's all I can fit into my day time-wise.

Now I just have to get back there. W3r1 completed this morning...

That should say starting from scratch 'after 6 months off running'

I found you :) I was panicing. I am going out shortly for w7r2, going with a neighbour and it will be the first time I have run with someone else. I don't know if I will like it, it's hardly like I can chat. I don't know what level she is at so I may not be doing the full 25mins as planned. I decided the other day that I would take the dogs with me to cut down on time but I cn't walk the dogs with headphones in, so I just left laura chatting to me out loud in my bag with no music which was a little bit odd. The dogs loved it.

locket thats a brilliant time.

lovely lovely run, we ran for 25mins no stopping and did 4.2km. going together again next sunday morning as it was so enjoyable.

i don't know if anyone has experience or advice they can offer but i completed week 2 run 3 on friday but although my stamina felt fine my kneed were painful from the first few steps of running and remained heavy and stiff/painful the whole time. Do you think i should start week 3 today or not risk injury

do you have a support bandage you could put on? I sometimes have to put a tubigrip on my left knee as for some reason it hurts everynow and then for a couple of days. I would say be very mindful of it but personally I would still go, however I am not an expert and you know your own body. hth

Notno- what are your trainers like? I noticed a difference when I started solid running 5 minutes or more (different aches etc) Dh (ran a lot in his teens) said then to get some new ones. It really made a difference.

Thank you all about parkrun In a few weeks it will be you x