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?

Yay mcbutton!

I see my position as person who runs so slowly they're almost going backwards remains unassailed! After completing week 9, I have moved on to the zombies app to see if being chased by the undead spurs me on to a faster pace. So far, the answer is no - the zombies eat me whilst everyone else runs away! Ah well, there has to be one.

weasel

The zombies may eat you as a starter but it won't be long before they catch me as the main course

Dont worry, mcbutton, they'll be full up by the time they've eaten me!

Hi everyone! Back home so back to running outside which i missed. Definitely feeling it in my knees though. Have moved onto week 9 despite not completing week 8. Good to see so many people persisting with it!

Quick question...do/did any of you get earache whilst out running? When I was out on Sunday my ears were really hurting inside and it reminded me that it used to happen when I started a running programme eight years ago.

I must admit I've never had earache. This is possibly the only bit of my body that hasn't hurt whilst running!

A quick google suggests it may be linked to blood vessels in the ear constricting and might be worse in cold air.

Hi suze - my nose runs when I run, and that's all connected isn't it, so maybe that's why your ears are hurting?

W6R1 this morning - now I've got over the psychological hump of W5R3 I am looking forward to checking the runs off...

Thanks ladies, W1R2 this am and there was no earache. Much sweating and I managed to complete it unlike R1 where I didn't quite finish the run/walk cycles.
I'm planning on going out every other day so bumping W2 into the end of this calendar wk if that makes sense.

Hi all,
I started the c25k three weeks ago. I downloaded the zen app, which doesn't have music, but you can choose a playlist?
First time I started the programme was a few years ago, when I had a basic, phone stopwatch, got into a pickle trying to keep track of how many runs I had done and forgot to start or stop on time. Sooo much easier with a smartphone and app.
So, on Sunday, I did run 1 of week three and have since noticed that my inner knee is a bit tender to the touch. My DP reckons its a ligament and advised me not to do my second run today. Boohoo!
So will go for a long walk instead.
Was thinking of just seeing how the knee is next week and redoing week three?
Has anyone redone weeks or had this type of problem?

Suze, had to say, I have had a bot of a dull ache in my ears since starting. Didn't connect it to running, but Hmm!

Rowing - I had two weeks off in-between weeks 3 and 4 because of pain in my leg. I can feel it twinge-ing again now but I have decided to keep going and see how bad it gets...

Hi I get the ear pain but only if it's fairly cold. I tend to hear a headband in winter.

So another week plodding along doing 5k. What is it about Wednesdays? Last week was hard and much slower than usual, this week I actually walked a couple of times . My legs just ache so much at times. I am not particularly pushing on speed or choosing challenging (read uphill) routes. Most likely it's all in the mind... I have just committed to a charity relay race in September, where speed does kind of matter. only 1.7m / 2.7km and in the past I've managed that in just over 14 minutes. Currently at 16. So now I'm unintentionally speeding up a fraction (it's not measurable in the pace though!) up to that point which probably means I'm knackered half way though...

suze28 yes that's how I did it at times, running alternate days and ignoring week divisions. As long as you have one rest day in between you should be fine. At one point it also allowed me to repeat some days (week 5 springs to mind!) without messing up the weeks

Good running everyone!

Hi all,
Bramshott thanks for the info! Do you wear any support on your knees?
I have found a neoprene knee tube thing in Dp' s drawer, not sure if that is a good idea.
My knee now feels a a lot better, the sensitivity has gone. Went for a long, brisk walk instead of run number two. I will do run three of wk three on Friday.
Thinking about redoing week three as I missed a day, plus want to give my joints a chance to toughen up without exploding them.
Glowwine, which week are you on? Do you feel a lot fitter compared to 'couch'?

rowingboat good luck, glad to hear rest is helping. I'd re-do week three until you're sure it's not gettinggetting worse again. The increments in the programme are care fully planned to strengthen your joints and cardiovascular capacity gradually. As a rule you should not increase your target by more than 5% per week (? Run? Sorry I have forgotten that crucial detail.) when training.

I reached W9 about a fortnight ago, and am now plodding along on my 5k 3 times a week, slowly slowly inching ever closer to hitting the 30mins. Yesterday was 32, but I have managed 30.xx at times. I am fitter now, no longer get out of breath cycling hills or railway bridges as I used to. My legs still ache, especially going uphill, however slight. On the flat I could probably keep going forever wishful thinking

Hi everyone! I have now finished week 9 and I am doing 5k in about 35 minutes. Now I am doing the longer runs I have found my knees aren't happy if I do that three times a week. I have decided just to do that on a Monday and Friday and then on a Wednesday I will try and do some other form of exercise. That will probably work out easier during the holidays anyway!

I still can't believe that just a few weeks after struggling to run for 60 seconds I am now running 5km - hats off to whoever developed these apps. I just really hope I can continue into the winter and nothing dampens my current enthusiasm! And my general fitness has definitely improved. I walk even faster now which annoys DH and the other day when I had to run for the train it felt like I was flying (even if I did look slightly demented with bags flailing around and the accompnaying red face)!

Good luck with the relay race Glow, it sounds fun!

Some excellent running going on!

I am currently just focusing on doing the 30 mins of running three times a week, whilst hoping my speed creeps up slowly. I don't think I'll be up to anything more drastic unless I manage to lose a fair bit of weight. This morning I managed to just squeak past the 3.5k in 40 minutes, which I was very pleased about

Rowing - I don't wear a support because the pain I have is in the back of my thigh rather than my knee. It's caused I think by my rather "over-pronating" left foot and arch supports have helped but not totally solved it.

monkeymayhem congratulations that sounds great!

I'll sort of totally out myself now but the race is Chariots of Fire in Cambridge. www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk
I've joined a team from work for the last 3 years. It's for all abilities and we're running in the veterans class . 5 in a team. Great fun whatever your speed. We've raised thousands for local charities, that's what makes it so special. Two year ago our team won the award for highest sponsorship raised by a team. It's so funny though, the winners (always a team from the same two gyms) will be home before most of the 4th runners have even set off! And you meet/bump into lots of other runners who you normally only see in totally different situations. And some people do go for the fancy dress option. Last year the engineering dept were running in/hand ing over a cardboard car costume.

Running today was good. No stopping, on the not quite flat route and it took just over 30mins. 16mins for my CoF distance

Well done getting thru W5R3 bramshott! (Sorry I missed your post about it)

I've been carrying on doing W5R3 this week, not struggling but still going fairly slowly. I'm going on holiday tomorrow - yay sunshine! - but it might be too hot to run til I get back.

PS got it wrong: teams of 6 to CoF. Anyone interested, registration is open till early September. Poster: www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Chariots-of-Fire-2015-Poster.pdf

Hi!

Starting tonight. Really looking forward to it. Just a question, tonight is Week 1 day 1, so I do day 2 tomorrow? Or skip a day? I'm confused! Thanks

You need to leave a rest day between each session so day 2 will be Sunday night.
I'm starting W2R1 tomorrow am.

Glow that looks great! I live near Cambridge so may give it some thought! Good luck Bleach!