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?

Hello all!
Hope it's ok if I join you, I've just downloaded the app and got my running trainers :-)
I'm hoping to do w1r1 before lunch today. Have been putting it off because of the bad weather and general worry that I can't do it!
2ndsopranos although I haven't experienced this yet specifically, exercise often helps my IBS as it gets everything moving along so maybe that's why you've a bad tum?

Could I join too please? I've been mostly doing it on the treadmill at the gym and was up to week 3. My boyfriend took me out at the weekend and we did it in the park and kept going for a bit after the last 3 minute run.
Find it much harder outside though.

Going to the gym later today and I'm going to do Wk4R1 on the treadmill.

Week 5 scares the life out of me!!

It's interesting that you find it harder on ground than on treadmill, peas. I usually go out on road but once did it on treadmill. I found it harder on treadmill :). I think it might be because I speed up slow down depending on terrain, whereas I did a jog speed and walk speed with no variation, on treadmill.

I think it is regulating my speed outside that I find harder, the treadmill keeps me going at one steady speed, plus it propels you along a bit I suppose.

I want to be able to run outside eventually, it's just handy and dry to do it at the gym at the moment

I've just completed my first run!
Well, the running bit I did jog. It was harder than I expected but I feel great for doing it!
When I first started I felt REALLY self conscious, but I picked a quiet route so didn't see many people. Once I got into it I almost forgot about my jiggly bits
I've had a good stretch but sure I will ache a little!

I am not sure where I am to be honest, somewhere between week 4 and 5, I've been continuing to go it I feel it for about 30 more seconds, and then adding the extra onto the countdown.
I don't like it! But I'm feeling the benefits.
Booz I've only just started being more visible now, and I also just jog. It's more about moving and not injuring myself just now. We are out there and that's what matters.

Years ago I used to run regularly on the treadmill at the gym and never ever ventured outside because it seemed too hard.

This time I've started doing C25k outside with the aim of 'learning' to run outdoors. I've been going out in the dark with a hat on in the hope that I'm not recognised.

However last week I had to use the treadmill again and really didn't enjoy it much; I got bored very quickly and wanted to be outside again. All a bit bizarre for someone that had never run before outdoors.

My target is to do Park Run next month...

Oh dear half term and work have interrupted the momentum rather - have only managed one run in the past 10 days :-( Hope to restart tomorrow.

I also don't like being seen out running, but I've tried to get over this as I wouldn't find it easy to get to a gym. Now I've started C25K I don't find I worry about being seen as much as I did before.

Welcome Peas, Booze and Honey. I've only just started, too (I'm in W2) and it does help to know there are so many of us in it together :-)

Managed w4r1 at the gym....actually wasn't too bad and I felt great afterwards that I'd managed 16 mins running in total.

Still can't imagine being able to run for 20 mins solid next week!

Ah I thought about going when it's a bit darker but I'm a scaredy cat! I think some different clothes might help- I thought my jogging bottoms were looser than they actually are. A longer t shirt would be better too.
Thanks Jelly it is good to have some support and inspiring to read people's progress.
KeepOn I'd love to do a park run at some point. I work a lot of Saturdays but when I've built up and cut my hours back, one a month could be doable.
I think I'd get a bit bored on a treadmill! The app I've got doesn't have music and I like to hear the birds singing away between gasps of breath and see what's going on around me.
Will pick a less hilly route tomorrow!

Hi everyone,

I couldn't run last week due to half term but did my week 3 run 1 today. I was dreading the 3 minute jog but I feel incredible having achieved it.

Have noticed my thighs looking a bit better and firming up my legs.

Hi everyone. Am new to this thread but was after some advice. I did week 8 run 1 this morning but keep getting a terrible stitch about half way through the run. It really ruins my rhythm and I find I have to walk but I can not get rid of it. Has anyone got any advice on how to avoid it in the first place or get rid of it when it starts? Also what do you eat before you go for a run. I need some easy breakfast ideas as I always go in the mornings.

TIA

I don't eat before I run Phil as I run straight after drop off. Not sure what the general consensus would be but probably similar to not swimming for an hour after meals?

Wow my legs ache a bit today!
I'm strangely looking forward to tomorrow though which I'm taking as a good sign. I will be sure to stretch properly before, as yesterday I only stretched after schoolboy error
I've decided on a different route tomorrow which will involve a short drive but it's flatter and quieter I think.
I always thought you got stitch if you didn't warm up properly or ate too soon before exercise?

Maybe that's where i'm going wrong. Always warm up well with a 10 min up hill walk but will try not eating tomorrow. Thanks.

I have read Boozena that you shouldn't stretch before, as your muscles are cold and you might injure yourself, you should just warm up with a brisk walk and have a really good stretch afterwards.

My DP is an avid runner and he says that too, not to stretch cold muscles.

I think the warm up walk on C25K is enough.

Ah that's really good to know thank you!
Unfortunately it was too late for today's run but I did just stretch gently at first.
W1r2 done and it wasn't too bad. My new route is much better as it's flatter- will stick with it til I can think of anywhere else.
On Monday I had to stop short on the seventh run but today I managed to complete them all fully.
My legs ache a bit but I'm going to have a protein packed lunch and keep at it- no pain no gain as they say!

I haven't been eating before as I go first thing.
Limbering up for the 20 minute one on Saturday. But, if someone told me I'd be going for 8 minutes at the beginning of the year, I'd be laughing in their face.
Keep it up all. It's working.

Third run of the first week is tomorrow I think- I suppose I could do it on Saturday but it might be nice to have two rest days at the weekend. How do you all space it out or does it depend on work/kids?
I'm barely aching at all today, guessing from stretching properly and protein after, but I'm no expert.

Hi Boozena, well done on your first week.

The timing that works best for me is straight after drop off and I rest on the weekends. Not quite what Laura recommends but I'm trying to keep the momentum going.

Thanks cool!
I've gotta say, I still find the running but quite hard and am a bit nervous that after tomo the running will be longer (I pray for the buzzer atm!) But on the whole I'm enjoying the exercise and fresh air!
Mid morning seems to be working best for me as I can have some fruit an hour before then it's not far off lunchtime by the time I've done and got home/sorted. What does Laura recommend?
If I had kids I'd do the same as you!

I missed put wk4r3 and did wk5r1 today at the gym.
Felt ok with the 3, 5 minute runs but I think I'm going to repeat this one over and over before I move to the next stage.
Think I might be able to manage 8 mins soon but no way the 20 minute one. Also not sure if I could run 5 minutes outside yet.
Will try this weekend with my dp and see how it goes.

Well done all! Don't give up.

I tried W7R1 this morning and it was SO hard! The same amount of running time as I did last week but I couldn't do my usual route and thought it would be quite nice to run in the woods instead. I don't know if it was the different surface, the uneven ground or just that I wasn't in the mood but I really struggled.

I know that I should be proud of where I am now compared to 6 weeks ago but I'm so cross with myself for having to walk for a couple of minutes in the middle.

Oh bum , was doing my week 4 for the first time earlier this morning and, four minutes into my first five minute jog I felt a twang in my left foot, underneath between the ball and the instep. Had to stop.

To be fair, I have discomfort walking on the left foot generally, when the foot bends, but I sort of live with it iyswim because I can usually walk it in and the discomfort reduces eventually. It has never been an issue so far with the Cto5K. I just assumed it was stiffness.

So, yet again I have to stop the Cto5K. I am thinking about what to do instead and remember reading on another thread about youtube videos which feature workouts you can do in small spaces. I could set up laptop in conservatory and do a half hour thing maybe.

Swimming is a faff because it requires me to have to drive somewhere, get changed, swim, get changed again, drive home, and swimming is boring too.

I need something that I can do from the home, straight away, no fuss.

Very disappointed as i was looking forward to jogging along our local canal when the weather improved.

KeepOn I find it much harder to run on uneven ground, if a car comes and I have to go on the grass banking It sloes me down for sure.
Ouch that sounds painful stopfaffing. You could try the home workout vids- everyone raves about the 30 min shred but not tried it? I did Insanity once and had to stop at the end of wk5!as my arches hurt too much from the jumping around.
W1r3 done today and it went well. I'm a bit worried about next week as I still find it hard at first though do find I get my stride half way through and it feels a bit easier.
My inner thigh is bloody killing though and I had to go shopping straight after so bought some quorn cocktail sausages to eat in the car in the hope it was good protein!