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, I'm in too. Downloaded and C25k tonight and just did W1R1. It wasn't too bad although I was puffing and blowing by the end of each of the 60 second runs, im shamefully unfit.

I live in a hilly area so those were hard, and it was drizzling heavily but I feel happy I've finally made a start. I've made too many excuses for too long.

Boozena it's also my aim to get to a Park Run. There is one very near me that is close to where my sons do their swimming lessons at the same time, so no excuse!

I am lucky in that we have a treadmill in the garage with a telly set up to watch while running
Having said that I actually find treadmill running harder than outside running; just because it is boring! But means we can do it anytime of day. But when the weather is better and evenings lighter I'm going to start going outside more, we are lucky to have a nature reserve very close that makes a good running spot.

Just done W5R2. The 8 min runs were easier than I thought, not completely horrified by the thought of 20mins next like I was before!

Platelet well done. W1R1 is by far the hardest one of the lot. Can only get better from here

Thank you, I just need to get over the embarrassment factor. I did wait until it was almost dark before going out 😂 hopefully I'll be running for longer periods by the time the evenings are really light.

Platelet- I hate the idea of people watching me go from running to walking, but it's just for a few weeks, then we will be jogging along! I run at a pace that's barely faster than a brisk walk but that's more than I was doing a fortnight ago so it's all progress!

Platelet I felt embarrassed on the first run too but have t given it a second thought since.
I wanted to do w2r3 today but it's snowing loads here at the moment and ive got to be at work at 10:30. If I had appropriate clothes ie. Waterproof jacket I'd probably be ok but as it is I haven't. Working all day tomo then out for a meal and staying over.
Hoping to go Sunday but we will see!

W3r2 - it's not getting any easier. I can just about mange the runs and can never imaging being able run for any longer. But strangely when I finish I don't really feel that I've done very much.

Platelet you wrote EXACTLY what I feel. I too am shamefully unfit and have made excuses for far too long. I really will try to stick with this, despite the hills and weather. It really does help hearing about everyone else's progress. I am not alone!

I'm stuck on week 5! Had a break from the gym and lost my momentum and I think that's the key with c25k.
Went out for a run tuesday and did wk5r1, then repeated it at the gym Thursday. Did w5r2 again today and actually did feel I could keep going longer than 8 mins.
I still don't think I'm ready for 20 mins though so I'm going to keep repeating w5r1 and 2 until I feel ready.

Good to see so many new faces.

Had a week where I really couldn't be bothered to do anything, did W7R3 on Monday (and embarrassingly tripped over a dog ) and then nothing.

But I dragged myself out of bed this morning and managed W8R1 - 28mins of running and finally did the magical 5km in total distance.

For those just starting out it really does get easier, I was also huffing and puffing on the walk/run sections accompanied by a lot of swearing under my breath at Laura. I'm still rather large and slow-moving but can't believe the difference from just following the plan.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Well done plodding, you are pretty much there! I did w2r1 this morning. Got caught in a hailstorm and my route means my final run is up a steep hill but I got there!

Plodding that's great! I completed wk9 r2 last night and actually ran for longer than I should (33 mins) and still only managed just over 4.4km. I am so slow. And I don't seem to be getting any faster really worried as am doing a 5k event in 2 weeks time. I am still very pleased that after not being able to run at all, I can now "run" for 33mins .... Albeit VERY slowly

I'm doing w5r3 tomorrow or Monday. Twenty minutes - am I seriously going to manage that!? The two lots of 8 yesterday wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but twenty minutes seems like a massive jump!

Well I'm going backwards 😳 W1R2 tonight and I couldn't manage the very last 60 seconds run, my legs felt like I was running through sand, my thighs were in agony. Possibly due to the heavy night out last night....try again in Tuesday and if I can't do it comfortably I'll just repeat week 1. How embarrassing.

I did it! I ran for 20 minutes without stopping. Can't quite believe it. Week 6 awaits - bring it on!

Yay Sopranos, well done! Platelet, I find it harder sometimes than others too. I think it varies for me with the time of day, how recently I've eaten and how level the route is. But I find my legs are not so heavy and sore now (end of W3). It's the breathing & fitness I'm still finding hard.

Hi all. I'm just about to start week 3 next week but I've been finding each day harder and harder, rather than easier - is this normal??? I feel like I'm going to throw up by the last running section this week and it takes me at least half the walking part to get my breath back... i wouldn't have said I was that unfit to start with eg walk a fair bit, take the stairs instead of lift etc. Just a bit disheartening that running for 90s intervals is like mission impossible.....

Do you reckon I'm attempting to run too fast? I've noticed my times are gradually getting quicker even though I've not been making a conscious effort to be faster. Should I actually be making a conscious effort to go slower???

2ndSopranos well done! I also did W5R3 today thought 20mins would be too much but it was okay actually!

Well done! Especially the 20 minuters.

I cannot get 20 minutes! I keep losing steam. I'm just going to plod on and keep at it though. One day!

I missed w2r3 :-( so going to do that today and hopefully move on to Week 3 on weds.
Fondant yes maybe you are trying to run too fast? No bad thing I suppose but my run isn't a huge amount faster than my walk I do get out of breath but don't get to the point where I feel sick as that would put me off.
I'm hoping once I've built up fitness a bit I can work on speed!
I'm going into town tomorrow to buy some proper clothes- been managing with some old bleach stained jogging bottoms and DH's running top and jacket so far but as I'm enjoying it I feel justified buying my own gear. I'm going to try primark as have read good things about their workout clothes and I'm on a student budget!
Horribly dehydrated today so need to work on water consumption. Does anyone run with a water bottle?

I've been going very, very slowly. Sometimes I'll think to myself that I'm going to quickly then I slow down for a bit so perhaps you are going too quickly? So yes, I'd be thinking about making the effort to go slower.

I'm driving everyone mad with all of this so I love that this thread is here to share my triumphs!

Thanks Soprano, I'll pay attention to my speed.

Booze I got some stuff in the Matalan sale and it's quite good.

wavesofthe sea and 2ndsoprano - brilliant news, you must be really chuffed!

Booze - I've had some good running stuff from Tesco and Sainsbury's as and you could have a look on Amazon as well. I feel happier now that I've upgraded from my baggy leggings and fleece and can at least pretend that I'm a 'proper' runner. Strangely I'm not looking forward to warmer weather since winter layers disguise my wobbly bits much better!

I also run very, very slowly, barely any faster than walking but I think to start with it's the key to keeping going. When I've tried to run previously I've gone bounding off down the street on Day 1 only to come back huffing and puffing after about 3 minutes never to touch my trainers again - Couch25K has forced me to slow down.

Thanks for the clothing recommendations! I've got a 15% off voucher for matalan so ill check there and Sainsburys! My tesco clothing bit is shite but ill see how I get on.
Just done w2r3 and crikey I struggled. It usually goes fine after the second run but my legs felt on fire and like they wouldn't flex towards the end. I managed it but nervous about going into w3 now!

To those having difficulty with the 20mins; agree with those who say to slow down a bit. I'm going slower now then when I started for my runs (5mph; on a treadmill) covering 2 miles all in on the whole thing on most of them.

Aldi has some good running stuff in recently too!