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?

Week 2, run 2 tomorrow - got to keep on. Juneathon - run everyday in June - if I took that as run/walk everyday in June, I could go for that challenge.

Finished week3 yesterday.
glowwinw and wiifit have you done week4. Seems like a big jump in the time to run. I am working long hours today so it will have to be on Tuesday or Wednesday.

apple that sounds really funny, I have o stop while the dogs do their business and I end up running on the spot while I wait for them, someone ran past me last week and said you got to do what you got to do, I must look a right ninny.

Goingtobefree- I did week 4 run 1 yesterday and found the 6 minute run quite tough but manageable. I like that there are less runs overall even if they are longer.

W8r1 early Sunday morning on a forest path beside a Highland stream, very pretty, in a light drizzle that turned to rain by the end but by then I was too hot and sweaty to care and I got to sit outdoors in a hot tub afterwards. 28 mins was OK, struggling uphill on the way out so practically flying all the way back! Back to suburban pavements this week (sigh!)

did the last run of w7 today, after two failed runs this week (I was a bit too ambitious with the hills and ended up walking).

goingtobefree I did W4r1 today, huffing and puffing and keeping a desperate eye on my watch but it WAS doable. No pains, no aching afterwards... And the recovery times between were okay. BUT I did 3m 5m 3m 5m?? Not sure about the length of the walking intervals. That's what my app proposed... It carries on like that till w5r1 when the intervals increase to 5 5 5 with 3m walking in between and more....

going I'm attempting w4 r1 tomorrow- fingers crossed I make it to the end!

Went for a walk today - my contribution to Juneathon. I ran Sat and Sun and could feel it in my legs, so a rest day walk. Awful weather, the rain was pinging off my waterproof jacket.
DontDoItDi - your highland run sounds lovely. I am going to Knoydart in July, really looking forward to it. Part of the reason for starting running again is to be fitter for that trip.

Hi all, can I join (again!) please. I did week 1 a few weeks ago but then really hurt my hip and could hardly walk let alone run but today I picked it up again. I skipped week 2 and did w3r1. I found the 3min runs tough but had DH with me who is super fit which really helps although he probably doesn't think so I am so crabby while doing it! I added a final 2min run on the end after the second 3 min walk and that felt ok so finished feeling hopeful as opposed to defeated which is how I felt half way through.

Glow my week 4 is a 5 min run too, not a 6min but I think I have a 9 week programme not 8 so there must be some differences. Suppose it doesn't really matter, we all end up at the same place!

Can I join too, please? This is my third attempt to do c25k, and I have never got beyond week three, for one reason or another.

I have done week 2, day 2 today, and am very very slow and still struggling: only 3.4k.

I am not a natural runner, being 46 and sturdy (!), but can't get back to my old gym ways because of family and other commitments.

Will I get better, will it become easier? Am a bit despondent, so looking for encouragement, I suppose.

Am impressed with all of you who have stuck with it. I need to be fitter and thinner to head into middle age.

if you were, for example, in your late 40s, inactive (apart from toddler chasing), tall, top heavy, and well over 17 stone, would you start the C25K..?
oh, and have bad knees...

Dismalfuckers - I am back at the beginning now, but I have followed this through to the end before and it does work. I remember not believing that I could get through some of the longer runs, but he programme builds you up so well. Have faith and good luck.

Thanks lbn, I will keep going, I've told people irl that I'm doing it too,and feel the pressure!

Suppose I feel old, and like it's all too much effort, but if you've done it and it works I will keep going!

Dismalfuckers I have also tried twice before and am in my fourties (not that I quite believe I can be that old!!) but I am absolutely determined to do it this time. I really believe it is about getting your head in the right place, I'm hoping if I can do that then the rest will follow!
I have never run for more than 8 mins (the furthest I ever got with c25k before) but in my more optimistic moments I know I can crack this and if I can then trust me anyone can!

I’ve never been to Knoydart, it looks beautiful lbnblbnb. Are you getting there by boat or – ulp!- walking? We went for several walks over the weekend and I found I had a lot more stamina than before I started C25K. DH said I was walking faster – usually I struggle to keep up with DH and DS but this time I was keeping up or even ahead for at least the first half of our walks.

Dismalfuckers - 46? I hardly remember 46, you young thing you! I’ve never been remotely athletic either, never run before, certainly never seen the inside of a gym. But somehow this works for me. I think I’m running (well jogging) about 3K total at present, in week 8. But it is very slowly increasing. I try not to think ahead, just take it one run at a time. It really does build up. Seven weeks ago I could only just run eight minutes with eight breaks and now I can keep going for 28 mins without having to stop which seems pretty surprising!

So there i was thinking I'd get a bit more training in before i did my first 5k event, but my cousin has a spare ticket for a colour obstacle race on Saturday so im doing that. Looks fun, did a fourth W1 run yesterday but went for exactly 5k and did it in 40 minutes, which I'm happy with.

Up running at 5.30 in the rain this morning. Cold and wet but it's done! I must say I am finding w7 hard. It's just difficult to predict when it'll feel like a good run vs a not so good one! On Sunday I ran my fastest km in 7 mins 7 sec, today I was averaging 9 mins something!! sonetimes I feel I'm just hauling my big ol arse around... I haven't lost more than a pound or 2 so far, despite exercising 4 times a week, I know I will (hopefully!) eventually, but I feel at least if I was a bit lighter it'd be less impact, less of me to lug around!

MrsWooster... Do it! No reason why not to give it a go!

Apple, my experience from first time I did this (illness knocked me back for 6 months) was that I didn't notice any weight loss while doing c25k. However in the weeks after, when running 30 mins three times a week, I lost a stone.

I get a bit disheartened by other people's speeds as I run so slowly - but isn't our title "it's not about the speed"?
Blowy here and looking like rain. Can't run till this evening, hope it's not chucking it down.

iggi999 thank you, that is encouraging!! Yes you're right- it's totally not about the speed, I just find it unpredictable that sometimes I am full of bounce and other times I just drag myself round!

Good luck for this eve, hope the weather sorts itself out... One hot shower and lots of warm clothes later I am still chilly from this morning's soaking!

Aw, crap, just ' ran' W6R2 supposed to be 10r, 3w, 10r, it was 2r, long walk, 9 r. Disasterous. Everyone has bad days. Right???

Not sure why so bad could have been I haven't eaten anything for the first time before a run, I didn't have my dog with me (I thought she may make it more difficult with her than without but maybe she helps) and I am distracted by having a busy morning. The one excuse I don't have is the weather; its foul but I don't mind getting wet and muddy, in fact I quite like it

Good luck everyone with their runs today and tomorrow. I'll repeat W6R2 on thurs, and hopefully nail it.

Mrs Wooster. The good thing about this program is you can repeat the sessions as many times as you need.

One of my friends repeated week 1 four times before moving on. So go for it and just ensure you can do the sessions before moving on.

It's a really motivating program, and can be addictive once you start! Never thought I'd say that about running

Mrs Wooster, please do try it! It's a gentle steady programme which increases pace as you get fitter a dive found it pitched really well. I'm almost 40 and haven't exercised since I was about 22!!!!! Do go for it. I'm only 5 weeks in but feel happier, less stressed and like I'm accomplishing something. Plus having half an hour to myself three times a week when I work full time and run around after 2 children is just lovely. Give it a go!!! Oh, and buy a good sports bra!