New year C25K. Anyone care to join me?

[CaptainBraandPants]

So, new year, new me, etc, etc.
I've done C25K before, then a program up to 10k.
Although I found lots of it hard, it did wonders for my health and fitness and also for my mental health.
But, then I stopped. I can't even remember why now.
So, I'm back at the beginning. The advantage I have this time is that I know I can do it as I've done it before.
It's pissing it down here, but I'm going to go and do it anyway.
Anyone else?

Ignore my message above. Today was brutal (and boring). I spent the entire run fighting the inner voice telling me to stop.

I did finish but the last 6 minutes were torturous. Thankfully I have 2 days off now.

Good to see you back bijouxxx hope the legs are okay today.

Also hoping Captain is okay - gone very quiet.

W6R2 done today. Was okay but felt very cold, especially when the wind was behind me.

Am looking forward to, and yet not looking forward to W6R3 - I think it's because it'll be yet another run in the dark although being Friday there'll be the promise of a glass of wine afterwards!

Then it's on to W7 next week. Chicken - it should be doable, but seems a bit boring from here on just increasing the minutes by a few each week. Am almost wondering whether to substitute W1 for one of the runs (R2?), keeping the walking warm-up but then attempting a faster pace on the 60 second 'jog', and then easy jogging pace instead of the 90 seconds walk, with the last 5 min brisk walk being a 5 min jog to bring the minutes up to 25 run total. Does this sound okay?

Anonymous - a skiing week should keep your legs nicely toned so I don't think your running will suffer for it - more likely to be a benefit. I second Sycamore and Chicken - just repeat your last run and see how you feel.

waiting I have previously reverted to earlier weeks and jogged/fast jogged. Definitely give it a try but you may find it more difficult than you imagine (in terms of losing breath)! Just mind you don't push yourself too hard or you'll get an injury. I had a very near-miss with a twisted ankle last night which made me jump, just imagining that pain from childhood...

I think I shouldn't have gone yesterday. I really wasn't in the mood but I can't go today so had no choice. Hopefully Saturdays run will be less of a battle.

Is anyone using the zombie c25k? I think the premise is that you run when the zombies give chase... Might be worth a go for a change? Or maybe listening to a podcast or ebook?

Week one complete. Delighted to be back running. Hopefully I'll manage to see the whole thing through.

Well done on all the running everyone. I got out and done w2r2 this evening and actually found it easier

I'm finally braving this thread!
After a few failed attempts at C25K in the last few years i decided to try again on 1st January and have managed to get to week seven with no breaks or repeats (nobody more surprised than me at this). I've bought new trainers, signed up for a 10k in July and even bought a treadmill for those cold dark evenings.
I'm worrying slightly about w7r1 as those extra 3 minutes could really drag... I'm also coming down with a cold and keep sneezing/ coughing and had planned to try a parkrun this weekend so just hoping it doesn't come to much!
Great to hear all the success stories in here

Well done Zippy! and welcome! And sycamore and tsoto! I find it quite hard to motivate myself to go out sometimes, so find this thread very handy!
Doing W3R2 tonight. Bloody cold though, so it'll be my cosy fleece tonight!

still singing 'just keep running' to myself, especially now the runs are getting slightly longer!! :)

Chicken theres a zombie app? Hahaha, thats brilliant! I do my running at night, think if I had that app, I;d be jumping at shadows!!
Speaking of, does anyone else have a problem with the app if you play music? I tried it with spotify but the music plays over the instructions and it stops the app timings from working! So I jog in silence!

W6R3 completed. Was snowing slightly, but not settling, so better than the rain of last week's run. W7 starts Monday.

Which plan are you following Zippy? My W7 runs are all the same as W6R3 with 25 mins run. W8 are 28 minutes. W9 30 minutes.

Have a great weekend everyone. Hope the weather is kind for those running.

I use the zen lab app and it's worked perfectly. I'm liking the zombie idea though!
I ignored c25k and did my first parkrun this morning. I walked for about a minute towards the end but I managed it in 32 minutes so I am happy! It helped that I started talking to someone at the start line and we chatted the whole way round
I'm heading for 10k next, exciting!

I'm changing tactic. I couldn't be bothered to run last night so stuck some Yoga with Adrienne on. I attempted a core workout and was horrified at my lack of strength so I'm putting the running to one side and will concentrate on muscle work. Tonight will be 30 day shred and some yoga...

Hello everyone, great to read everyone's progress! I'm back from my work trip so went out for W6R2, a bit behind and I struggled with motivation, but managed to get through it in the drizzling snow!

From now on it's a minimum 25 mins run with no breaks, so my motivation will probably suffer even more, but will see how it goes.

I completed week 2 day 1 yesterday. The programme I'm using has five times two-and-a-half minutes running and resting which seems a bit different to most other programmes. I'd been hoping to mix up the podcasts each time the same run is repeated to keep from boredom but I can't find any others that are on this schedule - any suggestions? My current one if 5k101 from the iPhone podcast list.

I love the idea of the zombie one mentioned earlier, great way to add a sense of fun - does anyone have a link?

Heading out shortly to do w2r3

Lost my way due dental drama but will get back out tomorrow for W5 R1 on repeat

Hope you had a good run Tsoto

Jesstar the good thing about getting W6R3 done is that all the W7 runs are the same, so once you nail that, you know W7 is possible. If you can, plan a route with a bit of interest and as flat as possible!!

Sycamore - your plan does seem harder than the one I've been following. W2 for me was "Begin with a brisk five-minute walk, then alternate 90 seconds of running with two minutes of walking, for a total of 20 minutes" (plus an additional walk to finish). Here's a link where you can check out the schedule www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k-plan.aspx Can't help with the zombie podcast.

So, W7R1 done for me today. 25 mins continuous jogging - same for each of the three W7 runs so a bit of planning needed to avoid stop/start at traffic lights.

Thanks waiting, I did W6R3 this morning, the last 5 minutes were a struggle. Am feeling less motivated to carry on, is this normal at this stage? Perhaps it's because there are no walking intervals, may be I should reduce to twice a week to try and avoid falling off the wagon...

Week 2 day 2 complete.

This might sound obvious but to stave off boredom, try running your loop in the opposite direction. It's amazing how different it looks and feels.

Jesstar a 25 min non-stop run is a huge achievement! Also, remember, the last five minutes of any run is going to be a struggle as we're always adding to it from now on! And why some runs are tougher than others is often a total mystery.

I think the problem with the plan as we progress is that all the sessions are the same length, so the option of different routes can be limiting/boring, hence the motivation slips. I'm planning a different route tomorrow and although it's longer at 3.5 miles it's much more interesting than running round the local housing estate (essentially a grid of interlocking roads to cross and re-cross). The weather looks to be okay so I shouldn't get cold with the extra walking before and afterwards.

For me, I put each run in the diary - Monday; Wednesday; Friday. In my mind, it's non-negotiable (unless I'm physically ill, obviously) even if I don't want to go. There are things in my life that I can't control - keeping to my diary running schedule is something I can, so provides most of my motivation on the days I don't want to go out.

You need to do what's best for you - twice a week; alternate days - there's no time limit. Have you thought about seeing whether there's a running group in your area? This is where I found the Monday group I've started going to runtogether.co.uk . Mine is ladies only and takes beginners. May be worth a look? We do 5k in total, but it's run with breaks. I just made sure on Monday that I left out the first walk break to get my 25 minutes in. May be worth a look?

Well done on your run Sycamore - good idea about going in the opposite direction!

W7R2 just done. I know each run makes us stronger, but it just seemed so hard today - spent the first five minutes feeling like I was running on a treadmill going nowhere. Fortunately the worst of the threatened rain held off and having planned a route which finished on a downhill, the last five minutes weren't as bad is they could have been. Now tucking into a late lunch and hoping my legs don't seize up.

Thanks waiting, well done on getting through what sounds like a tough run today. I think I'll try and keep up with 3 runs a week until the end, and then maintain on 2 runs a week. I'm glad I managed to run 25 mins but I'm not sure it's going to get easier!

You're all right about the route, I think I need to make it more exciting. But there's not much variability unless I decide to incorporate more slopes, and I really think that'll finish me off!

That's a great idea sycamore, thanks! Think the dog will like it as we end our run in the park usually! Just about to go and do W4R1 now, nice night for it! Think I have the beginning of an ingrowing toenail, hoping my running trainers don't rub it!

W7R1 done this morning, not easy but I felt more comfortable than on my last run. It's so good to hear others are keeping at it as well, helps me stay motivated when I'm struggling. I'm not doing a loop, just a straight run and back, as it's the flattest route I've found.

I don't feel like a runner, not like those proper runners you see out and about. As long as I can run around 20-30 mins twice a week I think I'll be happy with that in the long-term.

W7R3 done. Bit of a struggle as the last bit was uphill.

W8 next week is going to be difficult as I have a guest staying and leaving them alone whilst I go out for a run won't be an option.

Jesstar - it's only you saying you're not a proper runner - I think several thousand park runners would disagree with you!

Finished week 2 yesterday. Novelty starting to wear off now so I'm hoping to get motivation and accountability from here!