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?

It's quiet on here, I hope that means people are busy out running :)

Finished W7R3 today, legs were struggling a lot so I might space out the runs a bit more to make sure they're rested as the runs are getting longer. I also changed my route for R2 which included more hilly areas, so that's probably not helped me today. A few days of rest are in order I think.

I'm afraid I'm hobbling off the track for a while with a foot fracture from a silly trip. Best wishes to all those continuing, especially those so close to the end of the programme.

Any suggestions for exercise that doesn't really involve the feet or toes gratefully received - I think I'll try some exercise biking, rowing and swimming and see if I can do those without pain.

Oh no Sycamore what a disaster! Have you been given any idea how long it'll take to heal?

Well done on your W7R3 Jesstar. I found I my legs were very tired by the end of W7, I think because it's the first time they've had to do three runs with no stopping.

W8R1 done tonight. Even though the legs had a couple of days rest I went out feeling quite tired - also a little miffed as OH promised to be back in time so I could run with the Monday club I joined, only to be late home.

Anyhow, surprisingly, the legs felt okay on the run - bit tired for the first 10 minutes but after that they settled down, I listened to the music on the podcast and apart from nearly coming a cropper on a stretch of pavement where the streetlights weren't working, it was fine. I even managed a 'sprint' for the last minute!

So W8R2 beckons. Trouble is that's tube strike day and OH isn't back until 9.30 p.m. No idea when I'm going to get out. Very annoying.

Hello! Week 1, run 1 just completed. Drinking Prosecco as a reward ... That's how it works right?

Decided I need to be fit before trying for DC2!

Aaaah, my bi-annual round of norovirus has struck again, leaving me unable to run and complete W4R3! Pants! This means I have to do W4 again. Not bad as I did struggle with W4R2! If only I knew how to tell the app this!
Sorry to hear about your foot sycamore-hope its better soon!
Welcome Zampa, well done, I'm glad you;ve grasped the basic concept!
I do that, go for a run, then sneak some choc to congratulate myself!! One to console the loser and all that!
Interesting to see how waiting and jess get on with W8. Im struggling running 5 mins, not sure how i'll cope further on!

Oh gosh, there appears to be a plague upon the thread this week! Norovirus sounds utterly awful and I assume will leave you feeling wiped out for a good while? My sympathies.

Thanks for the good wishes for my poor foot - i never should have instituted that 'no shoes indoors' rule. Pain is still fairly awful and they say it will be 4-6 weeks to heal. I fear for me it might even be more - I am thankfully very rarely sick or injured but when I am, I always seem to take ages to get better. I'm going to try to find some exercises like swimming or indoor rowing to help progress my fitness in the meantime.

W8R2 completed. Thanks to tube strike traffic was awful so OH came home and let me get my run in before he went out for the evening. Felt quite hard most of the way round, but also surprising how quickly the time went. And a whole minute quicker! I do think the podcasts keep me going. Probably a tail wind helped too .

How's the foot feeling Sycamore?

Evilstepmum hope you're feeling a little better by now.

Jesstar - any news on W8 yet?

A little better, thanks @Waiting. But still makes me howl if I accidentally move it the wrong way.

Well done on week 8r2. Are you on the eight-week or nine-week version of the programme? It will be marvellous to complete it.

Thanks! Norovirus became gastroenteritis and has wiped me out completely. Taking this week off work, running and gym til I feel better. Have lost half a stone though, silver linings and all that! Nice one waiting! Sycamore, did u find a gentle exercise to do?

Thanks! Norovirus became gastroenteritis and has wiped me out completely. Taking this week off work, running and gym til I feel better. Have lost half a stone though, silver linings and all that! Nice one waiting! Sycamore, did u find a gentle exercise to do?

Sycamore sorry to hear about ur foot.

Evilstepmum hope you feel better soon

Hope everyone else is ok, sorry just a quick flick through.
Done w3r2 tonight

Started W8 today, a struggle as expected, mainly through lack of motivation I think and I took the hilly route again - silly me.

I had a few days' break and I think I prefer to space out the runs a bit, so next one will be early next week.

Sorry to hear of the difficulties people have been through, I'm sure you'll all get back on track soon enough! Waiting you are the inspiration, you'll be on W9 soon and finished! Fantastic :)

Aaargggh I can't get back out there - help!!!!!!

I'd like to join too... I've downloaded the app & need to get some music for it. And dig out my trainers. I'm hoping to start tomorrow or next week, as soon as I can get organised.

Question - do any of you run before breakfast? Do you find it harder, energy-wise? I've tried exercising first thing before but got really tired compared to later in the day. I work full time & have a 4 y/o so not got masses of free time...

I run first thing simply because I wouldn't do it otherwise. Wouldn't want to run after eating either as I think it would be difficult.

Did W8D2 today so only one more day until C25K (Zenlabs) is complete. However, really annoyed because a niggling pain in knee and thighs seems to be ITBS and I don't know what to do. Advice seems to be rest and rehab. I've started rehab (realise I should have started at first twinge but ~I genuinely thought it was DOMS I was feeling). I am going to drop it down to twice a week but dont know whether even that is pushing it.

Well done Tsotofamily Jesstar on your runs.

Halfgirl - anything we can help with? It's so very annoying to be mentally psyched up only to not be able to get out.

Welcome Lego - personally I am definitely NOT a morning person! The only time I run before breakfast is when I don't eat until after lunchtime. I much prefer to run in the evenings once the traffic has died down.

Elsie - how exciting to be nearly finished - the NHS plan I am following is 9 weeks so I still have three runs to go. Are you planning on continuing onto a 10k plan? When I ran years ago I had quite a bit of trouble with ITBS and found sports massage and the dreaded foam roller really helped.

So, W8R3 finished today. No hills. Hurrah. Although my legs felt really tired. Ran with my DD who complained her legs were heavy too, but she put it down to being on her feet all day. When we mapped the run afterwards, realised we had run quarter of a mile further than last week, but in the same time. Oops.

Right. All good now, am re-starting W4 tonight. I run of an evening after work and when kids in bed. Its quieter and I find it easier to motivate myself!

waiting only 1 week to go until you're finished the plan! nice one!
@halfgirlhalfturnip you can do this!! go back a week if you have to!

hope your feet is healing sycamore, will it take a while to get back to running after this?

Good to see jess and tsoto are doing well too! this running lark isnt easy but its not impossible!!

Well done all! I wasn't as tired as I thought I would be so went out for W8R2 today, chose a less hilly route and it felt ok. Can't quite believe that I can now run for 28 mins!

Half what's stopping you getting back on track? Is it a physical or mental barrier? Don't worry too much if you have a break, you can still do it. Perhaps go back to what felt right and start from there?

Hope injuries are healing and motivation returns for those struggling (like me!). At least it's getting warmer.

W9R1 done. Think I managed to get out in the only 45 min gap in the grotty weather today - rest of the week doesn't look much better either.

Congrats on your W8 runs Jesstar! It really does seem strange that a few weeks ago we were wondering however would we manage 5 minutes, then 8 minutes, then 10 minutes and then 20 minutes 25 minutes. And now 30 minutes is here.

Going to need a new plan soon!

I haven't been on here for ages but glad to see everyone's progress. I've now finished the C25K programme and I can now run for 30 minutes and run 5k but not together! I plan to move on to 10k as I've signed up for a 10k run in July but want to get down to 5k in under 30 minutes before I do that... last timed run I did was 33 minutes so I'm still a way off. I'm doing parkrun again this weekend and hoping to et a better time!
I'm currently running 30 minutes 3-4 times a week and hoping to bring my speed up but i can't decide if this is the best way or if I should be running 5k 3-4 times a week and bringing the time down! So frustrating

W9R2 done this morning. No particular reason, but after a good run on Monday I struggled today to the point I actually wanted to stop and walk just before minute 15 and only sheer stubbornness kept me going. I appreciated every countdown. As I found it so tough, once the 30 minutes was up I kept going until I reached traffic lights, just to confirm how tough it was. After that, I was grateful for the walk, and am not sure it was particularly brisk! So I have graduation within my sights. But feel a bit flat about it.

Hi Zippyzulu. Are you doing all your runs at the same pace or have you started adding in some shorter speed runs? If not, then swap out one of 5ks each week for either a tempo, fartlek or sprint/recover reps. Just one per week though, not all three! Which 10K are you doing? You can also swap out one of the 5ks and very gradually make it a longer run to increase your distance. The good thing is that on long runs you get to run at a slightly slower pace to build endurance!

I have the occasional run where it just doesn't work. It's so frustrating' I used to run at 6am but when I built up my time and distance it became too difficult so I now run in the evenings or on my treadmill instead.
I haven't started the 10k app yet as I want the magical sub 30 minute 5k first! I'll maybe try extending one run a week and see how I get on

Well... I chickened out. It's been intermittently bucketing it down here, for several days, & likely to continue for the rest of the week. I've not got any suitable wet weather kit... But I did do 30 minutes of my Davina workout DVD instead & tested my new trainers (I have funny feet & have to wear orthotic supports). So not a total loss...

Well do everything on all the running everyone. I'm meant to be heading out later to do w4r1 - wish me luck this week looks scary

W4r1 done, so pleased with myself x