Couch to 5k - any graduates

[Zohz123]

I did the first run today, it was quite tough just looking for some reassurance and encouragement really. I have a tendency of not sticking to things/making excuses and would love to see myself get fitter over time.. motivation/tips/stories needed!

Thanks x

5k is ie able but you don't realise how long it actually is!

I am supposed to be graduating this Wednesday but I'm feeling a bit disheartened and not sure I can do it. The rest of the group have all completed a 5k in the last week so.
I'm a lot slower than them and not covering the distances they are in the fixed times runs so not sure I can run the extra length of time to get to 5k.
I'm a little disappointed but not devastated if I don't do it I can run reasonably comfortably if very slowly for 30 minutes and can run 3.5k and I couldn't do that 2 months ago. I'm definitely not giving up running completely even if I don't do it this week. I'm really enjoying it and feeling so proud of what I've managed so far.

Looks

If I was in your group I'd be nowhere near graduating.

Looks, you have to go at your own pace. It's really important you do that.

Sounds to me like you've done amazingly! Good for you. I think you should really savour your successes!

I've just reached a frustrating point I think. Physically I probably could run 5k. It wouldn't be fast and it wouldn't be pretty but I'm fairly sure I could do it but when I'm out running for some reason I just completely bottle it.
Empress you've been a great support on this thread and I've used some of your advice so thank you. Wish you could come out with me and do it

Thanks Looks. If you're anywhere in the London area, PM me!

Couldn't be further away if I tried I'm in the Highlands my runs are certainly picturesque up here and hilly.

Picturesque is good but I try to avoid hilly!

Now I've got the official 10K done I think I'm going to go back to 5ks two or three mornings a week. Could you realistically get out & do it alone? It's a massive boost just knowing you've done it, whatever the time is.

I could do it alone but I won't
What I'd do alone is get half way and my legs will start tohurt and stop because it was easy to when nobody can see you.
I know I will do it in the next couple of weeks just not sure I'll do it Wednesday.

Good luck, Looks.

Well done Evidence !!

I decided to try week two, and actually managed it! I found it easier to run for 90 seconds and have a two minute recovery rather than running for 60 seconds with a 90 seconds recovery. Amazing!

My running partner is still on week one so I might drop back and keep her company until she catches me up but continue to forge ahead on my solo runs.

I ran really really slowly though! I am running in a nature reserve where nobody is ever there at the time that I go as I would be very very shy of being seen doing my weird shuffling jog thing. Run is not really the correct word!

Well done Pennina!

Week 6 Day 1 done

I've been lurking on this thread for weeks - you've all inspired me loads. Just completed Week 6 Run 3. There was a moment near the end when I ran up a big hill, and was rewarded at the top by a gust of cool air and a view across the city. It felt amazing.

While I'm chuffed with my progress, I run v-e-r-y slowly. I'm confident I'll be able to run 30 minutes by the end of the program - but I know for a fact I won't be running 5k in that time!

I'm using Zenlabs like many of you and of course it doesn't track distance. So I'm adding an extra 5 minutes to each run to compensate for my slowness. Taking the advice given here, I plan to focus on covering the 5k in my own time at the end of Week 8. Someone mentioned an app that tracks distance - I'll download that.

After I graduate I plan to run 4/5 times a week consistently to build up speed and general fitness/health. So hopefully joining in this thread will help motivate me to stick with that :)

Can I join you all? I'm doing a local C25K which is run in our local park. Just managed to run 30mins today without stopping, feel fantastic! We still have a couple of weeks of the course left then we graduate to our local Parkrun. It's definitely seeming achievable now!

That's brill whoever I think the 5k in 30mins is a really tough target to hit as lots of variables in running terrain and body shape/height affect it. I'm short and would struggle to hit it my fastest is 32mins on a dead flat run, but I have got faster and pushed the distance to 10k, so just set your own personal goals. Strava is good as it tracks your improvement and you can set it to cut in every 0.5k with pace/distance etc and still play your own music or podcasts.

Well done hick that's great achievement running 30mins nonstop.

Hi all, I've been lurking on this thread for a while :) I have the 5K Runner app (fitness 22?) and have completed week 6 day 2!

Feeling chuffed, but... I think I might have shin splints. Not sure though. The pain is around the inside front of both legs, it feels like the front of my calves next to my shins, but not my shins themselves? Has anyone had similar or has any advice?

I'm always careful to stretch before and after, and have just got proper running trainers with insoles - two runs ago, and have had pain after both. Slight ache while running, much worse during the cool down walk and after I've stopped :( I'm worried about this really setting back my progress, or it happening again once I start again if I take a break!

Does stretching help eyedrops? My shins sometimes hurt abit at the 2-3k mark so I stop for 30secs and just lift up my foot behind me for few seconds to stretch out the front shins and this really helps and it disperses. Try slowing down as too fast to quickly whilst your body warms up maybe a factor. Gd luck

Thanks Ski I will look at Strava.

Eyedrops I don't know much about muscle pain but I notice you said you stretch before you run, as far as I know you should only stretch after exercise. Stretching after is necessary, however stretching before is not only unnecessary but actually can do you harm as your muscles aren't warmed up. Disclaimer: I'm no physio, this is just the info I've been given by my more physically active friends. It's probably nothing to do with your shin pain but I wouldn't stretch before running myself, not when my muscles are cold.

I've just started Week 4. I run with my 16MO in her pram (Quinny Buzz). Local park has just been redone and is flat. I've never ran before and I'm still carrying all my baby weight and then some

Another week 2 run done! Bit tough but I'm getting there. (For newbies I'm 53 and 4 stone overweight).

Well done all those who are doing so well on runs 4 thru 6.

Pennina

Thanks for the advice! I always walk a bit before stretching, my DH says he runs for a bit then stretches - maybe tomorrow (next run) I'll try not stretching at all until afterward and see how I go...

I do feel that the pain is more in my calves than shins, so hopefully it's the stretching and nothing more serious. I'm going to try smaller strides too which I've since read helps reduce stress on shins.

Good luck to all running today!

So excited. I've run 25 mins non stop twice now.

It's bloody hard but I don't feel like I'm going to expire like I did running ten minutes two weeks ago. Weird that such a leap hasn't been quite so painful as I anticipated.

Running also seems to help my sciatica massively.

eyedrops I do a few lunges after a warm up walk has really helped with leg pain I know officially advice is not to stretch before running but my running club friend says they always do a few stretches after a brisk walk and before running

Had to skip my run today as my calf is painfully tight and I'm limping a lot. Did most of Week 4 Run 3 on Saturday but had to cut it short because of the pain . So gutted. It's really frustrating.

Think I'll have to repeat part or all of Week 4 now since I didn't finish it but that's only when I can actually run again.