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

I'm so glad I plucked up courage to do this. I managed but found it hard and was very very very slow. Week 5 next. Feel okay but not confident about running for 20 minutes for run 3. However I will trust in the system.

No one thinks they can do the 20min run but you can do it!! The programme really does work SO much is mental so distract yourself with music or a good podcast or audible book to keep you running or count lamp posts or parked cars or trees just keep saying I can make it to that post or that car it's only a minute and I can run a minute...

I did my first 10k race for life last week having said to a friend last year .."er no I don't DO running.." when she asked me to do 5k with her last year, 9mths after starting the C25K programme I'm still running 5-10k twice a week

Yes absolutely trust the system.

My routine is all in a twist as I have been dropping DC at sports camp this week. So I've only been doing 15 minute running bursts with walking before and after. No chance to play the 30 min Ap tracks.

Tonight I get to do W6R1 and we are back to 5 & 8 minutes jogs. I was thinking it was all 20 min + runs from now on.

Anyway it was lovely to hear MJ's gorgeous voice again.

I also have a big blister in my little tie - not from running but from new shoes I wore today.

I managed to run without it bursting but what do I do now. Is it best to leave it? Will it go away?

Little TOE

I had MJ voice too I much preferred him to the others as he was no nonense and I loved it when he said after the 20min run "you are a runner now!" Good luck it's hard squeezing it in when the school hols mess up your rountine. I'm debating whether to get up at 5.45am so I can squeeze in a run before we leave for holidays tom morn never thought I'd be thinking that this time last year!

It was walking home from work the day I got in a long haul flight (having left my car parked off road) that kicked this all off for me.

Do it Ski! You won't regret it if you do.

Did wk 5 r 1! Not too bad but I'm so so slow. I am not giving myself a hard time for the slowness as it is entirely due to my weight and hopefully that will improve. I've lost 8lb btw! Sadly a lot more to go though!

Well done on the weight loss Pennina! I'm a week behind you, I technically should be on week 5 based on my start date but with the school holidays and rainy weather it's taken me longer. I'm also very slow at the moment.

Ouch Boris, hope the blister goes away!

W4R1 was great, can't believe I can run for 5 mins straight when I struggled with 1 minute runs at the start of the month
Completely agree with Skibike regarding the mental aspect of it all, the app is so motivating!

Hi all, i've not posted since I was in the early days of c25k..well i'm now on w6r2 and dare I say it I think I am actually becoming a runner. I bloody love it. The only thing that's annoying me at the mo is that the kids are off school so my routine is up the spout and i don't think i'll be able to get out as regularly. My plan is to finish the programme following it to the leter and then do my first parkrun.

Fikee my routine is up the spout too. Is there a playground/park you can go to while the kids play and you can run around them?

Saying that I ran home from work last night - W6R3 - 25 minute run!! WOOP!! FIST PUMP!!

Gotta keep building on this over the next couple of weeks where we are on holiday.

My blister is OK - I just left it alone and over 2 days it went down, and is fine - whew.

I don't have scales anymore but I don't think I've lost ANY weight. I know I've toned up lots, but I tried some jeans on over the weekend (not worn them for a few months) and they were no looser.

I'm not eating more now I am running though I'm eating more fruit and vege than ever before.

I really don't want to weight myself - I know from past experience the negativity in myself the "numbers" can bring, and I'm determined not to mess with what I am doing. I love it and I feel good - regardless of losing weight or not, this is the best thing I can be doing now, so I'm focusing on that and trusting all else will come.

But I did think my jeans would fit better.

Onwards!!

Well done Boris, great way to fit your runs in too.
My youngest is only 2 so I can't run while they play in the park unfortunately. I'll fit it in somehow though, even if I have to go down to weekends only or out really late.

Can I join you please? I'm using the zen labs couch to 10K app. I've completed wk 3 day 3 today which felt ok (90sec run, 90 sec walk, 3 min run, 3 min walk then repeat). The wk 4 day 1 seems like a heck of a jump though (run 3 mins, walk 90secs, run 5 mins, walk 2.5 mins, run 3 mins, walk 90secs, jog 5 mins). I'm aiming to do that on Thursday and feel like it will really help me to keep in touch with people doing a similar thing.
I'm 36 and could do with losing a few stone if I'm honest with myself. And I just want to feel fit and healthy and set a good example for my DC. I haven't really run very much before and stupidly signed up for a 10K in sept to give me motivation. Then I didn't start training for ages and now I'm feeling a little scared at the idea of running 10K in just under 2 months time. I'm going to try to stick with it though as any running I manage is a huge improvement on what I was doing before!

Hi can I join. Managed to get to end and trying to do the faster sessions but since holiday I've lost my mojo! I was great on hol, comeback and did a faster 30 min session. But after that left it a week - and then another. Past 2 runs I've only been running 2 x 10 mins. Post holiday blues I think.

Welcome @Howaboutthisone @ @Lushmetender!!

Yesterday & today I drove to work - I've been walking or running to work most days for 3 months now. Suddenly I don't even feel like I've ever run at all. It feels like a dream.

We are going to a music festival tomorrow (me, the DC and a friend and her DC) and I'm really hoping I can get a run in once the tents are pitched.

Thanks Boris! I hope it's drier where you are for the festival than it is here.

I managed to complete the wk4 day 1 run! I'm really pleased. Feeling a bit bad that I'm having 3 days between runs over the weekend as it's a busy one with family visiting. I'll be back to it on Monday and am hoping that the three 'rest days' won't set me back. Quite pleased to be thinking like this now though! We go away in a week and I'm so determined to make sure I do at least 3 runs a week.

I did do 11k pre-hols getting up at5.45am I've turned into a runner! I'm back from hols today and the first thing I've done is set out my running kit so I can go out early sunday morning

Well done to all those running its hard finding gaps when the kids are off school/nursery but it's fab when you can squeeze in a run.

Wow skibike! That's good to hear and a good motivator for those of us starting our journeys. Well done! I hope I can type similar in the future!

I started last Sept howsabout was sitting fed up on the sofa mid-sept one Sat evening feeling rather fat & unfit so I secretly downloaded the C25k app a week later I told my DH and he has been super encouraging and now I run twice a week one 5k mid week and Sunday morn I try to go out for early "longer" run, I'm upto 12k now. I love the head space & buzz running gives me I've never been runner as I'm large chested short n fat but it's working for me now in my mid-40s!

SkiBike, you're amazing!

I've not run for a week now because I have plantar fasciitis which has nearly gone now. Except not running means my sciatica comes screaming back with a a vengeance.

Back to it tomorrow.

SkiBike, how much time do you need to set aside for 12k?

It took me about 80mins to run the 12k but I went out early and was home at 8am, I like running "fasted" so just have a drink of water or tea before I go out but find it more comfortable to run on an empty stomach. Going out early means it leaves the rest of the day free for family life as normal. In the winter I ran during the early evening tag teaming the kids with my DH.

Good luck with your injury cobblers I've had a couple but always try to rest early or swim whilst I can't run.

For avoiding blisters in future I recommend twin skin socks, Sports Direct have them. One tightish inner layer & one normal outer layer. They've worked really well for me.