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Original poster

Couch to 5k - any graduates

457 replies

Zohz123 · 17/04/2017 07:27

I did the first run today, it was quite tough Blushjust 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

OP posts:
SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 17/04/2017 22:33

I'm one of those annoying evangelistic C25k graduates who was converted from a background of half hearted, stitch ridden staggers on the school field, who then learned that actually you can learn to run and do it half decently, and ENJOY it Shock

If you'd told me as I laced up my trainers that 364 days later I'd be doing a half marathon, I'd have pissed myself laughing, and not entirely due to the recently healed birth injury that contributed to a serious loss of fitness Grin

Good luck. Trust the programme; it works, even on muppets like me!

LobsterMac · 20/04/2017 05:16

Like Rupert, I did C25K last year. Couldn't run for 60 seconds at the start!

On Sunday I'm doing my first marathon - London! Waves at Rupert

Stick with it, it works!

Newmanwannabe · 20/04/2017 05:23

I did it years ago. It's great,it lead me to doing three half marathons. Stick with it, make sure you have a really good stretching routine and that your shoes are decent.

I don't run at the moment,am doing some HIIT classes because I have had an injury but going to get back into it soon

shortaris1 · 20/04/2017 07:51

Me! Started on 27th Dec and couldn't run the 30 secs to start with.

I'm doing my first 10k in June and now run two 5k's a week. One at Parkrun and one with great run local.org. Also do interval training and classes/weights at the gym and have lost around a Stine. I also LOVE running and have found the support amazing.

Waves to Skibike and Empress from the C25k and bridge to 10k threads.

shortaris1 · 20/04/2017 07:51

Stone, obviously

BakingWithPreSchoolerand6YO · 20/04/2017 07:59

Me!

I hated exercise but particularly loathed running. Used to refuse to do PE in school. In November a friend talked me into doing C25K with her and we signed up for a charity 5K to motivate us to make it through to the end of the programme. It worked! Was so proud of us for persisting, going out in the cold, rain and even snow on occasion. We're slow runners but were really pleased with a 32 minute finish time when we completed the charity 5k in freezing temperatures.

Not done a run in a few weeks though and I've surprised myself as I've missed it. May get my gear on to do a small run after I've walked DD1 to school this morning.

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 20/04/2017 08:46

I hated running too, Baking, thought I was hopeless at it, then last August I started C25K and realised that I'd never learned how. And now I'm hooked. I'll never be that fast but I can run!

Original poster
Zohz123 · 20/04/2017 08:57

Thanks guys. Did w1d2 before work yesterday morning and really enjoyed it! Will try my best to stick to it. Want to keep going as much as I can but will probably have to stop for a while as ramadhan kicks in and il be fasting for a month. That's in 5 weeks!

OP posts:
Dogsmom · 20/04/2017 09:03

I'm another, I started last August on a whim after running round our garden 2x after my 2 year old and thinking it was easy (we have a small garden)

I was 41 and hadn't ran since primary school sports day and over the years have had many half arsed attempts at umpteen exercise classes but simply hate exercise with a passion.

On day 1 of c25k I thought I was going to pass out on the 1 minute runs but at the end couldn't believe the buzz, I stuck to the plan and on day 11 I decided to see just how far I could go and did the whole 5k!!
It took 49 minutes but I did it.

I then went back to my previous stage in the plan and followed it to the end and got to the stage I was doing 5k two or three times a week fairly easily.

I can't say I ever really enjoyed the run, I find it incredibly boring when I'm doing it but I enjoy the feeling afterwards and the sense of achievement plus you can eat more food Grin

I think it's more psychological than physical, I get to a stage after about 5 minutes when my legs hurt but they never get any more painful than that and when I think I have to stop I focus on the pain and ask myself is it really that bad, which it isn't and if it's getting worse which again it isn't.
I'm just not a natural exercise enthusiast and my mind constantly drifts into excuses to stop and go home to eat cake.

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 20/04/2017 09:15

Dogs, I usually plan my routes around a destination with cake.

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 20/04/2017 09:17

And yes to psychological. I usually spend the first half k or so thinking I can't do this, then I get distracted by music or views or something and then I realise I'm halfway.

BakingWithPreSchoolerand6YO · 20/04/2017 10:22

Definitely psychological. My running mate can't start running again until next week (v busy) so I opted for gym this morning instead as I find running alone really boring and seems to take twice as long. Running with a mate I enjoy, we are faster if we've been complaining about kids / partners whilst running!

Lolimax · 20/04/2017 15:42

I'm new to running. I do a lot of exercise but have only just cracked the 5k. My question is...does it make anyone really hungry? I go for a 40 minute run in the morning and am like a rabid dog all day which isn't good. Any ideas??

SkiBike007 · 20/04/2017 18:21

Could it be thirst Loilmax? I try to drink pint of water about 45mins before running and another pint of squash after a run. But I do get hungry and haven't lost any weight running 2-3xs a week. ..(u can't out run a bad diet Blush..)

Lolimax · 20/04/2017 22:04

Thanks for responding Ski. I should drink more but I know I'm not eating enough either. Had a sugar low earlier, not good. I'm not diabetic but my levels can drop. I've lost 5 stone in the last year and I know I haven't learnt how to 'eat properly' given my new size and activity levels. I'll get there!

Original poster
Zohz123 · 22/04/2017 07:49

Did week 1 day 3 today morning! Wasn't too bad except my c25k app somehow shut down in my pocket so the first run I was going going going thinking it would tell me to stop sometime soon...until I looked in my pocket and realised it wasn't even recording! Still i was running consistently for at least 90 seconds which tells me I'm good stead for week 2. Did the rest on my stopwatch app and I record on Strava and it said I did better than the last run! So all well so far..

From what I read on the NHS website, apparently stretching is optional and there's not even much proof it helps.. Confused I assumed stretching was basically the law with any exercise. Did some today pre run though.. what kind of stretches do you do, if any, and how long do you spend on them?

OP posts:
LobsterMac · 22/04/2017 08:16

I do these RUNNERS' STRETCHES every time. I've never had an injury yet.

PossumInAPearTree · 22/04/2017 11:43

I know the PT at the gym says after running you need to replenish the fuel in your body by eating some carbs and protein. I tend to think some chocolate covers this so am not the best person to advise on eating!

Did 4K in 32 mins this morning which included some time at 6% incline.

Mallowmarshmallow · 22/04/2017 20:19

Does anyone have any strategies for getting rid of a stitch if you get one without stopping running?

I'm getting them less now and try to run at a pace that prevents them but if I do get one I can't shake it.

Also, does anyone have any advice on some type of watch/wristband/equipment they would recommend that would enable me to see my time per km/alert me when I've run each km? Or an app? Does such a thing exist?

I've just done w8 r2 and managed to run a bit longer than the 30 minutes and just over 5k so I'd quite like to do that every run but would quite like the km broken down so I know where I am.

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 22/04/2017 20:23

I use the MapMyRun app, Mallow. It gives me my time after each k and also breaks it all down for me after.

Congrats on topping 5k!

stitchglitched · 22/04/2017 20:31

I've just done my 4th week one run this evening. Does anybody else find it hard going on the knees? I have dodgy knees anyway which doesn't help but I'm wearing supports on them and finding the pain in them harder than the actual running. Will they strengthen as I keep going?

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 22/04/2017 20:55

I had knee pain for a while, Stitch. The first thing everyone said was to get new trainers, so I went to a running shop for advice on the best ones for me.

I also asked one of the PTs at my gym for a list of knee strengthening exercises (squats, lunges etc), started running on grass more often and started taking Omega3 supplements to strengthen my joints.

All of those combined work for me! I didn't have dodgy knees beforehand though.

stitchglitched · 22/04/2017 21:45

Thanks Empress. I like the idea of running on grass, will give that a try on my next run!

LobsterMac · 24/04/2017 22:13

I'm just coming back to cheer you all on!
From Couch to Marathon in 15 months...seriously, if I can do it, so can all of you.

Couch to 5k - any graduates
PossumInAPearTree · 24/04/2017 23:01

5k in 42 mins tonight.

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