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

Good luck, Thirty!

Thanks Empress that's kind of what I've been telling myself and when it has been feeling hard I remind myself that I'm more than halfway and how disappointed I'd be if I stopped now. It's easier doing it with the group as well I'm less likely to stop and it makes me turn out every night to do it.
I am going to reward myself with some of the waster egg that is still in the cupboards
Good luck thirty you'll do great.

When I was coming up to the 20 minutes, I posted on my C25K group that I didn't feel ready and thought I'd repeat the 10x2 a couple of times first. And another MNer said to me more or less what I've just said to you.

It worked and I felt bloody brilliant afterwards!

I will be thinking of you on Monday night when I go out and do it I am nervous just hope I manage. I'll be annoyed at myself if I stop and walk. I'll just need to turn up the music and go for it.

I'm a graduate OP. I lay on the couch watching the Rio Olympics and felt dreadful that I'd not seriously exercised for over 10 years. I used to run, gym and swim and had done the GNR. So, vowed to get my ass in gear. I now run 5K twice a week, swim a mile, and do a longer run at the weekend, 8-10k. The C25k programme worked brilliantly for me. I remember thinking I'd never run for 20 minutes without collapsing in a heap. I did a few weeks twice and took it slowly and here I am less than a year later entering a 10k race in June and hoping to finish in close to an hour.

I've lost inches, a bit of weight (still eat too much and am a flabby Apple shape), and my mental health has improved no end.

Another beginner here, but not couch to 5k... I'm doing a couch to 10k plan and keep wondering if I'm crazy! Very overweight and hoping to run the Norwich 10k in august! It's a 12 week plan. Good luck with your running, I posted on MN and it was so supportive and inspirational!
Off on my second run tonight and started a blog- www.tubbygirlrunning.co.uk to track my progress, I'm hoping it will keep me going x

I have just done w4r1 and amazed myself by keeping going. 5 minutes twice! Wow. The uphill 5 min was hard and I developed a niggly pain in my calf - should I have stopped? It did go away once I started going down hill.

Woke up early today to start week 4 but was so tired I had to go back to bed! It's so encouraging to know that you managed it, will try and go after work or tomorrow morning- no slacking allowed!

I have found running the best thing for my mental health too.

Gonna aim for 5.5km this evening.

Things keep cropping up, and i have only managed 1 5k run a week for the last few weeks. So happy I am not losing fitness, but need to push myself. Have signed up for pilates again, which I think is a good complement to the running.

Omg I did my 20 minutes. A pretty slow 2.5k but I did it. First 12 minutes were ok that's when Empress advice took hold and I counted the next few minutes to 15 minutes then reminded myself I could run 5 minutes so could manage the next bit.
There is a hill right in the last few minutes of our run and it has been my nemesis have to force myself up it every time. A friend was running with me and she said just take it slow but I couldn't if I did I'd stop so I took off at a sprint and got up the hill just as my 20 minutes was up. I have no idea where I found that last little bit but I think I'm prouder of that than the 19 minutes before.

Couldn't imagine myself running 20 minutes 5 weeks ago and that's me done it and covering half the distance just over halfway through the programme I'm absolutely delighted.

You will do it, and you can do it.

My first run in Feb 2015 I managed 30 seconds of running. In the July I ran 10k. I can now run upwards of 8 miles, and am aiming for a half.

It is possible to do it. Well done on this far!

That's brilliant Looks, bloody well done!!!!

Well done Looks. It's such a buzz when you progress. Go you.

Thanks I am unbelievably proud of myself right now. It is such a buzz still on a high from it all.
And thanks Empress for the advice it kept me going.
I have signed up for a 10k I've always wanted to do in September and can actually see myself doing it now. Still a long way to go but it feels possible.

It worked for me too. Pass it on when the time comes!

And when you've done the whole thing come & join us in the 5-10K group.

Just finished the first of Week 4, I'm so chuffed! The 5 mins wasn't too bad and I know it will get better as the week goes. I can't wait till the end of next week when I've finished week 5 and I've run a full 20 minutes!! I think I've well and truly caught the running bug...

Not a graduate per se as I didn't follow the programme, but I was a couch potato not that long ago and before mid January I had never run before. I can now run up to Half Marathon distance :)

5.5k yesterday

I really have to try to get out more than once a week.

Yeah it was week 4 that was my turning point Zohz that's when I felt like a runner and that actually just maybe I'd manage that 20 minute run.
Wow charimito how did you do that? I'd love to run up to half marathon distance and in such a short time I'm impressed.
In a few months when the next group start I'll turn out to run with them like my friend did for me last night Empress and I'll definitely pass it on.

Well done OP!! I was nearly 18 stone when I started running and could manage 40 seconds but did my 2nd 10k race this weekend. I love it.

I haven't really lost much weight through running but I am now sorting my diet and have now lost some - it makes running easier!!

Looks

I never meant to go beyond 5K. Then shit happened & I ended up signing up for a 10K. Just under three weeks to go now...

I run six times a week :). Each day you increase a bit (it's easier to increase time not distance at first). Once you can run non stop for 15 mins you can do it by distance. So I started with 4k and gradually increased that. Once I was sure I could run 8k non stop, I changed to training days (mostly sprinting) and different distance days. So I do a long distance one once a week, 2 mid range and one short one. With two training sessions in between :)

Never thought i would say this...... I am very tempted to get up early to squeeze a run in before work !!!! as long as I can leave home at 6:45 .... 7 at the latest. To the showers at the gym are pretty grim. Think its the only way I can fit more runs in the week.

I get up at 6 and have a run on the way to work two mornings a week, then shower & change once I get here.

Graduate here. Just done my first 6k tonight, and signed up for a 10K in August.

You can do it!!