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

Yay - I did my 20 minute run this morning and my app told me I am a runner! . I went on an unfamiliar route the was gently down hill out and uphill back, the last 5 minutes were hard and my legs felt it but I did it. So pleased.

Yay Serenade! Well done!!!

Doing mine tomorrow- I really hope I can do it without flagging or stopping. Husband is joining me tomorrow and I've told him "I'm going to be far too slow for you (he is super fit) you will be so bored, really please, don't come as I don't want to be embarrass myself." But he told me to stop worrying and that I'll be fine and that he wants to come along and support.

Well done serenade

Good lunch for tomorrow Zohz, sounds like your DH is great and really wants to support you.

I managed W6R3 today - 5k today in total; just over 3k jogging and the rest walking, in just over 38mins which is a PB for me Nowhere near the right time for getting to 5k any time soon, but still a huge achievement for somebody who struggled to run for a minute only eight weeks ago! Keep it up everyone, we can DO this

Utterly miserable. Despite running very very slowly I have managed to damage my Achilles' tendon. It is sore and there's a swelling on it. Feeling a complete failure. Has anyone else had this tendon thing and how long till they could start again?

Oh no @Pennina, I hope it gets better soon!

Just did my first 20 minute run! DH was with me so was very encouraging, but I did it!!

Good luck Zohz!

Good on you username. You're right, it is a huge achievement! And don't worry about "right times." One day I knew I was ready, ignored the app telling me to stop & just kept going until I'd done the 5k.

Pennina I don't know, I'm sorry, but hopefully someone will be along who does.

Brilliant, well done Zohz, it's all falling in to place.

Pennina sorry no advice but

Well done Zohz. Roll on week 6 🙂

Yes roll on Week 6... and then everything will now grind to a halt as I have to start fasting.. guess il have to pick back up in a month... it's not advisable for me to attempt on a weak and empty stomach so I won't be daring.

This morning after RICE last night, my leg felt absolutely fine and I thought I would venture out. I am really struggling with this. W1 r3. I am not out of puff particularly but my calves (both) are so sore but I just cannot keep running for a full minute and had to do a combination of running and speedwalking. Any of you further down the line experience this and get through it? I wondering if it could be my trainers. They are just very basic standard ones. Sorry to be so needy. I'd like to think one day I will be helping others who are starting out.

Just finished week 3 and questioning how Im Supposed to be running 5 minutes in the next set of runs!

Pennina, I'd never have got through it without help & support from MNers!

I don't know much about Achilles' tendons but going by this article www.runnersworld.com/achilles-tendinitis I would cut out the running altogether until it's better.

I know how annoying that is (and I DO know, I remember how frustrating it was when knee pain stopped me) but it's your best bet. We'll still be here when you're ready.

Evidence - I find looking ahead at what is next terrifying! I did not think I could possibly make the step from 3 to 4 to 5 over a couple of sessions but I did.

Before starting I gave myself permission to run the 5 mins very slowly and to switch to walking after 3.5 mins (which was already an improvement on the last session). I reckoned ok of it takes me 3-4 times to build up to the 5 mins that is ok and not a failure. It is still a win.

But by going very slowly I made the 5 mins and was buzzing for 2 days!

Those with sore legs I've added lunges to my warm up walk (once I've done a good bit of walking not in cold legs) and my legs weren't so 'heavy' on my run yesterday (wk5 run1) infant I almost enjoyed running yesterday (will no doubt find tomorrow's 8 minute horrendous now I've said that!!)

I was getting pain and yes it was my trainers. I went to a run4it and got on the treadmill and invested in a much better pair of trainers and it made a huge difference.
I still don't get out of breath even on the 25 minute runs but my legs are what let me down in speed really because they do get sore but that's lactic acid building up and I'm not used to working them so hard. They do take longer to get sore though now I'm running longer.

Honestly you will find running 5 minutes ok. The thought is terrifying but once you start you'll actually find that after a couple of minutes it gets a bit easier as your body warms up a bit and you'll have a huge buzz afterwards.

Sorry about your injury penina, how frustrating.

Looking ahead is so daunting I found I had to stop thinking about the end of the run once I got to five minutes and instead think about the end of the hill or just keep going slower if necessary.

I have just done W6r1 and found it hard. Maybe it is the 20 min run on Saturday making my legs heavy. Also I took my dog and we had to stop when we met other dogs so that broke up the runs a bit - it would be a shame not to exercise her though.

I have stability trainers after standing on a device in a sports shop in week 1. I think it was worth while.

I went to a Runnersneed to get decent trainers and yes, they make a huge difference.

As for 5 minutes, if you can run three you're already halfway there! And if you don't do it the first time, you'll do it the next time.

I'm doing Zenlabs C25K and am on week 6 day 1. For some reason when I did Saturday session which would have been week 5 day 3 the app made me do a 5 minute warm up and then 20 minute run followed by the cool down. I nearly killed myself doing it!!
Today it said 5 minute warm up, 8 minutes run etc.
I think I hit a blip in the system.

On the plus side I think I can slowly feel my body changing shape. I'm 10st 3lb and want to get down to 9st. Not much weight loss yet.

No Crazy it does that you do 3 different runs on day 1,2 and 3 tincludimg the 20 minute run then back to running and walking at the start of the next week

looksbetter thanks for that. I thought my app had a problem.

Hi can I join you all! I completed W2R2 yesterday. I'm finding it ok up to now but my god my ankles are killing me. I normally walk 8k a day with the dog so I know it's the running segments that are hurting my ankles. Any tips?

Crazy it's actually harder going back to running and stopping once you've done that first big run.

Mama first thing I'd suggest is trainers. I had a lot of discomfort in the beginning and getting my run analysed and getting new trainers was a revelation. I hadn't realised how much of my discomfort was down to what I was wearing on my feet.

I tried again with different trainers and I was significantly better. I thought I would give it one more go and if I ended up in pain again I was going to do speed walking for the 60 sec runs. A few times I had to take a break halfway through the 60 seconds for maybe five seconds walking. I now have a running partner who is at exactly the same level of fitness as me which is fun. I'm going to redo week one though - plugging away at week one for as long as it takes to be able to run the 60 seconds without a break at all. I think my friend will also need to re-do it as well. Feeling more hopeful. Thanks for everyone's help. Xx