C25K really works

[athingthateveryoneneeds]

I finished week 7 day 1 today, and surprised myself by running for 25 minutes without stopping. I could have gone longer, too!

I'm not fast.

I haven't gone further than 3.6 km.

But my endurance has increased so much, even when I'm only managing to get out 1-2 times a week.

So for those of you just starting, or feeling like you've got that wall in week 5, keep going. You can do it!

I'm looking forward to managing a full 5 km one day, and I know I can do it because I've improved so much already.

Thanks for that, Brassica. I listened to a bit this morning. It's...different. I might use it for the last weekly runs of Pacer, as you can set how long each mission lasts, and it might add some interest to them.

How are you getting on?

I was wondering where everyone had gone. I'm just about to get changed to head out now time. I've slipped to twice a week over the last 2 weeks plus I didn't go on Monday. So I'm giving myself a kick up the arse to go Wednesday, Friday, Saturday this week to get myself back on track. I've not eaten anything today though as I've been busy so I'm not sure how this will go. (I really want to shift 2lb by the end of boot camp but then I don't want to stop with the wine )

Sorry, Brassica! Be careful going out both Friday and Saturday...don't overdo it!

Losing another 2lb by next Monday would be great, but I'm not sure how feasible it is. I seem to be sabotaging myself at the moment. I do have a hypnosis session which is meant to stop exactly that, though, so maybe I should listen to it. The one thing I have been doing is keeping up with the running, though. Have W3 R3 coming up on Friday and will probably listen to the Zombies as I do it. If I can add an extra 5 mins on each week to the steady run then I'll be doing 10k in 6 weeks! It sort of sounds achievable, if slightly preposterous. But if it takes me longer than that I won't be upset.

Hope you managed a good run today!

How is everyone doing? I am at the mid school term slump. Too much work, house guests and even more snow means I’ve done one run in the last fortnight.

It’s not as bad as before Christmas though and it’s only 2 weeks until Easter!

Interestingly, the run I did was while waiting for ds to finish somewhere. Back in October I covered about 2k; this time I ran out of route to cover 5!

Please Spring, you can arrive now!

Gone back to repeat W4 after two and a half weeks off. Surprisingly doable!

Fuck. I hate running in this wind. (Newly autocorrect to wine there!!). Slowest 5k at nearly 38 mins. I've given myself a swift kick as I only made It out once last week. I'm determined to complete Monday/Wednesday/Friday like I did during the c25k program. So onwards!!

Just think of the fact that you'll have burnt more calories than usual in your fight against the wind, Brassica. Now, just make sure you get back out on Wednesday!

I ran outside on Saturday for the first time. It was the final week 3 run of 5KP, so I ignored that app and avoided zombies instead. I'd listened to a bit of it last week and wasn't overly impressed but, actually, when you listen to the whole thing on a run it's actually quite good. There was a lovely coincidence of reaching the end of a wood both in real life and in the mission. The zombie chases took a wee bit of getting used to (should have read the info first) but I'd got the hang of it by the end. I don't think the couple in the car who were waiting for me at the foot of the hill realised I was being chased by the undead, though!

So, if you haven't tried it yet I'd recommend it, and I'm not a zombie fan by any means. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Weirdly I was so geared to hate today's run Time and I went slower in anticipation that when the 5k was done I felt like I could keep going. Up until now I've focused on reducing time rather than pushing past 5k like you. I'm definitely going to try the Zombies on Wednesday

Also, if I stream Spotify, does anyone know how much it's going to eat the data allowance?

W6 run 3 I thought I'd get my gait checked. My nearest Decathlon didn't have the machine so I ended up buying a few pairs of running socks and a pair of shorts.

I then googled the nearest place for gait measurement and found an independent shop. Great service encouraging me to try each recommended pair by running up the high street to try them. 😂. I should have taken my gym bra!!!

Then to top it all my OH said he'd buy them for me as he's so proud of what I'm doing. ❤️

Brassica - see here.

I hope you enjoy the Zombies tomorrow! As I said, do read through the info first if you haven't already (and maybe again, quickly, if you have). I thought I was the only stupid one but I found a review yesterday and the reviewer had the same problem as me wrt to the chases.

Paper - how lovely of your OH! I've yet to do gait analysis as the nearest shop that does it is 100 miles away, but it's in the main shopping centre in Inverness so I'll pop in next time I'm over. Really hope they don't want me running around Eastgate, that'll be a sight for sore eyes!

@TimeIhadaNameChange thanks for the link. Where do you read through the info? In the app I just seem to have "start mission"

Brassica - do you have a menu at the foot of the page: Home, Missions, Base, Codex and More? Click on More, Help & Support then Help. There's a Getting Started tab which tells you everything you need to know about the 'game'.

Thanks. Those were well hidden!!

No probs! Of course, it might all be clear to you anyway, but I really was stupid when it came to the chases. Started running, but then thought I didn't have to run until they were nearer (so waiting for the 50m, 20m countdown to get to zero). And then, when they said something had dropped and the zombies had been distracted I took that to mean that it hadn't been a 'proper' zombie chase at all and was peeved that I'd started to run faster for no reason!

What you're actually meant to do is start running when they say "Run!" and hope that the 'countdown' doesn't get to zero. It's obvious, really, when you think about it!

Brassica - have you been chased by zombies, yet? It's pouring here so I was very glad that today is a gym day, but am slightly concerned about Saturday. I REALLY want to go outside again, but the thought of being soaked through within 30 seconds isn't appealing!

Today's run (Pacer, W4R2) wasn't so good as I needed a walk after the FR, but it was only because I had upped the pace for the slower run to begin with and the faster run. I was tempted to leave it there but did get back to the running and ran through the warm down, as per, to make sure I'd got the 5K run in.

Hope you've had a better day, running-wise.

It's so sunny here! I was actually too warm in my usual 5 layers (plus thermal leggings underneath running leggings!).

I quite enjoyed the zombies. Def going to do it again. I was a bit confused though - do I start running faster when the narrator say run or wait for the more computerised voice with the pips? I out ran 1 set and got caught by the other 2. I was quite miffed by the last one as I definitely upped the pace!

The same as pacer though I find the faster spurts absolutely floor me! And trust me I'm not talking usain bolt! But I find I have to walk for a short while to recover instead of doing a steady (ish) pace throughout

It's still raining here!

I'm glad it's not just me who found the zombies confusing. You need to run when you hear 'Run!' and keep going, and 10% faster than you were, for one minute. The pips mean they're getting nearer and if they catch up you need to distract them with dropping something. It took me a while to figure it all out.

We need to figure out the minimum faster speed we need to beat the zombies without killing ourselves in the process. We'll get there!

Brassica - do you not usually get hot with 5 layers on? It was 3 degrees here on Saturday and I just went out in my usual wear: running tights, then sports bra, running top and thin sports jacket thing and I took the jacket off after a few minutes of running. And trust me, I'm not a warm-blooded person! It was nice that I wasn't as hot as I usually get in the gym, as I usually end up down to my bra, which I didn't think anyone would want to see! I'd also worried that I'd end up having to carry lots of stuff so I was pleased I didn't end up doing an impression of a packhorse!

Have you been out in the rain, yet? I really want to go out on Saturday but I fear there will be rain. Am unsure whether to put one of my lightweight rainjackets on or if that will make me sweat too much. Have been eyeing up 'proper' waterproof running jackets but they're not cheap cheap, and I don't want to waste my money if they're just the same as what I have already. Any ideas?

So, it's new sports bra (needed thanks to low carb boot camp ), feck it's tight! Hoping it slackens off. Then long sleeve base layer, t-shirt, long sleeve top and cycling jacket. Depending on the weather and wind then...neck warmer/snood, woolly hat and mittens. Bottom half is thermal leggings and running leggings!!

I've been running outside since December and it's been really frigging cold at times! I'm scared to loose a layer in case I feel cold. But I think now the time is coming!!

Did you get a front opening bra? I really want one but they're more expensive. The only way I can get mine off is by basically touching my toes. Am just glad I have privacy when doing so!

I'm starting to sweat just thinking about all those layers! It's funny, because at home I'm the one sitting on the sofa in fleecy pjs, onesie, dressing gown and under a blanket, whilst DP just has a t-shirt (and shorts, obviously!) on. Yet get me running and I'm soon sweating like a very sweaty thing. I fear that, if I went out in anything else I would have to leave a trail of clothing behind me which I'd then have to pick up, somehow, on the way home.

I'm not sure I'm up for running in the wind, though. The wind was noisy on Saturday, but I'm not sure it was that strong (which I know makes no sense whatsoever...). And I'm still not sure when I'm brave enough to attempt a rainy run...

I'm loving my front zipper! I was so excited at finishing my run this morning I ripped it off n threw it into the air!!!

I forgot to say...I run indoors on a treadmill. Not at the gym. 🤭

You lucky thing, Paper, on both accounts!

I really struggled the first time I tried to get out of my sports bra. I really hadn't appreciated how difficult it was going to be. I'd got to the gym at work first thing, then went to have a shower as per usual. Couldn't get it off. I don't think my female friend was in that day, DP was somewhere around, but not sure if I could track him down (and he would have been seriously unimpressed with the request anyway) which left my 64 year old, male, office-mate!!!!!! No, I didn't go there in the end, I just attempted to dislocate my shoulder! It's not so bad I have the knack, which basically involved almost touching my toes so I can get the damn thing off, but it works! Can't justify buying another, but I can dream!

I did that in the sports shop changing rooms. The yoof in there were too busy having banter to see the customer struggling for half an hour to remove it. Once I'd got it off this red faced, perspiring, out of breath wreck I put it back on the rack and ran out of the shop!!

Paper - I'm SO glad it’s not just me! Thanks for making me feel a whole lot better! I’m pretty sure the first time I took it off involved more energy expenditure than the run I’d just done!

Thinking about it, maybe it could be made into an Olympic sport?

I've got a shock absorber bra. It takes serious yoga moves to get into!!