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.

TheMouse n NoMoreFizzy. Hi and welcome aboard. 😊

Thank you

When is this rain going to stooooooooooppppppppp!

I am disgusted by this weather so glad it is my rest day today and hoping it's not raining tomorrow morning when I'll be attempting the first run of week 2 when I come back from a night shift

Well done gruffaux

TheMouse and Nomore welcome!!

I'm lagging behind. Wednesday's run didn't happen because I didn't have time. Didn't have time to fit it in Thursday either. On Friday I rowed 37km!!!! A bloody brilliant day. It hasn't stopped raining! So now haven't run since last Monday

May I join in?

I did my first 5k last week in 39 minutes - I am 54 and a bit overweight.

Joined a local group in October , but had to stop for a month due to an injury, then started a version of the C25K programme with them in January.

Have been trying to run 3 x a week, but thought that now I have 5k under my belt would do 2 shorter, faster runs of about 20 minutes instead of a long slow run. But don't find that I am as exhilarated after a short. fast run (although just as tired initially).

What do others do?

Hello :)

I’ve decided to use c25k to finally get back onto fitness after having a baby 6 months ago. I used to be very fit and a competitive dancer and since having a my baby I’ve just been putting exercise and training off and off... and the more unfit and out of shape I’ve gotten the harder it has been to start again! It’s a psychological mind trap!

But anyway, I’ve done one run on Saturday (started at the end of week 1- thought I would still find it easy assuming I would still have some left over fitness- I was wrong ) and then did arm day at the gym yesterday. Will do the next run today.

I can’t wait to feel good about my body again... and to fit into my old clothes

Hello again, does it matter if you don't do a run every other day so long as you do the three a week? I'm having such an unmotivated day. Was supposed to go for the second run and haven't so far, was supposed to do some studying (have a thesis to write) and haven't. Feeling really bleaugh and yet I felt so elated after the first run and all day yesterday.

Nomore, that’s very normal and fine if you can do it tomorrow.

As it is such a blueugh day generally though, leave the study, try and do just 5 minutes, shower and then see if the study comes more easily???

Easy to say to someone else!!

Honestly though, lots of us have taken 6-9 months to get as far as we have. Life happens and we just need to do the best we can. Hope your mojo comes back soon:-)

Thanks Squiggletea, I've managed a short about of study and might go for a walk in the rain later and do the second run after work tomorrow. Thanks for the kind reply

Amount, not about!

I have a question, just out of curiosity really. What sort of distance do people tend to cover in their first week or two? I managed to get to the grand total of 3.6km on w1d3

Well done Nomore. Looking grey here today- fortunately I like the fact that running gets me out in all weathers but I expected it to be a bit nicer by now.

I repeated week 3 with DSs last week and we covered about 3km so it sounds like you’re on track for 5k by the end Mouse.

TheMouse - My distance for W1R3 was 3.38km, so you're doing better than I was. Saturday's run, 4.5 months after starting this, was 11.1km total, of which 10.6km was non-stop running.

Brassica - how did I miss your rowing????? 37km!!!!! Wow, that's blinking impressive! I'm surprised you're able to think about running after that!

I just dared to look at week 3.... I've just done Day 2 of Wk 2 and I am just about managing the 90 seconds, I really don't know how I will step up to 3 minutes from next week. Is it easier than I imagine? I don't want to give up hlf way through it!

Time wow, 11km seems absolutely unreal!

Time check you out with your amazing distances! I've seen your LCHF posts about races! You've leaped forwards since passing the 5k mark I'm still merrily plodding the 5k distance. No desire just yet to push the distance. I'm trying to tweak my times down. I don't always manage it.

There were 4 of us rowing together for the 37km. And it was broken down with lots of breaks. It was the rowing that got me into C25K. I started rowing, found I loved it and needed to up my fitness level to match some of the others. It's worked pretty well!

to all. I've got a bit far behind for all the name checks

Thanks, Brassica.

I wasn't meaning to go so far so soon, it just happened. It's easier to stop on the treadmill in a way, as I know exactly how far I've gone in that instant, but on the road I just think "I'll just go around that next bend" or something, and then, when I look back at it, I've gone for miles! The hill is slightly buggering up one knee so I'll need to rein it back, I fear. If only I could find a long-distance road on the level!

I do love the sound of the row. You'd definitely need lots of breaks going that distance (well, I would!). Glad the C25K has helped your fitness. When's your next long-distance adventure?

Fuck off endomondo! "best time in April". It's only my 2nd run. Patronising twunt!

Oh and one ray of sunshine equals mouthful of mosquitoes!!

I wondered which poster you were swearing at there, Brassica! It makes sense now, though!

That's a thought, though, how many midgies am I going to eat? I suppose at least they'll be LC though...

Lol. It was a hard run today. Did the first 2k around 6min 40 sec. Then needed to walk a little at the beginning and end of 3k. Managed a fast finish in 5k.

LC midges. I'm always on plan!

You need to come to me Time. I'm in the fens. We do flat very well!!

I did my Wk 8 R2 yesterday and ended up hanging onto the bars of the treadmill. I didn't slow down as it would have felt uncomfortable but there are no bars outside. 🙄

Brassica - you're on! I'm coming to visit. And maybe I'll transport the Fens north with me. I'll exchange them for some mountains.

Paper - I know what you mean about it being uncomfortable going slower, but, if you get like that again, try reducing the speed by 0.1 or so. It will be noticeable for the first minute or so, but you should be ok. Or, better still, reduce the incline if you have it above zero. 1% is what is recommended as it best mimics the outside, so you "should" have the treadmill set to that. From my failed experiments at having it set to 1.5% I know that a slight adjustment can make a HUGE amount of difference, so putting it down a fraction should help you tremendously.

And, although, as you say, there are no bars outside you'll find that, as you tire, your body slows down anyway (well, mine does, anyway) so you don't need the bars as you're pushing yourself less and don't HAVE to keep going at the same speed just because the treadmill says so. So that's something else to think about.

As Time says, outside I simply slow down