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.

48:57. My v first Parkrun. I'm proud because this is a FINISH time; I didn't give up! 👍🏻🏃🏼‍♀️

That’s fantastic, Paper!!!!! Am so chuffed for you. And what a way to graduate C25K! What’s next???

My time was 36:14

Much faster than I've ever done it before. I'm going to join a ladies running club now!

Thanks Time. I'm going to take the advice on the app and run different 30mins for the next few months to get my stamina up. May try different Parkruns for interest. 😊

Athing... that sounds like a plan! Great time too!

Paper whoohoo well done you! A fab exciting achievement!

I've been hiding as I've felt guilty I'm not getting out 3x week. I'm finding the lack of the c25k structure isn't great for me. I want to to get out 3x week but I find so many excuses and put it off, then feel guilty.

I've posted separately. I need some help with a training plan post c25k

But it other news I've registered for park run (hope to take the DT 6yos) and I ran 5.98 (had turned off my phone. Pissed off as I'd had pushed if for another 0.02!) which is the furthest ever!!

Brassica is there a local running club?

Is this thread open to anyone? I haven't done any serious exercise in about 20 years, and hated running at school.

Anyway, yesterday my friend and I completed week 1, day 1 of C25k and I'm feeling really pleased. I know there's a lot to go but even starting feelis like an achievement.

Congratulations, yellow! You are very welcome indeed. :) And lucky you to have a running buddy!

Brassica I frequently hide from this thread, haha. I can't always get out as regularly as I'd like, but I'm not going to give up completely. Doing parkrun has definitely increased my desire to keep at it.

I think I am getting slightly addicted to the endorphin rush after running because I sometimes want to go out twice in one day. I won't though. I'd probably hurt myself.

I get that Lets go again feeling Athing. I don't go but the next day my legs ache so I'm glad I didn't. 🙄

yellow welcome! Yes, most certainly open to all. We're a diverse bunch!

paper I won't get away with joining a running club as I now row twice a week. DH will only let me away with so much "me"'time That has been the beauty of running; when I've got the time I just head out.

So, having done my longest run ever at nearly 6k yesterday I seemed to struggle rowing today (only an indoor session.). I just didn't seem to have the drive or stamina. Now I'm thinking ahead to my Monday run. I'm thinking of doing only 3k but try to do it pretty fast rather than the whole 5k. What do you think? I reckon after yesterday I need a rest day but also need to get out for a run on a Monday otherwise the week goes to pot.

For those seeking post 5k structure there’s a good app called the 10k runner. If you’ve mastered 5k you could probably start in the middle of it.

I’m about redo C25k to shift baby weight. I’m dreading it, I’m so out of practice...

squadronleader87 I felt the same last autumn. My ds is 15 months old, and I had just barely completed c25k when I got pregnant with him. I was too sick to carry on running and then got out of shape and too large to run anyway. I started running again when he was 10 months old and I was surprised at how quickly I got my fitness back. It was easier than starting from scratch like the first time around. I'm almost down to my prepregnancy weight/size, though I still have a bit more to go because I wasn't at a normal BMI when I got pregnant. /rambling

TL;DR - it'll probably be easier than you think!

Thanks @athingthateveryoneneeds I stumbled on the thread by chance but think I’ll hang around for the motivation!

Brassica. That sounds like a plan! I may do the speed up thing myself for a change every now and again. I'm really slow I think but that's what's got me to graduation.

So glad to see this post this morning! I've just done my first run on C25K and it went well, but a big part of me was thinking there's no way I'm going to get to 5K.

Nice seeing posts from those who've gone before me

Congratulations for starting! It's the only way to reach the finish haha.

I'm inching my way towards 10k. Today I ran my furthest at 7.33km but could have gone further, I'm just using a training app that finished too early for my slow self!

I read online that doing a few sprints at the end of a long run can help with increasing speed. Sounds worth trying if tiring!

dontquoteme I say those things in my head too sometimes. Try and find a more positive mantra though. Even if it's "nearly finished"

athing I ran without my tracker in my ear on Saturday. I thought I'd done at least 7k. Turned out to be 5.98k hey ho, still the furthest I've managed.

I've been searching "5k training plan sub 30 minutes". Heaps of comments online, but nothing as simple and clear cut as c25k. And they start using loads of jargon too! There does seem to be a regular comment about speed working and doing a longer (slower) run. So Saturday's 5.98 was my attempt at a longer run. Today I did 2 x 1k (planned on doing 3 x 1k but was knackered!) with a small rest to recover between the 2. I managed 5.51 for the first km and 6.06 for the second km

Finished week 3 run 3. Week 4 looks OK but how do you make the leap to week 5 run 3. 20 minutes running!

Go slower.

Hope you don’t mind me dropping in... I did c25k last summer and did a 10K race in September (one of my biggest achievements ever!). I then got fat and last over winter so I’ve started again! Great to hear how everyone is doing.

Hello Pink... I think the more the merrier! 🏃‍♀️

Just finished W1R3. Yay! I feel really pleased as I have always been the most unsporty person, even as a child. Today's run didn't feel as hard as the first one so excited about attempting Week 2. Still find it hard to believe I'll be able to run for 30 mins but let's see what happens.

Yay yellow. Go girl!!!!

It's totally possible! You can do it. :)

Welcome Pink.

I was just looking at my opening post in this thread, and I've literally doubled my distance since January. And that's with huge breaks in between due to sick children. I'm really pleased I've kept at it and started this thread!