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.

Please to have completed the wk 5 20 minutes non stop run the other day I just done wk 6 and back to intervals and found it harder... is this common? Or is it because I am a but snotty?

I found it easier to push through the breaks after a certain stage.

My app conked out during my longest ever run.

RAAAAAARRRR

Google maps says 8.8km!!!!

Did week 4 run 1 last night. I was so thrilled to manage it. 16 minutes running in total. I am amazed.

Fantastic achievement Aelinandme!

Need some advice - completed week 5 then went into hospital (psych) for a week and now my running partner is away for a week. Should we pick up at W6R1 and maybe repeat it a couple of times or should we go back to W5? For what it's worth I feel ready to move on.

I had some large gaps in my training, couldn't get out for two weeks or more. I think I repeated one day of the previous week but just carried on. It was hard to get going at first but I didn't lose all that fitness from previous runs.

I planned to do a "long run" today as part of my training to reduce my time. It rained all bloody day and I couldn't motivate myself.
So parkrun with the kids tomorrow. Depending on how hard I do or don't work, I might try the long run tomorrow.

@TimeIhadaNameChange you still around missus? x

“Brassica” - hallo! Yes, I’m here. Been out the office so not been checking in so much. Sorry! Got back on Wednesday, and, despite travelling on the Sleeper over night decided to go for a run that afternoon. Not too long, just 4 miles or so.

Today, I decided to bring forward what I’d planned to do at some point during the summer, and run the 10.5 miles home from the main road. I’ve walked it in the past so I knew the distance was possible, but it was 3.5 miles longer than anything I’d run so far. It took 2.25 hours. Ok, so Mo would have done it in 40 mins max (how??????) but I was pleased. And very pleased I did it today, a Friday, so I have tomorrow to recover and do nothing, then Sunday for pets and housework. I’m thinking about doing it once a month, maybe, and do the Glasgow half marathon in September. That's only another 2.5 miles, which should surely be possible by then...?

Very impressive, Time!

I've jusy has to nip to google to convert that time. That's bloody amazing at nearly 17km!!

TheGhost... I think that's the problem of running with someone else. It's a personal think and you'll develop at different times. IMHO you need to do your own thing. Let us know how you get on.

Did W2R1 yesterday. It was definitely harder than W1, but managed to do it, so I'm pleased about that. Really think that the whole thing is well designed because each time just as I was thinking I couldn't possibly run any more Laura on my podcast told us to start walking again.

I am disappointed as I tried this last Monday, I felt fine not tired, and enjoyed it, but my knee has hurt ever since. I cycle/walk/zumba without knee problems. Any suggestions?

Arcadia did you have hills on your route? I only started running outside a month ago (treadmill before then) and my usual route has a brutal, 14% hill 2 miles in. I’ve only gone down the whole way down once, and it was not fun. Going up is horrendous at the time, but the going down knackered my knee. It’s still not right three weeks later.

The other thing would be to go for gait analysis and get some trainers which match your running style.

Arcadia, try paying closer attention to your foot placement when running. Laura (who does the NHS C25K podcasts) recommends landing lightly on the centre of the heel of your foot - so avoid landing flat footed, on your toes, or on the side of your foot.

Also try your find a flat route, as PP said. And slow going your pace.

Thanks guys. Completely flat, no hills. I will think about where I land on my foot as it might be that, I could be quite flat footed. My trainers are quite old as well. I have a running shop nearby that does gait analysis bit worried about spending money on running trainers if I am not able to use them!
I should have done this 20 years ago!
If all else fails should I go to a physio?

Arcadia I found my hips hurt for the first couple of weeks. I made sure I did a decent stretch routine afterwards which seemed to help. I always do the 5 min warm up/down too. It went away after the first couple of weeks.

Glad you're still with us Time. I was worried you'd run off into the distance 😄

I've got a little behind with my mental schedule. Rained all day Friday, too busy Saturday and Sunday. So should be doing a "long run"'tomorrow (thankfully I'm part time) but I'm not running in the forecast wind and rain!! I hate the wind more than the rain

I did my first Parkrun yesterday. Bloody loved it. I was with my six year old DT1. So we were v slow. Initially I thought the whole setup was a bit weird, a bit cult-like. But once we set off I could see how friendly everyone was. Fast runners lapping us thanked us for getting trip-hazard child out of their way and gave encouraging comments. The speed walker behind us made "I'm catching you up" comments which spurred DT on. And Marshalls cheering us on gave DT a running boost. Then having results on the internet have DT1 real pleasure. It was good all round! I think DT1 has persuaded DT2 to join us next week!

Then a couple of glasses of wine in me and I've signed up to 25 miles for May in "race at your pace"

#suchfun

Ooh, what a lovely experience, Brassica. My ds, who is not sporty in the slightest, has discovered he is quite talented at certain track and field events and wants to come to parkrun with me.

We are a family of couch potatoes and it pleases me to see some changes happening as they see me being consistent with my exercise. DH has a fair bit of weight to lose and is looking at long walks and swimming at the moment. If he took up running I'd be able to geek out with him, it'd be great!!

I'm going to start this tomorrow!

Wish me luck!!! I'm ok on a bike but hopeless at running.

Good luck!! If I can do it so can you:)

That sounds lovely, Brassica - I'm sure it will be lovely running with both DTwins next week.

Thanks for mentioning the Race at your Pace thing - I'd entered it for April and sending results in was one of the many things on my to-do list for today, and it had gone completely out of my head. Done it now!

I have also, scarily enough, entered the Great Scottish Run half marathon in September! Eeeeeeeek!!!!!! If anyone feels like joining me please do! I've also entered the ballot for London next year, but doubt I'll get a place there. We'll see!

ThisIsTheFirstStep - good luck for today. It will be fine, I promise. Trust me, 6 months ago I hated running, couldn't run for toffee and had no intention of ever starting. I appear to have slipped into a parallel universe since!