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Original poster

C25K really works

493 replies

athingthateveryoneneeds · 13/01/2018 17:03

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.

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SparkleTwilight · 13/05/2018 11:56

Hi everyone, can I join? Last summer I did weeks 1-4 but then I stopped when life got in the way, DD1 had very ill health with a diagnosed kidney condition and DS2 was diagnosed with autism.

Anyway, with all the stress I’ve put on a stone. We have a holiday coming up and I’m back on C25K to get fitter and for mental well being Smile running makes me feel great.

How is everyone doing? I’m about to start today W5R1 today and DD is joining me on her bike (I started 4 weeks ago but skipped week 1).

BrassicaBabe · 13/05/2018 14:59

Welcome Sparkle. It's tough fitting everything in isn't it. A couple of us in this thread also follow the "low carb boot camp". Between c25k and boot camp I've lost over a stone since September.

How are the aches and pains Time? That sounds nasty!

I started c25k at the beginning of December parttime. I did the straight 9 week without a break. I found it hard for a few weeks after the programme finished to run without structure and also to jump between the 30 mins c25k and actually running for 5k. Once I managed the 5k I have played around trying to get my time down. Three Fridays ago I managed 6k, last week 7k and this week 8k. Don't think I'm going further than that for now. But apparently doing these long runs is the key to getting a faster 5k time

Do folks do any ab work? That also seems to be quite a thing with running faster I read. I think some ab work would help my rowing too.

Original poster
athingthateveryoneneeds · 14/05/2018 16:16

I'm doing a yoga kriya that's all about abs. It's called nabhi kriya. www.3ho.org/kundalini-yoga/chakras/nabhi-kriya

I've not done the full timings yet, but my core is definitely strengthening and I will probably start doing the full time this week.

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 14/05/2018 17:12

I really wish I liked yoga, athing but I just can't get into it. I tried many years ago, but being told to "breath in through your back" was bizarre to a biologist, and though I knew what they meant I just couldn't cope with it. I've also tried pilates, but had the same reaction!

I've got a hula hoop, Brassica. Not sure how much it's doing, but I perservere. I must warn you, though, the first few times I tried I got incredibly bruised around my middle, but when I did it last week (for the first time in a wee while) it was fine.

My hip's slowly improving, thanks for asking. Recovery not helped by having to chase a mischievous rabbit in last night (ended up twisting on the spot as she changed direction). But I'm getting there. Don't think I'll try running again until Saturday, but I'll walk home every day except Friday if I can. I ended up walking about 4.5 miles on Saturday night at a pretty fast pace, so I haven't been entirely lazy. I am missing the running, though Sad.

SparkleTwilight · 14/05/2018 17:52

Thanks Brassica, I will look for the other thread. Well done on managing all the way to 8k, I can’t imagine running those sorts of distances... maybe one day!

I’ve also heard that a strong core work can help with speed. Leg and glute exercises can help too.

I hope you’ll manage to do your run on Saturday time.

Original poster
athingthateveryoneneeds · 14/05/2018 18:02

I'm a yoga teacher, Time, so I have to incorporate it into my day. ;) But I know what you mean about the breathing thing. A lot of it is symbolic.

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 14/05/2018 18:26

I probably need to find a teacher who will teach me what I need minus the symbolism! I loved Qi Gong, but had to ignore the talk of energy flow. And a friend lent me a book about it many years ago, but as soon as I saw that all the useful photos had the universe as their backdrop (a bit like the photo here I had to shut it.

As you can see, I really struggle with these things. I wish I didn't!

BrassicaBabe · 14/05/2018 20:15

Thanks athing. I'll check out that link. I'm with you guys though on the symbolism stuff. I don't want to open my mind etc. I like the idea of yoga without the other stuff.

Parttimer you are brave looking ahead on the c25k programme. I was never brave enough to look forward!

I only managed 2k today. Some days just don't go as planned!

Original poster
athingthateveryoneneeds · 14/05/2018 22:39

Well, whatever your feelings about the spiritual side of yoga, it does work - my core strength is already improved after less than two weeks of daily effort, and not even the full times. Whether this translates into helping with runs is another story entirely!

As an aside, I've increased my exercise these past two weeks and I am really struggling with an increase in hunger as well. My weight hasn't gone down in ages, though I am more toned. It's really hard to balance the hunger though. It takes about five seconds to eat back all those running calories....

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FATEdestiny · 15/05/2018 12:22

I'm trying to lose a significant amount of weight and initially struggled to get the calories balance right when running.

I was losing 2-3lb a week upon starting running. Once a got your Week 6 onwards, when running longer times, I found I was a lot hungrier. I changed the type of lunch I have: previously steamed chicken/fish and streamed green veg. Now hummus dip with crunchy veg. This adds in extra protein and carbs. I also sometimes have a porriage breakfast, usually I only eat at 12.30 and 5.30pm with no breakfast. I am also careful to drink 3 1l beakers per day.

I've found these changes have controlled any hunger. And now that I run for 30-40 minutes 7 days a week, my weight loss is usually around 4lb a week.

Original poster
athingthateveryoneneeds · 15/05/2018 12:26

I definitely don't drink enough. That's probably my biggest failing. and I eat my exercise calories regularly

That's a very fast weight loss!! Well done for keeping at it, but mind you don't injure yourself. /mumvoice

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Aelinandme · 15/05/2018 16:43

Amazing! I just did week 5 run 3. A full 20 minutes! I was so convinced that I couldn't do it that I did week 5 run 1 and run 2 twice over before I risked today's run.
So happy Smile

BrassicaBabe · 15/05/2018 17:16

OMG what have I done?! I have a newish superfit friend. She is the person who got me started on C25k in the first place as her super fitness shamed me in our other shared sport. She's since dropped out of this shared sport because of a health problem. Well this health problem also means she can't run. But she remains super fit. Anyway, she's entered a triathlon but is going to have to drop out because she can't so the running 5k bit. She's asked if I would do the 5k leg and we do it as a team. I said I would if she didn't mind me embarrassing her with my slow time

Then the penny dropped! Embarrassing her?!!! What about embarrassing myself?!! Totally overlooked that aspect!! I'm going to look a proper nana with my plodding while everyone races off!

Original poster
athingthateveryoneneeds · 15/05/2018 17:19

You'll do great I'm sure!

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BrassicaBabe · 15/05/2018 17:20

athing I've seen it elsewhere. I totally agree that yoga works. I'm sure the internet is full of good yoga stuff without all of the "open your mind" stuff. I'll take a proper look...

Once in a while I kick myself into drinking more water. It totally bores me Grin I hate the length of time I end up spending in the loo! Grin

BrassicaBabe · 15/05/2018 17:22

Aelin well done!! It feels great doesn't it! You can absolutely do it!!

SparkleTwilight · 15/05/2018 18:02

Well done Aelin! That is going to be my next run, I will be attempting it on Thursday or Friday Shock great to hear that you made it through the whole 20 mins

Brassica I’m sure you’ll do great! How long until the triathlon? Have you joined your local parkrun?

Aelinandme · 16/05/2018 08:45

Thanks everyone for the support. I feel fine today, and the rest of the c25k seems possible. I reckon the whole point of the 20 minute run is to get you in the right mind set to complete the 30 minutes run in three weeks time.

Paperdolly · 16/05/2018 16:17

I LOVED the feeling after I'd done my first 20 min run. 😊

FATEdestiny · 16/05/2018 16:34

I reckon the whole point of the 20 minute run is to get you in the right mind set

Absolutely. It's all psychological.

I was pondering why they do a single 20 min run then go back to intervals. I think that's physiological too. Because before you do the 20m run, you can think "I only need to do it once", which makes it psychology easier to cope with.

By the end of the following week with your 25 minute run, you're in a better place mentally to cope with the idea of running constantly for longer times.

I remember being disappointed after the 3 25 min runs (week 7) that the jump was only to 28 mins. I felt ready for 30 minutes runs at that point. Which I think is the whole point - it's more about being mentally ready rather than physically capable.

BrassicaBabe · 16/05/2018 19:47

Whoop! Well done Paper. It feels bloody amazing sometimes doesn't it!

Totally agree on the physiological front. Those clever C25k folks know us too well! Grin

Although wish I had someone in my ear today like c25k! It's windy today. Again. I bloody hate running in the wind. It's so flat round here the wind seems to smack you in the face! But I had a run scheduled. I've baled Sad and that throws my plans out for the week. The internal voices are just too loud sometimes! Back off to google treadmills again!!

Original poster
athingthateveryoneneeds · 16/05/2018 21:41

I've fallen badly on my ankle.tonight during my run (only 3.5 km into a planned 12km trek!) and it's swollen up hugely. I am gutted. I went flying, too - my knees and hands are bashes up and luckily I was able to get up and walk to a meeting point where dh came to collect me. Just as I was about to ring dh my 15yo dd rang me and I blubbed down the phone at her. I am still really fragile, which makes me feel silly. But this injury is going to set me back weeks, if not months. Beyond frustrated.

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Paperdolly · 16/05/2018 21:59

Bgr! Athing... I'm so sorry to hear this. 🙁. You will get back to this. Rest up and be good to yourself. X

Paperdolly · 16/05/2018 22:02

Brass. I'll swap you for my hills. 😁. I do have a tread mill aswell though.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 17/05/2018 09:19

*athing - am really sorry to hear this. How vexating! But to quote a wise woman I know: "Definitely rest. Resting and healing from injury is important!" I have a feeling we're going to be saying that to each other a lot.

Apparently, if you're a swimmer, you can get devices which you hold between your legs to keep them up without having to move them (pullbuoys), so you could still go swimming if you wanted, and maybe handweights...? At least that way you'd feel you were still doing something. But don't push yourself too hard. You'll get back into the running soon enough.

Brass and Paper - stop complaining!!!!! I have wind, hills and rain. So there!!!!!!

Oh, and Brass - this sounds silly but what about a running balaclava? They really are a thing (I've just checked). Would reduce the sandpaper effect I know only so well! (Someone recently remarked that I'd obviously been out in the sun a lot, as my face was so tanned. I pointed out we rarely see the sun up here and it was more likely to be the wind.)