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.

I meant 8km/hour.

I need a lie down.

Go Paperdoll - it's crazy how this only bloody works!

Thanks for the great support. I did my second week 3 run this morning. Yay! 2 x 3 min runs. At this stage is it sooooo important to leave a days rest?

Paper - technically yes, as your muscles need a chance to recover, but for the first six weeks I had no choice but to do a run Thurs and Fri if I wanted to get my three in each week. When it got to the longer runs I always made sure I left a gap.

Brassica - I repeated W1R1 of the Pacer this morning, and had absolutely no wish to kill you this time. Thought you'd be pleased to hear! I put the incline back to 1% (instead of 1.5%) and it was much easier. That may have been because I've had two runs since, or it may just be that my legs can't cope with the extra climb.

I'm thinking about being brave and running in to work on Friday. But it's going to be 0 degrees and I have no idea what to wear. My usual attire is lycra pants, then a sports bra, thin top and padded running jacket: the jacket gets thrown off after the walk, and I often throw my top off at some point during my run too. But the gym has heaters in which, whilst not that effective, are no doubt better than nothing. I don't want to freeze, but I don't want to end up carrying a whole heap of clothing either.

My other problem is water. Despite what the websites say about not needing water for a 5K I can easily drain most of my 600ml bottle in a run. But I don't want to carry it, and I'm not sure any of the belts would be comfortable. What do you all do?

Well done Paper. Time is right about resting. Most importantly-listen to your body.

Well done to those on the next stage. Feeling a bit jealous as it’s midterm again so time is so precious. I’d love to try the 4x10 minutes but I just don’t have time.

How is everyone coping with the cold?

I'm not risking a twisted ankle tbh. I'm not the most graceful person at the best of times. :) Hoping this cold weather goes asap - we had a taste of spring there for a few minutes and I liked it!!

I'm on a motorised treadmill in the south of the country. No settled snow here yet but bitterly cold outside. I should be OK to continue running as long as we don't have a power cut! 😂

How is everyone doing?

I've not been running since last Friday So I've missed Monday and Wednesday with Friday not looking at all likely! We've got snow on snow on snow! I don't have access to a treadmill and as much as I'm missing the run (kind of!) I'm not risking life or limb!

I was also going to recommend the app "Runkeeper". It beeps every five mins which I liked on the C25K app. I might keep going with the 5k pacer app on Monday and Wednesday and switch to Runkeeper on a Friday when it's just a flat run.

I'm glad I'm off of your hit kit Time!!

athing one minute I was ordering a bistro set in a fit of springy springness. The next it had 4 inches of snow sat on the table top!!

I'm miserable about the cold for many reasons - I can't believe it's March!

Hi Brassica, good to see you back! Was wondering how you were doing.

I should be in the gym now, but, seeing as how I haven't really eaten since Wednesday lunchtime I decided against it. It's a shame, especially as the running is obviously having an effect on my body shape, but I don't really want to collapse in there! Wednesday's run was great, though: I upped the 3 minute faster run to 10 mins, just because. I do wonder if that had something to do with the reason why I've been feeling crap since, though. May behave myself from next week and stick to the plan!

Sorry to hear that the snow is stopping so many of you. You should move up here, I think we're the only place in the UK without any of the white stuff!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

First ever actual 5k!! The roads were mostly clear. 36.53 mins. Fastest km 7.10 mins. Slowest was the 3rd km at 7.32. Think a few days off has done me some good because I struggled to run 30 mins last week.

Well done!!

In awe of BrasiccaBabe. 🤩. Ive just done my first Wk4R1 and felt like giving up 🙁..... but I didn't!!!!......and I'm really proud of myself for sticking to it. 😇

paper all 3 of my runs last week were horrible. Painful from start to finish and little stunts of walking in the middle where normally I've been able to keep going. I think we all hit these spells. Keep going. Getting to week 4 and you've newly broken the back of it

Brassica - that's superb! Well done!

My pace is definitely improving thanks to the Pacer app. Only gradually, mind, but I'll get there. I'm not as fast as you, though. One day...

Managed another. A minute faster. Lol. Not a lot over 35/36 mins. But hey-ho

Don't knock it! My fastest has been 38 mins.

Are you still doing the Pacer?

I ran 6K this morning! 45 mins. Bum and thighs hurt but I'm so chuffed with myself!

Needing motivation to begin scary week 5! I don't even know the times to run but somethings putting me off at the moment!

Check you out Time pushing the boundaries!!

Get out there and get it done Paper. You'll feel great when it's under your belt!

Another 1 min off my time today 34.58. Fastest km 6.45. Slowest 7.14! Pretty pleased with that. Stopped on the nose of 5k though!

Thanks, Brassica! I pushed most of the C25K, adding some extra minutes on here and there. I don't think I like being told what to do!

Am really impressed with your pace! It's interesting how we've chosen to take different routes, you speed and me distance.

Paper - as Brassica says, just go and do it! Don't be scared, just start running the same as you have for every run up to now. It's no different.

Oh, and Brassica, if you're still looking for music suggestions my current favourite is"Hey Rock 'N' Roll' - Showaddywaddy. All covers, but good covers (imo). Song 1 starts off with "Let's go for a little walk" and 2 is "Three Steps to Heaven" - which is highly appropriate for the warm up walk! Then you get classics such as "Heartbeat" and "Hey Rock 'n' Roll" - which I end up clapping along to.

It might not be your thing but it keeps me going.

Thanks for the push you guys! I only went and did it!!! 🏃🏼‍♀️😁.

I don't know why I was so iffy. It was probably the running for longer thought but it is all mind over matter really isn't it?

Nice one Paper The worse part is getting changed and the first step out of the door sometimes. Well done for getting over the huddle! (Ok, not the actual hurdle. We've got enough to get through without adding obstacles )

I'm not anti any music time I'll check that out. I'm actually listening to some Christian music at the moment. The first track particularly I can attribute to my faster times. But I'm also partial to a good bit of George Michael and in the first km or two when I have the energy I can belt it out with the best of them! Another reason I'm grateful for my quiet country roads.

Does anyone remember the friends episode when phoebe and Rachel run? And phoebe is funny when she runs? Try that when no one is looking too! Much fun!

I've found another app @TimeIhadaNameChange "Zombies, Run!" Sounds a bit like the pacer app but the fast run bits are because you are being chased by zombies.