C25K

[Otistheowl]

I'm a complete beginnen, starting tomorrow, anyone want to join me?
The goal is fitness, although weight loss would be an added bonus.
I've a young family so time and motivation are my biggest obstacles but am determined.
Join me!

Dancer I had an arm pouch I bought off amazon and it was great until it started rubbing! I now have a belt which I'm finding much better and it has a couple of little water bottles which for someone who breathes through their mouth while running is great for wetting my throat!!

W6R2 done. Found it really hard, and I didn't think I would make it through, but I did in the end. That's the last 3 runs in a row that have been like that, so I feel the programme is pushing me quite hard. But as a total novice that's probably to be expected. I've not failed to complete any runs so far, which is motivating me to keep my "winning streak" going

ChiaraRimini that's exactly how I feel. I completed W6R3 this morning & considered giving up at several point but like you I don't want to break my "winning streak". At no point did I find it easy.

I’ve been away this week but did my w7r2 25 min run on the treadmill in the hotel. I found it soooo much easier than road running . So in some ways it gave me a boost but it does mean I’m really nervous about today’s run

Can I join in? I'm a fair bit behind you all, just did W3R1 this morning and this thread has been great so far at keeping me motivated. I want to be as far along as you all!

My route is down a cycle path and then onto an old railway line that’s now a cycle track/path. I managed to overtake some other runners on Wednesday which felt quite good (mostly other people overtake me!)

Hi everyone! Well done on all the progress! I had a week break as mega busy but did w9r2 last night, pushed a bit further and got to 5km in 33mins, whoop! So pleased to have cracked it. Not realyyly hung up on reducing time for 5km, I want to increase distance now. Really want to get to 10km by end of summer!

FATE wow running every day! That’s an inspiration. I find my hip niggles if I run more often, leftover SPD, I really need to do something core exercises. Thanks for the podcast recommendations, im going to use those. Next goal is to do hillier routes as then I will have more options. I’ve mainly been sticking to canal as lovely and flat but near a nice (hilly!) park. I’m really blessed with routes, some great cycle tracks that link up to tarmaced footpaths so I have a few 7km routes to start getting my teeth into soon. Just struggling to find time - it was so easy to just grab half an hour here and there but have found it harder to fit in longer runs, need to plan better to start pushing distance up. I was going to start a 5 to 10km app, but every session is an hour, so think I will just try to keep pushing time/distance up gradually on each run, and mix in with some of the podcasts FATE recommended.

Re: the belts, can anyone recommend one? I’ve seen flip belts, are they good? I have an arm band but it isn’t comfy, I can never get it to sit right.

Week 5 run 2 done now - was all right. Have an app with Michael Johnson encouraging me on and he is nice and encouraging about it

W9r2 completed. Was the hardest yet for me. Took a lot of willpower not to give up. But only 1 run to go!

Travellinghopefully2018 that's a great pace, I had to slow right down today due to the heat where I am. When are you 'graduating'? I feel like we've done this in roughly the same time with a few gaps or repeats here and there. Been 11 weeks since I started. I'm not sure which day I will run. Don't want to have to repeat the last one so will look for the coolest day.

I run on an outdoor park course which has a 5k track. Have done almost every run there as it's easy on the hips and knees, flat and away from traffic with runners of all ages and abilities. Can imagine going back to concrete. Or using a treadmill.

Just finished run 1 week 7. Still hard. It was my first time actually listening to something. I went for Laura and the podcast. I think it helped.

Did week 5 run 3 this morning - managed my 20 min without stopping! And DH was running a 30 min 5k at the same time so we ended at the same time (when he appeared I stopped my warm down walk and ran. Fast!)

Just done week 6 run 3, 25 minutes.
I seem to take about 15 minutes to settle into a rhythm and then it becomes much easier. The biggest problem then seems to be boredom, as I am running on the treadmill. I am beginning to think about transitioning to running outside, now my legs can keep going over a reasonable period of time, but I need better shoes!

I did it! Didn't plan to run today but woke early, well rested and felt good so went out. Can't quite believe it! W9R3 and C25k completed!

This programme is fantastic. Keep going everyone, doesn't matter how many weeks it takes you, it's worth it.

Hi Travelling that is excellent news. I completed W7R2 yesterday and am feeling a bit despondent. I am not finding it any easier. It is a constant battle between the two "voices" - the one telling me to give up and the one telling I can do it/ trust the programme.

catnut I am still exactly the same. Not sure it will ever be easy for me but just going to keep going and try to silence that voice! Some days are definitely much better than others and not for any consistent reason I can pinpoint. Week 6 onwards for me was harder and I did repeat a few runs but I always got there, so don't give up.

Week 8 run 2 done... slowly. DS came out with me, he does a Parkrun in 19.30, and declared it was the longest he’s ever run for - 28 mins . Definitely made a positive difference having someone in front of me and I’m confident there’ll be plenty of folk in front at Parkrun when I do it
I stopped twice for about 20 secs each time - it’s almist like I’m scared to keep going
Well done on everyone’s progress 🏃🏼‍♀️

Just discovered this thread. I did W5R2 today, and have discovered in the last couple of weeks that if I listen to a podcast rather than music, it goes much more quickly, so I’ve been catching up on The Guilty Feminist and thoroughly enjoying it!

Week 6 run 2 just done, on my third attempt.

On the first I had to take an important phone call and I couldn't do the second 10min.

The second time I tried on Bank Holiday Monday, but I had sinusitis and had to stop after the first 10mins as I was wheezing and couldn't breathe, walked home and sucked on my inhaler and took sudofed!

Tried again tonight and managed to do the full 2 x 10min but I was as red as a tomato afterwards, it seems more difficult than week 5 run 3, although I did do that on a treadmill in the gym (slightly cheating).

Anyway - Hooray for all of us doing the C25K!

First 25 in the bag today! Very pleased! It was extremely hot so I will now say if I did it today I can do it 3x next week(W7)! Hope everyone doing well!

CatNut, I wonder are you speeding up a bit? That would mean it's still challenging- a good thing! That's where you build fitness, as Laura says! I didn't mean to go faster but noticed I did my first 5min today in the same distance it took me to do my first 8mins last week!

Hi all,

Completed week 7 today. It was marginally better.

Actually the first 20 mins were surprisingly fine. Just the last 5 mins were hard.

Can I play Laura NHS and Spotify? I must be doing something wrong.. can't wait to get going on W7 now.

Week 6 run 1 done

Week nine run one done 💪
My fastest run yet and in a different location. I think it was much flatter than where I normally run but we are away for a few days so not routes that I'm used to! DH is buying me trainers for my birthday and I'm asking for vouchers/money towards decent running gear!
I'm really enjoying myself and liking being able to challenge myself to go faster/do more challenging routes!

Well done Rocket - 30 mins is fab! Do you know the distance you covered? 30 mins and 5K are definitely not going to be one in the same for me