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!

W5r1 this morning with ds. Still struggling to get the breathing right and found myself breathing at the same rate in the walking as the running.

Well done @PhannyMcNee for making it through the first week. For me that was definitely the hardest but by the end of week 3 I looked forward to doing it even though I was struggling badly with the longer stints.

@daphine2004 I don't go to the local park where most people go as I felt too self conscious in sports gear (even bravissimo struggled to find a sports bra that would fit me and the one I came away with I know is not quite right) so I go to a local playing field the other end of town which backs on to open countryside. I couldn't do it when I tried it back in January and gave up after the first run which ended in tears and was with a group - I was at the back miles behind everyone and told the woman running it I needed a floor to couch programme before I could start C25K. Doing it on my own with a friend I am so much less self conscious. Give it a go and although its hard, it definitely gets easier pretty quickly

W7r2 completed today, over a week since w7r1 tho - struggling to fit in runs now I'm back at work (work in a school)

W6r1...must remember that my route has a hill in it!!!

Tentatively popping in to say hello! I have just done my first run/walk today. I'm using the NHS app. I successfully completed C25k a few years ago but was several pounds lighter. Now I am in my 40s, overweight and unfit. I don't want to carry on feeling like a blob, but it is very hard to make myself get out of the door and do it!

W5R2 done today. Scared about W5R3. It's seems a big step up to be suddenly running for 20 minutes when the longest I've done so far is 8! And I was struggling 7 minutes in both runs today. Have people been able to manage it ok? I'm jogging in time to the music so think I'm going at about the right speed.

CanlKondo I did W5r3 this morning. I too wasn't at all sure I could do it but I did by concentrating on a specific point in the distance eg a tree/football post/dog walker and told myself I just needed to do one field at a time. Laura gives you a time check every 5 minutes. The first 5 went sooooo slowly Have to admit towards the end my face was getting so hot I felt like it would explode and I was breathing very loudly. Not sure of the reasoning behind W6r1 going back to 8 minutes running. Can't run again til monday so the gentle build up again is probably a good idea

Canikondo you CAN do this! Your body is more than capable of running for 20 minutes, you need to train your mind. Go slowly, keep it steady, plan your route so there's no hills (unless you like hills).

Believe in yourself and enjoy it :)

I thought w5r3 would be horrific but actually I missed my stop time and carried on! Go as slowly as you need to and listen to a really good podcast (or take a friend with you)...you can do this!!!

Thanks for the encouragement. Planning on doing it tomorrow morning and so will report back. Unfortunately it's a bit hilly where I live, but will try to plan a flattish route. Still feeling nervous , but hope I can do it.

CanIKondo last time I did this I was really surprised at how much more I enjoyed the longer runs than the interval weeks!

So a bit of a dodgy week - did W2R1 Monday then had a whole shower of shit thrown at me from different places and couldn't get out Weds, Thurs or Fri. Now on holiday in a caravan in Newquay though so got up early this morning to do W2R2 🤗

Might break all the rules and do W2R3 tomorrow so I can start W3 on Monday! Due to various commitments Tuesday's and Thursday's are really difficult to make time!

Oooops !! I've been slacking off a bit since I managed 5k on my good day ! Will go tomorrow and do W7R3 ... then start W8 on Tuesday .. hope everyone is ok xx

W7r1 still nowhere near 5k...3k in total...wondering if I should be building up time to get to 5 k or speed?

Can I join? I am starting next week! I’ve been swimming for a couple of weeks but I have previously found C25K very effective. My DS is nearly 8 months. I feel I just about have energy and space to begin but I’ll be starting much further back than every before and with 2-3 stone to hopefully lose. Planning to run on a treadmill because I prefer it. Just posted a thread asking for advice on work out clothes.

(Posted my other thread in weight loss - maybe posting in exercise would have been better?)

Haven't posted in a while, have to say how much I love this group!!
Huge well done to everyone!
3rd attempt at c25k here, ran wk1r3 yesterday and managed to run 6 minutes straight at the end. So happy. Keep remembering how long that minute was when I first started, and can't believe I'm at this stage now.

@CanIKondo - how was your 20 minutes? W5R3 is The Best run of them all. Take it slow, much slower than you think you need to go, and then be MEGA PROUD of yourself when you've finished!

@fishfingersandketchup - I was similarly in my 40s, overweight and unfit when I started C25K. Have you finished Week 1 yet?

eatyourveg How's W6 for you? It's not uncommon for people to struggle going back to splits after the elation of the W5R3 20 minutes.

@PetraDelphiki I'd finish C25K first, before you start thinking about getting to 5K. Your pace naturally increases without any effort as you run more, so you don't know where you'll be by the time you finish Week 9.

Once running for 30 minutes, the Plus programe helps you extend to 35 minutes and to start thinking about pace in a structured way.

After that I stretched first to a 40 minute run. Then I aimed got a 45 minute run but got to 5K just under 43 minutes the first time.

Once I knew I could run the 5k I changed my focus to running 5K regardless of how long it took me. It was very quickly under 40 minutes without any conscious effort to speed up and within weeks under 35 minutes.

The only time I had to actively try to run faster (rather than increased pace coming as a natural consequence of running more effectively) was when pushing to get my 5k time from 32 minutes to under 30 minutes. That was months after finishing C25K.

Hi @FATEdestiny that is encouraging to hear! I have just done my 2nd run and plan to go out again on Monday to complete week 1. Its going OK but my legs and hips are very achy, presumably because I am overweigt and also unused to exercise But I feel determined to do this, I really want to improve my fitness levels before I get any older/fatter!
Loads of great tips and support on this thread

Thanks fate

sleep look at sturdy by design for workout clothes...they have fab patterns and seem really good quality!

@whencanisleepagain

Do you have a Decathlon near you? I am completely kitted out in their running gear, it's well priced and does the job - but sizing can come up small. I spent £50 on trainers, leggings, top and bra! Enough to get me started on C25K, and I've added bits as the weather changed.

That's really reassuring advice about the distance/time thing Fate, last time I didn't track distance but this time I have an iPod nano and it tracks how far. I'm doing between 3-3.5 km and can't see me getting up to 5k by the end of C25k.

I'm on the phone app so can't scroll back for names but well done to I think fish finger for starting. I'm only 3 runs on from you so happy to be your running partner

Can't remember who was asking about running gear - I have 3 pairs of leggings, 1 long and 2 3/4 length. I find the long ones much comfier, I think because I'm tall the cropped ones end at the fattest part of my calf and dig in! All of my stuff is Decathlon except socks I got from a sports shop locally and bras which are about 12 years old! I could do with getting a new one but there's limited choice down here in Cornwall and I'm loath to buy without fitting because I'm rather large of nork (38Gish)

Thanks for the clothing advice - lots of good suggestions to take a look at!

Would you lovely ladies allow me a quick self-indulgent post? I finished C25K on 30th April 2018. Less than 5 months on, I ran a half marathon this afternoon!

I'm so proud of myself. I know this isn't strictly in the subject matter of the thread, but I'm so desperate to share my achievement (Sorry!)

On 1st January 2018 I weighed 17st 8.5 with a BMI of 43 and I was unable to walk 5km, let alone run. Today I have a healthy BMI, I cardio fitness score rated excellent and I can run for 21 kilometres. I can't quite believe it!

You are an inspiration - we'll done, what a fantastic achievement xxxxx

fate you can indulge yourself as much as you like -that’s an amazing achievement and you have been so Incredibly helpful to everyone! Have a glass of wine from me - congratulations!!!

That’s incredible @FATEdestiny and very inspirational as I start out! I’d love to be in a similar place in eight months!