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!

Thanks for all the clothing advice. I was just going to ask about it as it was freezing this morning! Just finished W8R3 so nearly there... Had a couple of weeks off due to being away and the kids being sick, but managed to pick up where I left off which was really good as didn't want to repeat week 7 again as I found it really hard going. I always find the first half of the run the worst and it wasn't helped by the instrumental music in week 7.
Congratulations to everyone who has had made a start. I'm still overweight and in my 40's but definitely feeling fitter than I did 2 months ago and it feels really good to have made a positive step rather than feeling guilty.
I think I need to invest in some new running clobber. At the moment I'm running in a vest hoodie and loose light weight joggies (and hat and gloves). I wasn't sure about running leggings/tights as my legs are fairly chunky, but my legs and torso felt cold today so wondering if I could do with another layer? Think I might need a jacket as the weather gets colder/wetter - any recommendations? I was reluctant to buy anything until I felt I would stick at it.

I got a pair of running leggings from matalan. Solux or something. They were pennies and they are surprisingly flattering

Anyone out tonight? I did W4R3. Much better with a hoodie on

I also have a headband sweatband. It serves several purposes - keeps my headphones in

how did I not think of this?!

W2R1 done here. It was noticeably harder but I managed all the runs. My brisk walks were slightly less brisk in between

W1R3 done here - ran for over half the running bits which is an improvement over each run. Am going further each time and feel good about it. I’m going to repeat week 1 with the aim of running all the running bits by the end of next week - and reminding myself it’s ok to go at my own pace, whatever I’m doing is still more than I was doing a week ago.

Got new running shoes and can’t believe the difference.

Hi 👋 would like to join please 😊

Completed week 3 run 3 this morning. Am looking forward to starting week 4 on Friday.

Am looking to lose 2-3 stone and this is really keeping me on track

Well done @Jellycatspyjamas, you're right, anything is progress!

Hello @SuzeD29!

I did W6R1 last night. I'm still amazed that running for 8 & 5 mins is suddenly a total breeze! Who'd've thought?! One more easy run this week (10 & 10) and then I'm into the 25mins+ end.

I'm knackered today though. But I think it's the cold I've got!

I’m in disbelief that 8 mins will ever feel like a breeze and yet I know I’ll get there too if I just keep going. I’m enjoying the fresh air and me time as well as feeling better in myself just for running a tiny bit.

Frankly I'm still amazed at the experience! I found 3 minutes, and then 5 minutes so hard at the time.

You'll get there!

Well done Jelly and Domestic great achievements.

Welcome Suze, you’re nearly half way there!

I'm still amazed that running for 8 & 5 mins is suddenly a total breeze! Who'd've thought?!

When did that start feeling easy? I'm doing w4 this week and really struggling. I cut r1 short by 1 minute of running but managed to complete it today. Hated every minute of it though

When did it become easy? W6R1, it's never been easy before! W5R3 is 20 mins, W6R1 is 5 mins, then 8, then 5 again. So it feels easier l. Which is a really clever part of the program!

I need to stress that I've found the previous runs as hard as anyone. I was sure I'd never be able to exceed 3 minutes, I'd found it so hard!

Trust the program! You'll find the same too!

It's all 25 mins + from W6R3, so I need to make the most of this! 😆

When did that start feeling easy? I'm doing w4 this week and really struggling.

It becomes easy only when you look back to how you were. Current runs will be a struggle because you're pushing your limits and constantly increasing those limits.

But think back...

You are currently managing 5 min runs @5SecondsFromWilding. If you went back to 60s runs with a rest in between, how would you find it? I'm assuming you could manage a 1 minute run fairly easily now? But back in Week 1 you may have described it as hard.

Trusting the program means realising the progress you make whilst still pushing your limits further. Pushing your limits will always be hard, but that never means you've not progressed. Quite the opposite.

W5R2 for me tonight. I’m also starting Race at your Pace for November if anyone is interested.

I did Race at Your Pace back in March, just before I started C25K.

There's also RED January, for anyone interested. RED stands for Run Every Day - but if doesn't have to be running if that's not your thing, just some form of physical exercise every day in January. I'm going to run every day though.

I’m interested in that!

what did you use to record your distance when you did race at your pace? I have map my run but it’s in kilometres and I can’t figure out if you can change it

Ran 21 mins straight tonight. Straight through the walking bit. Very very slowly but I can’t believe that.

Well done @ThereGoesTheAlarm!

I've just signed up for RED January. I'm planning a lot of yoga between run days!

I like the idea of something like RED January to keep the motivation going. I finished W7R2 this morning - while I managed the 25 minute run without stopping and ran the furthest difference yet I didn't feel fabulous while running and wanted to stop. I guess I'm thinking forward to what will keep me motivated when I finish the C25K program

So I’m repeating week 1 so did W1R1 (which is actually R4 for me. I ran all but one section, which was the third uphill section in a row and the second last running section - usually is give up and walk the rest of the way but by the last running section I felt able to run again, so I did! The first 3 sections felt easy and I could have kept going, the next two were harder (uphill), I walked the next and ran the last which also felt easy.

I’m thinking next time I’ll be able to run it all... which a week ago was unthinkable. I walked the whole thing 10 days ago.

I did W2R2 this morning. Chilly but a gloriously sunny day. I did not find it any easier than run 1 and my pace was about the same.

Congrats theregoesthealarm

That’s a great achievement Jellycatspyjamas

But you did it @openup, you did it and that’s 5 runs you’ve done now which is an achievement in itself! Well done!

Yeah! Well done @Jellycatspyjamas!

Well done @sleepymouse, I'm not looking forward to the 25 min runs! I'm expecting them to be heinous 😆

Well done @openupmyeagereyes. So far the only run I've found easy was the 5/8/5 after the 20 minute one. But I have learned to run much slower than I thought possible.

I'm going for duration first, then I'll work on pace and hills.

I'm running with the local running club once a week and I think I'll continue to do so after the C25K. They do a sort of social run one day and a training session on another. Not sure if I want to actually compete in anything properly yet.