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!

I ran 4km today...furthest distance yet!!!

Sorry to hear things aren't so rosy DA. Hope you manage to get back on track. I am not at all inclined to go out today but I'll see how I feel later.

That's brilliant Petra. I've only tracked one of my runs so far and was amazed that I'd gone 4.5k including the two 5 mins walks. Rather worried about the 4k Santa Dash as that involves hills and I currently avoid hills. Also a bit concerned how well I'll be able to run in a santa suit. May just keep it as a token hat

@WhenCanISleepAgain How are you doing?

Well done BigFatBloomers! I’m a little behind you and ran W8R2 today. Each run is still so different - sometime I feel confident and other times I hate most of the run and find it very hard going! I enjoyed it today and am also feeling pleased because I’ve dropped a couple of pounds (after being more careful with what I’m eating) and am looking a little more toned, though still a long way to go.

Great news petra. I’m not sure how far I’m running but suspect it’s not as far as I think it is.

Cheering you on Domestic as you look for your mojo. I completed C25K years ago and gave up running when I then pushed myself too far. Not sure what to do as I near the finish line this time but I think I may just commit to run 30 mins 3x a week for a while until it becomes a habit.

I finally got back out again with the help of Sarah Millican and W9R3.
Must go again on Sunday

I’ve done it! Last run yesterday and it was a 4K Santa Run. Hard work but I did it and I’m so pleased.

Now it’s onto the question of what next. With Christmas it would be so easy to have good intentions but manage nothing.

Well done WCISA and DA.
So much of it is in your head isn’t it?

Well done!

So many of you completing, massive well done. As to what next? Gave a look for the C25K Plus podcasts on the NHS website. Exactly the same format and script as C25K and designed for recent graduates.

C25K+ "Stepping Stones" is a 30 minute run with 5 mins warm up and cool down, just like Week 9. But introduces you to the idea of monitoring your pace and putting a number (beats per minute, or steps per minute) as a way to monitor and challenge your pace.

C25K+ "Stamina" is a 35 minute run which focuses you on running for longer

C25K+ "Speed" is a 15 minute run which introduces the idea of interval running; when you run at a very fast pace for short intervals between more steady pace running.

There's also the fact that you can set a tracker running on your phone and see if you can do a 5k run, rather than running for a set time start running for a set distance. Then challenge yourself to do the set distance in a faster time.

Evening, checking in to say W8R1 done 4.7km too!

I think w7 took about 3 weeks in the end but I did it and have moved on. Contemplating a Santa run at the weekend but not sure. My plan is to finish w9 before Christmas then pick one of the next programmes.

Well done @BigFatBloomers and @PhannyMcNee!

I went out with the Stepping Stones podcast on Sunday. It really shows up what a slow runner I am! I got the most hideous stitch in the final 5 mins and had to stop!

I'll try again tomorrow!

On that, it's really worth noting though that the C25K program does not introduce any notion of pace until after graduating.

The ideal should be that throughout Weeks 1-9 of the main C25K program, you run however slow you need to and that is fine. Only once finished C25K is there any mention if pace.

Too many people worry about their pace or how far they've run while doing C25K, when there is absolutely no need to.

Well done others on the road! Just two more runs to go for me!

I did it! W9R3 completed Well done Donestic, McNee and Bloomers! Good luck to recent new starters - how are you getting on!

My goal for the next month is to run 30 mins 3x a week before considering the next running challenge. Thanks for the advice FATE.

Well done @WhenCanISleepAgain!

Keeping up with running has been a challenge for me! I hope you do better!

Well done WCISA! That’s brilliant.

I have to admit that I’ve not run at all this week. Just been really busy and not made the time. Going to try again next week before I lose all my oomph.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, FATEdestiny!
How are you?

I finally managed to get out running yesterday, for the first time since my Santa Run. Then I started the New Year with a group 1 mile run - a good way to start 2019.

Well done BigFatBloomers

After finishing C25K I have run every day apart from 6 in 2018.My total mileage is over 2000 miles or 3000km! Started 2019 with a 10km run today.

How's our previous C25K'ers?

Just sticking my head in (as a c25k graduate 2017) to say well done everyone. Keep at it. I ran just over 1000km in 2018 including the London Marathon!

Hi all, I'm going to try c25k again - does anyone have an idea of what distance the first few workouts are? My route home is around the 5k mark and has some good level paths, I cycle it quite often but am thinking of doing my runs waddles on my way home from work. I don't want to end up halfway home and broken though

@mumonashoestring the first few weeks you'll probably cover 2-3km. But there's no reason why you couldn't walk the rest of your 5km route after you've finished the prescribed run.

Hi all!

Just wanted to introduce myself as I've done my first C25k session today.

My goal is to be a bit more body confident as I'm getting married in September.

Alongside healthy eating and a weekly HITT class, I'm hoping to stick with this!

Any success stories?

Well done @MrsSpidey!

I did it! I started at the end of September and finished at the end of November. I can't run fast, but I can run 5k now, and I found running for 3 minutes impossible not very long ago.

Stick with it. You'll love it!

@DomesticAnarchist thank you!

I'm feeling more motivated than ever and hoping a bit of support on here will help me along my way if/when it's feeling a real struggle.

Amazing that you completed it! Well done!
I think the aim is just to be able to do it, rather than at pace? I'm sure that will come!

Did you set out with a weight loss goal? Or was it just general fitness improvement?

Oh yes, I aimed to just be able to run for 30 mins. And then to run a whole 5k. I'm still really slow but working on it. Hills and pace can wait!

For me it was just general fitness. What's odd is that I've actually started to enjoy it, and I do feel so much better for it.

@FATEdestiny is the C25K legend. She's run nearly every day since too. Total warrior!

I've just done W1R1

Not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm planning on repeating each run before going to next one because I'm massively unfit and overweight, so trying to be realistic about what I can do.

@FATEdestiny thanks, I'm hoping I'll be able to do that 3x a week without making myself late enough home to miss DS's bedtime!

@Violetroselily I'm in the same situation, your plan sounds good. Last time I tried c25k I found some weeks much more challenging than others and 'allowing' yourself to repeat a run as many times as necessary is really important if you don't want to lose motivation (or hurt yourself).

New running shoes purchased, app downloaded, back to work on Monday so we'll see how I get on!