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!

Hope I'm not too late to join!

Well, after thinking for years that running wasn't for me, I am starting C25K this week.

I'm 46 and currently only do very minimal exercise - pilates and a bit of walking, hence I am VERY unfit I am really hoping I will get fitter and lose a bit of weight (I'm not overweight but on the top side of normal).

Any tips for starting please?

Do I need one of those arm pouches for my phone?

Hi all,

May I join too? I started a week ago and completed W2R1 today.

I have agreed to do a Park Run on 23rd June.

I am quite fit but find running difficult.

@Dancergirl an arm pouch is useful but not essential. I held my phone to start off; I still hold my keys.

Well done magicjay it’s so tough getting out when you feel that way isn’t it.

avon I have Jo Whiley too, I find her so soothing! Not sure what I will do without her after this!

Just back from w6r2 and I found it the hardest for a while I think I must be fighting off the virus the kids had last week as I feel like I could sleep all day and have no energy. I was hoping to move onto the next run tomorrow but if I struggled with 2 x 10 mins today I don’t know how! Trouble is I won’t get a chance to run until Sunday after today which isn’t great.

Does anyone run in the evenings after eating? So far I have been a morning runner but life is busy the next couple of weeks and I have more time in evenings than mornings (unless I get up horribly early!).

I find it really hard to run in the evenings, much prefer pre-breakfast. I’m too tired after work/kids stuff/dinner

Hi Catnut and dancergirl, nice to see more people joining! Good luck for starting out. Dancergirl, I have an arm band but don’t really like it, I prefer to hold my phone. So you don’t need it.

In terms of tips for starting, I don’t know if I have any useful ones really. Just to keep on getting out there. I have a friend who is an experienced runner who I ‘check in’ with after each run and who then texts me on the day of the next run, we don’t live near each other but exchange notes on runs, that has helped because I don’t want to let her down by giving up! Also I put a star on my calendar for each run

I have found I’ve had up and downs - first run I found terribly hard, then after that it got so much better. Found going to 5 min runs weirdly harder than going to 20 min runs! Back in a tough bit now, so might need to recruit a friend to run with to keep me going. A couple of people have offered but before now I haven’t felt like I could run long enough or confidently enough to keep up and not embarrass myself!

Thanks travelling

I never thought in a million years I would run. I have horrible memories of cross country running at school and getting a sore throat! Do you take water with you?

I have ordered a supportive sports bra so when that comes I'll get started

What sort of shorts/leggings do you wear for running? I have Sweaty Betty leggings that I wear for pilates but they are quite thick and I think I'll be too hot.

Welcome to Dancer and CatNut. Lovely to have more people on the thread.

In answer to questions about kit:

Phone, keys etc. - I wear a waist belt that I can put my phone, doggy poo bags, keys, money into.

Leggings - I've been wearing my sweaty Betty long leggings but now it is getting warmer I will start to wear some knee length ones that I got from Gap a couple of years ago.

Did W3R2 yesterday and found it quite easy . I've made a playlist of tracks with the perfect tempo for my running pace (ie. slow!) which helped me to keep a steady pace and not totally exhaust myself. I almost enjoyed it!

I use an arm strap for my phone and keys, bought from amazon a while ago but never used till now!
Leggings I have a pair from Tesco, fabletics and primark, the primark pair are better now it's getting warmer, I've no idea if they're see through on the bum though! Hopefully not.
I've just completed W4 R1 after having 4 days off and I think I ran a little slower than I have been but I definitely ran further. I did find it quite challenging but think that could have been a combination of 4 days off and longer running than walking this week. Absolutely chuffed with myself for still going, I think myself and many people who know I'm doing this thought I'd have given up by now 💪

travellinghopefully2018 snap! W6r2 was my hardest yet for some reason. I was closest I've been so far to stopping, not far into the second 10min. But then the 25min w6r3 was fine! No idea why so don't feel disheartened. I just completed w7r1 and it is definitely getting easier, less thinking without the intervals so can just let your mind wander. Not easy, but I think that now I'm past the mental barrier and know I'm capable of a longer run it's less daunting.

For leggings, tops and accessories I highly recommend Decathlon's own brand stuff. Very reasonable and great quality.

Oh that’s so good to hear travelling! I get what you mean about the intervals, with the 20 min one I could just switch off rather than thinking about minutes counting down. Thanks I really needed to hear that! Now just need to find a slot this week to actually do it!

W3R2 just done - touch wood finding this week very doable, almost enjoyable . Finding it very good to keep reporting back here

Dancergirl I started in cheap primark running leggings (didn’t want to spend much in case I didn’t stick with it) but now looking to upgrade as they keep riding down. Will check decathlon out! Sports direct meant to be really good for cheap and good running gear too, a couple of people have recommended karrimor stuff from there.

I started out taking water but now I just drink afterwards. Got a running bottle that was easy to hold but just find it a bit distracting. I do get a bit of a headache if I’m running in hot weather though, think I need to try harder to drink more before a run (but not just before otherwise my stomach sloshes unappealingly!)

I have done W1R1

This will sound really pathetic but I found running for even one minute quite hard Will I REALLY be able to do the whole programme??

Can I ask you experienced people where you run? And always the same route? We live in a cul-de-sac so I just ran round here. Also, should you stick to flat ground as a beginner? There's a few hills around here which I avoided. I'm thinking of maybe driving to a local park and running there next time for variety.

Also, my skin got really itchy, anyone know why that is?

Dancergirl well done A minute is a really long time at the start. Stick to the programme religiously it really does work. I’m running 3 mins at a time now and it’s fine. I avoid hills, follow the same-ish route. Why not put a Parkrun in the calendar for the end of training as something to work towards?

Skin itchy - running too quick. Slow down. Very slow jog!
You will manage it but it sounds like you are running far too quick. To start with try realyyyyy slow jogging!
I tend to run the exact same route because it helps me to pace myself and it feels good when my pace increases! I've added on little extras as I've gone a bit further the more I've run.

I'm currently sat on the sofa in my running kit eating chocolate rather than running... I need to go but I can't quite find the motivation !!

W2R2 just completed. I think it was a bit easier. My very cheap Old Navy flimsy leggings kept riding down. I will wear my thicker ones on Thursday.

Just done w3r1. Second 3 min run was hard, struggled with last 30 secs uphill. Dd was way ahead despite having already run a cross country 2k earlier.

W3R3 done this afternoon. It was quite hard and I'm not sure I'm ready for the 5 mins in Week 4, but I felt that about going from W2 - W3. Will tackle it on Friday or Saturday.

Nice one dancer!

Just done w6r3, 25 mins, really enjoyed it although found last 7 mins a bit hard. I really need to branch out on my routes now as I’m going further but I’m scared of bumping into people I know or not coping with hills!

Thanks all

Looking forward to W1R2 tomorrow!

A quick question - I didn't have any music on the first time because I wanted to see how it went. How does playing music work with the app??

Also, I prefer the radio to music - I have got the radio player app on my phone but will it only work with wifi?

W6R2 done so I'm one behind you Travelling!

Dreading the 25 minutes tomorrow!

You can do it just! I took it really slowly to start with then picked up speed after I had done half (when I was confident I could get through to the end )

Music - Jo Whiley or whoever you have, just butts in with instructions and your music dips in those bits.
Those of you running 20/25 mins now, do you also know how far you’ve run? I’ve put a Parkrun in the diary for week 9 - this is C25K with a aim to run 30 mins constantly. I get that but what if my 30 mins only covers 4K