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!

We did W6R1 yesterday evening. Fully expected it to be fairly easy after Saturdays 20mins, but how wrong was I?!?!

Started off by only getting into my house 6 minutes before I was supposed to meet my friend and start running, so was all rushed. Hadn't eaten since 12 and it was now 6pm, and forgot to change my underwear and am now suffering from some rather unattractive chaffing!

Yesterday's session was 5/8/5 runs, ended up having g to schedule in an extra 30 sec walk break into the final run (although we did run an extra 30seconds into the cool down to make up for it!)

Back out on Friday for W6R2, hopefully it will be a little easier. Then it's 25 minutes on Sunday eeekkk

Just attempted w3r3 , dodging between showers. Getting a very tight calf halfway through second 3 minutes so have yet to complete it. May redo this run at weekend before moving on. Timing tricky as my phone won't support the app so using my watch!

phone won't support the app

Try the podcast instead of the app

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k-plan.aspx

Just play it through your phone's generic music player (I use Samsung music)

Avon - did you W4R1 & 2 on consecutive days then? I'm not sure I could do that! I did W4R2 today and found it quite hard so the thought of going out again an doing it tomorrow is tough. Even Friday seems too soon. 😫

Luuby86 - I think preparation and mindset play a big part in success. If I've not eaten enough or if I'm in a poor frame of mind it is just so much harder; I struggle to get any rhythm and my breathing is rubbish too so it all just hurts more. I'm sure you will find the 25 minute run OK without the rush before hand that you had today.

LIZS - it must be hard using your watch. I hope you can get a podcast to work for you as it will be easier without having to clock watch.

I don't know who it was up thread who said it doesn't get harder but it doesn't get easier, but they were so right. I'm very excited and motivated by the obvious improvement in my fitness but I still feel such a log way off owning this. Even when I do finally manage to run for the full 30mins my pace and distance will be a long way short of enough to do 5k, so even beyond the nine weeks this will still be a work in progress.

Will try the podcast, thank you, although dd (whose phone it was) is not hopeful. Normally I run with her and she has the app, but she is busy this week. Any thoughts on cramping?

MagicJay yes I did W4R1 on Tuesday and R2 on Wednesday. Wasn’t my plan but I was ill over the weekend so lost some time. I don’t want to get off track as I’ve got a Parkrun in the calendar and don’t want to lose my momentum 😀. Two consecutive days was fine - not sure I’d want to be doing it in later weeks where the runs are longer though

Hi everyone, I've been enjoying reading this thread. I am on week 8 and just about to do run 3. I can't quite actually believe that I'm doing this. Every new week I've wondered how I'll manage but I have.

I never thought I'd manage to run further than a 100m. I was the kid at school who always finished last in the x country. I'm approaching 50 this year and with 3 stone in weight to lose I'm determined to not be fat and fifty .

This plan really does work. I'm living proof. I'm actually looking forward to going out for my 28 minute run in a minute. It still bloody hurts but I just shout 'shut up legs' in my head.

The biggest thing that helped me was good running shoes. After 3 weeks of running in tatty old trainers it was a revelation to actually spring as I ran in my new Brooks trainers.

Well done to everyone for getting out there and doing it!

Hi everyone,

I have just done W2R2 today I've been feeling really good and proud of myself after each run.

Just a question about speed - I keep to a slow jog but I still get quite tired after each run. So the 'brisk walks' in between runs aren't that brisk, does it matter?

A friend has started running with me which is really nice, we did w5r2 today and will be doing run 3 Monday!
A bit apprehensive about that if I'm honest but going to give it my best shot!
We also entered the ballot for the London marathon, more to raise some money for charity to be honest and to give myself a bigger goal as I'd really like to take this running lark seriously. We've already got a training plan in place to get to marathon running and there are loads of park runs etc around us. I know it's unlikely that we will get in though!

You never know Rocket someone has to get a ballot place!
I did W4R3 today. Just looked at week 5 - first two sound ok-ish, but not sure about the jump to 20 mins . How have others found that??

Wow rocket that’s exciting! Good luck for getting a place. A friend of mine just did the marathon this time and she only started running last year so it’s definitely an attainable goal!

avon it sounds impossible but the 20 mins is actually ok! I found I got into the zone and lost track of time. Just watch pace and start slow. You’ll feel so chuffed when you’ve done it, I did!

Did w7r2 this morning. Still finding it tough but think that’s cos I’m only running twice a week, it feels like tremendous effort to get back out there after a longer gap. I feel intimidated by the thought of it! Tried two different routes with hills and everything this week and have enjoyed a bit of variety though so that helps.

@AvonCalling I didn't find the jump to the 20 to he top bad to be honest, in fact it was the following run that went back to 5/8/5 that I struggled with!

Can I join please? I completed W3R3 this morning, can't believe how achey my joints are when I found W1&2 OKish...I'm hoping it's because I've got a bit of a cold, I actually found the last 3mins easier than than the start.

I'm using an interval app and have just programmed in week 4 ready for Sunday...looks a bit of a leap!

Hi Poopmaster. Firstly may I pause to admire your username. 👏. Glad you have joined our little group.

Am writing from try run right now. Have had to give up today (W4R3) which is incredibly disappointing. I'm too hot, I haven't had enough to eat and I'm in a terrible frame of mind today (been stitched up royally at work and am very angry). It felt like I was punishing myself so I stopped. Will try again tomorrow. Bit gutted and annoyed with myself. I think I knew it wasn't going to work before I went out, so it became a self fulfilling prophecy. I hoped that because it was the third run of the week it would be ok. Sigh.

It's just a blip, it's just a blip, it's just a blip (repeat to fade)

Sorry forgot I name changed; I do it every month or so. Magic Jay here

Thank you travelling and avon! I feel like I've overestimated how well I'll be running in a year by knowing your friend has managed it ha made me feel more positive!
My DH told me today that he was really proud of me for sticking with it and I got a little emotional
I do have AF though so that's my excuse
Hope everyone's getting on ok, I'm a little apprehensive about running in this warmer weather! I need to dig out my baseball cap for Monday I think.

@catbingo / magicjay keep us posted; I hope your next run goes as it should.

I am doing W4R1 tomorrw.

Why thank you catbingo Hope your next run goes much better - today I read (in my Aldi catalogue ) a quote from Jonny Brownlee "exercise your core regularly but not every day. Your muscles need to rest - just like you" I think if a run is particularly bad that's probably muscles asking for a tiny bit more rest. It almost certainly is just a blip, but take care of yourself, especially with work.
CatNut sounds like we're on the same run tomorrow - I'm going out before the rest of the family get up, love heading out early this time of year, we have woodpeckers and owls near us so it's a real treat! Should hopefully be a nice sunny run without being too hot.

Shazbatz. Only a week in and injured. W1R3 my trainer wasn't fastened tightly enough and the slobbing about has hurt my ankle.

Still did W2R1 today but very slow. More of a pathetic limp really. On the plus side a hot guy young enough to be my grandson running in the opposite direction gave me a high five and a wink.

Might do W2R2 by using my Reebok step - slow step for walk, quick step for run, so as not to impact further on injured ankle.

Everybody say "awww". I thengyou.

Awwww and high five to @ChinkChink

W4R1 today. It was on the hot side but ok. Got caught up in a Junior Park Run. Some of the kids were amazing, others were kicking and screaming being dragged along by their parents.

@PoopMaster how did your W4R1 go? I am finding it still hard but doable. The 3 min runs seemed almost easy. The 5 mins were hard but not impossible.

BTW I am not walking briskly in the walking bits. I just walk as fast as I can cope with (ie not fast at all).

@CatNut2017 it was OK actually! I have a slight uphill near the halfway mark so at the end of that first 5 mins my face was about to melt off - second 5 mins was better being more downhill. Also managed to time it to perfection so I was 2 seconds away from my front door at the finish Glad to hear you got on OK too.

What was really surprising was how much further it went this time - that felt good. I try to walk briskly the first 5 mins, and still the first minute of running tends to feel quite stiff but I persevere with the "warm up" idea. I usually try to keep a good walking pace later too but the rest of the walks today were more of the "omg catching my breath" variety. Tried to say "morning" to a neighbour and came out with "hufhgm!" instead.

@ChinkChink I am very jealous of your high five! I think if I or anyone tried that where I live it would terrify most people

Did W5R1 yesterday with speedy DS. I found it ok - the tester will be the 20 min run at the end of this week

catbingo did you manage to get out again?