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Original poster

C25k / couch to 5k - Spring 2019 new starters. All welcome!

938 replies

C25kTrier · 29/03/2019 15:11

Hello to anyone who wants to join me over here Smile

A few of us tagged onto the end of the new year/new you c25k gang but they were already at the end or had finished and so perhaps it is best for us to have a new one to discuss our newbie woes, aches and pains?

I’m at the beginning of week 3. Just been out again today, I should’ve done W3R2 but repeated w3r1 instead as I wasn’t comfortable last time, I think I took it too fast. Plus, it is ruddy boiling here today! It went much better and i’ll move on to w3r2 on Sunday.

Please join me, say hi and let us know where you are on the programme and update us on how you’re finding it.

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sanityisamyth · 06/05/2019 20:52

@Pardalis it's my only lie in too as DS is with his father on Friday nights. I haven't done Parkrun mind, but I do my third run on a Saturday so hoping once I've finished the program to do the Parkruns once a week

Isitmybathtimeyet · 06/05/2019 20:58

Hello. Hope you don’t mind me sticking a post in. I’ve been lurking on this thread and the last. Just wanted to share that I started in January, got a bit side tracked by work and weather in Feb-March, and picked it up again in April. Got to the 20 min run the day after a huge row with my brother, so was fuelled by fury and ended up just running for 30 mins instead, a bit like a short version of Forrest Gump!

I sort of abandoned C25K after that as I found going back to walk/run really difficult. I just started doing the warm up, running for as long as felt bearable or I had time for, and then the cool down, but still listening to Laura as a friendly voice! I managed my first ever ParkRun at the end of April without stopping and have now run 5k four times. I am overweight and in my 40s and remember when I was bricking it at the 3 min run in week two.

So I feel really proud of myself but wanted to say after my lurking that so many posters on here totally inspired me and to say thank you to you all. Keep on running!

MyGastIsFlabbered · 06/05/2019 21:12

Ok so I need a bit of a reality check. I’ve entered a 5K race in June and am seriously having second thoughts about it. Not because I don’t think I’ll be able to run that far by then but it’s the idea of being timed and running in public that horrifies me. My boyfriend was running in a ‘fun’ run today and just the idea of lots of people cheering me on and possibly photographing me just makes me want to hide under my duvet forever and never move again.

Fazackerley · 07/05/2019 06:48

I hear you about the photography. They do this at both my local park runs and I fucking hate it.

thisusernameun · 07/05/2019 07:42

Which app do you all use? I am using the BBC get inspired one with Spotify in the background and the first week it all went well and now it keeps crashing. I start running out walking and then when I go in to check the app is no longer working. Did others have this issue? Any tips? Currently doing week 3

Fazackerley · 07/05/2019 07:49

Does it stop when your phone darkens the screen? You can set the app to keep working. Mine also stops if anyone rings me Hmm

I've stopped using it now I'm in week 7 and am using Samsung health instead as I am more interested in distance than time. I set it for 3.5k and walk the first 500m then run the rest.

thisusernameun · 07/05/2019 12:21

Hmmm could be that it does that. Will try it out

NewYoiker · 07/05/2019 18:26

I've just joined a local runners group who are doing couch to 5k tonight. Here I am at 19 stone about to make a fool of myself!

hippermiddleton · 07/05/2019 20:09

Urgh. Does everyone else have Bad Runs without warning? For some reason, after a few weeks of actually feeling like I was getting somewhere, tonight was miserable from the first step of the first run (I'm repeating W5R1 a couple of times). My period's started, so it could be that. Dragged myself through it, but feeling shattered now.

Maybe it's time to face W5R3 and just do it. This'll be my 5th(?) time through C25K so I know it can be done but it always feels so WTF?! when you're looking at it from the start of W5!

WineCheeseSleep · 07/05/2019 21:38

hippermiddleton my period made a big difference to my runs, I was much more sluggish.

NewYoiker · 07/05/2019 21:46

I did it! I ran for a whole minute at the end of the run :) I felt like I was going to die but I didn't :)

sukiandthekettle · 08/05/2019 05:57

Even the road signs were spurring me on this morning! 🏃‍♀️

sukiandthekettle · 08/05/2019 06:01

Oops I thought I'd attached a pic otherwise my post makes no senseHmm - my first 25 mins non-stop today. I took it really slowly but did it!

AlmaWhittaker · 08/05/2019 13:48

Wow suki 25 min Smile I'm feeling proud to have done 6*90 sec on first run of week 2.

Well done NewYoiker, keep it up

juneau · 08/05/2019 14:01

I've just signed up for an 8-week course with a local running group doing C25K. I haven't done any proper running since I was at school so this should be interesting as I'm now in my 40s. I'm hoping to use it as a jumping off point for doing Parkrun and going running with my DS, who is 11 and really fit. Argh! But you guys give me hope that this is possible.

Palegreenstars · 08/05/2019 19:32

I did wk 3 run 1 today. My first in the rain and my first 3 minute run in about 15 years.

I feel quite proud but am so scared of giving up. I loving how easy it is to just put on your trainers and get out there.

Does everyone get some pain in your shins? It’s not unbearable but can be a bit spiky - I feel like my legs definitely aren’t used to any pressure but not sure how to react - push through?

WineCheeseSleep · 08/05/2019 19:49

Palegreenstars I did W3R1 in the rain today too! It was great, I can't believe how much fitter I feel already. It was my birthday recently and I went running - I'd never have believed I'd do that!

Palegreenstars · 08/05/2019 20:37

@winecheesesleep I’m glad it’s not just me - hard to believe such a small amount of time can change how you feel about exercise.

Long may it last.

Alas the middle part of your user name is my main downfall and that hasn’t really changed.

WineCheeseSleep · 08/05/2019 21:03

@Palegreenstars all 3 parts of my username are my downfall unfortunately!

I meant to say I had an issue today too but with my knees, they weren't hurting but I felt quite heavy running on them, I just hope I'm not doing any damage.

PandaG · 08/05/2019 22:17

Hello! W1R1 for me tonight, after 6 weeks of walking the parkrun with a tiny bit of jogging the last couple of weeks, and a few brisk walks in between. DH started C25k in January, and ran 10k last week in the time it took me to walk 5k ( I'm meeting a friend midweek to do the parkrun route).
I honestly felt like dying when I has to jog uphill tonight, DH came with me and didn't even have to.jog at all while I was trying to run uphill. Downhill I can stride so much further and keep going a bit longer. I'm planning on doing run2 on the second lap of parkrun on Saturday, having properly warmed up on the first lap.

MissingPanda · 09/05/2019 07:22

Uphills are a killer aren't they Grin I have one hill I avoid going up like the plague but I do arrange my route so I can run down it Grin

Wk4 r3 for me today when I get home.

CurlsandCurves · 09/05/2019 08:07

Ugh, feeling like I’ve lost my mojo. The last couple of runs I’ve done but not wanted to.

But I’ve just had my period and reading upthread that might be a contributing factor. Plus I do other exercise classes too and I’ve had a lot on this week so feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I’ve decided to let this week go, although I have run once. And make a fresh start next week redo week 4 and take it from there.

MissingPanda · 09/05/2019 12:55

@CurlsandCurves sounds like a sensible plan.

Completed wk4 r3 but think I'll do at least one more run before progressing to wk5. I found this run easier than r2, although that wasn't surprising seeing as I ran most of r2 without music (technical problems). I did find the same with Wk3 though, that r2 seemed to be harder than the other runs.

sukiandthekettle · 09/05/2019 13:03

@AlmaWhittaker you'll be on week 6 before you know it! I've stuck rigidly to the programme and am only running on flat ground (weak knees and ankles), but shocked myself by doing 25 mins - it's such a well structured programme I'm loving it!

I think having headphones for the first time really helped - the scenery on my run is very urban/grey so it's great to have some tunes to focus on.

I'm due my period in a few days and reading with interest about how that seems to make it all more of a struggle. So far I haven't really worked out a rhyme or reason for why some runs are enjoyable and others really aren't.

chaosisaladder · 09/05/2019 15:28

Hi all! I’ve done W5R1 today - was supposed to be yesterday but am currently on my period and yesterday I felt horrible with it. Today was okay, scared to look ahead at the rest of the week because I know it’s much harder.

Am starting to overhaul my eating now too - I’ve put on 11lbs Blush in a reeeeally short space of time, so I’m back to calorie counting to get me back on track. Maybe weighing less will make me a bit quicker!