Couch to 5K - Run 1 done...

[resipsa]

I did my first 'run' today. Think I'm going to need help to go all the way to week 9 but determined to do it before I hit the big 50. Anyone else started this week? Fancy a support thread? Couldn't see an active recent one.

Thank you for the support. Glad you got out, bookshop. It was very warm today. Well done on the 5k! I wer, does anyone take water out with them or are the runs too short for that really?

So, turns out it was w7r3 today not 2. Not that it makes any difference! I might be struggling a bit, I was massively motivated in the early weeks because progress was so quick and the runs mixed it up a bit, even when there was one the same it was to prepare for the next one when I needed to meet X challenge....Looking at the runs for this week and the next and the next all being (essentially) the same. Doesn’t excite me as much. Any tips from the graduates? Is it all about getting faster or finally getting to the magic 5k? I keep putting off buying any gear in case I don’t stick to it so I’m still plodding around in my primark leggings and treadless trainers!

Never mind, pity party over, I did the run. 4.12km in 29.05mins, and another km and about ten mins for warm ups and warm downs.

W8r2 done on a very warm evening. Had to up my pace as I was trailing a walker and not gaining much on him, he let me overtake so I had to speed up until I felt like I was far enough ahead. I then struggled to slow it back down. Did lots of concentration on my breathing trying to breath in my nose but it was tricky. In the end I got a whole load more pbs including fastest 1k, it's 7min 33s which I shaved 8 seconds off, happy with that.

@mama4321 slightly jealous at your lack of problem

Can't remember who was struggling at w6 but it's known as the wall and a lot of people struggle with it because it seems to easy after the twenty minute run.

chanklybore hi, for me it’s not about speed - just getting to Wk 6 has been a big enough achievement but I’m not a natural or experienced runner.

I don’t take any water with me, haven’t felt the need.

I take water with me. I just can't not. Even it its just for the cool down.
What really helps me is chewing gum. Just creates that extra saliva and hydration without water and something to focus on

I take water and, thinking about it, I suspect that I feel I need it because I breathe through my mouth. Does anyone know why they suggest to breathe in through your nose?
For those struggling with wk6, I found it it really helpful to go in slowly having read here about the block. It's wk6r3 tomorrow though which feels daunting.

Yes I think partly I went too fast. I definitely went a bit further on the uphill out and s lot further on the downhill home today.

Though I suspect i do know the major issue, which I won't share as you don't need TMI!!

I have decided to try my original circular 3km route on my 25 minute w6r3 over the weekend. I may well be able to run the lot now.

I think seeing how far I've come from huffing and puffing round it in week 1 might just spur me on.

I did wk2 run 1 this morning. I had new trainers and my shins and calves were still killing. Any advice to help it?

I was due to do Week 6 Run 3 yesterday but just couldn’t face it in the heat (I ran in it on Monday and really struggled) so dropped back to a week 4 run instead. I remember it feeling tough a couple of weeks back but it was easy and I upped the pace and ran some of the walking time, so I could see how much my fitness had improved. It’s due to be much cooler at the weekend so will aim to get back on track with week 6 then.

W9R3 Done

9 weeks, 27 runs. I feel pretty chuffed.

Only 4.1 km but I am happy with that especially as today I had the lovely Scottish 4 seasons in one day thing, and at times I was running uphill into such a strong headwind that I wasn't sure I was going anywhere!!!
Also the C25K app stopped working before the end, but fortunately I had Strava giving me spoken updates too so I knew when the time was up. The plus side of the app stopping was that I ran the app through again over a leisurely breakfast and was able to enjoy the celebration screens..
@choc27 cheering you on today. Hope it's a good run for you.

@mama4321 well done, that's amazing!

Thank you @rarathenoisylioness I just reread my post - not the most grammatical. I am clearly overexcited!

Happy running everybody

Well done @mama4321, weather in Glasgow this morning is awful very impressive that you made it out and completed your c25k efforts.

Done! Can't believe I finally completed it! Well done @mama4321 we graduated 😊. Did about 4k so know on to actually doing a 5k on my planned route.

7/2 done.

Took ages to get into it, over half way. At least it’s done now.

Congratulations @choc27 We did it! It's a great feeling isn't it! Good luck for your future plans. I want to just feel more comfortable with the whole running thing, and then gently push towards 5km. Might try going back to 25min runs for a bit. I found the extra 5 mins very hard.

@titsbumfannythelot Thank you. Nothing was going to stop me today.

It is a great feeling. You are right that it is still a long way from being easy though!

Well done @choc27 @mama4321, what a fantastic achievement. Don't disappear from the thread, it will be nice to hear you ongoing running plans as a graduate.

@ChanklyBore I'm finding the excitement to get out is waning now the runs are longer and harder. There's less enjoyment doing it but I still enjoy the feeling at the end and the health benefits are a clear plus. I'm still finding strava useful as I can see my improvements in speed and distance on there. I'm still making progress and I'm enjoying that. I'm also finding an extra rest day useful too as I'm having less calf and ankle pain.

What I'm enjoying now is instead of "run 6 walk 3" etc etc.. but rather.. "heres 30mins.. do some damage". And with this heat.. or any time.. if you need to take a breather.. then do so. And pick up running as soon as you feel you can.
Thats how I got from 25-30 mins when I should have only done the 25

Well done choc and mama! Two more graduates! Awesome achievement, agreed don’t drop off the thread.

Re the water question, I don’t take any out for running or walking less than about 15k- but I haven’t been out for any distance over about 15k since lockdown, so I guess it’s different when you can’t just pop into a shop (pub!) for a drink. I breathe through my mouth too. Those who take some, how do you carry it? When I’m walking I have a rucksack.

I’m off to do my 20 minute run and really not feeling it. I’m really tired today, have been yawning all day but hoping once I’m out I’ll be ok.

Urghhhhhh well that was absolutely SHITE!!!

Had to have a walk break after six minutes then at least two more until I eventually gave up at seventeen minutes.

I think because I had it in my head it was going to be terrible before I even went out I kind of made it so. It’s so so windy here today and it was constantly in my face.

I feel so upset about it I could cry! Wonder if because I’ve jumped back in at week 5 I’ve not built myself up enough to manage to 20 minutes - running for five minutes and eight minutes was fine though!

Go and have a shower and forget about it. Then try again tomorrow morning. It'll be much better

I’ve just completed Wk 6 Run 3 and cannot believe I ran for 25 minutes without stopping!!! It was Not Too Bad - I’ve felt worse on some of the earlier runs.

Please keep going everyone - we are all doing so well, to even be giving this a go!

Fantastic @Thankssomuch, well done

Thanks titsbumfanny