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 picklemewalnuts. I think I will repeat at least one of the runs and hope it gets better. I need to try to work out a route that gives me the hilly bits for the walking sections - of course the second half of the run is always much easier!

Done W5R2 - 8 mins isn't much harder than 5 but next time it's 20 😬. Already stressing about a route which mustn't involve uphill at any point 😂

@RollingDog
*
I did W3R1 last night which wasn't too bad. I'm using the One You (Public Health England) app which I like. I have Michael Johnson as my coach but his voice often distorts. Does anyone else find this too?*

Have you tried the better quality audio that you're prompted to use with wireless headphones/buds? I use MJ but not feeling that his heart is really in it by W5 😂

W3R3 done, dreading week 4 but I'm determined.
I'm struggling with headphones too @resipsa. I've got posh Bose noise cancelling but they're not great for running.
Has anyone got recommendations for cheap, over ear blue tooth ones?

I've just ordered Apple AirPods Pro after asking for MN recommendations! I've justified the cost by adding up all that we're saving in terms of cancelled kids activities!

I don't know much about bluetooth headphones but I bought these ones for running after reading the reviews. They have a 20% off voucher at the moment too. I have been very pleased with them.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WHNKB1C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

25 minutes done today (was 3.5k in total) potentially just 3 more runs and I’ll be on 35 minutes!
It’s useful knowing not to necessarily expect to be running 5k at the end as it’s time based.

I did W4 R3 yesterday and looking forward to starting W5. 20 mins though...

After my positive start, I’ve fallen behind already(!). DH has been pulled into some super urgent government Covid stuff, so I’m stuck entirely with the kids and can’t really demand that he stops work for me to go for a jog! Hopeful I’ll manage half an hour for W1 R2 tomorrow afternoon, but took the children for a very long walk today in the double buggy so feeling like I got a workout, at least!

At the speed I’m going @Spanielsanddaughters I won’t hit 5k either. I’m using a treadmill & gradually increasing my speed. I actually find it easier going a tad quicker

W3 R1 done! I didn't know how I was going to run 3 minutes, but somehow managed it. Have a nice Easter everyone :)

I’m on to week 6 and I just don’t think I can do it anymore.
I was doing ok and even managed the 20 minutes at the weekend but I have just hit a wall this week. I have done two runs of week 6, Monday and Wednesday and I have hardly managed either of them. I can’t breathe, my legs will not go. It’s just too hard. How did I run 20 when now I can’t run 10, even 5 was almost impossible.
So disappointed in myself. I don’t think I can face trying the 25 minutes.

You can do it @Littlebird74 ! I'm on week 7 and I felt the same about week 6. In some ways, I think the starting and stopping becomes harder but you get to run 3 and think there's no way you will do 25. I went out thinking I'd aim for 25and see how I felt, got to 15 and thought well I know I can do 20 and that got me through the next 5 then I just kept pushing. It was hard but I did it. What hasn't helped is the weather suddenly feeling so much warmer and I my tops just make me feel too hot half way through now. I've got some new ones ordered and been trying to get out early while I wait for delivery. Just go out, take it slow and see what happens. If it takes more than one attempt, that's fine, you can do it!! Look far you've come already, did you ever think you'd be running this much?!

W4 R1✔️
Holy moly. That was TOUGH. I managed to run the first 5 minutes but the second was a killer. I had to stop with about 2 mins left to tie up my laces, had a 30 second break, then back to it. Did 3.5km in 33 minutes which is the furthest I’ve run so far. I’ve been listening to programmes on Netflix while running but that’s not enough to keep me going now. I don’t like listening to music so I’m thinking of downloading audible.

@LittleBird74 I'm exactly the same. Was delighted after I did the 20 minute run but then I have massively struggled today running just 10 minutes. Due to run 25 tomorrow and I just can't see it. Said to dd maybe we should take a break and try it next week but she wants to keep going 🙈

Rather than take a break @dancemom maybe repeat a week?

Well done everyone! I lead. C25k programmes for our local running club but obviously aren’t doing that at the moment . I thought it might be helpful to give you a few of the tips we give our C25krs

• If you’re finding it really hard , just slow down ! It’s not school sports day, just go at whatever pace you need to to complete the run sessions
• Don’t worry about speed! C25k is about building stamina. Out of rhe hundreds that do our C25k courses only about 5% do it in the 30 mins the nhs app allows. Most people take 35 - 50 minutes - and if they stick with the programme they all do it ! Once you get to week 6 , just start by adding an extra couple of minutes on each run.
• C25k is about running fitness, but also about developing mental toughness to keep going ..pick a lampost or driveway, run to it and then the next one. Even Paula Radcliffe breaks her runs down into chunks of 100 when things get tough
• Don’t worry about the increases from week to week, you thought you couldn’t do week 1, then week 2 etc . Suspend your disbelief and trust in the programme. Don’t lose the mental battle before you’ve started

- Think about how much total running you are doing week to week and you’ll notice the numbers don’t go up very much. The programme builds your fitness and prepares you for longer runs without you noticing.

• You don’t have to love it, just get through it ...love often happens when that run is over !

Hope that helps ! I miss all my C25k newbies 😀

Thanks @Tootles2! I found today exceptionally tough & I'm wondering if I should repeat a week. How do I know if that’s the right thing to do? I’m running on a treadmill so it’s harder in a way as I can’t pick the next lamppost etc. Hoping Audible will help

@happy You will often find you get ‘harder’ runs, but you need them so you can recognise the good ones ! Often it can be because you’re focussed on other ‘stuff’ or maybe you didn’t drink enough yesterday, any one of a thousand reasons. I’m not sure where you are, but if its a treadmill at home then its much hotter today so it will take a while for your body to adapt to the heat.

My view would be don’t panic or over analyse, just see how the next couple of runs go. If you want to repeat then fine, just do what you gotta do .Think of it as improving your fitness, not ‘repeating’ with all those negative connotations

I use audible on a treadmill and find it great, particularly some of the 30 min podcasts. I’ve also counted cars going past the window, singing ten (or more) green bottles, planning lunch - you name it, I’ve tried it.

Good to find this thread. I’m at the dizzying heights of week one, run three. However I’m really enjoying it, so far. I’ve always considered myself a terrible runner, too many school sports days of being booed by my own team for coming in last for events I had never tried and hadn’t a hope of training for.... my preference is long distance walking, 15-20 miles type distance, preferably up hills and down dales, so
it’s fair to say I like going out and coming home muddy and sweaty, already. Not much of that going on on lockdown and I’d always said I’d try c25k at some point, knowing lots of people who have done it.

So far, I’ve liked it , and surprised myself by not wanting to stop running when she tells me.

Thank you for such a thorough answer @Tootles2. We have a gym in the garden so I look out the window which doesn’t change much I must admit, the 3 minute runs were easier than they were last week so I do trust the programme. I’ll try again on Sunday & hopefully it’ll be slightly better. It’s so hot right now I’m just running in my sports bra & shorts. If it gets any hotter my neighbours will get a shock!

@Tootles2 Thank you - that's super kind of you to share those tips :)

@ChanklyBore You’re one ahead of me! I just did W1R2 today. Only got into the swing of it about halfway through but did start to find a rhythm. Albeit a slow one. Must work on my pelvic floor though, could feel it, very strange sensation.

I'm still sidelined and missing my running. My knee is actually pretty painful now. I'm applying R.I.C.E and fingers crossed I'll be back in action soon!

Hope the knee improves soon Mint.

Goostacean - not sure about feeling the pelvic floor. I have to admit that if I sprint when I really need a wee there is a possibility of leakage. I know that’s not OK but I haven’t given birth for several years. What exercise can improve your floor feeling and my damp feeling I wonder? Oh the joys of being female.

Not felt damp yet on c25k thankfully.