Couch to 5k Run 1 done....the jogging continues!

[GuyFawkesDay]

Thread 2

@ChanklyBore

You're completely right
Once it's in your head that you cant do it.. there's no coming back from that. And as soon as I stop for a breather at any point.. I know it's going to be a bad one.

I always think to myself.. if I have the energy to walk 15 mins home then I had the energy to finish the run.

If I feel myself going fast I slow right down. I relax my shoulders, make my arms heavy and almost like an ape fast walking. It sounds silly and probably looks silly but it just reminds me to loosen up and slow down.

Not too sore this morning, and the indigestion is getting better. Looking forward to my run tomorrow.

I’m no expert but I agree it’s definitely mind over matter.

When it starts to slide, or you hit that “I can’t do it” wall slow down, focus on your breathing deeply in and out, and think “just to that bush, and then just to the next lamppost” etc.

I think for beginners it’s not about speed, it’s about building fitness and stamina. I cannot run 5km in 30 mins or less, and personally I think for a lot of us it’s unrealistic. I’d aim for running 5k in any time you can and then improving from that.

The programme is definitely about building the basics of stamina, @Sidge and it works.

@JonHammIsMyJamm oh ok, apologies. I got the impression it pushed for achieving 5k in 30 minutes and I think for lots of us novice runners that’s difficult.

Just done wk3 run 2, I went out later than usual because I slept in. It was much hotter than usual and so many people and cars around. I'm going to set my alarm for 7 Thursday.

I absolutely agree that non runner to a 30min 5k in 9/10 weeks unrealistic for most people. I think it depends on your app. The final run on my app is supposed to be 5k and allows 35mins which is still a good time for a new runner but is a much more achievable pace.

Obviously it’s just a guide, they have to make a generic app and you adjust it slightly to suit you by repeating runs if you’re struggling, skipping early weeks if you’ve already got a decent level of fitness, running more or less than 3x a week and of course running the run sections at a pace that suits you. For some, that’ll mean that cover more ground (taller? fitter? faster?) or less (short strides, less fit, more of a plodder? Hillier/busier route?). The app is great but it can only ever be a signpost to where you might be in the programme by a certain point (E.g. w7 = 3k, or whatever).

5k in 30 minutes in 10 weeks is tough! Under 40 is great to begin with.

Morning, I found visualising a marker that was quite far away was quite empowering, just to the bridge, then to the park, then the next bridge etc.. probably over 500m between each target rather than next lamppost. I found with shorter targets they were more doable but got me begging to end much quicker. I also find when Laura says five minutes left I tell myself I am definitely going to do it and that kind of spurs me on. Finished with a smile yesterday so something was working. Also make sure I'm well hydrated as I'm terrible for not drinking

Yes we are just thinking of it as couch to 30 mins' light jogging. If we manage that, it'll be amazing and 5k or going faster can come (much) later.

I think the achievement is 30mins or 5k 3 times a week.
Did W9R1. Pushed for 5k and did it in 40mins 40 seconds.
Under my target so that's great. I did walk for 20 seconds and have a tearful moment halfway through thinking I couldnt do it. But I did.

Re running 5k. What apps does anyone use to map/plan their run? I currently use Strava but find it really un user friendly. I’d like to be able to have some kind of search option for 5k routes around me. Has anyone tried mapmyrun or others?

@TwistyHair Mapmyrun has routes preset by others so that could work.

Strava used to have a route planner but they've made that part of the premium service now unfortunately which Is a shame because that was really good

Thanks @TryingToBeBold I’ve mapped a route on Strava. Don’t have premium but seem to be able to use it. Actually maybe it’s because I did the month’s trial of premium. Not sure when that’s up. I cancelled it straight away but they still give you the full month. I’ll have a look at mapmyrun

Combination of longer runs and hotter weather means that I really want to switch from 7/8 leggings to shorts. Can anyone recommend any which are in stock, have a zipped phone pocket, and are not ludicrously short or expensive?

Just checked map my run and there’s lots of routes. So that’s good. I’ll have a look at some 5k ones and try to run 5k. Reckon it’ll take 35-40 mins

Well done everyone!

I covered 4k in 28 minutes yesterday (W8R1) so I'm thinking it might take me about 35 mins to complete 5k at my current pace.

Tomorrow looks set to be cooler so I might not have to brave the running shorts for my next run!

@YesThisIsMe I ordered these and they arrived yesterday:

www.decathlon.co.uk/2-in-1-kiprun-shorts-women-id_8577540.html

I can't say much other than they have a zip pocket at the back and anon-zipped one at the front for tissues, etc. They are not all that flattering but that is to do with me, not the shorts!

They are also double layered to prevent chafing as no-one needs that!

FINISHED!

w8r3 (my app is 9 weeks long). Hot, sweaty but pretty good. Not as euphoric as last time but pretty good, all the same. 5.35km.

I’ll just be aiming for 5km runs every other day now. Is there a graduate thread? There used to be a running thread where people clocked in with their mileage and the combined total was tallied up at the end of the month. The distance covered was amazing!

Ah yes, here it is (the runner thread with the totals)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/exercise/3744876-Running-Thread-number-15

@Sunshineandflipflops you must have bought the last pair! They’re out of stock now

@TwistyHair ah, that's a shame! I saw a few others similar though. M&S had some and so did Sports Direct.

@JonHammIsMyJamm Well done to you! How long did it take you to complete 5.35k? I have recently purchased a Garmin watch and you can follow 5k/10k plans on it so I think once I complete C25k I'm going to start a 10k coach plan. I think my aim will be to complete 10k in 1hr 10 mins. I can't believe I once did a 10k race in 57 minutes I want her back!

Yes me too!! I used to do 10km in just under an hour.

Tomorrow I'm starting week 8. Finding the finish on a downhill stretch suits me, I can open up a bit and it feels less of a slog in my memory! I also give myself a "reward" that if I finish I can have a cold bottle of water from the shop on the way home 😆

Hopefully it'll be cooler. Weather forecast says so. I'm weird and quite like running in the rain so I'm kinda hoping it is that nicer gentle rain at 6am.

Waving at all the new runners too, hello!!!

45mins all in, @Sunshineandflipflops

5m warm up
35m run
5m cool down

I know what you mean re 10k. 1h 4m was my avg 10k time, that was chatting with my mate pace. Not anymore . Hopefully I’ll get there again, it wasn’t that long ago, maybe 3.5yrs.