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

[GuyFawkesDay]

Thread 2

Hello, I'm just finishing Week 5 but have not followed the programme.

So far I've done:

Week 1 (three times; 1st time walking)
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5 R1 (three times)
Week 5 R2 (three times)

I've barely managed this. I often cannot walk on the rest day for the joint pain. I think I could walk it faster than I run it too!

Next run planned is Week 6, R1 and I plan to do it 3 times. Then Week 6, R2 three times and back to Week 5, R3; again 3 times.

I think I will need 12-16 weeks to get from couch to 30 minutes, tbh. And, I suspect I will be nowhere near 5K. Aiming for a 5K in December this year.

W8r3 conquered after aborting the last attempt. Killer first 10 minutes, brilliant middle section and then a tough final 5. Went slow deliberately and faced the route that got me last time. Ended up with improving my pace by 16 seconds per km though only covered 3.8km in 28 minutes.

I like running about 2 hours after a light breakfast and coffee. Can't run on an empty and find the mornings too challenging so if i can't get out around midday I go in the evening around 7pm.

Hello, can I join in? Just finished W3 now. I am going really stupidly slowly, it's ridiculous. But I'm starting to think W4 might be possible. Not counting my chickens past that!

Stargirl it is so inspiring to see others struggling with it but ploughing on anyway.

@murmurur

From what I'm learning..there is no such thing as too slow. It's what is comfortable for you and as long as you try not to stop.. you can make progress at a later date.

Popping in for advice - I've tried week 1 3 times now and each time the pain in my legs is unbearable afterwards. I think it might be shin splints. I really want to be a runner and all the advice is to rest, but 2 weeks between each run is getting ridiculous! Last time I did get as far as the second run of week 1 before the pain got really bad again. Does the body eventually get used to running and the pain stop??

Sounds like you need better trainers maybe?

I know I got shin splints when my shoes weren't supporting my feet properly.

Better shoes = no shin issues.

stargirl don’t worry about repeating if that’s what you need to do, although you might find you need to be running slower (when I first did it my run was slower than my walk)...it’s the running movement rather than walking that matters.

Just remember even if you are repeating you are still out there, running, sticking to doing it 3x per week and that’s an enormous achievement!

Some days are harder than others for no reason - you just have to accept that and let it go!

Thought I’d pop in too, hadn’t been on last thread much but start week 3 tomorrow. Loving it so far - always go first thing with only a glass of water first. Have a question tho - does anyone have a dodgy pelvic floor? Had a grade 1 proplapse after DD2, the mildest kind and it really improved with physio, but today I feel a bit of the old sensation and am a bit worried it’s the running. Really don’t want to stop tho, any thoughts? I’m hoping if I just start back with lots of pelvic floor exercises will help. Do Pilates but had a couple weeks off recently so maybe that’s related.

And putastraw definitely look into new trainers, and run slower!!! And stretch!

Can I join you? I’m in another thread (in AIBU I think) but this one seems more active?

I did W6 R1 today. The only chance I could go was about 5pm and it was still so hot. 🥵 However, I managed it! It was hard though. Harder than the 20 minute run. I do feel that I was going quicker though so that will explain some of it!

I’m so keen to get out and do it that I feel a bit itching to go on my “rest days” does anyone else feel like that? I’m really not at all an exercise person, have never found an exercise or sport that I enjoy (bar Pilates/Yoga) so this is all new to me.

I can see myself becoming a bit obsessed....in fact who am I kidding I think I already am. I’m constantly talking to my husband about my aims and planning what I will do, checking my routes etc! 😳

My only disappointment is that I thought I might feel more toned/have lost more weight by now?

Well done on how far you’ve all come so far. It’s so funny being in week 6. When I was at the beginning I honestly never thought I’d make it this far, but here I am!

@PetraDelphiki if I run any slower I'll stop!
@GuyFawkesDay I thought my trainers were pretty good but looking at online advice and reviews I think I'm going to try another brand and style, and see if it helps, thank you

I never eat before I run and have not found it a problem, though I am only a beginner. I have a cup of coffee and a really big glass of water and get out the door before eating. I have some fruit and either yoghurt or toast when I get back (after another coffee).

I never eat or drink first (sloshing water in my stomach is horrid)...I’m sure I saw some research once about women being better to exercise first thing pre food...but can’t remember where!

I’m just waiting for shops to reopen to buy new trainers - I’ve bought various pairs online that just haven’t worked for me and I’m sick of wasting money!

@putastrawunderbaby have you looked at any info on technique? I am about 5 stone overweight so how I land is really important for me (and good shoes).

Hi! I've just done week 6 run 3 this morning and managed the full 25 minute run. A good minute per mile off what I was running at pre-foot injury but I was running too fast before and ended up stop/starting quite a lot. I am trying to not care that I am slower but concentrating on running 5k without stopping. I got to 2.5 miles this morning with a 2 min warm up and 3 min cool down.

I've ordered a Garmin, which should arrive today. I have been using the C25k app and Strava to track but think a Garmin will be helpful going forwards once I am ready to build from 5k.

Does anyone else have one?

Just to add, I always run first thing (7/7.15am) and before breakfast. I don't think most people need to eat before a run unless they are running over 5 miles.

@PenfoldsFive I haven't. Naively I thought i just had to put my trainers on and go!

@Sunshineandflipflops

I have a Garmin watch. As a result of it I actually turned the app off on W8 R1 and did my thing. It vibrates every KM and was fantastic for having a quick look and motivating me as to how long was left at a flick of the wrist rather than waiting for a voice.

@putastrawunderbaby I made the mistake in running in an older pair of trainers a couple of months or so ago. Just a 3 mile run. Got home and my foot started hurting and it got worse and worse and I could barely walk, let alone run for weeks, hence me doing the C25k now.

I got plantar fascitis and it has been the most painful thing. I now have new trainers, don't walk anywhere without supportive shoes on (my birkenstocks are now my slippers) and will never go out running in anything but supportive trainers again!

You can skimp on other running gear but ALWAYS get good trainers!

@TryingToBeBold Thanks, good to know. I am forever pulling my phone out of my pocket to check distance/pace/change music so the Garmin should be able to do all of that and my phone can stay in my pocket!

@Sunshineandflipflops

I haven't linked my music to it, I've got a solid play list and if I'm not 100% into a song that day it gives me motivation to run to the next one.

But I ran with the app and my watch first time Sunday. And just realised how much I was ignoring the app. So I turned it off Tuesday and it did me the world of good!
Just seeing I was (for example) 3.40km.. ooh okay I'll push to 3.5km. Or ooh I've been running for 28 mins.. let's push to 30.
It's what got me running 38mins instead of 28 (week 8) (W7 R1 25mins without watch I failed and didnt have the motivation to finish. Then my watch turned up. W7 R2 25 mins I pushed to 30. W7 R2 i pushed to 32 and got 4k) and I'm now completely off the programme. Oops. But it's been an amazing motivator.

What model have you managed to get?

That's great, well done!

I went for the Garmin 45. I was going to get one that stored music for an extra £35 but the reality is that I always run with my phone anyway for safety and in case my kids need me when I'm out so this one controls the music from my phone and that's fine for me. I think it's geared more towards running than some of the other multi-sport ones but you can add other activities too.I only really run/walk anyway though so it (hopefully) suits me fine.

I was looking at the 45! Ended up getting the Vivoactive 3 (so many bloody models), for half the price on Ebay and its practically new.
I'll always take my phone too because.. I'm a hazard at the best of times.
It's easy to set up GARMIN connect (it's own version of fitness) to sync to Strava and so much easier to stop start at your run rather than having to include your warm up or faff with your phone.

I was looking at the Vivioactive 3 and 4 too! I couldn't find one cheap enough though.

I’ve downloaded Strava but I’m not keen. I don’t know why though, maybe I need to give it a proper go. I have some tracking app no-one seems to have heard of but it’s done me fine until now. However, I have an Apple Watch and am wondering about tracking using the Nike app that comes on it? Anyone use that?