More Couch to 5k encouragement!

[PrincessWatermelon]

I hope it's ok starting a new thread. I found the last one so encouraging and didn't want it to stop!!

Also, have to share I've just done W6R3 - my first 25 min run. Wasn't sure I was going to make it to the end, but kept moving (as Jo Whiley told me to) and did it!!

How are others getting on?

Faster

Jumping in extremely late I have my last run of week 8 (28 minutes) either tonight or tomorrow. Yesterday I took a slightly different route which has more inclines and I nearly surrendered at the halfway point. Decided to push through then nearly quit again at what I thought was a 7 minute reminder. I checked my app there was "only" 5 minutes left so I decided to carry on. Finished it and could've gone further (but didn't).

I keep getting a really annoying pain in my left shoulder blade. I think I have poor form but not sure how to fix it.

I only run after dark as I live in the Middle East. It's insanely hot whatever time I run - I think it was 37 last night. And humid 😦. I'm hoping this will help my stamina when I return to the UK.

Those of you in the early weeks, keep going. You CAN do it. If you fail a run don't stress about it, you can try it again tomorrow. The biggest hurdle is mental and you can easily talk yourself out of continuing even though your legs can carry you further. The 20 minute one is terrifying but with a slow pace and good music, easier than you think. Week 6 can be bizarrely challenging when you go back to walking.

I'm not sure what to do after week 9. I think I'll make it to 30 minutes ok but I won't be at 5k. Wondering whether to jump straight into the 10k app.

I love that you set the speed signs off @ChanklyBore!!

I pushed through and did my first 28mins w8 run. I can't say I enjoyed it, but then I haven't the last few really. It's such hard work!!! It was a mental battle (and some physical) as I really wanted to stop. So need to be proud of myself that even though it felt tough, I didn't give in and will have improved.

I won't be at 5k at 30 mins, but I might not be too far off (maybe 4.3k?) so I think I will try and keep running for the 5k next (after c25k. Not, like, tomorrow!). I am also signed up for a 10k so I ought to look into the training for that.

Most people don't make 5km in half an hour by the end. Don't let that put you off.

NCTDN I was surprised to find (from the healthunlocked website) that it's actually pretty rare to do 5k within 30 minutes by the end of the programme, and I'd assume that is even more likely to be the case for women. Most people seem able to do 5k in a slower time by the end though.

I have actually been overtaken by someone walking before.

I think once I graduate im going to choose a 5k route and try and run it all without stopping however long it takes. It better be my day off because I think it will take a while. Then I'm going to work on increasing my pace.

I can’t run 5k in 30 minutes. I’m female, a bit overweight and nearly forty, for a start. If you think that the app won’t change its parameters for you regardless of who you are - 18 or 80, male or female, 5 foot nothing or 6 foot 5. I think the c25k most commonly leads on to people doing park run which does divide people up, so I’d be in the 35-39 female category, which would give me a much better comparison of my time to others. I can run 5k, and my first was in 38 minutes, my fastest since then 33.32 - but I reckon I could do faster than that at a parkrun in normal times, as I wouldn’t be crossing roads and running round people social distancing.

@Stopthehop oh me too. That's why I said it. I was joking about the snails but I swear that's been borderline at times!

I'll be nowhere near 5k when I finish, but I quite like the idea of keeping going with running for 30 mins, interspersed with a longer run with walking breaks. I am very much focussing on just getting out there and doing something. After all this work, I don't want to start beating myself up if I "only" run for 27 mins and talk a walking break in the middle. Let's not lose track of how far we've come.

W6r2 done now it's onto the longer runs. Def found this week harder than the 20 min run. Still not sure how I managed to do it. Not sure when I will make it to 5k but not too worried about it as just glad I can run for a period of time and seeing how many calories I'm burning.

@mumto2unicorns

W6r2 done now it's onto the longer runs. Def found this week harder than the 20 min run. Still not sure how I managed to do it. Not sure when I will make it to 5k but not too worried about it as just glad I can run for a period of time and seeing how many calories I'm burning.

I found this week harder too. I think it’s a cunning ploy to get you to prefer the longer non stop runs😂

I find I actually run slower and therefore cover less distance because the target is to run for a certain length of time. Before being injured and the lockdown, my race time for a 5k was 26-28 minutes, but I’m not covering nearly that distance because I’m conscious at the beginning of the run that I have to keep running for 25 minutes so I may as well slow right down and conserve energy (and I might not reach the hill if I go slowly enough). Whereas when I was doing a distance, if you run faster it’s over more quickly!

Finished week 1 without dropping. Does anybody know if I need to wait 2 days before starting week 2 (so it is an actual week rather than 6 days?) or is it not really that strict?
My body is aching and hips still very tight. I invested in a new pair of running shoes that work for heavier people as carrying a fair few stones more than I should and they do seem more supportive than my flyknits. In an ideal world I would have had some gait analysis done before buying but Covid 🤷‍♀️. My knees also aren’t feeling happy but it’s hard to tell what is muscle pain from use and what is bad running form.
Looking forward to next week as feel, certainly in the earlier run stretches, I can go for a bit longer. By the end however it’s like dragging logs around and I’m pretty short of breath so will be interesting to see just how more red my face can go.

@MaryPoppinjay I've just been taking 1 rest day each time so 6 day weeks. Depends on how u r feeling, if you need more recovery time take it as you don't want to injure yourself

@MaryPoppinjay it's not that it is strict, but it sounds like your body would appreciate a 2 day rest. I often find I have an easier run after 2 days off. It's so easy to overdo it and injure yourself, especially at the beginning.

I bought running shoes online too and I love them!

Thanks both, I am walking around grumbling more than usual so may give it a couple of days before starting week 2.
@Murmurur ooh, which ones did you get? I’m already eyeing up which ones I’ll be getting next once I’ve worn these ones out and an ‘actual’ runner (def an ‘all the gear no idea’ kinda gal).

I've done every other day except when I've needed to take a break for some other reason - it's quite nice to have the extra day in hand.

Just found this thread! I'm up to W2r1 so far. I've tried C25k a few times and never completed it. Very determined to finish this time, spurred on by the recent discovery of a lovely canal run route near to me.

Hope you all don't mind me joining. I am very overweight and I desperately want to get fitter. I have an awful relationship with food and I think my getting myself fitter it will improve that.

I have downloaded the app but not yet dared to use it. I'm scared I will be laughed at by passers by or that I won't be able to do it.

I also have bad knees (not directly weight related but the weight doesn't help).

I'm going to spend some time reading this thread and hope I can find some motivation to go out for the first time tomorrow!

Quick question if anyone knows, is this doable while pushing a Pram?

I have just done my 1st run of my first week on Couch to 5K. After finishing it, I tried to 'beat' the one minute and managed 1.5 minutes. Once I was nearly home, I did 3 more one minute runs until I got to my front door.

It's hard - I walk long distances, hike, lift weights, etc but I'm not a good runner... Although I can pull off a very quick sprint on occasion.

Distractable I find a nice route makes a huge difference.

Hoppity that first step is the hardest but it's so worthwhile. I think the most likely thing for people to think is respect!

Thisenglishlife I would suggest trying to stick to the plan even if you can go further - I also found the early runs comfortable fitness-wise and started doing extra running time, but I learnt the hard way at the end of week two that I needed to pace myself to my legs rather than my lungs! After a few frustrating days on the injury couch I have acquired a lot more respect for the slow build up and how it allows our bones and muscles time to adapt to all that pavement pounding!

Thanks @UnaOfStormhold will do!

Welcome @HoppityVooooosh I personally would struggle pushing a pram but it’s probably possible. I just wait until baby is in bed to run.

Welcome @HoppityVooooosh ! I have a friend who did the whole thing pushing a P&T but I think it would be harder with 4 small wheels.

@MaryPoppinjay my trainers are just Asics Jolt 2 - really cheap and basic but seem solid (in a good way!).

Have been reading but not commenting until I'd gotten back on the horse. Last run was on the 3rd  but have done wk9r1 today. Needed to run in circles round the parade of shops in the end as I like to finish in a certain spot so need to adjust my route!

@HoppityVooooosh My DH runs with DD in a running buggy. He says it's definitely harder as you can't move your arms, but not too bad. Reeeeally noticeable uphill though! We got ours on faceache marketplace and it's fab (a BOB one). A friend told me to look for a fixed front wheel, handbrake and 5 point harness.

You're all awesome, i hope everyone's really proud of what they've achieved.

Wk5 r3 for me tomorrow. I got number 2 out of the way eventually. I found it quite hard doing the 2nd 8 minutes after a break so I'm hoping just cracking out the whole 20 will feel better.