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?

W5R1 done - during the first run section I thought it was going to be a really tough one, but the second and third felt a bit smoother. Running through a beautiful field of purple phacelia with skylarks singing overhead helped a bit too! I got a bit carried away and ran all the way round the field rather than turning back at the bell, so had a slightly longer walk home than I'd anticipated. Altogether I did 4.8k in 42 minutes, which feels like quite a good effort considering it was more walking than running :) Maybe I'll crack this 5k thing after all...

HelpMeh that sounds like your body doing very sensible self preservation - serious kudos for running at all in that heat!

Thisenglish I think it was on mumsnet that someone was commenting about a "how to start running" post on another site, pointing out that the writer had completely omitted to mention that for half the population a good running bra is absolutely essential equipment. I'd rather run in my socks than without my bra!

Polkadotties great work, definitely a good sign to have more in the tank.

sexnotgender you are getting so close to the end - though those hill sound tough!

Wow!! I did W8R3 today, but instead of using the podcast (sorry Jo) I just ran with my watch and Shagged, Married, Annoyed playing through it. It was good to be able to glance at my watch and see pace and I kept going to 30 mins. Managed 4.5k in 30 mins at a pace of 6.37min/km. Proper chuffed!! I can't believe how well the programme works.

Come on - if in you’re prerunning days someone had told you you would be running three or four kilometres how would you have reacted? It’s amazing! You’re doing so well. It’s just that you can do even better :)

PS that’s a reaction to some slightly earlier messages, sorry

What does everyone listen to while running? Any podcast or playlist recommendations?
My treadmill is in my garage so haven’t exactly got a nice view to look at

I did W5R3 as 2x 9.5mins with 30secs walking after each one which I’m taking as ok for my first long run. I’ll see if I can improve on the next long one.

Polka if you have Spotify there are some running playlists with specific BPMs in the titles which can be helpful if you need something high-energy to run to.

I listen to the Big Bootie mixes. Can recommend 1,3,4 and 8. If you start them in your house you can get about 25 minutes out of them.

Wk3 r1 completed today.
Was actually ok , beginning to think I can do this .

I listen to podcasts when I am out which I find really helpful.

@Polkadotties as I mentioned, I now listen to the podcast Shagged Married Annoyed. It's brilliant. I had been listening to music, but found I wasn't being distracted enough from the pain of running!
Open to new podcast suggestions too!

I run in silence in my local or Hyde Park with the dog trotting beside me . Just finished week 7 . ‘Looking forward ‘ to week 8 - three runs of 28 minutes .

I have a rather random playlist, a mix of jazz, tango, salsa and other world music (Pink Martini is a favourite!). I had a look at some of the spotify playlists but not quite my thing, so I pasted a whole load of generally upbeat albums into a running playlist, and skip or delete anything that I don't enjoy running to.

Jumping in as I think I'm going to need a LOT of encouragement to get through the next weeks!

W4R1 this morning and couldn't manage the 5 mins runs (4min 30 first one, 4 mins last one) so I'm hoping to manage by the end of the week...

I'm about 3 stone overweight so that's not helping, but I'm categorically NOT a runner. I'm after healthy lungs though, not a beach body!

Jumping in as I think I'm going to need a LOT of encouragement to get through the next weeks!

W4R1 this morning and couldn't manage the 5 mins runs (4min 30 first one, 4 mins last one) so I'm hoping to manage by the end of the week...

I'm about 3 stone overweight so that's not helping, but I'm categorically NOT a runner. I'm after healthy lungs though, not a beach body!

I did wk 9 run 2 earlier. It was so hard I hated pretty much every second and had a massive battle with myself to keep going and not give up. I usually run in the morning and always struggle later on. Me and dp are both back at work so it's going to be hard fitting it in now. I'm definitely not going at 4am or after a long shift.

I succeeded with my week 9 run today, after yesterday's disaster 🙌

@LookDontTeuch slow down if you can. If you don't finish your runs it's usually because you're going a squeeze too fast. Five minutes does feel like forever the first time you do it...

We did week 6 run 2 this evening. We covered 4.3 Kms in 36 minutes (the last walk was a bit longer to get us home!) so we might make the 5kms yet.......

It was ok. Just ok. Jo Whiley was saying that I might be starting to love running by now. I’m absolutely not!

I’ve downloaded a couple of Spotify playlists. A ‘Happy’ one and a c25k one. Occasionally a song comes on that seems to be just the right tempo for my pace but I’ve always forgotten which one it was by the time I get home!

Did 10hrs in school....knew I needed to run. But tired!

Slogged out 5km. 38 minutes so sloooow but I did it. The new watch is brilliant. Loved not taking my phone out!!

I'm now nodding off on the sofa ,🤣

Evening all. I did w9r3 today. Felt a bit easier than r2 due to better route and better weather but still can't say I enjoy it.
DH has suggested from this point I should mix up my runs, one for time (30 mins), one for distance (5k) and one doing the stop-start type runs. What do you guys think?

Oh, and the men/boys harassing women out running can fucking do one. I had four cycle towards me the other day in the small lane I run down. Not aggressive or directly creepy, but just continued cycling two abreast and assume I would throw myself in a hedge to allow them to continue. It was only because I wanted to keep going that stopped me pulling them over and giving them a lecture on male socialisation and manners

I’m categorically not a runner either but I seem to have assembled a collection of running clothes, a pair of running shoes, and a habit of going running three times a week still don’t feel like a runner.

Awesome seeing all these times, princess watermelon that’s a great run.

38 degrees, that’s insane! I would die.

Rubber dinghy - I don’t enjoy it either. But I do enjoy the feeling when I have done it. And I enjoy feeling stronger. I also enjoy the vaguely “fuck you” attitude that I seem to be developing toward any perceived slight on my body size/shape. Like I no longer need to be held accountable for it, because I go running three times a week, so anyone who doesn’t can F off with their judgement!

I went out yesterday and my legs were soooooo heavy. I ran 5k twice last week in very consistent 33 minutes ish times and did two sets of intervals. Then hiked 18km Saturday. I got to 2.5km yesterday in my new running shoes which are very stiff. And slowed to a walk..... so I decided that I meant to do that, it was my warm up, and switched onto week 3 run 1 (I think...) and ran that pattern until I hit 5km. Still covered the 5 in 35 mins so think i was going too fast again in my new stiff shoes!

Talking about sound/ music - how do you all manage to listen to things on your runs? What do you use?

Morning all
I'm on w6r2 (never thought I'd ever get here!) I have to build myself up to the run but in my mind know I'll enjoy it afterwards!!

I know we all have our own motivations for doing c25k but one of mine was to tone up and lose some weight. I'm definetely noticing a change in my body tone but I've weighed myself this morning and I've gained 3lb!!! Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm having an IVF consultation next week at our new clinic and I'm worried I'm going to be reprimanded for being heavier despite being fitter than any of our previous cycles!!

Currently on holiday in Skye and meant to do W7R2 today but might need to wait until I’m home on Saturday as where we are isn’t running friendly!

It’s absolutely beautiful but we’re down a track from a national limit road with no pavement. Will try and scope out an area that might work but might be easier to wait.

Completed W8R3. Don't usually go out on a weekday morning but DH has a rare day off. Traffic much busier. Had to stop-start a couple of times to cross roads and let cars past where it was narrow and my legs started seizing up almost immediately!

I'm glad it's not just me who struggles to enjoy it! I almost feel a sense of dread the night before a running day. I'm sure a lot of it's in my head though. I think I've spent so many years hating running that my brain doesn't know how to enjoy it! The feeling afterwards is fab and I do love the time to myself. I'm worried that, once I've completed the programme, I'll lack motivation to go out, especially when normal work/school/life gets in the way in September. Think I'm going to need a new goal-to actually get to 5k will be a start. I think I'll be at about 4k in 30 mins.

I’m up to week 6 run 3 but keep putting it off... can’t imagine I will be able to run 25min all in one go! I also have a sense of dread before runs- especially as the runs get longer and harder. I’m hoping as I get fitter I might enjoy it more. Probably doesn’t help that I’m doing the C25k on a treadmill (live in a country where it’s too hot to run at the moment) and the challenge is mental as well as physical as the long runs get really boring.
I feel reassured when I see other posters saying that it gets easier and more enjoyable