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?

Ds and I managed week 6 run 3 this morning - I’m chuffed to be able to run for 25 minutes but not looking forward to doing the same three times next week! I think we’ll try to vary our route a bit.

The grass around here is quite long atm which I find hard to run on so we’re sticking to the streets for now.

Well done everyone for sticking at it - we’re all getting fitter every run.

I don’t think I’m getting fitter every run :( I got back from work (commuting by bike but I’ve managed to run in the evening once before) and tried w7r3 but I stopped about eight minutes in. I was getting foot cramps before I started and will try tomorrow morning but I just feel a bit self-disgusted honestly. I haven’t run all week as I’ve not been well, again, but aren’t we supposed to be improving?

Hi there I have just done a w2r3. Now I do know we are supposed to stick to the program but I thought we could do would have less walking and with my gait I find it really hard to walk. I was wrong and so I had to do a quick trot occasion a threesome with a walking bits it was just too much of a slut without. I ran across the actual beach this morning which was hard but lovely and now I’m just trudging back. Nice run feeling a bit guilty about leaving DP for longer though. He is asleep so he’ll be fine. And he can now get out of bed and walk as far as the toilet I’m self that’s fine.

@CeciledeVolangesIt would be lovely to improve run on run wouldn’t it but So many factors affect it. I had to be quite fit before I could run in the evening. And even at these early week runs that I am doing, I’ll make sure I have decent amount of water in the evening before. And also perhaps you were a little tense and that always makes a massive difference to me with my running.Happy running my love.
My next run will be back at home I will need all of your words of encouragement. I have to get out and do it quite quickly and then get back for the P so I’ll be running at the big park at the back of my house we’re all of my superfit neighbours run or walk their dogs-and there will be me 10 ton Tessie steam training along!!

I think of this running lark like baking.
I use the same recipe but some cakes turn out better than others.
Some runs definitely feel harder than others and I can’t pinpoint why but we’re getting there. I definitely couldn’t have run for 25 minutes 6 weeks ago.
Anyway, no running for me today - just cake baking!

Ha ha my typos are hilarious! I dictate (badly it seeems) because I spend too long on screens otherwise! That certainly could have done with a read through 😁

I've just done wk 9 run 3. I am a graduate! I can't believe I've actually finished it. I'm no where near 5k though not even hitting 4 in 30 minutes.of running. I'm going to keep going out as often as I can for 30 minutes and I also want to run a 5k route and see how long it takes me.

I managed to do W4R1 this morning, which I find frankly amazing. I peeked at the times last night and then got stressed that I wouldn't be able to do it, and maybe I would be better off repeated W3 instead. So on my walk to get to my starting point I gave myself permission to try and fail, and if I couldn't do W4 I would redo W3.

Last night I kept thinking why am I attempting something I am going to fail, and this morning realised if someone else was saying that to me I would say they were brave.

It's fair to say the difference between my 'running' and 'walking' is virtually imperceptible to the naked eye, but am proud to have got this far.

@Stopthehop I'm not hitting 4K in 30 mins either. Week 9 run 1 for me last night was 3.7k. I did keep going to 4K, which was about 32mins.

Well done @Stopthehop

Just done w5r1 and I’m actually preferring the slightly longer runs. I feel like once I get into it, it isn’t so bad. Almost looking forward to slightly longer runs, but the thought of running 20 minutes non stop in two runs feels rather intimidating.

I currently have a 3.5k route, but think I might need to find an extra .5k soon. Never managed 5k, even when I was able to run 30 minutes. I’m so determined to actually do 5k this time though!

I've not managed to get out at all this week - life got in the way. I was due to start W6. I may repeat W5R3 tomorrow and convince myself I haven't missed any time!

Congratulations @Stopthehop! I’m inspired .

I managed to complete w7r3 this morning so am very pleased with myself! It almost felt easy until the very last bit which was the beginning of an absolutely mammoth hill. I have a bit of a dilemma in that my route is actually 5k but the last couple of kilometres are up that hill. What should I do? I might add a loop or two in the middle before finishing up a tiny bit of hill, I’ll have to think about it.

One thing that is concerning me, or rather two things, is that it is taking my breathing a very long time to return to normal, so I can’t be that fit, and also that my hands are swelling during the runs to the extent that they are uncomfortably tight, if that makes sense. Has anyone else had this and what did you do if so?

Thanks in advance, everyone and well done all of you!

I graduated yesterday . I did 4.3km in 30 mins. My next run I will set at 5k and go for distance only. I could've run longer yesterday but because she said stop, I stopped...

@ChanklyBore it sounds like you're doing great to me!

I really want my new trainers to hurry up - international shipping is so slow at the moment. My old ones give me blisters under my arch. I bought a cheap pair of Nikes which are comfy but not runners - the tread won't last another month and they give me blisters on my toes as I think I need half a size up for running.

Wk3 is now done and dusted and I am trying not to panic about starting wk 4 on monday.
I know it must be working because I am managing to follow the programme but it is still hard work. I am going to have to get out earlier in the day as the heat is too much at the moment, so I need to get more organised.

Well done on graduating @Stopthehop and @HelpMeh ! What a great feeling!

Congratulations to @Stopthehop and @HelpMeh on graduating - that's fantastic! I'm just one run behind you. And already am scared that I won't keep up the commitment of running 3x a week.

Didn't particularly enjoy today's run. I got all ready to go at 9:30, as had to get back and shower and be out before 11. Set off but my watch was mucking about and not connecting to earphones and then not playing my podcast. So I turned back and went home and got frustrated with it for 20 mins before getting it sussed and going out at 10. Meant I had to have the fastest strip wash afterwards! Anyway. Same time/distance as last run, so should be pleased.

I'm in the same boat as you @Twilbury. Starting W4 on Monday. Feeling very nervous.

It was warm in our park when I went out today, and I found it a slog, but still managed it! When Jo Wiley says about mantras (not sure if it's the same for all the narrators...) I have been reminding myself that i need to do hard things if I am going to make a go of what I want to do with my work life. This has reduced to "if you can do this, you can quit your job", which is great motivation!

Additionally today I went a slightly different route for the last 5 min run so I finished just before the ice cream truck and went straight there for an ice cream to have on my walk home... I'm doing this for fitness more than weight loss (though I have packed on the pounds...) and I really needed a cold motivational treat!

@StillDumDeDumming I was wondering what on earth you were trying to say!! "a quick trot occasion a threesome with a walking bits it was just too much of a slut without." still none the wiser!!

@LambChopsMcGee I know!!!! I’m a good girl really. I think I was trying to say - a quick trot through the walking bits but still a bit of a slog. The beach was windy and my diction is clearly pants!!

Also that’s a pretty nifty mantrah

You lot are smashing the longer runs! On w2 and the long runs seem so far away

@Polkadotties

You lot are smashing the longer runs! On w2 and the long runs seem so far away

I did my first run of week two today

did w3 r1 today . Struggled with the last run but managed to finish.
Longest i have run in years

So my news is I managed W5R3, uneventfully apart from nearly tripping over a dog who was trying to sniff my ankles. On to W6R1 tonight - slightly concerned that people say going back to intervals caught them out as I'm quite tired and period started today so not feeling great. Will try to take it steady!

@whenwillthemadnessend I think week 5 is when the work from the previous weeks really starts to pay off, it's a great feeling!

@PrincessWatermelon that's a great time :)

@LambChopsMcGee glad your virtual Mumsnet posse gave you encouragement!

Welcome new starters, great decision! @StillDumDeDumming sorry to hear about your DH, hope he makes a good recovery.

Loving the pictures too, I do love having something nice to look at as I run. I chose a nice new route for W5R3 as a treat - beautiful in the evening light.

I think I am getting fitter steadily though there are always ups and downs and it's easy to lose track of how far we've all come.

@CeciledeVolanges I try to avoid hills even if it does mean doing a bit of looping.

@Twilbury good luck for tomorrow, I think you will surprise yourself!

@Polkadotties I remember feeling that when I first started, now I'm up to 20 minutes and not quite sure how I got here!

Just playing catch up, well done all the graduates and hello to the newbies😊

I’m back from Skye and regretting not running! I did W7R2 this morning and it was a slog!!

Congratulations @Stopthehop and @HelpMeh !!

@LambChopsMcGee I love your thinking condensing that one down.

I've just done W7R3, my first run in the rain. Cotton joggers are not ideal but overall I think it was better than running in the heat. Feeling ready for W8.

@Polkadotties I'm taking it slow and steady. Most of us were literally where you are only a few weeks ago.

Can I join in please? Have done couch to 5k a few times before but currently doing it again as I hadn’t run for a while (broke a bone in my ankle in April) and also have been getting heavier during lockdown. Am working on losing weight and also moving more and will be doing week 5 run 1 tomorrow morning

W8r1 done. Changed my route and did the opposite way to what I tried last week. Meant that the first 5 mins of running were uphill but the next 23 were a steady downhill. Finished and still had another 15 min walk after the cool down. Total distance covered was 6.5 km but looking at the map I think I might have run about 4km.

Best bit was my Fitbit said I burnt 500 calories.