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?

Hello everyone, I have been searching the Internet for an answer but can't seem to find a definite one so thought I'd ask here. Does anyone know if it's possible to complete the c25k programme sooner than 9 weeks? I am only in week 2 but I was wondering if it is possible for me to do a week in 6 days? So still a day off in between but starting the new week a day earlier. Has anyone done it faster than this even?

@itsspittingeverybodyin I've done each week in 6 days, so just taking one rest day after each run and kept going.

Oh FFS I'm just going backwards.

Went out tonight for 5km. Ran first 2km in 13 minutes. Feel a bit smug.

Then the stomach ache hits and I'm burpy and feeling awful....so ended up power walking the next 2.5km before a more feeble 1.5km final stretch.

Argh!!!

Oh bummer @GuyFawkesDay. A bad one is a right pain in the arse. On the upside, I’ve always found that a bad one is followed by a really good one, so fingers crossed. Make sure you take a rest and drink plenty of water/fluid in the 24hrs prior to the run. I find that makes a MASSIVE difference to me. If I’m even slightly dehydrated I run like a 3 legged tortoise, absolute shambles.

Today I did 7.5km. I was supposed to do 5.5 but I felt good and thought I’d just push on. I’m running about twice a week now. I was doing it every other day but got out of the habit. I should get back or at the very least ramp back up to 3x a week. Twice just isn’t enough.

Thanks @mumto2unicorns I am going to aim for that as it keeps me in line, if I don't have set pattern I lose my drive.

That’s great going Princess 😀

Ds has been out on his bike all day so I went by myself for the first time. Week 7 run 2, so 10 minutes walking and 25 minutes running in total. I thought I wa going a bit quicker but I only covered 4.4kms in total - a mere 200m more than last time! 5 kms in 30 minutes feels a long way off!

I've just been out for W6R1. I've been struggling to get out because it's hot (for me anyway) so got up early...it was beautiful

That’s beautiful am just about to go on week 5 run 2

Itsspitting you can do every other day but it's not recommended to run on the recovery days as your body needs time to recover and get used to the specific strains of running. You can do low impact strength or flexibility work on off days though, which should help your running and general fitness. There's a very handy FAQ section on the healthunlocked couch25k forum.

Myghast that looks lovely!

I did W6R2 yesterday, rather underestimated how much further I'm running now than in week 4 and ended up doing the last 5 mins mostly uphill which was made harder by having gone a bit too fast in the second 10 minutes. Never been so glad to be told I could slow down!

Muchtoo only 12% of couch25k finishers did 5k in 30 minutes or less at graduation and I bet most of them were male! You're doing brilliantly.

I'm really annoyed with myself. I didn't have a good start to the morning but thought if I just got myself ready for W4R3 it was better than missing a day. I didn't even manage to run for a minute before my brain told me to abort the run - everything felt wrong, my head hurt, I hadn't eaten dinner last night, wrong music, etc. So came home deflated thinking I'm kidding myself about being able to do this.

Have put my sports bra back on after my shower with the intention of trying again tonight.

notaflyingmonkey sometimes the stars don't align - I'm sure you'll be fine tonight (though I don't like wearing my sportsbra all day, makes me feel too squished!)

WK4 R2 done!

But I am having problems with the app. Last time I used it I managed to pause it on my 5 min run so ended up doing 9 mins and this time it just went back to the beginning half way through.

Has anyone else had any issues or am I just unlucky?

Meant to be doing W7R3 at lunch time but it’s absolutely tipping it down out there!! Think I’ll wait until this evening 😂

@Twilbury yes in the first few weeks I had a few resets. I just did the run as best I could and then set it going again while I flipped at home. I can't get Sanjeev back at all now though, which is annoying.

Not been on for a while (been on camping holiday), hows everyone been doing? I managed to get out a few times on my holiday which I was quite pleased about but drank A LOT of wine. Managed not to put all the tiny amount of weight I've lost!

Does anyone run on an empty stomach? I tend to run in a morning but tried without my usual coffee and banana, it didn't go well!! I had to stop after 5k I just didn't have any energy.

@Twilbury what app are you using? I used the bbc one for c25k which was perfect but then had a yellow one for 5 to 10K and it kept doing strange things as you describe,

I managed to pause the app AGAIN today I think it was my slowest ever run but at least I got out there and did it

W5R1 in the bag and it felt amazing! I didn't struggle as much as I thought I would, considering I didn't think I was ready!
I had a sore head, sore foot and had all my excuses lined up. Felt great.
Under no illusions that it'll stay this way but it was the confidence boost I needed today.

Although, I'm so slow I might be reversing...

I mostly run in the morning on an empty stomach. The time I went slightly later and had a coffee first I needed a wee and got a stitch. I hate hate hate running in the evening I feel so heavy and urgh.

W7R3 done! Was a bit of a slow slog but I got through it. Was very much mind over matter.

@LookDontTeuch

Although, I'm so slow I might be reversing...

You’re still quicker than someone slobbing on the sofa. Doesn’t matter how fast you are.

Does anyone track their actual walking/running speed? I'm on a treadmill so it's steady and readable but, if you're using an app or watch, what kind of speeds are you working with?

@LookDontTeuch

Does anyone track their actual walking/running speed? I'm on a treadmill so it's steady and readable but, if you're using an app or watch, what kind of speeds are you working with?

My watch tracks my speed.

@Sexnotgender I use map my run, personally I really like the stats it give as it shows a chart of your pace. This pic is a chart of a run I did that was jogging for 10 mins, then fast run/walk intervals and then 10 min jog. It also shows your pace as you are running along.

My walk pace is about 10.5 mins per km and if I'm just running not interval training I try and keep to about 6.5, although sometimes it's nearer 7.