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?

Hi all, congrats to everyone still plodding along! I finished the programme on Friday. Can’t quite believe it, it’s amazing how it works isn’t it? Having said that I’m looking for any feedback from other graduates re: what next. I went out this morning on my first run since graduating. I decided to try a new route, I mapped it at around 4K so thought I’d be fine. It was horrible though! Hated every second and really struggled. I had to stop and walk several times which really annoyed me as I managed all of the long runs in the last few weeks of the programme without any stopping. I think part of it was the new route - definitely underestimated it and it was much hillier than I thought. And I think partly psychological not having the app talking to me and probably feeling more “off the hook” for stopping.

So I suppose my question is - what kind of runs are people doing now? Are you still trying to run half an hour and working on covering more distance, or trying to get to 5K even if it takes longer? Are you still listening to the final week of the app for reassurance? Feeling a bit lost!

Hi all, I was on the previous thread but dropped off but have been doing C25K. I am on week 9! 2 more runs to go.

However, C25k is a bit of a misnomer for me, it's C23.5K, I am nowhere near 5k! I dis 3.2KM today, hoping to get it to 3.5KM by the end of the week. How do you get to 5K?! Do you just run to 5K and then gradually try to improve your time?

What apps do everyone recommend for tracking? I'm on a Strava trial atm but don't want to pay, also don't understand pace!

I'm finding my calves are getting really tight in the run, going to try and get back into yoga to make me more supple! I find my legs give way far sooner than my general fitness/chest if that makes sense.

hi all. Week 2 run 3 for me. I am very slow and my husband covers a greater distance running the same time...but I am doing it.

No wonder my knees were hurting, I overpronate so much I’m basically running on the inside of my feet.
Would really recommend getting gait analysis done. I’ve know got some proper stability running shoes and some insoles.
W3r3 later on this evening

W3r2 today - definitely better running even that little bit longer. Takes me ages to settle into a reasonable gait. The extra weight I’m carrying is a bummer!

@DivisionBelles I’m so glad you’ve retained fitness - what a shock. Hoping the walking and running gives you some headspace. Take care of yourself

Thanks all. I've recovered really well physically. Mentally it's been a bit tougher, but running definitely helps with the positivity. Next run on Thursday. Going to stick with beginning again at W3 though.

My husband started doing c25k recently, I'm really annoyed at how fast he is!! He's still only doing 3 min runs but carried on after the app had finished and managed nearly 6k in 40 minutes!

Oh what it must be like to have long legs!!! Has anyone got annoying fast men they are running with?

@imamearcat I won't run with my DH , he has run for years and although he is kind and patient it just annoys me

When I completed the programme a few years ago (then gave running/plodding up for about 3 years) he wanted me to go out with him, I would go and run 5k and feel chuffed with myself and then he would go out afterwards without me and run another few miles in half the time.

The only person I want to run with/against is me !

@Twilbury that's me completely. If o get to 4km by the end I'll be delighted!
@notheragain4 I will never run with anyone except myself!

[quote NCTDN]@Twilbury that's me completely. If o get to 4km by the end I'll be delighted!
@notheragain4 I will never run with anyone except myself![/quote]
I tried to quote people's names and got the wrong ones

@imamearcat I won't run with my husband, he's a seasoned runner, he wouldn't break a sweat running 5k, he could probably walk it in the time it would take me to run ha.

I run with my 9 year old but he still puts me to shame!

W8R2 done very slowly! Again there was a hefty wind which made going quite tough. It’s done though. I took the recommendation for podcast rather than music which I quite enjoyed. Listened to the infinite monkey cage.

Oh and rest day on the squat challenge phew

With photo?

I'm so glad others are having the DH grumbles too!! There's no way I'd run with mine. I feel so proud of where I've got to. I don't need him whipping past me or patronising me by trying to show down to run with me.

@Dragonfruits I'm not very far on from graduation - have only done another 3 runs. But don't be disheartened. It is different, for sure. I think starting a new route isn't always the best idea if you're then running alone (so to speak). I kept with the same for 2 runs, as I then knew where and what to expect and also to know I could do it. I haven't managed any faster at the moment (on my graduation run I really pushed myself and don't fancy it again, tbh). I'm working on increasing my distance - so today I took it more gently and went further/for longer (on a super flat route!). On Thursday I plan to tackle a hill to build strength. I'm aiming to work up to 10k (planned race 6th sept, but may not happen) rather than trying for speed. I've heard that comes naturally as you improve.

W3R1 done, found it a bit difficult as I had done a 10,000 step walk a few hours before.

Can I join??? I did W1R1 yesterday. And bloody hell was it tough although I did walk more when I felt the run was going to kill me!
Had mentioned to DP that I was going to start it and would he like to join me, I don't think he was too bothered. It was a case of "yes we need to exercise but I wouldn't be running"
Given that the pools and gyms aren't open and we dont have bikes I'm not sure what he thinks we can do. Anyway, I took myself out on my own yesterday morning, and despite it being incredibly hard I was so proud of myself that I had done it.
I came home and told him excitedly that I had completed my first run and what was his response??? Laughter followed by "I don't see any facial injuries?" (I have big boobs) bastard.

It's a sorry state of affairs when you tear up at Jo Whiley cheering you on because no other fucker thinks you can do it.

Oooo that was cathartic! Well done everyone who has started this. Next run is tomorrow, wish me luck

Well done @witchofthenorth for getting out there. I honestly think the first run is the toughest . We have all been there but trusting the programme works!

Good luck for tomorrow and let us know how you get on .

@witchofthenorth keep with it you are doing great.

Just completed w9r3 music timing was great as just when I had completed the cool down walk and the talking had finished a song came in with audience cheering so felt that it was for me.

Now the difficult piece is keeping it up

@witchofthenorth Well done on getting started - in many ways, I found the first run the toughest. Try not to let you "D"H put you off - you are doing it, and that is fab

@mumto2unicorns Wow - well done, and fab on the music too!

I was supposed to get out this morning, but woke up with a horrid head and feel rough as hell, so didn't Maybe tomorrow...

Hello. I have been reading this thread for a while and found it encouraging and intimidating in equal parts 😂😂

Anyway, just finished week2 run3 and am going to start week 3 on Friday. Does it genuinely get easier? I just about managed running for the 90 seconds of week 2 but (I know I'm so unfit) I don't know if I will cope with the 3 minute runs.

And the very idea of running for 5, 10 30 minutes... It baffles me. Does it really work? Were any of you properly unfit in the first week and struggled with the 60 second run, or are you all secret gazelles just saying you did? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

@toomanypillows I definitely struggled with the first minute and now I am about to do wk 5 r3 tomorrow. That is a 20 min continuous run (plod) which is scary but I know the programme works so I just have to trust it will be OK.

@witchofthenorth your H is putting you down because deep down he knows you’re putting him to shame. He’s frightened that you can do something he can’t.

Bloody well done! Keep showing him!

I’ve just come in from doing W6 R2. I had a lake swim this morning, too, so I’m going to ride round the block on my bike later. In my eyes, that’s a triathlon

@Twilbury. Thank you. I shall keep the faith. Good luck 💪🏻