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 everyone,

Started watching this thread but this is my first post!

I've just done week 6 run 3, was tough but somehow found it easier that runs 1 and 2 this week, think the intervals make it harder and a continuous run seems easier to achieve, anyone else the same?

I'm mega slow mind, don't know how I am going to achieve 5k in 30 mins, today was 3k in 25 mins running, not sure if that's good or bad but I couldn't even run down the street at the start 😂😂

lottiepink same here - full 20 min run tomorrow and did 15 run, 3 walk and 5 run yesterday and I feel like I could have kept going (a bit!) longer but walked when told and found it hard to get going again!

20 mins though!! Again I'm looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time!

@ILoveAnOwl - massive congratulations! What do you plan on doing now you’ve finished the programme?

@LunaNorth Those podcasts look great - thanks for the link. When I did this years ago I really struggled to keep going without the direction so these will be brilliant and hopefully will keep me running.

Ds and I did week 8 run 2 today - should have been early this morning but we were too lazy and ended up going at midday when it was quite hot! Somehow it felt like our best run yet. We covered 4.8k in total over the 28 minutes of running and 10 minutes of walking. At that kind of pace are we in the fat burn zone? I’ve got just over 1/2 stone of lockdown weight to shift!

I'm restarting week 6 tomorrow as I missed the third run on Friday cos it was so damn hot!! Still feeling really pleased that I've got this far!

I'm in awe of those of you who did go out in the heat!

Re doing week one. But on the plus side, my oldest DS (17) is coming out with me. Looking forward to it today ☺️

WrR2 done this morning. Should have done it yesterday but CBA to get up at 6am on a Sunday for it.

Looks like it gets quite hardcore after this, running with no breaks. We shall see if I can manage it or not.

Notaflyingmonkey I have to say I've been surprised how natural it has felt to shift to just running. That said it is does add up to lot of running!

Lambchops you don't have to repeat the whole week unless you want to, it's fine to just do the run you missed.

Congratulations Ioveanowl

Lottie Don't worry about speed, the vast majority of people actually don't manage 5k in 30 minutes at the end of the programme (and I'd imagine most of those are men). If I'm feeling good at the end of W9R3 I might see if I can keep going beyond the 30 mins and try to get to 5k but I'd rather take it steady and finish than push too far and overdo it.

Just weighing in to add to those saying not everyone can run 5k in 30 mins at the end. Apparently only 10% of people can do 5k in 30 mins at the end of the course, but it's no reflection of your speed once you carry on and become a "proper" runner.

From personal experience, I think my first Parkrun after c25k was 32 mins. It takes me 20 mins now...so in terms of speed, that's 10 min miles down to less than 7 min miles. Which I would've thought was impossible when I was struggling to get past week 1 of c25k

Planning W9R1 again today sans dog.

My plan once I graduate is to gradually increase running time each session by 2/3 minutes per week. Bearing in mind I’m pregnant don’t want to overdo it!

Did W7R2 this morning. It was ok, but I really can't imagine being able to add an extra three minutes the run after next! Guess I just have to trust the programme though and go with it.

I'm super slow! In 25 minutes, I don't quite manage 3k. But, apparently it is all about the time spent running, not the speed! Once I get to being able to do the 30 minutes non-stop, I might start working on pace. Think I'll need to do more than 30 minutes to actually run 5k though.

Possibly a stupid question, but when we say about doing the 5k - is that with, or without the 5 minutes walking at the start and end? I do about .5k in each of the 5 minute walks, so even aiming for 5k in tota,l including the walks, feels like a mega task! 5k in 30 minutes just feels totally impossible

Did the 20 min run today - for me that is W7D1 - and I thought it would never end

TeamEponine I think the first thing to focus on is running for 30 minutes and don't worry about speed or how far you get in that time. I was reading that some people go on from C25k to do half marathons without ever achieving running 5k in 30 minutes. And this chart of average 5k times by age and sex might help: www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/average-5k-time

I'm sure you'll be fine for W8R1 - you'll have done 4 times 25k by then which gives you a good base.

Hi Ladies please may I join you.

Thanks @Sexnotgender for sending me the link.
I’m just about to redo week7 after having a couple of walking breaks after 18 or so minutes on last weeks runs as it’s been so hot!
Just found out I’m pregnant too so will have to see how long I keep up the running as my joints are pretty bad at the best of times. Enjoying it though and my SIL are doing it together so it gives us a chance for a chat and some head space away from the littlies! Our husbands are training for a marathon in Oct together though so their 20+ k runs are a little more impressive 😂😂

W7R1 for me today - 25 minutes.

I tried the niko-niko style today and it was really good. I felt like I could have run for ages! I seemed to use a lot less energy over the same time and distance.

@UnaOfStormhold thanks for that link. Really helpful, and made me feel better! Think I’ll just work towards the average for my age group, for now.

@Lettie365 welcome and congratulations!

@LunaNorth niko niko?!

Yep - it’s a Japanese slow running technique. Not that I was any slower than usual. Just a lot more comfortable and controlled.

I love the video. I done week 3 run 3 today. I don't look at distance, just time at the moment.

W9R1 done. Fucking hell... don’t know if it was the heat but I struggled. Finished but was a real mind over matter final couple of minutes.

First time posting, long time lurking.... but I found this morning much harder than previous runs (week 5, run 2). Despite feeling keener to get out there in the mornings, it seems like I do much better in the evenings finding my stride. Don’t know whether to get up earlier & have some breakfast before I go rather than waiting until I get back.

This morning was very warm & I had to cross over the busy road to find some shade! Strangely looking forward to W5R3 - first opportunity to actually see how I fare in one ‘proper’ run.

Loved the niko niko video. I had a go at it around the park just now with the kids. They thought it was hilarious, obviously!

@SymphonieFantastique that’s made me smile.

Niko niko!

Niko niko!!
I'm not sure that's for me - I can appreciate it's a different style but seems so far from the "jogging" or "running " we're used to. Having graduated, I'm not sure I can be bothered to re-learn how to do it!! But then I'm feeling a bit grumpy and negative today.

Did my first evening run today. Well, I wanted to run before dinner, so went out at 7 after a full crazy difficult day of work and was starving! Didn't have much to give (I ached from an exercise class yesterday) but did nearly 30 mins, nearly 4K. I was hoping to try intervals today, but only managed 3 fast runs (v short) before I decided it was too much like hard work!!

Maybe I should try Niko Niko 😂

I don’t know if I’d want to niko niko all the time, but I was certainly more comfortable in the heat.

I felt a bit silly, but then I’m not the most graceful runner in the world anyway, so I looked no dafter than usual

Waaah I’ve agreed to run with SIL tomorrow at 6am before work. Regretting it now 😂

That Niko Niko video was interesting. Might be something worth considering later in pregnancy.

I’m planning on doing week 7 run 2 tomorrow before work - intending to go at about 6:30