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?

TeamEponine that sounds like a sensible plan. You could keep adding 2-3 minutes every 3 runs to keep the plan going! I'm interested in spending a few weeks trying some running intervals and mixing up the pace a bit to see what works best for me, without trying to go further than 5k, then maybe trying to find a plan to build up to 10k (not really because I want to run 10k but it does help to have a goal).

What a stunning photo @UnaOfStormhold ! Really gorgeous. Makes you stop and pause and take a moment that.

Sorry to hear about your injury @imamearcat but sounds like you're being wise. Doing 2 runs on consecutive days - impressive stuff.

I've been in a bit of a grump and funk with the running. After completing the programme and doing a couple of weeks I was still in high spirits but then it became a drag. I was working to a 10k race (in 3.5weeks) but worried about managing it. And running was becoming a chore. But my sisters and I have decided to postpone the race and instead I'm going to try and enjoy the runs and build more slowly.
Although - my big sister went and did 8k this morning so I wanted to try and do it too!! Was v hot, but I ran I my bra for 57 mins and did 8k. Super proud of myself.

@TeamEponine I tried running to 5k first, then I was happier adding distance. Did try interval stuff but didn't like it. Maybe should try again. Today I really tried to slow my pace down and find an easier pace rather than pushing too hard. Needs more work - I thought I was gonna pass out! The other thing people talk about is hill training. Haven't cracked that either. I have one hill I attempt, but it's ugly (me running it, not the hill itself!)

Was planning a run at lunchtime but we’ve got thunderstorms here so going to hold off until later.

Oh I forgot to Log W5R2 from this morning. It was much better this morning. I plan to do a workout this afternoon as well but it’s just too hot and not that sensible given that I’m very fat! I did notice though that my walking in between us and my bedroom as well so much better which is absolutely massive, as my foot Dragging was getting so much worse.

Went out tonight & did W7R1. So sweaty! Hugely embarrassing but wondering whether after 2 babies, 25 mins of running is my pelvic floor’s limit. I have had to sprint to the loo the last 2 times I’ve got home!

Mixed it up today & listened to a podcast rather than music. It definitely helped to distract me rather than doing constant mental maths about how many minutes might be left dependent on the number of songs I’ve already listened to! Thanks for that tip, I think I’ll try it again.

I’ve really enjoyed taking the dog out with me for some company. She sort of trots beside me looking at me as if she’s wondering when the proper running will start. Apart from the inevitable stop for a poo pick up, it’s been a nice experience to share it with someone. I think it stops me from giving up when there’s a witness :)

Well I tried to go for my first post graduation run last night. Husband rescued me from the park after 20 minutes as the worst thunderstorm I’ve seen in years descended on us😱 utterly insane.

W7R3 done at 6am today. I'm afraid the heat this week has knocked my discipline as there are two days in between each of my runs at the moment. I tend to do the same route, and I didn't cover the same distance as the first two runs for this week, so I'm going even slower than I was, which I didn't think was possible!

I'm doing C25k with my DS13 at the moment, but I'm being quite mean to him - we do all 3 runs in a week back to back over 3 days, then he gets a day off and we do the next 3 days. It's helped keep him getting up and out the door - it's always much harder on a new week day after a day off.

Today we did W6R3, and are off on holiday tonight, so he gets 2 days off until we're settled in our villa 😁.

He's doing really well, he's not an active child, and is quite clumsy (ASD), but he's so proud of himself, and we're really pleased for him too. DH and I are very active, so hoping this will be his thing that he'll want to continue after graduation - he doesn't need to understand unwritten team rules, he doesn't need to be the best, he can just do it for him ❤️.

Have you tried another run @Sexnotgender ? Pretty bad luck on the thunderstorm! I run without a phone, so I'd be stranded!!

That's good to hear that your son is doing so well @EmmaStone. I'm sure you know what you're doing, but the programme does recommend a day off in between to recover. It also helps to not feel you're totally overdoing it and then can't keep up that discipline.

I conquered my killer hill today!! Went super slow and steady and made it up all of it. So v chuffed. Have completely failed to hold onto the positive hormones though, and feeling thoroughly grumpy with my kids.

I’m planning a run tonight 😊

Thanks princess. I don't really know what I'm doing 😂, but am following in footsteps of a friend of mine who's a PE teacher who did the same with her kids. He's coping, and we're going verrrry slowly, so we'll see. He's so young, he really ought to be doing an hour's exercise a day. He's been doing nowhere near that over lockdown, so this is a way of getting in some of that time. We may spread the last 3 weeks out a bit more, see how he's doing 😀

Attempted my first W9 run this morning. Complete bloody disaster

Started ok, but totally hit a wall at 10 minutes. Tried the wonderful advice of someone on here to think Legs, Lungs or Lazy? Usually it works, but my legs ached and felt like lead, my lungs felt like there was no oxygen, and I just couldn't get my head to make me do it.

So after 18 minutes, I gave up and walked for 5 minutes. Decided to try again, and after less that two minutes, a bastarding fly went straight in my eye. I tried to run with one eye closed, but had to stop again to sort it. Tried again, and just gave up completely after less than one minute. Had a couple of tears, and walked home.

Think I'll take tomorrow off and try again on Saturday. Hopefully there will be more air and I will have slept better.

Well done @Sexnotgender!

My morning runs have changed to the evening so DH can join us. I was running with DCs (age 10 and 13) but my youngest is not keen and was too slow ( not that I am fast). It was bloody hard going today though. To make matters worse, I accidentally turned off the app after the 3rd run (w4 r2), walked too much, set off for the last 5 min run too fast and really struggled. DH made me keep going though!

We kept passing this guy running... but every time we did, we were on the walking sections, we must have looked really odd all in running gear just walking around 🤣🤣

Really struggling with this weather & migraines. Managed to do 5 mins, 8 mins, 10 mins (W6R1 plus an extra 5 mins running) today after a week or so off. I was well into week 8 a while back but I've slipped. I am just going to keep on getting out there (when it's not stupidly hot and my head is not pounding).

@EmmaStone I'll be interested how your son gets on. My daughter kept me company until about week 4 then it all got a bit much.

Just finished week 9 run 2 - by myself. Ds ditched me in favour of going out in his bike with a friend!

It was still a bit warm for my liking but as we’ve got storms forecast later I thought I’d better get on with it!

I covered 5.4kms in total on the flattest route that I can possibly find! I think about 4.5kms of that was running so I still need a bit more speed to hit the magic 5kms in 30 minutes!

Managed 30 minutes tonight, no biblical storms to thwart me! Ran 4km so realistically will need about 37 minutes for 5km. I’ll get there😂

I realised I was getting a bit lazy after graduating and kept taking a couple of mins walking break after 15 mins. So on Tuesday I promised myself I wouldn't and I kept going and did 5k in 36:08.

Tonight I went out but it was really warm and wasn't planning on doing too much but managed to do 4K in 30 mins so really impressed with myself.

Just need to keep believing in myself.

@Sexnotgender congrats on your graduation and anyone else that has graduated. Really impressed with everyone that is running with kids. I started this to have a break from mine but then they r a bit younger

@mumto2unicorns ah no, running with my 13 year old was such a pleasure. It was great to have a running buddy. I am more impressed with people who do it all by themselves!

And all these 4km and 5km runs - amazing work everyone!

Just done Week 7 run 3 here and really chuffed with how it's going. I am nearly 50, was very unfit, and can now run for 25 mins at a pace of 10 mins per mile. Woo hoo!

For me, running with DCs was 2-fold. I was feeling guilty at how little exercise they were getting during term time (I am a teacher and was generally working until it was time to start getting tea). I also wanted to go in the morning and think DD2 is too young to be left. DH leaves for work earlier than I want to get up!

As with Murmur, my 13 year old is actually quite a good running buddy, she has really got into it, and joins me doing pre and post run yoga too.

DD2 is a totally different matter. She would spend all day on her backside if I let her!

Graduated tonight (and managed a second 5k) so I am feeling absolutely shattered but very very pleased with my progress. I probably overdid the pace tonight but just about managed to keep going all the way to the end - it is such a great feeling. Also a bit sad at having finished though - it has been really great to have the programme to work through and I think I'm going to feel a bit lost over the next few weeks. Current plan is to do some steadier 5ks, mixing in a few minor hilly sections (so far they've both been on the flat coastal ground) aiming to get comfortable with the distance and really build a good running habit.

W5r3 today. Not too hard, just hard enough. Made the massive mistake of firing up my old Garmin running watch!!! My watch told me my pace was outrageously slow. I ran a 30 minute 5k in 2015 and my last recorded run was 4 miles in March 2018!

Well done @UnaOfStormhold! That's fantastic!

@TeamEponine aw don't worry at least you Are out there trying and I think we have all had a run like that ( minus the fly) along the way. I hated W7r1. Run 2 was better because I slowed my pace so hopefully run 3 will be even better

Congratulations @UnaOfStormhold on graduating! Great job.