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?

Congrats @CeciledeVolanges and @MirandaWest

I recently invested in a pair of hoka running shoes, and they have been amazing - no back problems at all since getting them. Think they were about £60 from Amazon.

That actually sounds very reasonable!

W4 R2 done. Man, that was tough. For the first time I really worried about not finishing.

Epic music-to-encourage-you fail in the last 5 minutes when Bootylicious came on and Beyonce told me "I don't think you can handle this" . Well yah boo sucks Bey.

W5r3 done. This was the one I was worried about.... I ran for 20 minutes!!! I can't believe that only a couple of weeks ago, 90 second runs felt like forever!! I did slow my pace right down to make sure I could do it (and so my 12 year old DD could keep up). It's such a boost.

Sorry, just needed to share that with someone who understands 🤣🤣

Amazing!!! Well done. That's a massive milestone & achievement.

I'm definitely going to slow right down on Sunday. I can see from Strava that I'm starting way too fast.

This thread has filled up fast - 907 messages already!

Congratulations Cecile and Miranda on graduating, what's next?

Sleepyhead that map you posted makes it look as if you were swimming at times! I had one totally crazy run which calculated I was running a kilometre in 2 minutes. If you remember where you went you can plot the route on something like mapmyrun and get a rough estimate that way.

I downloaded google fitness and almost immediately uninstalled it again. They have far too much information about me as it is without giving them even more!

Great work on W5R3 stripyhorse - it is the best feeling isn't it! Or at least it is until you finish W9R3... :)

Soundtrack wise I like latin music, or jazz, or tango mostly. Though the group I listen to most is Pink Martini - is perfect for those moments when I'm starting to flag - half way through the song, the key changes and the tempo speeds up and magically I manage to speed up too.

This link has some technique tips on running up and down hills which I found helpful.

I've had a fun consolidation week - in addition to two 5kish runs I did a speed intervals run which was interesting for variety (trying out the Nike run club programe). Overall it added up to slightly less distance and running time than week 9 which feels like what my body needs, particularly as I'm still working my way through James Dunne's 30 day challenge which I am sure is doing me good. It's good to see I still want to get out there and run even without the structure of C25k :)

Thank you Sleepyhead and UnaOfStormhold.

Una it's really good to see how you are continuing post week 9. I hope I am as motivated! I am going to have a look at the hills link... my town is on a hill so will be useful (currently planning routes with steep hills).

Graduation day!!! The weather looks great for it, sunny but with a cool breeze. It still feels so strange that I go out to run. In my head I’m still the kind of person who wouldn’t even run to catch a bus. Every time I go out to run, something in my head says I’m just not the kind of person who runs. Yet, later today I’m going to do the final run of c25k!

The programme definitely works in some magical way to train your body to run. I wish my brain would catch up!

Cheering for you TeamEponine!

Well done Eponine!

W9R1 done this morning, sadly I was even slower than during W8 (I tend to run the same route, so know where I should be at the 5 min mark etc). However, that was 30 mins more exercise than I was doing two months ago.

My music app stopped working 5 mins in and I made the mistake of slowing down to fiddle with it, then deciding I didn't need it, then fiddling with it a bit more. For about 20 minutes of the run. Sigh. It makes all the different to me to be able to listen to music.

🥳 woohoo
W9r2 felt awesome today. Pace had increased From previous so I kept going. Managed my first ever ever ever 5km (Hadn’t jogged for 4Km before either)in 41 minutes which works out @ 8.13 Mins per Km. Keep going everyone starting out. I couldn’t do 1 minute 9 weeks ago. Good luck @TeamEponine. You’ve got this

That's awesome @Needmybuttkickedintoshape well done!

I really really really want to be able to come here and say I've run 5k.

@notaflyingmonkey

That's awesome *@Needmybuttkickedintoshape* well done!

I really really really want to be able to come here and say I've run 5k.

Thank you so much @notaflyingmonkey. The feeling you get when you’ve run your first 5km is insane. You can do this !!!

I know everyone says it but I truly mean it. If me an unfit 44 year old who’s not exercised since school can do it anyone can.

I work in a school and I want to just drop into conversation when I go back that I can run 5km 3 times a week 😀

I did it!

Bloody awful though. Felt so hot and really windy - I was fighting against the wind sometimes

Anyway, I did it - 30 minutes of uninterrupted running and graduation!

Post c25k plan - add one minute every other run until I get to either 45min or 5k. Whichever comes first!

Next run - 31 minutes

Yaaayyyy TeamEponine

I did wk7r1 this morning and it felt amazing, I found I ran quite slow and steady for the first ten mins then suddenly found myself getting faster, then at the final minute Michael Johnson says if you feel OK then speed up for the final bit, and I did, I absolutely legged it lol anyone watching must have thought I was being chased 😂 felt so good!

Great work, TeamEponine, sorry the weather wasn't helping! Though I now have Chilcott's setting of the Irish blessing in my head which is very appropriate for runners: "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields..."

Well done TeamEponine!!!

I've finally done W5D1 though I did get a horrible stitch towards the end of the 6 minute run. I was gutted as I was feeling so strong and I knew I was going to complete it. I managed to pause the app and walk the stitch off and then started again. I was feeling so good that I carried the last run on and did an extra two minutes to get me to my front door

Everyone is doing so well!! Congratulations to @TeamEponine on graduation. And @Needmybuttkickedintoshape and @EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide it sounds like you're doing brilliantly.

I got really stressed with my earphones too @notaflyingmonkey. I know just what you mean when the music isn't working and fiddling is stressing you out. Mine connect to my watch, but aren't always that good at doing it. I was planning on a 7or 8k run, got all psyched up and then 5 mins in they stopped working. I decided to take them out and removed my headband (that holds the earbuds in) and ran naked!! It felt awesome, actually. I was far more in tune with my surroundings and enjoyed the run when I thought I'd be scared.

Just back from a week away. I took my running kit and didn't do a single run! But have just been out this evening, as felt my body needed the stretch out. It wasn't easy, but was 5k, so all good. Very odd that I wanted to do it too!!

W4 R3 done - soaking wet but feel so much better than Friday's run because I slowed right down from the start and oh my god the difference.

I'm now back feeling like I can do this!

Well done everyone!

I'm being blighted by migraines and exhaustion. Anyone else in the same boat? Running through headaches sounds like a bad idea to me but I'd love to hear how others deal with it.

DS and I have finished 😀

We did week 9 run 3 this morning in humid, windy conditions. Taking off the walking we covered 4.8kms so we’re close to the 5kms but not quite there yet. For reference I’m 44 and he’s 12.

We’re away for a few days next week and not planning on running but after that we’re going to add in some hills, some shorter faster (hopefully!) runs and try to get to the magic 5kms in 30 minutes marker!

Fantastic @Muchtoomuchtodo!! Credit to you and your DS. 4.8k is so very close - that's a really good pace. I'm sure you won't be long til you're there.

Week 6 run 3 done. Thank goodness! It was OK - that’s all I have to report at this time!

Tomorrow is Wk 5 Run 3 - where it suddenly goes up to 20 mins running from 8(!!) . I'm sure I won't be able to complete it but I'm going to give it my best shot. I'm trying to maintain a positive mental attitude about it but it's really very daunting!