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?

Well done to all those ploughing on, especially those longer runs. I'm onto my 8th post-graduation run and it gets easier to stop hating every minute and to get lost in the run, the time starts to go faster. I'm still trying to get comfortable with 30 minutes and I'm definitely getting there but I've started to take 25 minute runs as wins alongside my 39 minute 5k. Every run makes a difference, whether it's improving fitness or pacing or realising a route is no good. Keep persevering and don't expect consistent improvement, sometimes it's one step forward and two steps back.

W2r1 complete. I struggled with w1r3 so contemplated repeating it but decided to go with w2r1 with the view I could stop and go back .
However found 90 secs run and 2 mins easier so plodded (and I am plodding!) on.

For you that have finished the programme, or near the end, do you enjoy running? I'm on week 7 but can't say I enjoy it. The motivation to keep going is because it feels good to know I've done it.

Washing machine shredded my sports bra 😭

I thought the mesh bag was closed but clearly not. Bum.

No running til the new one gets here!

Tomorrow is my W2R1, right now I’m dreading it but I’m going to do it. I desperately need to lose weight and just improve my fitness levels!!

@GuyFawkesDay hope the new sports bra arrives soon.

@nctdn not sure about motivation but look forward to going out and really proud of myself when I finish. Dread it a bit while doing it but amazed that I've got this far

@GuyFawkesDay hope the new sports bra arrives soon.

@nctdn not sure about motivation but look forward to going out and really proud of myself when I finish. Dread it a bit while doing it but amazed that I've got this far

I have another but it's a tad small and cuts me in two but it ties the boobs down so it'll do.

I was looking at smart watches. Then had a realisation I probably need to take my phone out anyway, for safety?

A fitness watch doesn't really add much to my running. I'm not sure what I think now!

I have a cheap smart watch for heart rate and step counting (it was about £30) which has a battery that lasts about a month. I have wondered about a gps watch but agree that I'd probably want to take my phone along anyway so the combination works well for now.

Good luck today for Eeyore and anyone else who has been struggling. I have W4R1 today which does seem quite a big jump in intensity, but I think I have sorted my shoe problems by putting my orthotics in my running shoes so fingers crossed.

👋🏼 Just wondering if I could join in?
Did W1R1 yesterday. I am a good few stone overweight and have barely moved since lockdown started as my husband was shielding. Yesterday nearly destroyed me and, probably due to not stretching when I got home and promptly laying down, now my hips have completely seized up.
However, read through a few of these threads overnight and so impressed with people’s ability to move forward and improve. Now looking forward to going out again tomo.

@NCTDN I'm same week as you. I found myself looking forward to runs about the 3 week mark but then it got too hard. I wonder if I am pushing it too hard for very overweight, unfit me and I would do better to repeat some weeks.

I am trying to avoid tracking pace or distance at the moment. It's just about running for X minutes.

@MaryPoppinjay welcome! Well done for completing your run. I did my first few on a combination of a mini trampoline thing and running round my small garden. Never thought I'd ever get onto running the whole thing on pavement even.

Good morning all

I am set to do wk2 r1 today, just got to persuade myself to get off my arse and out the door now.

Will catch up on the thread for some inspiration first .

Thank you @Murmurur. I did contemplate running around my garden as the thought of anybody I know seeing me attempt to run was so humiliating. But then I realised nobody would laugh at me more than my kids... did you find the transition to public running difficult?
Does anybody know if you should continue if you are really stiff? I’m having a day off today before W1R2 tomo but struggling to even walk.

But then I realised nobody would laugh at me more than my kids

@MaryPoppinjay a bit, but I think in week 3 I did 90% of my run round the garden then braved going to the end of the road and back. My neighbour saw me go out and back 2 mins apart and said that was the world's shortest run! So that was an "encouragement" to go further afield. I do think the trampoline was great at helping my body ease into the strain though.

If you are still sore I would maybe give yourself an extra day or two before you run again, or just do a brisk walk and then do your next run 2 days later. It is up to you but I am trying to be kind to myself without wimping out completely!

I'd like to join please 🙋‍♀️

I did wk5 r1 this morning, I'm quite excited about how much it ramps up this week. You're all really inspiring me to keep on.

I'm contemplating a smart watch, any recommendations? I like to listen to podcasts on the BBC sounds app at the moment, are there any that can do that?

@murmurur not sure my pelvic floor would take any trampoline (courtesy of laughing kids...). Did you find running on the pavement harder than grass?

I'll see how I feel tomorrow and make a decision then but def waddling side to side today. Also signed up for a month free trial of the peloton app as it has lots of yoga on. Found a beginners hip session so going to give that a try. A good friend of mine is a pro triathlete and has always recommended yoga alongside running.

With stiffness, I always wait one day while it’s at its worst, but I’d miss whole weeks if I waited for it to go completely. If you’re routinely getting really stiff, try drinking dioralyte or other electrolyte replacement because it could be that dehydration is making it worse.

I read about foam rolling and have been giving it a go for the last week. It does seem to help with stiffness, although I'm definitely no expert.

Thanks all. I did a hip yoga session, drank a load of water and had an epsom salt bath and now finally walking more human than duck. I'll also give foam rolling a try @MsPants.

W4R1 done and I feel very very proud of myself - sixteen whole minutes of running!

Well done Una.

Excuse my language but how the fuck am I on week 6 already 😱😫 will run later this evening. Then I’m going for a practice cycle. I’ve not cycled for about 20 years 😂

Ergh, rubbish run. Stitch and indigestion 😏 finished albeit slowly.

I managed W2R1 this morning. I did all my runs in W1 in the evening, but wanted to see if moving it to the morning would mean I had more energy at work - which I did.

I found that extra few seconds gruelling though, and cocked up my last run by trying to avoid a dog that was off it's lead, and ploughed through what turned out to be really long grass and uneven soil, so had to stop, walk, then run again.

Presume if I have to repeat a week I just tap that run on the app again?

@Sexnotgender well done for finishing it. I'm going to try and get out early tomorrow. One bonus of wfh I can go whenever and hubby is here so will be around with the girls. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that I should be spending the time doing something with them but realise that it is good for me to have my thing.

Finished week 3. Quite excited for week four now.