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Original poster

C25k get your encouragement here.

999 replies

StripyHorse · 27/08/2020 20:31

As the last thread has been going so well, with graduates aplenty, here's a new thread for encouragement. Everyone is welcome!

OP posts:
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14
DontGoIntoTheLongGrass · 25/10/2020 20:38

Just been on my first run of this C25K. I've done them before so started this time on week 3. I went a route I haven't taken in years and last time was during day time. Well darkness and a bad pathway do NOT mix. I went over on my ankle 😭 hopefully it won't be swollen in the morning for work!

KihoBebiluPute · 26/10/2020 11:26

Thanks for the tips. I did what I am calling "week2.5" this morning which was the week2 run with an extra 2 minute run tacked on the end to prove to myself that I could do it (I told myself I could stop at any time but to keep going if I could) and that was ok. I think I feel much more confident that I will be able to do the week 3 run next time. I also slowed down a little bit and didn't feel nearly as overwhelmed as I did when trying to go faster (though it was a bit embarrassing to be going quite so slowly past people who weren't jogging)

TeamEponine · 26/10/2020 12:29

Just popping on to say a quick HELLO! Grin

Well done to everyone on the C25K journey - it's tough, but it is amazing and it works!

I've done done so great over the past few weeks. Between a bout of self-isolation (DD had a cough, but then a negative covid test), work being ridiculously busy and then me having a horrid cold, I've not bee doing what I'd like, but trying to get out each weekend and doing around 4k. I figure I just need to keep doing something at the moment - not let all the work over this summer go to waste.

Flowers
kirinm · 26/10/2020 13:34

Can I hop on?

I've just restarted. I was doing it back in August but then got sick, ended up in hospital and then got lazy. I'm starting back at w2. Just done the first run. Felt good to be outside and listening to music. :)

randomsabreuse · 26/10/2020 13:45

I've discovered a new interval workout. Strava tracked running with my 5 year old on her bike on the old railway path. We did 6km in about an hour. Good pace variation, need to be on my toes to prevent major collisions, fend off lurches towards water. Started off as an easy jog, building to a proper run as she got more confident! Not up to doing that with running buggy - definitely need to be hands free and mobile for a bit.

Was happy with how well I coped with the distance - obviously I needed to give my laparoscopic appendix removal 3 months to settle down.

Will be continuing couch to 5k at 6min/km pace in an attempt to "earn" myself some new running tights. I set the target of a sub 30 5k in April when I'd finally restarted running after a horrible virus/chest infection in early March (what could that have been???) got derailed by the appendix, hopefully now I can finally get some consistency back!

cashmerecardigans · 26/10/2020 14:47

Can I join? I've just downloaded the app and done the first day. I feel ok but I did go extremely slowly, to call it running seems a bit of of an exaggeration. Feel so much better for the fresh air though.

Cathpot · 26/10/2020 15:48

I’ve solved the mystery of ‘can I run for 30mins using a different route?’ and the answer is no, no I can not. It did include a bastard hill in the first half which I got to the top of but then had to walk for a few minutes. Definitely pushed me more than usual so maybe will try that again and then my usual run will feel easier?!

UnaOfStormhold · 26/10/2020 18:08

There was a poll on the healthunlocked C25k website that found that only about 10% of people (men and women) who completed C25k did 5k in 30 minutes or less, so please don't feel you have to aim for that. A slow pace, where you could hold a conversation, is recommended.

Talksunderwater · 26/10/2020 19:16

Hello and welcome to our new joiners. Best of luck! I ran about 3km in my first 25 min run last week (and was exhausted) so there’s absolutely no way I can see myself getting to 5km in 30 mins by the time I graduate in a few weeks. That’s fine by me - my goal is to be able to run for 30 mins straight by the end of the programme. After that, I’ll think about either pushing up the pace or perhaps the distance (maybe see if I can run a bit further each time until I can run 5K in whatever time it takes).
@Cathpot - I too have hills whichever route I take. I haven’t worked out which route is easiest yet...

randomsabreuse · 26/10/2020 19:29

I'm aiming for sub 30 5k having been running for 4 years more or less (although I had a year off with DC2). The last time I was sub 30 was during half marathon training! I've been using Couch to 5k to come back from an op rather than from scratch!

It is great though - my old running club run courses fairly regularly and used it as a get back to running group after lockdown.

Happyface120 · 26/10/2020 19:35

Can I join please? I used to be a fairly regular runner, and did a couple of half marathons last winter, and was planning a marathon in May. Obviously covid scuppered everything, and I haven't run since my last half the week before lockdown in March.
Have completed week 2 today, and planning to start week 3 tomorrow. I did my first few runs on the treadmill, but I'm in Wales, so have been forced outside now. Its much tougher, and I'm really self conscious about seeing anyone i know- much fatter and slower than I was! Determined to enter 2021 as a runner again though.

Happyface120 · 26/10/2020 19:37

Doesn't help that DH is super fast, and thinks nothing of a quick 10 mile run to work Hmm

Thankssomuch · 26/10/2020 19:42

I started Couch to 5K back in the Spring - now run 5K plus, three times weekly and my figure and fitness - as well as my mental state - have improved hugely. I can not recommend it highly enough. I’m 51 and had never run - always hated running even at school sports day - so if I can do it, absolutely anyone can!

kirinm · 26/10/2020 22:35

@Happyface120

Can I join please? I used to be a fairly regular runner, and did a couple of half marathons last winter, and was planning a marathon in May. Obviously covid scuppered everything, and I haven't run since my last half the week before lockdown in March. Have completed week 2 today, and planning to start week 3 tomorrow. I did my first few runs on the treadmill, but I'm in Wales, so have been forced outside now. Its much tougher, and I'm really self conscious about seeing anyone i know- much fatter and slower than I was! Determined to enter 2021 as a runner again though.
Your background sounds exactly like mine. I had done a couple of half's and was training for another in March. My last pre-lockdown run was 10 miles and now I'm happy to manage 2 mins!
schoolcook · 26/10/2020 22:39

Hi all I finally graduated today 😁
I'm not actually sure how far I ran though as my Fitbit is tracking from the minute I leave the house , so tracks the warm up and cool down too. How do you all get round that ?
And do you all warm up and cool down every time ?

KihoBebiluPute · 26/10/2020 22:44

I'm using a mobile app called Zeopoxa which gives me all the info I could want and more. If you want to just track the distance run after warm up you could start the app just at the moment you start running?

Original poster
StripyHorse · 26/10/2020 23:54

@schoolcook I set the laps on my fitbit to 5min rather than 1k and then go by my splits- you can add them up then. You can of course just start after the warm up/ end before the cool down, but I like to have the whole thing logged. This way you can also see your page properly without the first 1k being distorted by the warm up.

OP posts:
schoolcook · 27/10/2020 08:05

Thanks for that I think that would work as I use Fitbit already , but in miles so I'd have to change that as well.

Do any of you listen to anything for encouragement ?
I'm wondering if I'll miss the updates on how many minutes I've done/ got left to go.

I was looking at Nike run club etc but it's all so complicated I just want to keep running so I don't lose the momentum !

kirinm · 27/10/2020 08:19

@schoolcook

Thanks for that I think that would work as I use Fitbit already , but in miles so I'd have to change that as well.

Do any of you listen to anything for encouragement ?
I'm wondering if I'll miss the updates on how many minutes I've done/ got left to go.

I was looking at Nike run club etc but it's all so complicated I just want to keep running so I don't lose the momentum !

Do you mean whilst following c25k? If so, yeah. I listen to music. If you start music before pressing start for the run, the music is turned down whenever the narrator speaks.
schoolcook · 27/10/2020 09:21

@kirinm sorry no I mean now I've finished C25K I'll have no one in my ear telling me how many minutes left etc. I still wouldn't class myself as a runner so need that little bit of support Grin

Talksunderwater · 27/10/2020 11:10

Well done @schoolcook! Congratulations Star
There are other nhs podcasts for after C25k - I have not listened to them as I’m only up to W7 so far but noticed they were mentioned on the nhs website. Maybe others on here know whether they’re any good? I think I’d like some sort of encouragement too after I graduate.
I have a Fitbit and when I’ve finished the warmup 5mins walk, I go into the app on my phone and press Track my Exercise. I then turn that off again when I finish my run and it tells me the distance/time for the run. I then do the cool down walk.

schoolcook · 27/10/2020 12:20

@Talksunderwater thanks that's helpful. I think I will end up setting the Fitbit to buzz at 5 minute intervals and get into the habit of just tracking the run section. I want to make it as simple as possible.

LakeFlyPie · 27/10/2020 22:15

Well done schoolcook 🥇

I was supposed to do W8 R1 with run club this evening but the group tail runner who was bringing up the rear with me and the other slowcoach pushed us to keep going and we ran for 33 minutes Smile
So slow was our pace that we only ran 4k but it felt like a great achievement at the time. She did say 5k next week, better make sure I get the other 2 runs in this week!
My aim for this C25K journey was to enjoy running and there were definitely moments when I got in the zone this evening (in between the gasping painful bits) also had a glimpse of that on my last run too so am hopeful this could become a habit.

schoolcook · 28/10/2020 10:34

Thanks @LakeFlyPie

I felt like I was going to bust a rib this morning but having timed just the run I can now run 4.45km in 30 minutes. I don't see that being 5km anytime soon but it's not going to stop me !
I don't want to run 5km no matter how long it takes because I want to be realistic and able to stick to 3 runs a week.
Well done everyone else who's doing this.

stitchingwitch · 28/10/2020 14:09

Hi everyone, I've been lurking here for a while but signed up today to join in. I started C25K this morning. This is my second attempt (got to week 7 last year but then life got in the way). I'm horrendously unfit but looking to change! I've enjoyed following along with everyone's journeys and thought by posting too will give me some accountability 😊