C25k get your encouragement here.

[StripyHorse]

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

@minipie

I thought the same, it seems odd to have such a big jump, but then week 6 runs 1 and 2 look easier, so must be some logic behind it? I will probably end up repeating run 1 and 2 for week 5 a few times before I attempt the dreaded run 3 🙈, or maybe skip ahead and do week 6 runs 1 and 2 before attempting week 5 run 3, or does that count as cheating?!

I've started C25K a few times, but never actually gone past week 5 run 2, because it freaked me out to think of doing 20 whole minutes in a row. I blamed my knee for being the reason I've never completed it before it a previous post, which is partly true, but it's also due to a lack of willpower and belief that I can actually run for longer than 8 minutes in a row, and then losing motivation because I think there's no point in trying because I can't do it. So this time around I've told myself I can repeat weeks as many times as it takes, but I can't quit. Hoping this thread makes me a bit more accountable too!

This is precisely why I did w5r1&2 so many times - I wanted to build a really strong foundation to help me with my fitness so I felt as confident as possible with w5r3. Personally I think weeks 5 and 6 ramp up too fast and risk putting people off, it’s a lot to ask people to go from doing 5 mins at a time to 20 mins with just one repetition of each of the three runs! If it helps you feel more confident then do repeat runs. For me, I would rather take it slowly and repeat runs and be able to keep making progress than get discouraged and give up (I have given up running more times than I’ve had hot dinners ...)

Ok, thanks both! I think I will give it a go, but if it’s really too much of a stretch then I will repeat w5r 1 & 2 a few times before trying again. Good to have a back up plan!

I am also not confident about the chances of me running over Christmas week! Suppose if I skip a week I should probably repeat the previous week —if— when I restart?

The best bit of advice I was given in the beginning was by a PE teacher who told me don't give in. Unless you're in pain keep going you can do it you just need to tell yourself that.

So even when I thought my legs couldn't go any more I carried on and it helped me progress through the runs as intended.

Obviously if you're injured this strategy won't work but I recently saw someone I'd not seen in 6 months and she commented on my weight loss so we got talking about couch to 5K and she also said a lot of it is psychological.

I fully believe that - I'm a stubborn old sod and don't like to be defeated so I think that helped too

minipie that's what I'm doing at the moment, I had a week off after W2 and I'm now redoing it before moving to W3.
It's felt fine but I'd definitely have struggled going straight to W3 after a week off.

schoolcook I think you’re right and will try to use that mindset to get through the 20 min. My weak point is my breathing, I’m worried I will keel over if I get too breathless - but let’s see how far I can push it I guess!

Cavagirl ah you had a week off, I was confused as you had been same week as me. Suspect I will need to repeat w5 or w6 post Christmas ... bad timing!!

I'm finally going to join this thread. After several attempts over the years when I've quit around the middle of the programme, things have finally clicked and I'm on w8. I did run 1 on Tuesday and stopped to walk in the middle for a few minutes. I was so disappointed with myself as I've followed everything to the letter until now. I'm going to repeat run 1 tomorrow, I wanted to post here to give myself a kick in the bum!
Hopefully still on target to complete w9 before Christmas 🎄

Welcom @TankGirl97
@minipie I've also been told to separate your breathing from what your legs are doing.

Not actually sure what that looks like or how it works but I seem to have successfully done that too and am now only aware of my breathing between songs (when I become aware I sound like a snoring elephant)

W1R2 completed. Still found it very hard and thought I might collapse! I think that I will have to repeat this week. Don’t think I can move onto W2 runs until I can manage W1 runs. Telling myself it doesn’t matter how long it takes me as long as I am getting out and doing it each week but 😢 I have let myself get to this state. Can anyone talk to me about running clothes? What to wear and places to buy? I have done the last 2 runs in jeans! I am picking up some ‘joggers’ tomorrow and have trainers.

schoolcook yes it definitely helps not being able to hear my breathing, I find the gaps between songs a bit disconcerting too!

TankGirl week 8! Amazing! Even if you had to stop for a little walk that’s still helping with your progress, I’m sure it means you will find it easier next time. I’m telling myself every bit of running helps...

Namechange week 1 is really hard as your body has to get rid of all the cobwebs! Did you manage to complete the runs even if you felt awful? Clothes wise I wear leggings, my favourites are iuga ones from amazon as they stay up and have a little pocket on the side for my phone. Not expensive either. I wear a base layer long sleeve top and at the moment am wearing a thin fleece jacket over that. H&M has a pretty good selection of exercise gear at the moment if you are looking. Flexible clothes will definitely make it feel easier compared to jeans!!

@Namechange1245 no wonder you found it hard in jeans! I am up to the 30 minute runs and i'd struggle for 30 seconds in jeans. I prefer leggings to joggers as I find them easier to move around in and less sweaty I have loads of different brands but all cheap ones a few you'd find easily in the UK which I liked are a pair from tesco and a champion pair which I think is a brand sports direct stock. To start with i'd get a few cheaper pairs while you figure out what sort of fit you like, how thick, type of pocket etc. On my top I usually wear any old cotton tshirt short sleeved if warm, long sleeved if cold. The only expensive piece of clothing I have bought have been my trainers and thats because I know I roll my feet and hurt myself in non support trainers but for now any old pair will do until you get to the longer runs and figure out what works best for you.

I recommend the Uniqlo Airism sportswear.
I have joggers, long sleeved top and a hoodie in this weather. The hoodie very thin so not too warm, but good if it rains and it has thumb holes so my hands stay warm! I have one of their sports bras too.

I also have a bum bag type thing, but specifically for exercise, its very compact. It was about 9 quid on amazon. So my phone and keys go in there. I dont like to put them in my pockets because they don't have zips on them, and I've had my phone jump out my pocket before when running.

@Namechange1245 deffo get some leggings or joggers. Jeans are very restrictive. You will find it easier in stretchy fabric. I couldn’t run in jeans. Doesnt have to be expensive. Any leggings will do.

Well done everyone. @DobbyTheHouseElk I was very overweight when I started the programme a few months ago and just told myself that everyone I passed was thinking “Well done to her for doing something.” 😃
@mysocalledlife and @Deepintheforest I also find the 30 min runs hard (especially since finishing the programme). I have been trying to increase the distance and pace as I was only running 3.6km in the W9 30min runs. I find the first few mins hard work then I’m ok but hit a wall at about 20mins and really have to push myself to keep going. It is working (yesterday I ran 4.2km in 32mins which is further and faster) but it isn’t working very quickly and I think it is mostly a mental battle. I miss Sarah’s encouragement through the earphones too. I’m not really sure what to do except keep trying!

@Talksunderwater did you lose weight running? When I used to run and go to the gym 6x a week I was toned, but overweight.

I’d like to shift some weight. This year I’ve exercised more and did joe wicks daily, my body shape changed and it looked like I’d lost loads of weight, but I hadn’t.

I know fat goes to muscle etc, but I’m not muscular. Well I must be in some ways.

Hello all hope you're all well and enjoying your runs.

I am tying myself on knots over discrepancies between Strava Fitbit and MapMyRun distance recording

The same route comes out 3 different distances on all 3 ways of recording it and I just don't know which one to use.

Any wisdom on this ?

Any GPS data will depend on the device for distance covered/speed. Fitbits often use step counting data based on how long you say your stride is too.

GPS isn't perfectly accurate - it's ok in open fields usually but tends to be less good at wooded areas, so can be very inaccurate.

If you've got a local parkrun there should be a Strava segment for the course and some are marked on the ground/with little 1km posts too. Telford Town Park has these and the segment is pretty accurate. Wyre Forest parkrun is a single (hilly) lap. Not marked when I last checked though. The course consistently reads under as it's in a wood. Junior parkrun routes are 2k if the course is easily accessible.

Measured race routes don't always give the 'full' distance according to Strava. They are definitely measured accurately, using wheels.

I just pick one device and stick to it for consistency - it doesn't matter if it's "right" just if it's consistent!

@schoolcook I stopped using one of the apps because it recorded so meanly. Think it might have been MapMyRun. Runkeeper is better.

Fitbit depends on the model but mine doesn't have GPS so is not really counting distance at all.

I would be inclined to pick the one that gives the longest distance and stick with that

@minipe I missed a run in the middle then was able to do the last 2. The recovery/walk time in between runs just doesn’t seem to be long enough for me.

Thank you so much everyone for your clothing suggestions. I will get shopping. So embarrassed about the jeans but shows I really have just got off the couch. I will persevere even if I’m doing Week 1 until Christmas!

Thanks @Murmurur & @randomsabreuse for your replies.
I was tracking consistently with my Fitbit which does have GPS via my phone but after getting 3 days of inconsistent distances decided to give MapMyRun a go and I wasn't quite running 5K according to that.

It's frustrating me because I don't know which way to go - I'm thinking MapMyRun because then if I'm going wrong at least it's over rather than under.

Park run is a drive away from me and currently I can walk out my front door for 5 minutes, run 5K and cool down walk of about 3 minutes so I don't want to add any faff to that (or the need to find a loo)

@Namechange1245 if it’s any consolation, I’m on my sixth week of week five! 😂
As I’ve said in previous posts, I’d just rather get firmly confident on each week before I move on, rather than rushing it. I did w5r3 with hills and a hangover today and it went ok so I’m fairly happy that my tactics are working. Just do it the way that works for you, and if you need to repeat runs then don’t worry about it!

@DobbyTheHouseElk I have lost a lot of weight but I’m sure that’s 90% down to my diet and only 10% due to running. The diet is to lose weight, the running is to be fitter (I really was a couch potato).

Hi everyone

W7r1 repeated and so much better on my regular road course. Obviously proves my problems were down to mental issues not fitness but also shows I need to do more variety in my routes or I won't actually learn to run properly. Think this weekend I'll brave day time jogging amongst people 

@Namechange1245 I'm definitely a plus sized runner and my go to are Nike leggings and decathlon leggings. I find Nike does good thickness but decathlon does good warm ones.

@DobbyTheHouseElk I too have been working out harder then ever this year and zero change in weight. But I know for me it's 100% diet. I've always been sporty and never changed my shape through sport only diet. Of course that's the area I seem to lack all willpower from hence my mad attempts at improving my health even with this weight. I hope your success is better than mine though.

Good on everyone for sticking at it - just think by spring we'll all be fully fledged runners!!

@Misandrylovescompany

I think I will follow your tactic of repeating the first and second run in week 5 a good few times, first on the flat and then on some hilly routes, before even attempting the dreaded third run. I agree with you that it's too much of a ramp up after week 5. Looking at the whole C25K plan, it does seem odd that the interval training aspect completely stops by week 7. I've also been looking at this training plan (the 4th and 5th one): www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/beginners/a772727/how-to-start-running-today/

...and might cheat and also do some of those runs before completing week 5 run 3, and then do some of them alongside the C25K ones for weeks 7, 8 and 9. I like intervals, and think if I rush to run 25/28/30 minutes in a row as prescribed by the C25K plan, then I will either give up, or literally jog it slower than I could walk it 🙈.

Still early days for me though, did week 2 run 2 today, tried out a different route but got a bit too hilly so turned around and went back to the flat! So far I've only run after dark, and it's lovely to see all the Christmas lights, people seem to have really gone all out this year, we've recently moved and think I will struggle to find my way when they are gone!