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!

I've just done W6R1 and it was SO hard . Not helped by the fact that I forgot to charge my headphones and they ran out of battery halfway into the warm up walk. I did the rest of the run listening to the podcast through my phone speaker and using the phone stopwatch to time the run/walk intervals (as I didn't want to turn the sound up too loud and attract attention!)

I was really surprised by how much difference it made not being able to listen to the music and Laura's encouraging words. And I realised how noisy my breathing is when I'm getting tired, which made me very self-conscious - I'd been in blissful ignorance until now because of my noise-cancelling headphones .

So I'm a bit down about today and have no idea how I'm going to get through W6R3 when W6R1 has left me scarlet-faced and feeling as if I'm about to expire! Bizarrely, my overall pace (including the walk intervals) was faster than W5R3 (which had more running overall), so maybe I just didn't pace myself well and went too fast today?

@mackerella
Yes, it sounds like you went too fast. But you did it, though, so that’s still success!

Sound makes a big difference to me as well. I want to hear Laura, and I don’t think me running while admiring the scenery in my local park is enough for me right now. It makes me focus on the act of running too much and then it gets hard. I need something to distract me. I hope that’ll get easier.

I started today - W1R1. With a buggy. Thought about giving up in the first 1 min run but was thoroughly enjoying myself by the end. The outward leg wasn't helped by the uphills and the headwind.

Am really looking forward to getting through this again. Started out three years ago and ended up running a half marathon. Can't wait to get to that level again

I did W3R3 this evening. It still takes a lot for me to actually get my trainers on and get outside. I’m really dreading Sat when I’m going to do W4R1 and run for 5min at a time. It feels like a real leap in terms of overall running time vs walking. I think I need to get better at pacing myself.

It’s so good to hear of you all managing W5/6 as I know it’s coming up. I’m sticking to the same route to try to help with the pacing and I’m alternating between Gerry a Cinnamon and the Stereophonics.

I keep seeing “real runners” going along and I can’t imagine being as good/fast as them even at the end of W9!

I'm glad it's not just me that needs the distraction, daisypond!

Well done for starting again, TimeIhadaNameChange! I'm really impressed by the half marathon - was that after doing C25K as well?

I was worried about the leap from W3 to W4 as well, Ikea, but it was totally fine - the difference is actually quite small and by the time you start to think about stopping, the 5 minutes is over, anyway. I was amazed by how quickly my fitness increased, given how hard I found W1.

Oh, and I don't think I said, but I really struggled through W1R1, and then was completely disheartened to realise afterwards that my podcast app had been on x1.25 speed throughout (my usual podcast listening speed). So the 1-minute runs that I'd just struggled through had only been 48 seconds . I nearly gave up there and then! But I definitely never thought that I'd be able to run for 20 minutes+ only a few weeks later

i’ve been doing this for the past 6 weeks - did 6.3 today along a coastal path where we were staying & it was lovely! thinking of changing my scenery up for the rest of the weeks as my normal river path route is quite short so i have to go up & down and getting a bit bored with it. might also try a podcast rather than music for the longer runs

@mackerella - aye, I started the C25K one November, ran the Glasgow half the following year. Was a wonderful experience!

@mackarella that's fantastic! I am always in awe of people who run marathons (full or half)!

I have got my running buddy back!! 13yo DD came with me today (w6r3). She had missed the last 2 runs so we just ran in loops around the nearest streets so she didn't have to do the full 25 mins if she didn't want to. She did 20 mins again. As well as enjoying her company, having her with me helps keep my pace down. I just worry that I am making her run faster than she needs to 🙁.

I just hope I can keep motivated to continue once the darker nights come in!

I did W6R2 this morning and it was ok! At the end of the 2nd run I challenged myself to see if I could make it to the end of the song (radio today mixed bag!) and ended up adding around a minute and a half - and I sped up!

I've jinxed run 3 haven't I?! 🤣

I'm running on a treadmill. I am pretty overweight and have weakling ankles, and the nearest even ground is quite a distance away! I'm sure the uneven grassland will be fine when my muscles are a bit more reliable but I'm too remote and I'd need a chopper if I break an ankle...

Thanks to the wise soul who suggested I start at week 3! (Got to week 6 run 3 about 6 weeks ago and then gave up). I finally got my arse in gear yesterday, and enjoyed it so much I did week 3 run 2 today. It may have been a step too far as I'm currently laid in bed with throbbing thighs but heck, at least I'm getting back into it.

I am in awe of everyone who has stepped up to a half marathon (or more!) after C25K - I was up to week 7 but lost my running mojo over the summer holidays. My DC are finally back at school soon, I'm planning to restart from week 3 or so!

It's not me who's done a half marathon, it was TimeIhadaNameChange!

Well done on W6R2, Look - I'll be doing the same run this weekend. I'm also overweight - normally I'm fat-but-fit thanks to a commute that involves 5 miles of walking/cycling, but lockdown and WFH put paid to that! I'm actually enjoying being more active again, though.

W4R1 done!! It was actually ok. I found the last 5min hard but in part at least because I had to add on a leg to my usual circuit so visually I didn’t know how far I had to go and I like to have an end point in mind! According to map my run my pace was the same as W3 runs which I was pleased about as I had thought my walking was slower today and it was windy.

I think I’m going to try W4R2 tomorrow evening as I’m going out on Mon evening and won’t have time to fit a run in first and definitely not an early morning runner like some of you! Total respect to those running at 6am!

W5R3 in the bag. I ran for 20 minutes!!!

I'm gobsmacked I managed it, my daughters who abandoned me a couple of weeks ago are really proud of me

Onto week 6 feeling far more optimistic about actually completing C25K.

Well done everyone that's sticking with it or returning, I'm impressed with all of you and your stories help inspire me to keep going.

Well done everyone!

I managed a 5k run this morning. Still can’t believe I can actually do it.

Is anyone else doing it at the gym and a treadmill? Week 3 here but started last Sunday and running once a day so have gone through the first two fast. I managed to go past the allocated 3 mins today and stretch it to 5 mins. Found the first 3 mins terrible and thought I wouldn’t get through the run but I think it helps when it’s the last one?

I tried on Tuesday to run around a lake but the path was uneven and found it so much harder whereas at the gym I feel I can just get on with it but wondering is it easier that way?

Well done JustCallMeGriifin and TeamEponine.

Mortgagehelp2020 I’m not sure what’s easiest. On a treadmill you don’t get wind resistance and like you said, no variation in the running surface. Also I guess you can set to flat or a steady incline? But, you don’t get the running past things which helps me with getting through it. So maybe the treadmill is slightly physically easier but psychologically harder? I guess what really matters is the running, which you are doing regardless!

Last Wednesday then Sunday I did two runs from week four and felt great. Had a five day break and tried again today, still week four. However first three minute run felt awful. Next run I stop started then got talking to someone at the park so just walked home. Main difference is I tried to run an hour after breakfast and I think I run better on an empty stomach so I won't count today and I'll go Tommow.

Wk6R3 completed today, and a big change for me. I have been running laps of my (flat ) field, so no on lookers, and basically no wind ( huge hedges around it) I decided I really needed to brave the outside world finally as a wannabe runner so headed off to a local park, it was windy, and the final stretch was uphill but really happy to finish the 25 mins. I used to run as a teenager but literally have not run for more than 30 years.
Desperately need some headphones as obviously couldn’t have my music blaring out of my phone in a public place.

Yep much better this morning before breakfast again

I need some encouragement but not sure what I’m looking for. Just back from week 8 run 2. I’m finding it so hard. I’m so heavy (229lbs at 5’8’’). It makes it so hard. I’m not hardcore dieting but we don’t drink and have a few snacks. Usually on a Saturday night. I’m vegan but eat eggs sometimes (as otherwise theskin of the mouth deteriorates - yes really! It’s the lysine I think). We eat a lot of veg but I can’t shift it. I sit down at work (From home) and in the evening I sit down to keep dp company- he had a massive stroke in February.

I’m going to have to diet aren’t I?

Sorry my point is that I’m not enjoying the running much. I used to love it. And it’s my chance to get out too. I think it’s the weight as it makes it so hard.

Hi still dumdeduming. I'm sorry to hear about your dh stroke. Maybe try a different excersize if it isn't for you at the moment. Swimming is easy on the joints if you're overweight.

I'm in the same boat @StillDumDeDumming. I've overweight, and 56, and sooooo slow. 5k is not an achievable target for me. I went out Thursday morning and gave up half way through as I'd jolted my knee. I'm going to try again next week, jogging for 35mins and see how I feel after that.

Hi, checking in from quite a break. I'd done W8R2 (snap @StillDumDeDumming !) but then got waylaid by ill health and the weather.

I started again at week 6 and took it really easy. A couple of W6R1s, then I added the warmdown 5 mins too, and yesterday I ran for 30 mins solid for the first time (W6R3 plus warmdown time). I'm so happy.

My plan is to do one or two more 25-28 min runs then take up the programme from W8R3 again.

I think I really struggled to transition to the solid runs. Stilldumdedumming I think if you have to keep the intervals going a bit longer then do so. A handful of minutes' walking in the middle don't undo any of the good you are doing in the minutes you run.

@Kashtan really well done. Going out "in public" is a big milestone.