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Original poster

Couch to 5k - anyone on week 3?

303 replies

AlexaShutUp · 30/01/2021 13:58

Hello all, just wondering if there are any fellow C25kers at about the same stage as me in the process, who would appreciate some mutual encouragement?

I've completed the second run of week 3. Found it very hard but manageable - I'm very out of shape. Last run of week 3 tomorrow and I'm already feeling anxious about the significant step up next week.

Anyone else on week 3 as well? I could use a buddy. Any positive stories from others who have gone past this stage would be good - especially from those who started the programme when they were very unfit/overweight. The last time I tried to do c25k I gave up at the start of week 3 because it felt too overwhelming, but this time, I'm determined to push on through.

Any tips/encouragement/company welcome!

OP posts:
teaandbiscuitsforme · 11/03/2021 10:33

Completed W4R2 - the wind is brutal here today!! I really thought I couldn't do it, I could barely put one foot in front of the other! It was a lot easier once I was in the more sheltered lanes. I thought it was me at first but I think the road I was on was a lot more exposed than I realised.

I found it quite tough compared to run 1 though. Not sure if it's lack of sleep with the wind last night! How much exercise do people tend to do on the rest days? I took the dog for a walk in a forest (probably about 2.5 miles), took the dog on a 5 mile bike ride and did a 25 min Les Mills stretching class. That's a lot of exercise for me (especially with lockdown!) but I don't think it's that much for most people?

wizzler · 11/03/2021 23:58

@teaandbiscuitsforme I run ( v slowly, more of a plod really) every other day. On the days in between I usually manage about 5 miles in total but that is just a couple of dog walks nothing strenuous. I find I need the break in between my run days for recovery!

kirinm · 12/03/2021 09:36

W4 R2 done. I am finding it much harder than I should be. My shins almost immediately hurt and my legs feel so heavy. I am wondering if I'm just too heavy.

I do find the second half of the run "easier".

teaandbiscuitsforme · 12/03/2021 14:21

@kirinm

W4 R2 done. I am finding it much harder than I should be. My shins almost immediately hurt and my legs feel so heavy. I am wondering if I'm just too heavy.

I do find the second half of the run "easier".

I feel like that. At the beginning of the run it seems really hard and I constantly question whether I'm actually just too fat to run. But then it gets easier at the end of the run. I'm hoping it's just a mental block and it'll go soon!
CarlottaValdez · 12/03/2021 14:37

I found week 4 very tough and didn’t feel ready for week 5 so I repeated the week. That worked well for me I think.

kirinm · 12/03/2021 14:50

I may have to consider re-doing week 4. Annoying as I've started C25K twice before now and only ever got to W4, R2! I was really hoping to be able to manage week 5 by now.

kirinm · 12/03/2021 14:51

@teaandbiscuitsforme I remember when I used to run regularly that the first 10 minutes of every run were always the hardest. I am going to hope that is the same sort of thing we've got going on now!

wizzler · 12/03/2021 15:46

W8 r3 done. Hurrah. Sad that in his words of encouragement Michael is preparing for our separation

Dancingalong · 12/03/2021 18:50

Week 9 run 2 done ✅ found it tough tonight. Going to do my final run on Monday. Can’t believe I’ll actually complete the programme. Planning to try and do 5K on Monday which I think will take me between 42-45 minutes.

CarlottaValdez · 12/03/2021 20:21

I’ve been walking after each run to make the distance up to 5k and my best time is 42 mins (25 mins running, walking the rest) so you might find you do it faster if you run the whole way.

CarlottaValdez · 12/03/2021 20:23

42.39 to be precise!

Dancingalong · 12/03/2021 21:34

I’d love to do it faster @CarlottaValdez but I’m so slow! Only covering 3.5k in my 30 minute runs, I don’t measure the 5 mins before and after. My first 5K will give me something to work from and hopefully improve on.

CarlottaValdez · 12/03/2021 21:39

I’m the same, not going to worry too much about speed until (fingers crossed!) I can run 5k without stopping. I can walk 5k in about 55 minutes so my running pace isn’t much faster! It’s definitely much more tiring though 😅

wizzler · 13/03/2021 00:13

My plan is to finish the 9 weeks before I start to think about completing 5k. I'm really really slow but delighted to be able to run for 28 mins without stopping.

You know in week 8 when the coach says that you can increase your speed if you feel comfortable.. does anyone actually do that?

kirinm · 13/03/2021 09:57

I attempted W4R3 this morning but I started late and knew that I didn't have the time to get the full run in before an appointment to have my covid vaccination. As a result it was half hearted so I'm going to have to do it again. Annoyed with myself as I really wanted to finish week 4 this week!

SylHellais · 13/03/2021 17:26

I think I’m just going to give up. I tried again on Friday and ended up walking a lot of it because my legs felt so heavy and tired. I come back feeling demoralised and knackered.

CarlottaValdez · 14/03/2021 07:16

I think it would be a shame to give up - could you try just briskly walking 5k for a couple of weeks and try again? I did walking for a month before I started as I was worried about my knees!

CarlottaValdez · 14/03/2021 07:35

Sorry if that patronising by the way. Just that it took me a long time to get into a place I was ready to try and I did lose some weight (although was still 5lbs into obese range when I started) and make sure I was pretty active generally first.

Uachtar · 14/03/2021 11:57

@kirinm don’t be mad at yourself, a shorter run is better than no run. I missed two runs this week due to being sick so only catching up w4r2 now and it is rotten and windy outside. Prioritising the habit is hard when life gets in the way but all movement is good!

Wish me luck hope I don’t get blown away 🌬

EsmeShelby · 14/03/2021 22:37

Today, I ran for 25 minutes. Very slow, but I can't quite believe that I managed it!

CarlottaValdez · 15/03/2021 07:27

Amazing Esme!

I can’t run today really as I’m in the office all day. As an alternative I’m getting off at a station about 5k from the office and walking it. I could run it I suppose but I’m just not quite at that level of confidence. Also I can’t imagine running with a laptop and change of clothes - would be too much I think.

teaandbiscuitsforme · 15/03/2021 13:28

I completed W4R3 today. Not sure whether to move onto w5 this week or repeat w4. W5R1 looks ok but not sure about runs 2&3!

kirinm · 15/03/2021 13:36

Well done @teaandbiscuitsforme ! You may as well try week 5 and see how you get on? That's what I'm going to do although given how hard I've found week 4, I'm not very optimistic.

Dancingalong · 15/03/2021 14:18

Well I did it, week 9 run 3! I decided to try and run for 5K for the last one and managed it in just over 44 minutes. Very slow but I’m absolutely delighted with it.
Honestly trust in the programme. That week 5 run 3 is daunting but I decided to just go for it and if I couldn’t manage it I’d try again.

kirinm · 15/03/2021 14:30

@Dancingalong

Well I did it, week 9 run 3! I decided to try and run for 5K for the last one and managed it in just over 44 minutes. Very slow but I’m absolutely delighted with it. Honestly trust in the programme. That week 5 run 3 is daunting but I decided to just go for it and if I couldn’t manage it I’d try again.
Well done 👏 👏