Couch to 5k - anyone on week 3?

[AlexaShutUp]

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!

Just keep going, it doesn't matter if you do week 3 for a month. You're getting out there, you're moving. I've done it before (took 11 weeks) a few years ago. Now i have two small kids time is more precious. I'm repeating runs as many as 4 times until myself and my running buddy are able to chat through the whole run more or less. We're just starting week 8 now and each increment feels huge and we nearly die the first time we do it then it gets a bit easier every time.

I just finished Week 4 Run 3, and I definitely found it easier today - same as run 3 last week. I'm impressed with how quickly stamina builds! I'm starting to really hope that the 20 run at the end of next week won't be beyond the realm of possibility!

How is everyone else getting on?

Went out to do week 5 run 2 today but had my 6 year old dd with me, and she couldn’t quite manage the longer runs so we broke them up a bit more and stayed out longer. I’ll give it another go tomorrow on my own.

Scheduled to start week 5 tomorrow and really hoping the 50/50 forecast of snow here isn't going to go against me! Cycled 25 miles yesterday and walked 10 miles today so my legs are really aching but I'm determined to finish this programme

I’m doing w4 first run tomorrow morning! I’m quite nervous which is silly as there’s nobody to see me fail if I do!

@CarlottaValdez I ve just done w4r2. There's two 5 minute runs,. I find at about 3 mins I'm flagging, but if I push on within 30 seconds I feel a lot better and manage to run to the end... so try to keep going is my advice.
I am constantly amazed how quickly stamina builds up to do a bit more every week

You won't fail, @CarlottaValdez. You can definitely do it if you just push on through!

@Blobby10, I'm supposed to be starting week 5 tomorrow as well, but also worried about the snow. I normally run in the evening, but wondering whether to try to get out early in the morning to try and beat the weather! Will decide in the morning. If I have to delay the run due to the snow, my plan is to do some sort of cardio workout at home to at least keep up the routine.

@Dancingalong, better luck with the solo run tomorrow!

Well done @wizzler, I found that too.You just have to force yourself to keep going, and somehow, you can do it. I found it much easier by Week 4 Run 3. I'm still a bit apprehensive about week 5 though!

@AlexaShutUp I’m the other way around! I run at 5am before work (and so no one else can see me) and it’s forecast a 60-80% chance of snow overnight and temps of -1 or -2 at 5am😳x

@Blobby10, totally get the bit about people not seeing you. I did the first two weeks at the crack of dawn for the same reason, but I found it so hard to motivate myself to get up and out, so now I wait till it's dark instead. I do see people occasionally, but thankfully nobody I know yet. (I have to walk a little bit first to get out of our immediate neighborhood!)

I think it might be difficult to run tomorrow if the weather doesn't cooperate. Will just have to push it back if that's the case, but I'd really rather crack on while I still have the momentum.

GadI found this thread. I’ve just finished week 4, although I cheated by running 2 mins /6 mins/4 mins. I just find the first run almost impossible as it always seems to set my asthma off, regardless of what I do. I’m thinking I should incorporate a longer warm up and have a 2 minute run as part of that before doing the “proper” session.

Ive done C25k before, about 8 years ago, so I know it does work and is manageable.... But just such a big jump to be running 20 minutes by the end of the week?????

Morning! Just off out to try week 4 in the snow!

Welcome @Saz12! A longer warm up does sound sensible for you, I hope it helps. And yy to being daunted by the idea of running 20 mins by the end of this week!

Well done for getting out despite the snow, @CarlottaValdez. How did you find the run?

We have tons of snow here, and I'm afraid it will be slippery, so going to have to put today's run on hold, unfortunately. I'll try to do some cardio at home instead.

Run went well! I managed to make it to the end. Found it much harder than week 3 but I guess that’s how you improve

Well done @CarlottaValdez !

Well done @CarlottaValdez - you did it! 🎉

I have just done a cardio workout instead today, as I don't want to risk injuring myself in the snow! Hoping this weather won't hang around for too long as I'm keen to stay on track.

I’m thinking of adding some strength training in between days - preferably something needing no equipment. Does anyone have anything they’d recommend?

*@CarlottaValdez * congrats on getting out! I'm gutted that not only did I not run this morning due to rubbish nights sleep (waking every hour for some reason) but its also snowing and forecast to do so until 9pm wednesday . So week 5 will have to wait until next week by which time my running muscles will have gone to mush and I will have to redo week 4 .

As far as strength training, I would recommend body weight exercises like box squats (or proper squats), press ups, sit ups or crunchies, lunges (raise your rear leg for additional difficulty), tricep dips, calf raises on step, doggie leg lifts, rear leg lifts, all those sorts of things. try 10 or 15 of each and you should soon notice some muscle definition appearing

@AlexaShutUp snow stopping running here too . And I was so enjoying it as well!

Thanks Blobby! That sounds like the sort of thing.

I’m sorry about the missed snow runs people. It’s not really settling where I am so it was a run in falling snow not attempting running through inches of it which would be a bit lethal.

I'm doing the beginners 30 day shred at the moment. It is definitely helping me to build my strength, @CarlottaValdez.

I'm gutted about the run, too @Blobby10. Definitely no running till Wednesday here at the earliest, and even then it'll depend on whether or not it's still icy. I think I'm going to try and go straight in with Week 5 Run 1 though, as the first one doesn't actually look that much harder than week 4. Might have to do that one a couple of times though, before graduating on to run 2. Don't worry, we're in this for the long haul and we'll get back on track!

AlexaShutUp I can't believe i'm getting depressed at not being able to run!! I hate running! 🤣🤣

I managed to get out in the snow this morning before it got too slippery and did week 5 run 2. Was very slow. Undecided whether to do run 3 next or do run 2 one more time. I’ll see how I feel, hoping to get out Wednesday evening depending on the snow ❄️

I've got WK4 R1 to do tomorrow. Wk3 was ok, just very cold and its snowing lightly here this week too so I'll see how I feel getting up tomorrow! I never want to go out, but am pleased with myself once I've finished. Just going very slowly as having tweaks of shin splints on top of building up slowly after blowing my knee two years ago and not being able to do anything since. I am VERY overweight but am just trying to get out there and slowly build up. I remember that the longer runs start soon which is worrying me...

I managed to get out!! Wk5 run 1 completed - and it felt easier than expected once the first five minute run ALL uphill was over 😁😁 apart from dodging a couple of slippery looking patches I managed to keep a decent cadence going which I was pleased about