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!

W4R2, I covered a bit more ground/went faster today so I was very pleased with myself.

Yay, well done @EsmeShelby! You're obviously picking up the pace!

I’m off out for an early one shortly - w5 r1. Is anyone else struggling to know what to wear? I just can’t bring myself to go out with my arse not covered/ just in leggings and a top. I’ve got a sort of cotton tunic that I think will work ok today. Until know I’ve been running with a coat on as it’s been so cold but really regretted it last week!

I skipped my run yesterday as I wasn't feeling great, but managed to get out today and finished Week 6 Run 3. 25 mins without stopping - I'm so impressed with myself!

I'm still a long way off 5k, because my pace is really slow, but I'm not really bothered by that just yet. Just glad that I'm able to keep going tbh! How is everyone else getting on?

I just w5 r2 - the 8 minute blocks.

I found it pretty hard but I did it! On the being off 5k, I’ve been walking the rest to make it up to 5k just to get used to the distance. At this point I finish the C25k session at about 2.75k or so. Then I try to keep my heart rate up as I finish the loop.

Well done @CarlottaValdez! It's the big one for you next, how are you feeling about it? Don't worry if you don't think you're ready, I didn't either, but somehow I did it!

Good thinking re finishing the 5k with a walk. I actually do quite a lot of long, uphill walks with my teenage dd, who goes at quite a fast pace, so I'm pretty used to covering the distance at a brisk walk. I just find the running so much harder.

My next 3 runs in week 7 are all the same length as the one that I did yesterday - 25 mins each - so my plan is to see if I can get a little bit further each time. Baby steps!

Yes it’s the big one next indeed. I’m properly nervous. I hope I don’t sound stupid but honestly reading your progress is a big part of me going for it though! All I can do is try and if I don’t make it I’ll repeat the run before a couple of times and then try again.

I’m like you on the walking, I walked loads prior to starting this so I think that helps a bit. I try to really keep the pace up and that way it’s a bit less terrifying to run more of it!

That has actually made my day @CarlottaValdez. I'm so glad that my struggle journey has helped you. I do genuinely believe that, if I can do it, anyone can!

The way I approached W5 R5 was to think that, even if I gave up after 10 mins, that would still be longer than I had ever run before, and so it would still be an achievement. As it turned out, I found I was able to keep going for the whole 20mins. It truly is as much a psychological challenge as it is a physical one, especially if you remember to keep the pace slow. Just have faith in the programme and in yourself - you've got this!

I’ll report back Friday and let you know! 😬

@CarlottaValdez .. be confident. Trust the programme. When I did W5r3 last week I did a special bouncy playlist ( ELO , Pet Shop Boys, ABC )... And this definitely helped. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you've done the previous runs you will ace this one

Bouncy playlist is a good call. Alternatively, what has really helped me is listening to audio books or podcasts while I'm running. If I listen to music, I still focus too much on the running and then on how tired I'm feeling, but with an audio book, I can focus on the content, which is a great distraction!

I'm a bit late but can I join you all? I did my last week 4 run this morning and so will start week 5 probably on Saturday.

Would be good to have a bit of motivation. Also a big intimidated by how fast it's stepping up.

Hi @SallyMcNally, and welcome! Well done for completing week 4. Week 5 is a bit intimidating, but we all felt that and managed anyway, so I'm sure you will be fine!

Well done on the 25 minute run @AlexaShutUp 👏. I had a terrible run last Sunday doing wk7r2 had to stop a couple of times to get my breath. I think it was just one of those days. Had my tooth removal on Monday and my face is all swollen and bruised so I’m holding out a little longer before running again but I’ve been walking everyday. Will try and get out again by Sunday and hope I can still do the 25 mins! I’m covering about 2.8km in the 25mins so I’m going really slow but I just want to get my stamina first and then I’ll work on speed.

Welcome @SallyMcNally and good luck with week 5.

Thanks @Dancingalong, sorry to hear that you had a bad run. It's bound to happen sometimes, so don't get disheartened!

I was planning to do W7 R1 today, and I was actually really looking forward to it yesterday - can't believe that I was actually a bit sad that it wasn't a run day! However, I had to postpone it in the end as I was really ill in the night and felt totally washed out today. Hoping that I'll be ok to get out tomorrow, but I'll see how I feel. I barely made it off the sofa today!

Week 5 done!!!

I honestly would not have believed that was possible! I thought I was pretty much at my limit doing 8 minutes on Wednesday but I just kept going and somehow it happened. I’m so pleased! Thanks so much for the support on this thread it’s made so much difference.

Fantastic @CarlottaValdez . Well done

Well done @CarlottaValdez, that's amazing!!!

It was funny because I walked out the door and my Fitbit immediately buzzed to say I was in “fat burn” zone. I was nervous my heart rate was up before I even started!

Had a few days off after being poorly last week, but I finally made it out on W7 R1 and I found it surprisingly easy - I'd have been quite happy to keep going at the end of the session!

Upped my pace a little too - still very slow but I managed 3.1km in the 25mins today, compared to 2.68km on W6 R3. Still a long way to go before I can do 5k in only 30mins though! I'll keep working on it though.

How is everyone else doing?

That’s great @Dancingalong well done!

I’m back today after just over a week off, just done week 7 run 3, I was a bit worried after not running for more than a week but it went really well, I felt like I could have continued. I covered 2.8km today.

Hello all! I did week 6, run 1 today.

I covered 3.8km in just over 30 minutes (including the warm up and warm down) last week on the 20 minute run. So also a way off!

I always do a full 5k by walking straight after and my record time for that is 47 minutes. I can’t see me getting it down to 30 really. I vaguely have 35 in my head as a goal.

@AlexaShutUp I've just done W7R1 too. It went really well,I managed to keep going without too much difficulty, there were no random people lurking that I had to avoid. I almost felt like a proper runner. Then I realised my leggings were in inside out !!

Then I realised my leggings were in inside out!!

That's really funny @wizzler! Well done for getting W7R1 done though, sounds like you had a really good run.

Well done @CarlottaValdez too, it sounds like you're making great progress!

I’m really starting to enjoy the progress. I can’t emphasise enough how surprised I am, I have never enjoyed exercise in my life and I’m 41.