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!

Me too, @CarlottaValdez, it's a revelation that I wish I'd discovered years ago. (I'm late forties!) I was actually a bit disappointed that today wasn't a run day!

Well done everyone. Sounds like good progress is happening. (In running at least if not in getting dressed! ) I managed week 5 run 2 yesterday so working up to the big one tomorrow- just trying to plan a route that is as flat as possible.

Can I ask what trackers you are all using for your stats? My fit bit is on its last legs and I'm trying to decide if it's worth spending a bit more on a garmin.

I use a Fitbit charge 4 and am pretty happy with it! I also track on Nike Run Club and they tend to agree on distance but Fitbit claims I’ve burned a lot more calories than NRC does.

@SallyMcNally just wanted to wish you luck for W5r3. Once you get going it will be fine.. it sounds a lot worse than it is and the feeling you get when you complete it is well worth all the angst!
Please report back!!

I use my fitbit charge 2. I think it definitely overestimates calories burned but it measures the distance with my phone's GPS, which I think is accurate enough. I just press the "run" function at the end of my warm up walk and stop it at the end of the run.

Yes, good luck @SallyMcNally. You've got this!

Oh yes really good luck for your big run! I thought it was impossible then I just kept going. It was like a magic trick. I think the second 5 minutes were the worst then after that I’d hit my stride!

Just did Week 7 Run 2. It was hard work today, for some reason.

I got through it but I was slightly slower than on W7R1, although still faster than W6R3. My heart rate was in the "peak" zone for most of the run, and I developed a bit of a stomach cramp! I'm on my period at the moment, so that might have something to do with it having been so hard!

Not quite as satisfying as the other day, but I'm just glad that I managed to complete it! How is everyone else doing?

Well done for completing it! I think there’s loads of things that can affect performance, it’s odd how it sometimes just doesn’t feel right.

It’s a rest day for me today but I’m going to tackle w6, r2 tomorrow so that’s the last interval run! Feels very weird

Good luck with the run today @SallyMcNally you’ve got this!
I use an Apple Watch and then download my workout to Strava. It seems pretty accurate so far.
@AlexaShutUp my week 7 run 2 was a total flop for some reason I just couldn’t get my breathing right. But my run 3 was much better. I think sometimes it's just an off day. Off to do week 8 run 1 this morning!

Good luck Sally!

I did the last interval run this morning and feel a bit cut loose now!

Thanks so much for all the good wishes everyone! It's quite overwhelming really- wasn't expecting this much love!

I'm back from my fun now and I have to say it was surprisingly fine! Think I could
even have gone a bit further (although I was happy to stop!) I guess you do just have to trust in the programme.

According to Strava on my phone I was doing 7.25 km/s which would make a 36 minute 5k. Not sure I'll quite manage to speed up enough to manage it in 30mins but will be interesting to see if that improves.

@AlexaShutUp well done on your run today as well- I definitely find exercise harder when I'm on my period. It always seems to make things more of a struggle!

Well done on your run Carlotta! Is it just all long runs from now on then? I really should look at the rest of the programme!

Good luck everyone who is running today. Sure you will all smash it!

Yay! Well done, it’s such a great feeling to have done it isn’t it?

Yes it’s all long runs now. 25 minutes for the next 4 runs then 28 then 30. That seems a good pace to me. I did 8’11 looking at my phone’s records. Today I did more like 7’46 per km on the run sections as I wasn’t as scared!

W5R2 tonight. The big one is on Friday!

Week 7 run 2 done. No idea how far it is.. ifs hard enough coordinating my playlist with Michaels words of encouragement at the start of each run.

Good luck for the big run @EsmeShelby . You can do it!

I did week 6 run 3 this morning - beauty weather for it. I’m still so slow but I’m ok with that!

Good luck Esme!

Good luck @EsmeShelby, you can do it!

Well done @wizzler and @CarlottaValdez for completing your runs. I was supposed to do W7 R3 yesterday, but teen dd was really stressed and needed to talk for an extended period. It was just too late by the time we had finished, so I'll be off out this evening instead!

I’m looking forward to trying to run the whole 5k in a few weeks. At the moment 25 minutes plus 5 minutes walk at the start is taking me to about 3.5k. I think that’s what I’ll do after the programme is finished - I’ll run the 30 minutes then try to add a bit each week until I’m running the whole route.

Good luck to everyone running over the weekend.
I’ve just done week 8 run 2. I’m thinking of doing the same @CarlottaValdez maybe adding 2/3 minutes every week.

Did W7 R3 earlier. I was quite slow today, but I finished it. I might try adding a couple of minutes on to my runs each time when I've finished, too - good plan.

I believe that park runs will be starting again in June, so my target is to be able to go and do a 5k run in a not too shameful time by then!

Just home from w7 run 3. I am no where near 5 k but think your suggestion is a good one @AlexaShutUp .

For the moment I'm concentrating on running for the 25 mins.. and continuing to be amazed that I can do this!

@EsmeShelby how did it go?

Well done @wizzler for completing week 7. We're at exactly the same point in the programme. I'm still amazed at being able to run for 25 mins too. It feels like such an achievement! Up to 28 mins on the next run!

Hope your big run went well @EsmeShelby. It's such a turning point in the programme. I'd have never thought it was achievable until I actually did it.

I did the 20 minute run! And it wasn't too hard! I am very pleased with myself.