Current couch to 5k friends?

[PurpleDaisies]

I’ve done this before but due to getting covid and an injury, I’m having another go to get back into running. Just done my first run (I thought week 4 might be roughly the right place to start) and remembered why I both love and hate running!

Anyone else interested in some motivational chat? I’m guessing lots might start in Jan but I’m trying to get ahead of the game!

Back out today. Really struggled tbh

Do it, @SantaHat! Do it do it do it! Honestly, I've done two now and I came home buzzing both times: such a lovely friendly atmosphere. You don't actually need to book, though: just register once on the website and then once you've got a barcode you just take it along on the day to any park run you feel like doing.

Well done everyone, for keeping at it. I've got W6R2 to look forward to first thing tomorrow morning.

I had a few days off and had to absolutely force myself out this morning for week 8 run 1. It felt very hard for the first half and I really had to push to keep going. The drizzle didn’t help. Still, was amazed to get to the end without keeling over and I finally got past the point I’ve been trying to reach for a couple of weeks so that felt like a big achievement.
Off for a proper stretch now.

Keep at it everyone!

Thanks @januarysnowdrop

I’m making such slow progress I had been thinking of signing up for this 1 mile option at the Velopark. What do you think?
www.runthrough.co.uk/event/chase-the-sun-lee-valley-velopark-april-2022/

And well done @PurpleDaisies that IS a huge achievement! Fabulous!

In other running conversations, has anybody else read “Eat Drink Run” by Bryony Gordon? I thought I’d find it inspiring but weirdly I’m finding it the opposite.

I did W6R2 again today, almost talked myself out of running so decided to repeat last run than not do the W6R3 25 minute run. Weather awful here - wind, rain, sleet...

But I DID IT and I blinking loved it again. Stretching now then shower and back to work.

@SantaHat I haven’t heard about that book but I’ve just checked and my local library has it on the shelf. I’ll pick up a copy. I’m currently at the start of “I am Pilgrim” which is enormous so I can’t promise I’ll be starting very quickly!

Well done @BrinksmansEntry. Sound like the weather was rubbish for you too. We should feel like heroes for running in the rain! Now all the runs are long ones, I’m finding I’m really missing the shorter bursts with walking in the middle. Once I’m done (next week maybe?!!) I think I’m going to do more runs like that.

I definitely think most of the battle for me with running is just deciding to get out and do it.

Well done @BrinksmansEntry & @PurpleDaisies! I know what you mean about just having to get out there: I've forced myself to go out, first thing in the morning every other day absolutely without fail: I almost wonder whether if I ever missed a day I'd somehow jinx my progress. I've been quite lucky with the weather, though: we've had very few rainy mornings over the last 6 weeks, thank goodness. I do love running while listening to music: I've never really tried it before & it makes such a difference. Did W6R2 this morning and genuinely enjoyed it.

I did 7k non stop today 😁

Are you doing couch25k @alwayswrighty? It sounds like you’re there already!

I did week 8 run 2. I sort of enjoyed it. I went somewhere new and although it was flatter, there were lots of people around so that cancelled it out. I was surprised that my time per km this time was almost exactly the same. My usual run is much faster in the second half because it’s down hill. I really actually missed the hills and it was much more boring on the flat. Perhaps I’ll rethink the route around that area to add some more variety. One more to go this week then it’s the last week. I can’t believe it.

How’s everyone getting on?

I’m heading out shortly to do w6r2… I’ve had a few days off because it’s been my birthday and whatnot so I’ve indulged a little 🙈
Hopefully it’ll be a steady one.

Happy birthday @WeAllLikeVindaloo. Hope it was a good one.

I’ve had quite a few weeks where I’ve ended up taking a few extra rest days. I’ve only done three runs a week a few times. Twice a week is much more realistic for me and I’m sure that’s where I’ll end up long term. I’ve been pleasantly surprised when I’ve gone back to it after a few days off and been faster than I’ve expected although Denise Lewis always tells me it’s about distance not pace. I trust her!

I'm having an extra rest day today because I want to go to the Park Run tomorrow. I was wondering whether I could just count that as W6R3 but I think Instead I'll do W6R3 on Monday. Does everyone else use a tracker to work out far you're going & chart you heart rate etc? I've used these in the past but I haven't bothered with any of that this time & I'm finding it weirdly liberating.

Belated happy birthday @WeAllLikeVindaloo! @PurpleDaisies you're nearly there!! Very impressive!

@PurpleDaisies no I've been injured lately and I'm really struggling but I've signed up for a 10 miler in October so I'm trying pick pick up distance but I see you all doing so well and it spurs me on.

[quote alwayswrighty]@PurpleDaisies no I've been injured lately and I'm really struggling but I've signed up for a 10 miler in October so I'm trying pick pick up distance but I see you all doing so well and it spurs me on.[/quote]
Ah, that makes sense! I was amazed that you were already at such long distances. I was also injured and hadn’t run in a long time. I started at week 4 which was about right-a good challenge but doable. Do you just run or have you used a 5k to 10K app? That’s what I’m planing when I finish this.

Does everyone else use a tracker to work out far you're going & chart you heart rate etc?

I’ve got a Fitbit. I’ve found it really encouraging in that on the runs where I’ve felt super slow, I’ve been faster than expected and I can see a huge improvement in how far I can run. I think once the programme is finished, I won’t use it all the time. I’ll most likely end up with several runs I know how far they are (and how hilly!) so I can pick the right one for the day.

I did W6R3 this morning and managed to beat the bad weather. It was the 25 minute non stop run, and I enjoyed it, definitely felt like I could run for longer but knew I'd put in effort.

I've got a garmin but don't check anything apart from time, occasionally, when I'm out. I used to look at it more but I got into all sorts of stresses trying to run faster or beat splits. I just want to enjoy my running now so I just record the run and look at the stats once I've finished.

@PurpleDaisies tbh I just run and slowly extend distance. I'm not really worried about time, just want to get round 🤣

Just recording today's W7R2 - nearly talked myself out of it again as I was tired. First 10 minutes tough but realised it always is because its uphill, so I have downhill to enjoy on the way home!

Well done @BrinksmansEntry. My regular run is the same-about 18 minutes of uphill and whatever’s left for the way back. I did one on the flat the other day and I really missed the boost at the end.

I finished week 8 yesterday so it’s a rest day for me. The weather was so grim that my trainers are still wet!

Just been told my injury is actually plantar fasciitis so if anyone has tips...

So I just had to repeat w6r2… as it’s the first time I’ve ran in nearly a week! Back on it now I promise… think I’ve just been avoiding the 25 minute run, but the weather has been pretty poor!

I'm due to do W7R2 tomorrow morning but I'm not at all sure about Storm Eunice! Running in high winds really doesn't appeal.

I’m also in the storm Eunice area. I think I’ll be taking an extra rest day!

Sorry about your plantar fasciitis. That’s really miserable @alwayswrighty. My friend had steroid injections that helped. Not that fun to have done but worth it apparently.

Stay safe in the storm everyone!

Can I join please? I was an another thread but it's taking me so long to get through couch to 5k that everyone else was whizzing past me. I started last March but have only just done W6R3 - I must be breaking records for longest time ever taken to complete the 9 weeks!

I injured myself in week 3 when I first started, so had time off the recover, started again and got a different injury in week 4, more time off and several physio appointments and started again nervously with 2 weeks of less running than week 1. Reached week 4 again and slightly aggravated my 2nd injury. After a break, on physio advice I went back to week 3 and have been taking things v slowly - only running twice a week and am doing each week of the programme twice, so it takes 3 actual weeks.

So far it's working! I finally got past week 4, did the dreaded W5R3, and this week did W6R3 and felt fairly good doing it. I'll be doing it once more before moving on to week 7.

Hope everyone stayed safe in the storm!

Everyone’s welcome @RichardMarxisinnocent. It sounds like you’re doing really well.

There are a lot of trees down here and it was definitely the right decision to take an extra rest day today. I’m supposed to be doing week 9 run 1 today but I’m not feeling very motivated. Caffeine first and we’ll see!