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Original poster

Does anyone fancy a C25K thread, starting on 2nd or 3rd Jan?

299 replies

hivemindneeded · 31/12/2021 16:10

I'd love to get back into running now that I've fully recovered from an injury. No one I know wants to do it with me Grin so I think I'll download C25K and start in Jan.

Anyone know which is the best app? Last time I tried, the app kept getting ads on it which wrecked the timings. I want to avoid that if possible.

Any takers?

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17
WolfMother326 · 31/01/2022 08:30

Well done everyone!

I finished week 3 this weekend. It was the first time I've been able to complete all 3 runs in one week since starting (because my partner took the baby). I have childcare today so hoping to do week 4 run 1, even though i just ran yesterday I feel ok. Will take 2 or 3 rest days next.

@rubymaster maybe try some dynamic stretches? Like leg swings and rotations. I feel much more warmed up since trying them instead of static stretches.

BedsorestoaSloth · 31/01/2022 09:20

I've just got back from W3 R3 - thanks so much for this thread, it is helping. I found R2 tough going but today was much better. Will see how the step to W4 is...

I'm doing this to get fit but I did weigh myself at the start and then again today - and I'm a bit dismayed to discover I've put on 4 pounds! I'm not dieting so definitely didn't expect the weight to have fallen off or anything but hadn't really expected this. I know sporadic weighing isn't necessarily that accurate a guide but just a bit depressing given I definitely feel a bit fitter already Confused

heywhatswrongwitu · 31/01/2022 13:00

@WolfMother326 @BedsorestoaSloth Well done! Me too - did w3r3 this morning and drove to a lake to run somewhere different which was great. I'm going to start w4 tomorrow (5 minutes?!!) - other week days I just can't get out so I'm going to try two runs in a row and hopefully will be ok physically.

PurpleDaisies · 31/01/2022 15:03

Loads of people finishing weeks-really well done everyone! I’m taking an extra rest day today but will be out tomorrow.

A friend is trying to convince me to sign up for a 10K with her mid June and I’m trying to decide if that’s a realistic aim given I still can’t run 5k (but hopefully will in two weeks…crazy!). I might put her off until then and see. I’m liking the structure of the c25k programme and it would be good to think about what to do when it’s done now that’s actually in sight.

WolfMother326 · 31/01/2022 18:22

@purpledaisies that would make me nervous too, but 10k isn't too bad once you are consistently running 5ks, from past experience.

@heywhatswrongwitu good luck on the double run days. I found it ok, exciting to be in week 4!

Does anyone fancy a C25K thread, starting on 2nd or 3rd Jan?
Jfw82 · 31/01/2022 19:06

Did W5R2 this morning - 2 x 8 mins
First one was hard but second one much better though I'm not convinced my run is really any fast let than my brisk walk Grin

Can't imagine completing run 3 and 20 minutes but surprised myself today so am optimistic. I do think even by week 9 will be a while before I hit 5k unless I speed up quite a bit

heywhatswrongwitu · 01/02/2022 10:05

@WolfMother326 I did w4r1 this morning and found it ok too thank goodness. Actually semi enjoyed the longer runs..??
@Jfw82 judging by Strava, my 'running' is a lot slower than my walking too.
I'll be doing my next run on Saturday.

PurpleDaisies · 01/02/2022 12:01

Week 7 run 2 done for me today. We’re making such great progress. I’m loving the encouragement on this thread.

I had horrible heavy legs at the start today. Seemed to take an eternity to get going but eventually I got into it. Probably didn’t help that the route I’d chosen (why?!!!) had a bloody massive hill. Still, by the end I was really enjoying it. Friday will be week 7 done.

@WolfMother326 I’ve signed up for the 10K. Slightly terrified but it’s ages away and I can always walk some if I need to. Thanks for the encouragement.

Jfw82 · 01/02/2022 18:52

Way to go @PurpleDaisies that's great! Good for you doing a hill. I'm sticking to my local park that has the odd slight incline but not much more than that

PurpleDaisies · 01/02/2022 19:40

Thank you jfw82! Where we live is all hills so it’s either drive to run or get used to them. A friend says apparently it’s the best way to build fitness quickly but I’ve still got a bit of a love hate relationship with them. Hate uphill, love downhill!

PurpleDaisies · 04/02/2022 11:25

How’s everyone getting on this week? I think this is the first one in ages where I’ve actually managed all three runs and I’ve completed week 7. Today’s felt hard and it was definitely mind over matter for most of it. I managed a little sprint to the end. I didn’t quite make it back to my target location but hopefully I’ll get it next time.

Roll on week 8. I realised this morning that means only six runs to go. Crazy!

heywhatswrongwitu · 04/02/2022 14:15

We'll done @PurpleDaisies you're so close to completing!! I'm doing w4r2 tomorrow - I treated myself to some actual running trainers so I'm feeling like a proper runner now

everyonesmom · 04/02/2022 14:28

Finished week 5 today. Hardest but most satisfying week yet and feel like todays run showed me the program really does work.

Jfw82 · 04/02/2022 17:56

Did week 6R1 today which felt easy compared to W5R3 (where as expected my run was barely quicker than if I had walked Grin) am apprehensive that after W6R2 it's all running all the time but then managed the 20 mins so hopefully will manage when the time goes up

Good to see people still plugging on have to say I'm hoping it gets warmer as don't enjoy the chilly warm up walks

Jfw82 · 06/02/2022 11:56

@heywhatswrongwitu how did you get in with your new running trainers? I know for me they really made a difference esp as I tend to roll out on my ankles

@PurpleDaisies I've one run left of week 6 now and am worried that from now on it's long runs only with no breaks at all- how have you found it?

TwinkleToesStrikesAgain · 06/02/2022 12:16

I start week 7 today - wishing it wasn't quite as windy.

Does anyone listen to podcasts instead of music? I like the beat of music to coordinate my pace but I'm wondering if a story would pass the time better and take my mind off how far it seems?

Jfw82 · 06/02/2022 12:47

@TwinkleToesStrikesAgain I don't do podcasts but listen to audio books and so enjoy listening to a story sometimes keep walking extra after so I can listen to a bit more!

TwinkleToesStrikesAgain · 06/02/2022 13:31

@Jfw82 I know what you mean about audio books- I've listened to 15 books over the last few years and really look forward to a walk with a book (I often do the same 1 hour walk around the village abs I find a book helps relieve the monotony). And yes, I was wondering if a good book would hold my attention so I'd keep on running and not look forward to the voice telling me I can start walking now... Grin

PurpleDaisies · 07/02/2022 08:52

[quote Jfw82]@heywhatswrongwitu how did you get in with your new running trainers? I know for me they really made a difference esp as I tend to roll out on my ankles

@PurpleDaisies I've one run left of week 6 now and am worried that from now on it's long runs only with no breaks at all- how have you found it? [/quote]
I’m doing run 1 of week 8 later or tomorrow. I’ve found the longer runs absolutely fine although I’ve missed the shorter blasts with a recovery walk in the middle. Once the programme is over I might try mixing up what I’m doing by adding in some runs like that.

I went on a long walk this weekend and although I wasn’t running, I could definitely feel the benefit of being generally fitter going up the hills. I might take and extra recovery day after all the hills.

I can definitely feel it when my trainers are worn out. The right shoes makes a massive difference to me-I get hip pain otherwise.

I like the idea of running to podcasts but I’m going to wait until I’m running to my watch so Denise Lewis doesn’t interrupt!

Have a good running day those who are out there!

heywhatswrongwitu · 07/02/2022 10:32

@jfw82 they're miles better thanks - I didn't notice during the warm up but when I started running it was like I was wearing clouds! Just some relatively cheap ASICS.
@purpledaisies I live in a really hilly area too and have been avoiding hills so I've limited routes atm! Good on you for tackling them.

I went for a long (hilly) walk yesterday so having a rest today and trying not to feel guilty about it! Will finish week 4 tomorrow instead.

heywhatswrongwitu · 07/02/2022 10:34

Oh and I like listening to Adam Buxton's podcast (v funny) or indie/ rock music

BedsorestoaSloth · 07/02/2022 14:09

Almost at the same stage as you @heywhatswrongwitu I just finished week 4 today. If I'm really honest, even though I never actually admitted it to myself, I genuinely thought I'd bail after about 3 weeks so I am feeling really pleased to be looking at the week with the halfway mark in it. And slightly nervous that week 5 has a bit of a reputation! Guess we'll start finding out on Wednesday....

WolfMother326 · 09/02/2022 16:36

Hi all, I took almost a week off as i had family in town but today completed week 4 run 2. It felt a little more difficult but I got through it and am proud of that. Will aim to complete week 4 by the weekend!

heywhatswrongwitu · 09/02/2022 20:22

Well done @BedsorestoaSloth I haven't finished week 4 yet - I have another cold and have been for a couple of long walks so far this week instead. It's taking me ages to plod through C25K but I feel confident about picking it up again at the weekend - or possibly Friday morning.
So @WolfMother326 we'll be at about the same point too.

TwinkleToesStrikesAgain · 09/02/2022 20:50

I did w7r1 yesterday and I was slow again. But I didn't stop.... I do need to find something unenjoy listening to as that seems to make a real difference as to whether or not I enjoy it!