Starting couch to 5K tomorrow morning - anyone want to join?

[BlueberryPancakes17]

After faffing about and putting it off for ages I’ve decided I’m starting couch to 5K tomorrow morning.

I find myself 2 years since my daughter was born, about 4 stone overweight and out of breath when I run up the stairs so desperately need to do something to increase my fitness.

Has anyone started the couch to 5K? How did you find it? Anyone fancy joining?

Just found this thread can I join?? I'm mid way through week 4, run 3 to do tomorrow. which means I am then only a week away from that big 20 min milestone. I covered 4.2km in the 32 mins last week so I'm hoping to be able to do some of the later runs where it is just one long run at ParkRun even if I have to use the walk time beginning and/or end to make up to 5km. Having other people still around me will hopefully spur me on where I am more likely to give up if it gets a bit uncomfortable when on my own.

@Furball I don't think I could run now without Jo Whiley telling me what to do. Definitely not going to be one of those people who can just do intervals on their watch or something.

I’ve had a week off running due to a fall off my bike last week - no biggie but left me a bit bruised and sore! Back to it tomorrow which I suspect may be tough 😬 think I will go backwards a little to w6 r1

I’m just running for pleasure now. I try to do a 5k at the weekend, and then 2-3km once during the week.

I found dropping down to 2 runs a week rather than 3 made my 5km at the weekend easier.

I also do one weights/strength training session during the week.

I recommend the guided runs on Nike Run Club app for people who have finished C25k and feel they still want some support. It’s a really good app.

Yes week 1 was a must! As others have said it’s the getting out that’s the worst bit.

@TeresaCrowd - Yes Jo Whiley deffo a help

I like Sarah millican personally!
I started at W1 again this time even though I was tubing half a marathons when I stopped. Defo needed to start at the beginning again tbh
W4R1 for me today in the torrential rain. Think I would've found it easier if it hadn't been raining tbf. Didn't feel too bad considering though!

Doing! Not sure where tubing came from!!

W4R3 for me today. Going to go round one of the local lakes after work. Runs near home are always along the roads so hoping this will be nicer.

I’m a Jo Whiley fan too!

For anyone who has completed the c25k but still wants someone in their ear to gee them along, try the Nike Run Club app. There’s loads of variations with different trainers. Some are interval some are continuous runs. They are all very American though so you have to be ok with lots of empowering chat!!

Re restarting - I restarted recently after a nearly 2year gap and went straight to week 3. Week 1 would have felt too easy and also it was too cold for all that walking! I had been doing other exercise in between though, so depends where you are.

Well done for going out in the rain bailar! Always puts me off 😬

Just seen Nike Run Club already recommended 🤦‍♀️ must learn to read properly!!

Thanks for all of the well wishes yesterday. I ran again this morning. I know I shouldn’t have ran 2 days in a row but I’ve got 2 days off as I had leave to use and I don’t often get time on a work day.

This morning I ran week 2 week 1 and it was tough but I’m glad I made the jump. Something I picked up from a few people on here was the idea of having extra little runs. I had a few little gallops during warm up as I wanted to get to the quiet, flat bit I like running along.

I have Denise as my coach. Love her.

I did it! I graduated today!!! W9 R3 completed.

Now on to the next challenge - keeping going and keeping on running. Can I make this a regular habit…?

Good luck everyone along the way!

Well done @Anewagain and @Passportpondery its great to hear the success and that the program does work.

I restarted from Week 1 and needed the gradual build up to reduce my injury niggles. I’ve now made parkrun part of my weekly routine again as now that’s my ‘fast’run, monday tends to be my trail with dog one and I do a third run on Thursdays. It’s really helped me to increase my overall fitness, I didn’t run today but did an hours dog walk before work getting 10,000 steps in before 9am which felt great. Good luck for those starting out.

@Anewagain well done! it's always great to hear people out the other side of it.

Despite being absolutely smothered with a cold I went out this morning to do W6D1 but I didn't manage to complete the 8 minute run in the middle, I'm hoping it's only because I feel rotten.

Has anyone else not managed to stick it out to the end of the running period? What do you do for your next one? Do the same one again until you manage to do it properly? I don't like the idea of not progressing.

I feel like i need to go and lie down now...

@Spirini be kind to yourself sometimes you just need a rest or walk instead if feeling under the weather. I’d repeat if you feel you need to that run or just carry on if feeling better. My runs don’t often go to plan. I had to walk 3x in the first 10mins this morning as I felt crap with an achy leg/hip, but then I carried onto to get 5k once I’d stretched again mid run. Hope you feel better soon.

If you read back through my posts you will see I struggled a lot in the middle.

I ended up coming off the programme as I was finding it disheartening at times.

I started planning a 4k route and just aiming to run as much as possible; but to let myself walk if I needed. Then over a few weeks I built up to the point I could run 5k without stopping. I found I needed to slow right down!

Thank you @Spirini @Winter645Mermaid and @Passportpondery

Each run can be very different for me - sometimes they feel much harder than others. Sounds like you need a day or two to recover from your cold too @Spirini That is bound to have had an impact.

You’ve done so well @Passportpondery and encouraging to hear how you’ve continued to progress.

I’m aiming to do my first post C25K run today. I’ll take stock after Easter but for now my main aim is to keep running regularly so that’s probably 3x a week. I’d like to get faster as I’m super slow and I’ve read that means increasing distance but I’m worried about overcommitting time wise.

W4R2 today. Was fine and nice not to be in the torrential rain or snow. However I've had a v stressful week at work so found it difficult to switch off on this run

Well done everyone! Congratulations on completing Anewagain!

W6 r2 today. I couldn’t complete this run last Weds, then had a bike prang on Thurs and had to miss several runs. Went backwards to w6 r1 and managed both that and w6 r2 today.

However w6 r2 was a real struggle again, got shoulder and rib pain towards the end so I may keep repeating w6 r1 and 2 for a bit before I attempt the leap to 25 min solid running at w6 r3!!

Spirini in your shoes I would probably repeat that run until I’d done it “by the book” as I like ticking things off … but if you prefer to progress and your cold is better then no reason not to move to the next run and call this one a blip. Up to you!

W5R1 ticked off today. The longer walk breaks made it feel easier than week 4. 1 more run then the big 20 minute milestone. I think I’ve found a pace I can job and chat at, so hoping if I start at that I will make it through!

Hi all
Great to read this thread and gain advice and see so much perseverance. I am going to do Week 4 - run 3 ( again) today. I had 6 days off - so wanted to revise a bit before moving on.
I am running on treadmill- as it’s less impact ( more so for my pelvic floor than joints 🙈) and can be done with weans in another room.
Very novel- I have not properly exercised since pre-kids and caring responsibilities took over. For me the hard part is carving that time out. It feels embarrassing even.

@AnnaBlush dont feel guilty taking 30mins 3x a week for You! It will make you a better parent in the long run if you are physically and mental fit. I was at my fittest after I had my 2nd DD as once she hit 3mths I used to do 25mins of Hitt when she napped or sat in her buggy laughing at me 😂i actually miss having that time and energy to do it, she’s now 12 and it’s a lot harder…

Hey everyone, can I join? Tried c25k pre covid but it was the middle of summer, roasting hot and it nearly killed me. Didn't get further than week 3 or something.

But this time I'd really like to succeed- I don't care how long it takes me. I'm v slow, v unfit, fatter than I'd like to be and I'm pretty sure I'm peri menopausal.

Week 1, run 1 completed today with my 10yo.

Good luck @FrazzledFirefly ! Stick with it and it really does work.

Im heading out for my weekend 5k soon. Meeting a friend to run which really helps me keep going. I also feel less guilty if we do need a walk break as we get a good chat and to enjoy each others company too. Running alone I get quite fixed on checking my watch for pace and time which is daft!

Thanks @Winter645Mermaid . Trying to remind myself of that. Sometimes I find it ‘easier’ to get up at 5.30 - so it’s done before the day starts.
Also it’s cooler then ( although room I run in is unheated ).
Kinda enjoyed Week4 Run 3 again yesterday