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 want to say, I love following this group! You are all doing amazing!

My manager loves to talk about how I used to talk about how nervous I was for the next week of couch to 5k back in lockdown 1.0 and now I'm out running half and full marathons.

You can all do it. I was full on office couch potato before I did couch to 5k and never stuck to any type of exercise. I've now been running 3-4 times every week as a minimum. I know running isn't for everyone but I really hope that you fall in love with it the way I have.

It's been a long road and it was not easy for a long time (now it's good to be able to do an easy run and also do training sessions which are hard) but it feels so good to get there.

Keep sharing your updates cause it's amazing!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

Wow thanks for the encouragement @Emmalou0607 Cant imagine that I’ll ever run a marathon and a few days late due to work commitments but… W3 completed today! 🙌
(W5 and a 20 minute run looms closer 🙈)

Well done those getting out there in these wintery conditions. Thanks @Emmalou0607 i alas was a HM runner in 2021, it’s scary how quickly you lose it with age and weight gain..but great to hear your energy still shining through.

I had to delay my planned run from this morning as the dog walk was an ice walk of slip n slide but I kept my run kit on from 6.30am just added a fleece for work calls. Lucky it stopped sleeting at lunchtime so I got W4 run 2 done. I added an extra 5min run at the end as my middle 5min run was mostly down hill so it felt easy, and I did most of the warm up at home with squats & lunges as it was too cold to walk! So I actually ran-walked 4k, in total but then collected the dog and did another 2k walk straight after. Starting to feel a-bit stronger but it’s really taking time to build up. Thinking of skipping run3 this week and doing week5 instead as once I’m warmed up my body feels like it can do more I’m just pacing myself to avoid aggravating my niggly hip injury.

Thanks for the support @Emmalou0607! I used to be a regular runner but not for 7 or 8 years now. I’ve always really enjoyed it and have been desperate to get back to running regularly for a long time. But the heavier you are the harder it is!! Hoping it’ll stick this time. Just finished another run - not quite week 4 yet but managed 3 very slow 4 minute runs. Think I might be ready to move on on Friday

I'm really encouraged to read everyone's updates - I still haven't managed to restart! I enjoyed doing C25K from March onwards but don't feel safe going out in the dark at the moment - DP only gets home at 6ish to look after the DC. Plus I'm terrified of breaking an ankle or something on the ice! I'm looking at gym memberships instead - I don't need anything fancy, just something with treadmills & exercise bikes so I could go early at the weekends. Actually a home treadmill or bike would be better but we just don't have the room!

Frustrated here that I can't get out for W3. It's been so icy and we've had more snow today that I don't dare go out. I have to wait till after work too so it's dark. Hope I can get out even for a slow careful run tomorrow.

W4 R1 completed here today and it was tough.

Whoop week4 ✔️ so pleased I’ve managed to build this back up again managing my niggly hip. I ran on the beach today even that had frost on it but the softer surface was so much kinder on my legs I didn’t get any shin cramp. I do prefer trail once I’m run-fit again much nicer on old joints. Week5 is crunch week as it really steps up but I’m excited too as I’m enjoying the buzz running gives.

Hope everyone else can get out running even going round your local grassy park when it’s frosty can be easier than icy pavements.

W4R1 complete! Didn’t think I’d be able to, but just kept it at a snails pace. Can worry about speed later!

W3R1 complete very very slowly as it's still icy. Might be going back to W1 though as my dd wants to join me. She came tonight but might benefit from those first two weeks.

Been lurking. 7 or 8 years ago I did c25k and got the bug and went all the way to a half marathon but then for a variety of reasons stopped and couldn’t get back into it.

I'm currently on Week 3, just did day 2 and it feels amazing I never thought I would run again! I was never a runner before 8 years ago and if I can do it most people can!

Such a good feeling even when it’s freezing cold outside I'm desperate to get out and run!

I’ve not made it out since Tuesday so hoping to do W4R2 tomorrow. Struggling with routine and the kids at the minute so hard to find time to go out.

@jputthekettleon its a fab feeling isn’t it. I was never a runner until I did C25K 5yrs ago but I utterly lost it a year ago, but going back to basics has really helped me and for the first time yesterday running on the beach I thought to myself ‘I can get this back’ - my goal is parkrun again at end of February- something I used to completely take for granted until I couldn’t do it.

@Passportpondery hope you can carve yourself some time out, it’s hard with young kids. I took up running just so I could squeeze it in, I used to do primary school drop and run for 20-30mins until we got a dog and she’s was one of the reasons I stopped as I lost that slot to dog walking! Now I just do both but that’s because my DDs are both at secondary school so start earlier, and I work at home more.

@WinterMermaid234 that’s so true about taking Park Run for granted. I aim to do it when I’ve completed and then build up in August do a 10k Brutal Run (Mud run). My kids are just getting to an age where it’s easier to fit the running in. Good luck with your Park Run in Feb

@Passportpondery what age are your kids? It is so hard to fit it in around them isn’t it? Mine are getting to slightly easier ages now they are 11 and almost 5 but they both have so many hobbies/play dates/birthday parties that I feel like I am just permanently in the car driving them places!

They are 3 and 5. Constantly driving them to activities or birthday parties too!

It will be easier once the nights get lighter but at the minute by the time DH gets in it’s too dark to go out and run (rural area, no street lights and country lanes with fast cars).

Those are quite tricky ages @Passportpondery. Too little to run with you, but too big to shove them both in a buggy and push them (although imagine the workout if you did!). Hopefully you can fit enough in now so that when the lighter nights finally arrive you’ll already be flying 🤞

Yes a tricky age @Passportpondery it’s easier once in school or they can be left at activities. One of my kids does a lot of sport so I used to run when they were old enough (8) to be left. I’m also lucky my DH likes to run alot so we share ‘slots’ between us, hope when the days get lighter you can find some time.

Week 4 run 2 done! Definitely feeling fitter, those 3 min sessions are easier now, and managed it extend it to do 3 x 2mins run/2mins walk at a faster pace.

Well done @sylv165

how are you getting on @BlueberryPancakes17 ?

Finally got round to week 4 run 2. It’s been nearly a week since I last got out and it felt really difficult today! I was counting down those 5 minutes!

I feel like i’m losing motivation to be honest. I’m an instant gain sort of person and I really wanted to be finding it easier by now!

I just can’t imagine ever been able to run for 20
minutes at a time!

Did W4 R2 today here too. The last 5 minute run was hard going.

Keep going if you can @Passportpondery it does work but you do need to keep doing min 2runs a week plus some strengthening stuff if you can’t do 3xruns. We all get crap runs, it makes the good ones feel better. If you can’t run go walk for half hour with a good podcast or music or silence as a parent to young kids it’s great head space. That’s 90 mins a week, I bet your partner gets 90mins a week to themselves??

I just got back from Week5 run 1, and really enjoyed it but I love being out on blue sky cold days. I shorten the first run to 4mins as warming up but made the third one 6mins and felt ok.

I walk a lot doing school runs etc and we did a family 3 mile walk yesterday.

I can get out once DH is home from work so I’m fine for evenings, but I live too rurally to run in the dark as there is no street lighting.

Great to read all the updates. Did wk 3 r 1 today and felt fine, other than numbnes s in 1 foot. Does anyone else get this? Any tips?