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Original poster

Anyone wanting to start C25K and needing motivation?

349 replies

CuriousMama · 03/04/2023 17:39

I've just done W1 R1 so am at the beginning. Anyone else want running friend/s? A couple of rl friends fancy doing it but I bet there's people here that have been thinking about it like I did for a while?
I know there's plenty on MN already doing it but want to chat with newbies like myself. Spur each other on 🏃‍♀️👟👟

OP posts:
thanksamillion · 10/04/2023 17:04

Hi can I join you? I'm looking to start this week having not run for 18 months due to long covid. I've been gradually improving and want to see if I can start running again. I figured C25K will give me a graduated path back in. I might need to repeat some weeks if it's feeling too much but we'll see.
Can I ask what app you're using? I did it before but it was about 10 years ago and I wondered if there are updated versions?

Original poster
CuriousMama · 10/04/2023 18:45

Well done everyone. I'm looking forward to getting back to running outside tomorrow.

@thanksamillion I just downloaded it off playstore?

OP posts:
Ellie1015 · 10/04/2023 18:52

DCINightingale · 10/04/2023 17:03

Amazing well done! How did you find it? It's not so bad once you are out is it, it's just getting going that is tough. When are you planning doing R2?

Show quote history

It was ok, don't think i would have managed more than one min runs bur didn't stop. Hopefully feeling fitter and ready to move on at end of week1. Plan to go again on Wed.

You've done really well to complete 4 weeks, well done! Hope wk5 goes ok.

DCINightingale · 10/04/2023 19:18

thanksamillion · 10/04/2023 17:04

Hi can I join you? I'm looking to start this week having not run for 18 months due to long covid. I've been gradually improving and want to see if I can start running again. I figured C25K will give me a graduated path back in. I might need to repeat some weeks if it's feeling too much but we'll see.
Can I ask what app you're using? I did it before but it was about 10 years ago and I wondered if there are updated versions?

Welcome! I got the app off the play store too. Can play spotify or podcasts alongside it and it either fades out or stops what you're listening to to make the announcements about what you need to do. Pretty straightforward. I hope your first run goes well!

Original poster
CuriousMama · 11/04/2023 08:41

W2 R1 today. I'm doing it after work. Is it much different to W1?

OP posts:
Ellie1015 · 11/04/2023 12:25

CuriousMama · 11/04/2023 08:41

W2 R1 today. I'm doing it after work. Is it much different to W1?

I have had a nosey at next week, so not done it yet but it isn't too different.
Run for 90 seconds then walk for 2 mins for week 2.

Let us know how it goes 😀

DCINightingale · 11/04/2023 13:23

CuriousMama · 11/04/2023 08:41

W2 R1 today. I'm doing it after work. Is it much different to W1?

Good luck! It is similar, just slightly longer running times I think but the recovery walks are still a good length. Let us know how it went.

I have just come back from W5R1. the middle 5 minutes were pretty tough, my legs felt like lead. I got distracted by a horse and debating whether to try and overtake it or go another way, and that distracted my head enough to keep running. I do NOT feel ready for the last run of this week which is just "run for 20 minutes"

Original poster
CuriousMama · 11/04/2023 16:08

@DCINightingale cheers. Finished work been a lovely day. Raining now ☔ never mind I won't rust.

OP posts:
DoINeedToDoThis · 11/04/2023 22:16

I'm on the other thread about this, but can I join this one too please?

I've decided to start C25K again after 9 years since the last time I did it. I've done 2 runs of W1 so far, planning R3 on Thursday.

upandoutofbed · 12/04/2023 08:17

Hi, can I join too please? Like @thanksamillion I've been through Long Covid and it's a huge milestone for me to start running again.

Just completed W1R1, and it was definitely harder than the last time I did it 5 years ago - I'm so much older and creakier now! I seem to remember champing at the bit to do more last time whereas it was a slog for me today.

But lovely to be back out, the sun was shining and I saw a rabbit!

Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 12/04/2023 08:27

Hello everyone! Lots of positivity on here, along with the feelings of it’s tough. Hope we can spur each other on.
I’ve hurt my back so a few days off, hoping to try again tonight, fingers crossed as don’t want to lose my momentum 😄

Original poster
CuriousMama · 12/04/2023 10:01

Welcome all. We can do this!

I'm on a walking holiday next week so will have to postpone. But I can start again when back.

OP posts:
DCINightingale · 12/04/2023 16:53

Well done to everyone starting! It makes a huge difference running in a bit of sunshine doesn't it. I have just got some new trainers, after a realised I was using my old ones for everything including digging up the allotment. They were absolutely knackered. I have a slight knee niggle so hoping some more supportive trainers will help

Hope you get on ok tonight @Oodieandacuppatonightplease . I'm hoping to get out early tomorrow and do W5R2 before work. If it's not too horrible out!

Ellie1015 · 13/04/2023 07:03

Wk1 r2 complete yesterday. Again couldnt be bothered starting but great feeling after.

Good luck to everyone running today.

DoINeedToDoThis · 13/04/2023 08:51

Just finished W1R3, one week down! 👍 Now I just have to work out how to do it from next week when we're all back at school/work 🙈

@Lazydazey Can I just ask a question please? When you've completed C25K, is it best to just continue doing the 30 minutes, but it's probably not going to be actually 5k and then see if you get faster within those 30 minutes? Or continue running until 5k, which in my case would be about 40-45 mins?

DCINightingale · 13/04/2023 09:38

Great job everyone for keeping going!

I managed W5R2 today, two 8 minute stints. It went pretty well, I'm feeling it now. Hoping to get out again at the weekend for the scary one, but I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about it now after this morning!

bailarbailar · 13/04/2023 12:48

Joining this thread from the other c25k thread - did W7R1 yesterday in the rain, so the end is in sight now. Will have to keep building up to 5K tho as won't manage it in 30mins at current pace

DCINightingale · 13/04/2023 13:24

@bailarbailar welcome! Fantastic job getting to week 7. How far are you managing to go in the 30 mins?

Original poster
CuriousMama · 13/04/2023 13:50

Well done everyone. Can't even imagine what w7 is like.

OP posts:
bailarbailar · 13/04/2023 13:52

Thank you! @DCINightingale I did 3.5Km in 25mins, so quite a way off 5Km in 30 ha ha

upandoutofbed · 14/04/2023 09:08

Lovely to read how well everyone's doing.

@CuriousMama enjoy your walking holiday - that will definitely help your strength and stamina when you start again.

Just did W1R2. Again I felt old and creaky - I really am deconditioned - but absolutely loved being out in nature.

@DoINeedToDoThis yes it will be a bit trickier next week when back to school/work routine. Well done for finishing week 1!

DCINightingale · 15/04/2023 09:57

W5R3 done. I managed 2.87km in the 20 minutes. I would have loved to have covered more ground but I'm just so pleased to have been able to do the 20 minutes straight. Came back the most red faced ever.

Hope everyone has good weekends, whether doing a run or not.

DoINeedToDoThis · 15/04/2023 10:30

DCINightingale · 15/04/2023 09:57

W5R3 done. I managed 2.87km in the 20 minutes. I would have loved to have covered more ground but I'm just so pleased to have been able to do the 20 minutes straight. Came back the most red faced ever.

Hope everyone has good weekends, whether doing a run or not.

Well done! That's the run when I cried the first time I did C25K, I was so emotional after being able to run 20 mins 🙈

Just finished W2R1, the 1.5 minute runs weren't as hard as I was thinking, apart from the last one which was up a hill - very poor route planning on my part!

thanksamillion · 15/04/2023 14:20

I did W1R1 today! I covered 3km so was pretty happy with that. Nearly stopped to walk on the penultimate run but made myself carry on (when I used to run I was always stopping for no real reason!).
Test will be to see how tired out I am tomorrow. @upandoutofbed we can be Long Covid recoverers together! I'm finding it hard to get the balance between pushing myself to improve my fitness and not overdoing it and having an energy crash for the next few days .

A few people further up were asking about post C25K. When I did it previously I never got to 5K in 40 minutes - I think my pb was about 33 so I wouldn't worry about that. Lots of running clubs near me run the programme and 'graduate' with a Parkrun which is quite a nice way to do it. But I definitely wouldn't expect to do it in 30 minutes!

thanksamillion · 15/04/2023 14:22

Sorry that should've said I never got to 5km in 30 minutes 🙄