C25K support thread

[HOL2024]

I’ve just finished my first week! Although I’ve only done 2 runs a week not 3 as swam the other days. Just wondering if there is anyone else doing this at the moment and wanted a support thread.

Is it too late to join? I did W1R1 on Sunday. I did Junior Parkrun with my 5yo and thought that I'd be able to jog around with him - no, I can't. We did 2k in 18 mins, so I'm going to use that as a weekly measure of progress.

I've done C25K a couple of times - last time was lockdown! At my fittest, I was running 10K and did the Great South Run (10 miles). I'm struggling with my pelvic floor though 😥

I’m running outside, but when I’ve been in the gym I’ve increased setting at a time until I can just run rather than walk - not necessarily where I have to, just where it’s possible. That keeps it nice and slow. You can increase as you go if you want to.

Yeah, found you all.

So here I am back at week 1, why did I ever stop?
The first time, many years ago, was so hard but I did it, peaked with a half marathon.

Last ran happily four years ago, am now two stones heavier, menopause has been cruel.

Thank you to who ever said trust the process.
I have a big plan and C25k is probably the best thought-out, no thinking, just effort, bit of it.

Back to it tomorrow last run of week 2 - here’s hoping that’s it’s not too onerous.

I've done week 5 run 3 today- 20 minutes. I never thought I could do that. It was tough but I did it and feel so proud. I'm thinking of repeating it a few times before moving on to week 6 though.

I need to do w2r2 today but it’s becoming obvious to me that I don’t have the right kit because it’s cold and wet. I really want to stick with this, with a view to completing it by the end of the year, so if anyone can tell me what I need to be a real runner (slow jogger…) this autumn/winter please let me know! Thinking of borrowing my husband’s cycling jacket today and hoping that doesn’t make me too sticky!

Congratulations! I read online that if you want to minimise injuries and build fitness gradually then you should repeat a week every two weeks. So week 1, week 2, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 4, etc. I am only on week 2 but I am thinking I’ll try week 3 next week and if it’s too much of a step up, I’ll complete the rest of the week on week 2 runs before trying again the following week. I want to try to do Parkrun at Christmas so I haven't got much leeway to repeat weeks but I guess the most important thing is making it through injury-free and with strong lungs and heart and muscles, however long it takes.

That’s an interesting concept @gm2023 I’ve got my last run of week 2 today as I have been just running 2 days a week and swimming 3 days, however, this week I’ve switched it round and ran Monday, swam yesterday and running today. I’ll see how today goes to decide on week 2 or week 3 on Friday.

Week 2 is a rap. Not looking forward to running for 3 minutes but will give it a go and see if I can do it. If not I’ll go back to week 2.

Interesting @gm2023 I'll give that a go as I'm terrified of plantar fasciitis returning.

@HOL2024 well done. Give the 3 minutes a go. You might surprise yourself!

Theoretically heading out to do W4R2 this morning. Slightly anxious about torrential rain though.

Did you make it @beguilingeyes ?

Does anyone know about the breathing thing. I've tried to match my breathing to the footsteps several times but whatever I do it just feels forced and I find myself feeling more out of breath than if I just forget about it.

Am I okay to continue not thinking about it

I skipped it yesterday and feel quite annoyed at myself but it’s just been so wet here. Lots of heavy rain and I’ve no wet weather gear at all. Hoping it’s only drizzle tomorrow so I can get back on track!

I did. Managed to miss the rain.
I can't do the breathing thing either. I just breathe naturally.

I can’t do the breathing thing or breathing with my mouth closed either!

That’s Week 3 run 1 down - found it extremely hard towards the end but completed it! Here’s to the weekend break.

Well done! I did w2r2 today. Starting again on Monday with w2r3, as I can only run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Only managed two runs this week but glad to be back on track! It might not be a bad thing doing week 2 followed by two week 3 runs next week - it may ease me in a bit! I’m getting slower but mostly because I’m afraid of slipping over or not being able to finish the run, but my legs and lungs are feeling better so the slower pace might be working!

The plan worked, put on running gear, drop kids for the bus, head straight for canal path (flat).

But it's now half term. I'm still determined but will need a plan to get me through the next week.

I keep repeating 'trust the process'. I like Sarah Millican, I can imagine her, just like me, struggling to run 90 seconds.

I'm on W2R2 tomorow. Must go first thing, must go first thing

What do people do if there’s a week you can’t do any runs? ie away on holiday for a week. Do you pick up where you left off or do you repeat the week that you last did?

How’s everyone doing? W3R2 complete today. I’m feeling positive going into W3R3 and then on to week 4 but having looked ahead to week 5, I’ve got a feeling I may be repeating week 4 first to build some more stamina and fitness! I’ve run or walked 17km so far this week which is a huge thing for me as I have been so inactive lately. Feel like this is making a good difference to life already.

I'm in Worcester so I'm Parkrun touristing tomorrow. I'm on W5R3, the dreaded 20 minutes, although if it's a muddy course I might skip it and walk instead.

Hello! Please can I join you all? I'm going to be behind you all but I'd like a thread to follow to feel like part of a community.

I got autoimmune arthritis after my son was born 9 years ago and spent the first six-seven years of his life using a cane and sometimes, a mobility scooter and not able to move very far on foot at all. I have been cane-free for about two years but not done any exercise and as a result of all this plus turning 40 I am now also overweight.

I am currently starting going for some "brisk movement" (it feels ambitious to call it a 'run' or even a 'jog' atm!) three times a week, trying to build up to Week 1 Day 1 of C25K - I am at run 60secs/walk 90secs x 5 so far.

I am finding the idea of running slowly very peculiar - until now I have always thought of "running" as being something you do for 2-10 seconds at your top speed to chase or escape something, so running at only just over walking pace still feels very silly (though it is nice not to immediately stop being able to breathe whilst still moving forward at a 'run').

Finally conquered W5 R3 today (Worcester was a mud bath). On to week 6!

I've just done the final run of week 7. I quite like the cold dark nights. No one can see my terrible shuffle and I don't get too hot!