Would anyone like to start C25K in the New Year that needs some time to get your head together?

[Houseplanter]

I've done this before and am planning on restarting in January. I've gained some weight and lost some fitness but realistically now is not the time to start.

However I'm not one for last minute things and my head needs to get itself in the right place (and plan a diet). So with this in mind over Christmas and New Year I'm starting in January.

Anyone care to join me?

Amazing! Well done. I'm also searching for hills on my runs (down them not up obviously)! What was the hardest part of it for you?

One of the major differences I noticed today was that even though it was raining this morning, it didn't cross my mind not to run.

@OfDragonsDeep Many congrats!! 👏🎉 You are now officially a runner! 😀 Good idea to keep up the 30min runs, I’m sure you will start to see improvements with your heart rate, think how far you have come completing C25K!

@kirinm you are on a roll at the moment! Know what you mean about the breathing, I found with my run yesterday, I was very comfortable in the first 8min and felt like I could keep going, but after the 5 min walk, I found the next 8 min I was all over the place with my breathing! Will let you know how I get on tomorrow . . . I’m thinking I need to think of the flattest route to stand a chance of completing it! 😅

Is it the 20 min run for you next? It is very much mind over matter with that. Choose your best music / podcast / whatever gets it through it.

Yes it is, at the moment I’m not feeling optimistic! Will definitely try and find something good listen to, will need the distraction!

The hardest part for me is from about 7 to 20 mins in the run. My shins usually start to hurt then, but once I make it to 20 mins in I start to feel better and I can feel the end is in sight. Mentally I think the 20 min run is the hardest, once you can do that you can run 30mins though!

Thanks everyone, I’m one of those people who’ve never ran anywhere so can’t quite believe I’ve done this! I went out for another 5k today, I went slower this time and my heart rate stayed lower (but still high at 176!) I put on the next run from c25k, but it felt a bit advanced for me. He was talking about 5 mins slower run, then 20 mins faster and then last 5 mins even faster. I couldn’t do any of that and just did the whole thing slowly 😂

I think when I reach that point I will keep repeating the last couple of week runs to build up my speed a little. I’m not covering 5k as it is, usually it’s around 4.5k and that’s including the 5 min walk before and after.

Have you thought about doing a Park Run? I’m wondering about doing that on Saturdays once I’ve finished to keep me motivated.

@newbeliever you must be running fast! I only cover about 3km or 3.5km (slightly longer today as I ran for longer).

@kirinm i don’t think I’m running fast at all but maybe I was a little as I went as slow as I could this morning to finish W5R3 😊.

So pleased to get that run out of the way, I wasn’t feeling very positive during first couple of minutes as my legs felt tired from the walks I did at the weekend, but i ploughed on, enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, fresh air and lost myself for a while, which is great. Couldn’t believe I finished it, and dare I say it I did have a bit more in the tank as I ran slower to be sure to finish. Bodies are so strange as I did struggle a bit last Saturday doing the second run.

Still can’t quite believe I’ve done it! I think my next run will be Wednesday. Hope everyone else has enjoyed their runs today!

Amazing!! Well done 👏 a huge achievement

Hi all! Well done on everyone's achievements, so encouraging.

Week 6 Run 1 done, fairly easy compared to last week's 20 mins run, though it ramps up again on Run 3 I see!

However... can anyone recommend a good knee support please? Mine is feeling a little "crunchy" today!

@newbeliever That’s amazing, well done!

I thought about repeating some runs before moving on, but then I thought as long as I keep completing them I may as well carry on until I can’t and then redo it at that point. I think the makers know that we feel like this as it was covered in one of the introductions.

I wouldn’t worry about distance or speed, but that may just be me, I was just happy to be running for the set time. It’s only in this last week that I’ve been able to carry on to the 5k with no walking and it still took me another 6-7 mins. My legs were pretty wobbly after that though 😂 Will try and get out again Weds/Thurs depending on work.

Ive thought about park run, but I think I need a bit more practice and confidence before I start running with other people!

So much for my new motivation. I couldn't run this morning as I had to go to the dentist and so I've not run all day. Think I'll have to have a go after work tomorrow.

Well done to all of you making it to the later stages- very impressive!
my running has been totally derailed by some unforeseen issues this week but I’m trying not to beat myself up about it and will aim to get back on it from Friday.

I've got to run tonight if I'm going to get 3 runs in. I don't really run in the dark though so a bit nervous. Fingers crossed I make it out of the door.

Good luck to those running today.

Hi everyone, finished W6R1 yesterday, found it harder than the 20min run! It’s starting to feel serious now, . . . has anyone reached the stage yet where they enjoy the runs? I’ve had a couple of moments in the last few weeks where it’s been a nice sunny day and I’m enjoying the fresh air and being active, but most of the time it’s a slog and it’s taking all my motivation to keep going!

I had my fitness test for new job this morning and passed, which was one of my goals as I was worried about passing the bleep test. I only just managed it, but I know there would have been no way I could have done it a few weeks ago! When I think back to how I was at Christmas I was feeling very unfit and overweight, I’m feeling so much better about myself, would just love to enjoy the running!

Well done to all. It's very inspiring keeping up with everyone's progress.

I did W3 R3 last night. I am going to repeat this week before moving on.

Well done! I found it hard too and still haven't managed to run again since Sunday. It'll probably be tomorrow now. I'm already dreading the 25 min run. Can't see me managing it after how hard I found W6R1

I’m off out to do W5R3 in a few minutes - dreading it tbh but inspired by people of here so will give it my best shot 😳

Hope your run went well @Browniesandcustard

@kirinm I find it hard to get my head around the jump in run time. Even though I’ve managed to keep going for 20mins, the 5min jumps seem too quick. I know it’s probably mostly in my head and I just have to go out and do it! I was going to run today but I feel shattered this morning, went up to London yesterday afternoon and walked miles. Will probably go out for a walk again this afternoon as it’s a beautiful day but really feel like I need a rest from running.

Thank you @newbeliever I managed it, although had a very ‘ploddy’ 2 minutes around 12-14 minutes. It really did seem a big step up in time though 😳

Well done! 👏 You kept going and completed it which is amazing! I think we all have ploddy moments during our runs 😀 It does feel like a big step up, still getting my head around that one myself. I guess we just have to trust the process! 😬

Woohoo! Congratulations! It's such a big hurdle. And perfectly fine to slow down. I did the same.

Congratulations @Browniesandcustard thats amazing.
I’m going to have to redo week 4 as after a week off I really felt the difference today.

W6R2 done. Felt okay breathing wise but my legs ached. Not excited about the next run!

Thank you @NewUser1111 - I redid week 3 until I felt more comfortable with it all 😎

Well done @kirinm that’s fab!