Couch to 5k accountability

[FunIsland]

I searched for another thread and couldn’t find one, so apologies if it’s a repeat.

I used to run 5k daily, then covid left me with the lungs of a 90 year old chain smoker. I’ve tried so many times to get back to it and doing too much means that I end up out of action with pretty much everything for weeks. I’m stuck in a cycle of either doing nothing or doing too much because I miss running so much that when I get started I just want to do a Forest Gump and keep going.

Does anyone want to join me for couch to 5k? I’m thinking that if I make myself accountable I’ll stick with it (both in terms of actually getting up and doing it but also not trying to leap ahead).

Just done run 2 week 2 and enjoying it again. It's giving me something to stick to but it was just something that I'd considered.
Hopefully back at a parkrun somewhere in time, but not rushing it.

I've just seen 'none to run' and wasn't even aware it existed. Thanks for that info!

What's ridiculous about it? The programme absolutely works.

It works if you can manage week 1, which many people can't. And very few people can do 5k in 30 mins at the end even if they can run 30mins. It really isn't couch to 5k, it's more 'really unfit to running for 30 mins' but that isn't as catchy.

If you have never run before it's far too difficult!

I did C25K last year, did my first Parkrun, then promptly went on holiday and... just stopped running as @FunIsland says, creating the habit is the hardest bit!

I really want to get back into it but, whilst I do a lot of walking, I realistically only have maybe one morning a week when I can go for a run - two if I'm lucky. My DC are still small and DC is a shift worker so it's tricky!

None to run sounds really useful, thanks @ADHDHDHDHD - and good luck for the marathon @LoudSnoringDog. That is so much beyond my capabilities, my mind is boggling!!

It's really not. I was pushing 15 stone and 57 the first time I did it. Ok, the name is a bit misleading...I still can't do 5k in 30 minutes, but Couch to 30 minutes doesn't sound as good does it?
You don't have to do it in nine weeks, you can go as slowly as you like and repeat runs as much as you like.
I don't think that running for sixty seconds is impossible.

That’s hard, my DH is a nurse and it’s hard to fit around their shifts isn’t it? Our kids are older now, and it’s easier, this really tying bit doesn’t last forever honestly!

Join us (at the risk of sound like a cult) as long as you’re moving that’s all that matters I think?

When my chest was at its worst I felt defeated and I watched a video of a woman saying run really slowly. I did it and it made a huge difference, like really really slowly, I probably walk quicker 🤣. My friend said it was like watching a pensioner trying to run and thinking ‘bless them, look at them still having a go’ 🤣🤣

Veeerry slow is absolutely key at first. If it's too hard you're probably going too fast.

_9qa0S_Z-dQP

What a lovely video!
Thanks for posting that.
Ok it looks like I am trying to run too fast!

My last run was terrible. Felt sick and like crying at the end. I did have a bit of a chest issue. Turned out to be inflamed lungs. A couple of days treatment with a steroid inhaler and I ran it again today. No problem!
I was worried about how my running level would decrease over the week I didn't run for but it seems a week off doesn't really matter.
How's everybody else coping with gaps in running? How long can you go?

That sounds really rough, I hope you’re OK. I don’t have any answers but am hopeful for some wisdom!

I'm OK, mostly fit and looking forward to the next run.

So very typically I came down with the lurgy just as my motivation for this peaked last week! I was chomping at the bit to get better so that I could continue with my C25k (who am I?! lol) but v pleased to be able to check in today to say that I have completed w1 run 2 😊 Hoping to be able to do run 3 on Weds/Thurs this week

Well done @lavenderboux that’s a great achievement when you’ve been feeling rough

The kids brought home a bug that they got over in 2 days but absolutely floored me for 2 weeks, then I had a full on course for work so this morning was my first run for 3 weeks. A very very slow W7 D1 but at least I got back out. I think if I hadn't done it today it would have been Another week before I dragged myself out the door.

Well done! How do you feel now?

Oddly proud of myself. There was a time that if I'd done 3 weeks without a run it would have ended up being 6 months before I even looked for my sports bra again so doing ok this time round.

I'm starting week 5 tomorrow.

That’s brilliant; I’m learning from here that so much of this is about consistency and getting back in it.

That seems like such a long way away right now 🤣

Just did w4r1 - but was enjoying it so much that I set it back to the beginning and did it twice 🤣 feeling very hot (not in a good way) and happy right now

I have the dreaded W5R3 tomorrow.

I had to google that. In the words of Sarah Millican ‘you can do this’

Not W5R3!!! 😮

It's a big step but if you managed run 2 ok you'll be able to do it. Or you could repeat run 2 again so you're even more ready. If worst comes to worst and you bail out after 15 minutes, just do it again in a few days time and try to run for a bit longer. Don't be afraid of making up your own half steps.