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).

W3R1 done.

My knees are definitely hurting a bit. I told DS, and he asked if I was sure I was doing it right 😄.

I wonder if it's my trainers - they're Brooks Ghosts, and I love them, but they must be a few years old.

OK, my trainers were bought in September 2021. Maybe I just have old knees.

Did you get your gait analysed? My knees hurt until I got a test and got my Brooks Adrenalines.

Thanks @beguilingeyes - yes, I've had gait analysis before, and I was then fitted for shoes that actually caused me a (single) knee problem at the time 🙈. I'm not sure if I was just unlucky. This was solved by moving to neutral running shoes, so l'll wait and see how things go for now.

W3R2 done and on our holiday too 😄.

Aaaah I'm at week 9 and only just saw this thread.
Can I ask what programme people follow after C25K?
I'm comfortable running 28 mins now and will progress to 30 this week
What I found last time was I fizzled out with no programme to push me further and faster
TIA 😊

When I was in your position I gave myself the target of at least 32 minutes, then ran on for however long I felt comfortable. I got up to 45 minutes in the end then broke my foot and gave up.

Everyone has been doing brilliantly, I’ve had a couple of weeks off, I was really ill then on holiday for a week. Back on it this week though. I’ve bought a treadmill too so that I can run even when it’s hard to get out of the house.

@Mysterian with long Covid, running for 25 mins is amazing, why don’t you stick with your limit and just do that? Being where you are is a huge achievement, but even if you stick with the same time, I imagine you will get faster / more comfortable with repetition?

I tried this last time but didn't progress.
I would like another programme with coaching to follow on from C25K

C25k app has 3 more improver sessions open up once you finish the 9weeks -, a speed session, one going to 40 mins time (I think) and a shorter one with interval training to run at a faster pace. So these are good transition sessions to still have that audible support if you still need that.

I did c25k again (completed it previously and stopped) but got a bit stuck on my own so joined a local beginner running group session. That pushed me through and even with some setbacks I’m still going. Did my first parkrun the other week after a few months off after building up my time again and was over 40 mins to do the 5k. I’m not fast or fit to any stretch of the imagination. But I didn’t walk any of it!

the first mile/kilometer of a run is a liar- the feeling when you’re done is fantastic

Just keep going- well done for getting this far!

Well done all!

C25K now have some extension runs, Stepping Stones, Speed and Stamina.

I've found them good because they give you technical things to think about (Stepping Stones is 35 mins and you try to do negative splits, Speed is interval training, Stamina is 40 mins).

I mix them in with "free runs" where I do whatever suits me, and Parkruns. Speed is handy because it's only 27 minutes including warm up and cool down so good if you need to fit in a quick one.

I had to get used to Steve Cram rather than Jo Wiley though! He's very nice, but Jo talking about being at the back during cross country was more relatable.

Oh grand @petalsandstars and@ThisIsMyExerciseName
Exactly what I was looking for!

Park run is not for me though
I run to get away from people 😂

Jo Whiley is on the new update 😁

I wish Michael Johnson would come back, he is just the best

Thanks so much I will carry on and then look for another app.

Jo Whiley is my favourite coach. I find Parkrun really useful in keeping me going. We've got into doing a bit of Parkrun tourism as well.

Ooh good! I mustn't have got the most recent version. I like how calm she always sounds as I'm slogging up hills or squishing along in soaking wet trainers.

I've enjoyed listening to Steve Cram at the Olympics and being able to think he's my running coach.

You've all inspired me! Did C25k probably about 10 years ago, but because I'm an impatient twat,tried to go faster than I was really ready for and ended up with shin splints. I've not got back into regular exercise since Covid when they shut our local pool and I desperately need to lose some weight and give my energy a boost somehow. I'm awake very early most mornings so tomorrow I'm going to start again, this time going much more slowly!

Finished it. Took 38 minutes to do 5k. And as a bonus my car key fell out of my pocket on the way round so I got to do a mile walk at the end to find the poxy thing.

Wow! Well done @JKnight09. Glad you found your key

I did week 9 run 1 today. It’s very hot!

its been a bit on and off because of other commitments but I’m still working on it. I’m not fast and never will be,

I'm week 9 run 1 also
I went out at 8am and was soooo slow.
But We did it and that's the main thing 🥉
I've lost 10lbs since I started

Plan to complete this and then focus on speeding up!

W3R3 done here.

I see that next week is a bit of a step up. DS thinks we'll die 😄.

Hello. Just found this thread and I want to start again and need something to keep me accountable! When are you going for your first run? I'm thinking tomorrow but I don't even know if I have anything to wear that fits!

@JG24, just go with whatever you have 🙂 - you'll soon work out what would be helpful to buy, and it feels like a treat for having made the effort.

I've bought a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and a running belt this time around, but I'm aiming to keep it fairly minimal. I used to buy all of the £ running socks, but I prefer some thin cotton ones that a colleague gave me as they were too small for her.