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).

Hello @JG24. Did my first 'run' this morning. I jogged very slowly and it was fine. Where I went wrong before was I just ran too fast, which while it was ok for the first minute, it rapidly became too much!
I'm normally awake between 5 & 6am, so planned to go but early to avoid meeting anyone, but blow me, I didn't wake up until gone 8!
I don't have any special clothes, just a t-shirt and cut down jeggings and trainers.
Anyway it was actually ok and I'll go again on Wednesday, perhaps just go for a walk tomorrow. It's such lovely weather at the moment it makes it more appealing. How's everyone getting on?

Week 8 day 2 for me tomorrow

I don't recall it being so hard when I did this the first time around. Bloody menopausal body

W8 R1 for me tomorrow. Up early to avoid the heat. Then possibly a new Parkrun on Saturday. Somehere in Kent.

I'm bloody stiff this morning after my W1R1 yesterday, particularly around my hips. Couldn't believe it when I creaked out of bed, so got straight back in again!
Think I'm going to do a light walk around the block now to try and ease it off a bit.
Week 8 and park runs @beguilingeyes and @LoudSnoringDog feel like a pipe dream to me at the moment so you're both doing brilliantly!

It was hard work this morning. Muggy out there. The toxic ten is real. Made it though.

W4R1 done. Worried about my knees. DS is doing well though.

Can I join? I’ve decided to do C210K rather than 5 just because I need something longer to keep me in check.

Ive just done W1, R2. Having to get up at 0530 to go before kids wake up (DH at home so not leaving them!). Been wanting to start this for ages but DC2 has only just stopped coming into our room 3 times a night (he’s only 3).

Was glorious this morning, no one around and only 1 car passed me.

having to do this as I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been and it’s making me depressed. I have a heart condition and high blood pressure and had 2 kids post-40. We’ve just booked to go to corfu in May and I want to feel good about myself. I also just feel I look disgusting and am embarrassed to be seen out!

Wow, I love that there are so many people at different points of this @MovingSwiftlyOn i hope the walk helps.

I did week 5 run 1 today after a break of a couple of weeks due to sickness and holiday. Feeling ok, a bit shaky but I think that means I need to make sure I eat / drink properly afterwards rather than rush around to get ready for work.

@CIGall early morning runs are the best I think. So peaceful and you start the day feeling like you’ve achieved something. I’ve never seen c210k but eventually I’d like to get to that distance.

Graduated today. Took a lot longer than 9 weeks because life gets in the way but it's a relief to finish. Onwards and upwards with running more the way I want to. I have to keep it up because it's reduced my blood sugar to almost normal despite making no other real changes (I was on the verge of type 2 diabetes after 2 GD pregnancies now I'm only just in the prediabetic range ). Good luck everyone, you can do it if I can! X

It did help a bit thank you @FunIsland, I am still sore but getting better. Not surprising really given it's so many years since I last ran and I'm in my sixties now. (disappointingly).
I did my second week1 'run' this morning and it was ok but I keep reminding myself I need to be careful as I really don't want an injury.
The problem with getting older is in your head, you feel just the same as when you were younger so it's easy to forget the old bones need to be considered. If I got injured it would take so much longer to heal.
Anyway I'm very lucky to be able to have a go and I am content to take things slowly.
Well done on graduating @Dracarys1 good luck for your future runs and hello @CIGall! Let's keep each other going!

Into week 5 this week, although I'm doing it on a treadmill in the gym. 5 min run then up to an 8 min run, and 20 minutes next week, seem fairly big jumps but actually back into it and enjoying the running again.
Been for lunch with a female friend of mine who was really complimentary about how much I've lost (only about 4lbs since we last met up), so it's obviously working.
Cut out white bread, almost cut out chocolate and back into the reservoir swimming on a Sunday.
Daring to think about a parkrun return in a few weeks now. See how we go I guess.

My first Parkrun coming up on Saturday. My last 28 minute C25K run including the walk to warm up and down was 4.9k, so I'm fairly confident about the running. It's the meeting all the people I'm worried about.

I was worried before I went for the first time, but you can just lurk at the back. Loads of people run with headphones too. I've found everybody very nice though, and I enjoy the little rounds of applause at the beginning for birthdays/milestone runs/visitors from other countries, it's a bit like being back in a school assembly!

Make sure you have your barcode ready before you go to the scanning bit so you don't get flustered and drop it in the mud as you try to get it out. Not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything...

Did w3 r5 yesterday. Life has got in the way so I've only managed one run a week recently. I will move onto w4 when I've done two runs in a week. But I'm enjoying just going out and running even if I stick at this level for a bit.

W4R2 done, quite enjoyed it 😮. Knees still a bit iffy.

Well done all!
Just completed week 1. I was in two minds about it because am slightly hungover but thought fresh air and exercise might help. Halfway round I felt awful and really wanted to give up but managed to ignore it and carry on. Home now and feel a bit better, out again tonight and tomorrow, but definitely sticking to low alcohol beer!

Well done. Week 2 next, although you could do an extra week 1 run to make the step up easier.

Thanks @Mysterian, I think I will do that, I'm not in a hurry after all! How did the park run go? Did you enjoy it?

Parkrun went well. I did a long post about it on the Parkrun thread in Exercise. Can't wait for next week.

I was supposed to incorporate my W7 R2 into Parkrun yesterday but we did Canterbury yesterday and it's a lot of steep hills so I abandoned that plan.

I can't believe it I think I might have strained my Achilles tendon. Sat on the sofa with frozen peas on it now. So frustrating. I honestly couldn't have taken things more slowly, my 'runs' have been no more than really slow gentle jogs,
DH will say he told me this would happen (he did) but I was so careful, I did my stretches, I've not even got out of breath. So pissed off!

Oh no. But don't let your husband put you off letting this heal and trying again. Do you walk much? If not maybe start by building up your walking.

He's a good egg really so he won't try to put me off. It's just that he's been proved right, again!
I came home as soon as I felt the first twinge and it does feel a lot better since icing it so hopefully it won't take too long. I will strap it up too in future. It's the same one I tore 30 years ago so I guess there's still a weakness there.
I think just walking when it's better is probably a good idea though @helpfulperson. I am pretty active day to day, but obviously I need to build up to running even more slowly.

W4R3 done, it rained a bit 🙂.

DS is doing well.

First 25 min run due tomorrow. Planning to nip to a local canal, park by a cafe and run out and back, then coffee and maybe but a book in their charity shop

Take care folks. Loving seeing where you're all at with it