C25K to Christmas

[UniverseRewardsTheBrave]

Just wondering if anyone else is starting the C25K and would like a motivation thread?

I've done it successfully once before (during covid then stopped) and have a couple of failed attempts, but I'm the sort of person who does well with deadlines so would like to try to complete it before Christmas.

I'm NOT a natural runner - or a natural at anything sporty - so fully prepared to hate every minute of it and would love a motivation buddy or two!

Hi all, I know it's late but can I tag along?

I'm doing the c25k with a local running group, 1 run a week with 2 homework runs. Finding it much better than when I've done the app in the past. Having to show up for the group has motivated me on those days when I've really not felt it. The only difference is that the run club does the course over 12wks rather than 9wks. We've got 2 weeks left, so I'm on w10. On my plan that's a 35min run. Weeks 11 & 12 are 40 & 45min runs. I'm really enjoying it. I'll keep running with the group once the course is over.

@lechatnoir, you are fast! 5k in 30min is really good for a c25k finisher. I'm currently at around 36mins for a comfortable 5km where I can talk with recover easily. I reckon I could push it to 34 but I'd be blowing.

@scoopoftheday for me it's the first 10 minutes of every run. It takes me 10 mins for my breathing and heart rate to settle and for me to get my pace right. Once I've settled in, I'm all good.

@Reflecttheflowers I can't use the apps. I used to, to measure the distance/time and intervals but I had to turn all of the 'encouragements' off. So irritating 😫. Especially if you're having a tough one and then the voice pipes up with a cherry "Half way there! You're doing great!". Bog off

Big off indeed!!!! And if they ask how I’m feeling I always, without fail, swear.
while I’m glad it’s not just me I do wish someone could say something like in two weeks you won’t hate it with quite such a vengeance. Hey go, maybe that day will come… Thanks for your responses everyone.

@Reflecttheflowers theres obviously a gap in the market for that kind of an app for us cynics. Motivation without the patronisation.

Week 6 run 2 done. I’m not going to finish by Christmas but will do in the new year. I’m going to do a park run when I know I can run 5k.

well done everyone else for keeping in at it. I’m somewhere in the middle. I hate the first few minutes but then from the middle onwards I’m quite enjoying it. The last bit can be tough but the feeling of finishing is wonderful. I’m finding I tend to overdress. When I’m too hot it’s definitely more of a drag

Hi @LapsedRunnerC25k 👋 12 weeks and up to 45 mins running sounds like a good plan! My sister is a runner and leads a group at her running club, but I would be too odd to go to something like that 🤣

Good going @Borris you're doing so well. I know what you mean re: overheating. On Monday I couldn't find the wee light jacket I like to run in so I pulled on a fleece. The sweat was lashing off me by the time the half way bell went and i had to stop to pull it over my head!

Running jackets are the way forward- irony being i have bought 2 for my runner sisters for their December birthdays and didn't even think to buy myself one 🙃 😅

Get one on your Christmas/Jan sales list @scoopoftheday!

@Borris, is week 6 when that 20 minuter crops up? I found that hard, to go from 8 mins to 20. I think it gets easier after that and realising that the jump from 8 to 20 is mostly psychological is a real game changer for the rest of the program.

I'm another overheater, I learned early on that it's best to start out cold because I soon warm up. Halfway in and I'm just right. Whereas if I start out comfortably warm, I'm stripping layers off halfway in. I also learned that I much prefer to run in cold weather than hot or even warm.

Yes @LapsedRunnerC25k I'm not looking forward to summer runs in a weird way. Although it's not appealing going out in the rain and dark, once I'm out it's fine

Hey all

Thankyou for checking on my @scoopoftheday and @lechatnoir

Been super busy at work but ive done my runs tues, thurs, today. On week 5.

Run 1 felt good (5 mins runs)
Run 2 i was surprised i felt comfortable doing (8 min runs)
Run 3 (20 min run) when i seen that i thought WTF 😂😂 however, i was absolutely fine. No mind blocks or anything 🤷‍♀️ my legs kept going lol i was shocked. But felt brilliant after i did it. Its the longest ive ever ran for 🙌
I couldnt find that running mix, so i picked one that said treadmill mix on spotify and it kept me going.
Then i went in the sauna for 25 mins. Felt quite smug lol xx

Will start week 6 on Tuesday.

Well done @Giraff3

That's brilliant!

It's some jump going from 8 til 20 mins!

We've storm Darragh today and it's wicked here so I'm hoping to get my run fitted in tomorrow morning.

Though I hurt my knee today so I am hoping there's no pain tomorrow and I can get the final run done!!

Congratulations on smashing the hardest week @Giraff3 .

I haven't done any of my homework runs this week (35min). I'm behind by 1 because of a rotator cuff issue. My running week starts on a Tuesday, so I might try to get out later, storm permitting. We still have really high winds and floods. Even if I can fit one in before Tue, it'll benefit me. It depends on how much strain it puts on my shoulder. It's annoying to get this far and then develop this niggle so close to the end (not running related but could scupper me).

@scoopoftheday hows your knee today, no point hurting yourself, best to wait a couple of days then go for the final run if that feels sensible.

Well done everyone!!!! Not easy this time of year.

i completed the final run this morning, feel as though I’ve cheated as all on the treadmill but onwards and upwards. Would like to stay while I brave running in the great outdoors if that’s ok?

stay warm and dry folks.

Hi @Reflecttheflowers knee is a bit tender so I just took the dogs a walk to see if it was OK.

I think I'll maybe get the run done tomorrow morning rather than go to gym class.

I can't believe it's almost over!

Fair play to you doing it all on the treadmill, they say it's harder to run on that than the road, so well done!

How'd you get on @LapsedRunnerC25k ? It's still a bit blowy here today but gives it to be OK tomorrow. 🤞

Enjoy the experience and have a bit of a celebration afterwards! 🎉

I did it!

Graduated the C25K this morning!

It is frosty here but I thought I'd try and see how I got on! It wasn't slippy, just cold. Which I enjoyed, I have to say. The running jacket came off for the second half anyway 🤣

I can't do the 5k in 30 mins, I managed to do 4.54km but if I'd figured out how to see how far I'd ran I might have kept on going! That's my next goal.

Well done @scoopoftheday you made it .

It sounds like there will be a few graduates if not before Christmas then soon after It's great some of us actually made it (I'm not sure I actually thought I would when I started ). I'm having a nice easy week with just 20 min gentle runs and just downloaded the 10km app to start next week

Oohhhh where is the 10k app? (And am I being too ambitious?)

I've downloaded the Zen Labs one as I've used it before and it works for me but you do have to pay for it (7 day trial is free).

I'd say you've done the hardest part: couch to 5km. Now you know you can run (speed is irrelevant IMO - the fact is, you can run) so increasing distance as long as you do it slowly & sensibly is perfectly doable. You may get to 10km and decide it's more than you want to do - personally I start to get a bit bored after about 45/50 minutes plus running for me is great mainly because it's so quick & easy to fit around life! - BUT, the usual 30/40minues runs are so much easier and therefore more enjoyable IMO so worth increasing the distance for this alone.

I like the structure of a plan & a target so it works for me but if you're not sure maybe just have a few weeks settling into your new 30 minute running routine and start in Jan if you're not sure.

Hiya @scoopoftheday, Congratulations on finishing the course. Amazing job. It'll be a 5k distance in no time. Unfortunately, I haven't been out. We've had a family medical emergency, so I'm mostly back and forth from the hospital. Between that and my dodgy shoulder, my running schedule has gone down the toilet. I don't want to lose what I've gained, running-wise, so I'll try to nip out at some point over the next couple of days. Even if it's just a 20 minuter to keep my hand in whilst times are tough.

I have the ZenLabs 10K app too (c210k version), @lechatnoir, from a previous foray into running. I found it really good.

@lechatnoir I think you're right, I'll try and keep up the 30 min runs between now and Jan and then, if I want to, set myself a new goal.

Actually my goal might be to run to hit 5k rather than "just" the 30 mins.

@LapsedRunnerC25k I am sorry to hear about the medical emergency.
It's never easy when something uncorrected happens. Throws us all out of kilter.

Did you injure your shoulder? My running buddy has a sore shoulder too and she gets it taped, but on days like today when it's utterly cold it really aches.

Thanks @scoopoftheday. I managed to get out for a run today, my pace was too fast and I had to walk a section of the 4th km. I picked it back up and ran the last km. Ended up doing 5km in 37min which is fast for me with a walking section included.

My shoulder is a combination of rotator cuff and pinched nerve in my neck. Not fun but managed with physio at the moment.

I got out a run today at lunch time. I felt like I ran faster but I definitely ran further. I made it to 4.55km at a pace of 8.17km.

I probably could have ran further but half way through my legs felt like lead and I was dragging my body around lol

I'd been to the gym this morning and did lunges and rdls so that maybe made it feel a bit tough.

But I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that I can run 😁😁

Well done @LapsedRunnerC25k and you too @scoopoftheday (plus no shame in slowing it down if it doesn't feel right.)

I've quite enjoyed just doing some shorter runs this week - I've keeping up with my 3 morning a week routine but just running for 20 minutes and even did a little sprint (downhill 😊) at the end this morning. Starting 10K plan next week although haven't quite figure what week I should start at as week 1 is walk/run so don't want to start over.

well done @scoopoftheday. Bet you are made up!!

I did run 3 of week 6 today. So i can now run 25 minutes without stopping. Whoop whoop

I cant remember who said they prefer not walking in between the runs as you moved through the weeks. I have to agree too. One thing that annoys me is the cut in at 2 mins with the celeb voice to say.....youve already done 2 mins / 25 mins......lol i really dont wanna know haha

My graduate date should be 4th jan (fingers crossed)

Still really enjoying it, ive decided in january il have a gait analysis done and buy some proper running shoes