Couch to 5k

[FunMum2019]

Started this again today (have completed it a few times over the years!). Anyone else beginning it so we can cheer each other on?

I’ll join - running my first 3km in a long time tonight and to say I’m nervous is an understatement!

Good luck!!!!

First 3km done - only goal was not to stop. 19:58! When is your first run?

Ill join, ive done week 3 run 1 today, never ran before and each week the first run kills me off, I still love it though!

I did week 1, day 1 yesterday! So hard!! I love this programme and have done it a few times, but the first few runs are hard!!! Did recovery yoga today and will do day 2 tomorrow…..

@FunMum2019the first 60 second run was awful and I could never see myself doing 90 seconss never mind 3 minutes,
My next run is Thursday hopefully its easier than today

Day 2 done!!!!

Whoop! Well done @FunMum2019

I did week 3 run 2 on Thursday, found it a bit easier than run2,
Last run off week 3 tomorrow and then Im nervous for week 4!
.well done to everyone taking part

well done to those of you who are enjoying this. I’m really struggling. Just done week 3 run 1 and think I need resuscitation. I’m gasping and puffing, red in the face, sweating and straining. I know that I’m unfit but was hoping that this might be a way back to doing a bit of activity.
Does it get easier or shall I try something different?

Just wanted to cheer you all on and hopefully offer some encouragement!

I've never viewed myself as a runner or even vaguely sporty. My friend and I started Couch25k 9 years ago running together and due to each of us having pregnancies in tandem and taking breaks it took six years to get to a point where we actually made it to week 9. (I can still remember the absolute fear of the run where you go continuously for 20 minutes (week 5? 😅)

It took a while after 'graduating' to feel like I was actually able to confidently run 5k or not feeling scared before a run. I've kept at it though and since completed a 5km and a 10km event and have even been convinced to enter a ballot for a half marathon next year. If you'd told me I'd be capable of doing this even a year ago I'd have laughed.

I'm not going to say I always look forward to running, but I do know I feel better for having done it. I can still remember the days when running for 2 minute intervals felt really hard and that makes me feel proud of how far I've come. I guess I'm just saying you're all doing really well by showing up for the journey and even if it takes a while (or many years in my case!) you absolutely can do it! And it really does get easier!

Yes, it definitely gets easier!! Those first few weeks are soooo hard! I’m hoping to do the programme in the basic 9 weeks, but it’s previously taken me almost 9 months between getting sick, missing runs, and having to go back a week, but it absolutely works and gets better!!!

I absolutely hated week 3 run 1 I so very nearly gave up but I enjoyed the other 2 runs! I start week 4 tomorrow which includes 5 minute runs, i cant believe i couldn't even do 60 seconds and the start and now I can do 3 minutes, im not gunna lie I struggle towards the end though

Just done week 4 run 1, it felt like a lot of running with short breaks in between but I did it! I didnt think i would

You've inspired me - just done W1R1.
I've probably started the programme 10 times over the years but only completed it once...
I've got a new WFH job with an hour lunch break so I have no excuses now!

I genuinely cant see myself completing this, I want to and im really enjoying it but I camt imagine being able to run 30 minutes straight

Trust me, I am very unfit now, I don't like any exercise really and I've never really done any (apart from the one time I completed this!)
I know I can do it because I've done it once before. It's very clever the way it gradually builds you up, and I don't necessarily follow it properly. I might end up doing one day 3 times until I feel comfortable moving on.
Let's see how we both get on...

Well done! 😊

Didn’t feel great yesterday, period day 1 :/ so I skipped the run and did it today, and WOW week 1, day 3 felt amazing!!! Yay for the extra rest day.

I’ve finished the programme before, so completely understand how daunting it feels, but also that it’s completely doable (and then just set the next big goal ;)
keep it up everyone

Well done everyone, sometimes getting out the door is the hardest bit. I am a leader in running fitness, and I'd recommend when you run, don't try to be as fast as you can. It takes a while for pacing but go out at a pace that doesn't leave you absolutely gasping. You can't get both distance and speed at the same time very easily, so C25k is about distance, then concentrate on speed 😊

I've stopped & started C25K due to various reasons so many times since December 2021 so it's really embarrassing.
However this time I'm determined to finish it & I will.
I've just finished WK4 & am doing WK5 R1 tomorrow.
I can run for 10 mins non stop as what I tend to do is run a bit of or all of the 5 min cool down walk & then do my proper 5 min cool down walk at the end (which sometimes turns into an 8 min walk depending on where I am & which way I walk home)

I just find it helps my stamina & also the beginning of a new week is a bit easier.

I still remember my very first attempt at WK1 R1 thinking omg can I do this.

Some inspiration for you here, one of my old friends started C25K back in 2016 when the app first started.
She now runs marathons!

Amazing!! Go you!

I will add that a couple of years ago a physio gave me a quick pre-run warm up (mostly stretches and some strength) and it worked wonders!

I don’t know if this will help anyone but if you are struggling, you are running too fast 😂

I am new to C2k5 never run in my life I’m on week 4 and finding it manageable as I use my heart rate to track if I am going too fast and slow down if I am, I use the MAF method of 180- my age and then I stick around this number. It helps you to not get exhausted. I swear by it!

You are all doing so well.
I’m here to report that I have survived week3, run2 but I am still feeling no enjoyment at all.
A couple of you have suggested slowing the pace but tbh, I am hardly moving. I walk quicker!
Today I made the mistake of going out before heading to work. I endured the puzzlement/pity of school kids who overtook me as they walked and embarrassment of bumping into my neighbour as I returned home looking exhausted. I was stressed about getting to work on time. I will have to do some running on my work days but timing was not good today.
I am using the app and hanging on Jo Whiley’s every word. She’s beginning to annoy me - ‘the hardest part is getting out’, well No, that’s quite easy. I’m not lacking determination, just ability! ‘You might want to take a photo of yourself’ to record your progress - no way! I did try Sarah Millican but found it a bit difficult to tune into what she was saying. Can anyone recommend if any of the other coaches are a bit more relatable for someone who is giving their best but obviously a bit remedial? I want someone to tell me that they really appreciate the enormous effort that this is taking me.

I just use Denise Lewis. She isn’t annoying to me

it’s ok going slow, it’s not the speed that’s important at the start

all I am doing is mostly focusing on my breathing and HR not my pace time