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?

5k in just under 31 minutes.

Week 5 run 3 done (again!) + covered 2.15km in the 20 min run, which would give me a 46 min 5k.
Starting week 6 today (again) and might try for a teeny bit faster so by the time I finish C25K I'll at least manage 4k in the 30 min run at the end of it!

Well done @BetterOffNow keep on going!

5k done in 30 mins 24seconds. I did have to walk twice though as I was struggling. I think my thing is getting out first thing in the morning. I always struggle on friday as I cant get out till late morning, sounds silly I know!

I always run better in the mornings but can only do early morning runs on Sundays due to other commitments, which is frustrating!

Please can I join?
My aim is to run a park run in the Autumn- just once will do!
Anyway, starting week 4 next following NHS app.
Currently reading through the thread, and cant believe next week will be running for 5 minutes!
Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend everyone, hope the sun shines!

Of course! If you follow the plan, repeating runs / weeks when you need to, you'll be amazed at yourself!

I've just done week 6 run 1 and am actually feeling like a runner now, it's brilliant!

Thanks @BetterOffNow, glad you are enjoying week 6- what is it like?
I ran week 4 day 1 today.
The 3 minutes felt fine, the 5s were slow.
I do couch to 5k twice a week alongside other workouts/ classes so will probably take 2 weeks for each level I think.

Welcome @Buntyforgirls ! I love that you have an aim, park run, I think that really helps with keeping up the motivation to carry on with it.

Happy bank holiday all, nice dry day today and not too hot.

Hi all, can I join please? I am super late to this thread but would love to chat c25k with others who are doing it. I am doing couch to 5k for the third time (not counting the 5 or 6 DNFs over the years…) Did week 6 run 1 today and felt horrendous for the first half and then ok in the second half. Weirdly harder than the 20 minute block. I’m a bit worried about doing 25 mins in a few days

Welcome welcome!
Well done for getting back to it. It feels daunting starting again but you will do it! I felt exactly the same and am now regularly running 5k.

5k done in 29 mins 22 seconds this morning. Really pushed myself this morning as ive got an appointment to be at so didnt want to be late but at the same time didnt want to use it as an excuse not to do my run this morning.

Amazing time @ILoveCatsAndKittens! Doing the full 5k in under 30 is a huge milestone. Do you have a firm next goal in mind? Not sure where I’ll go after the programme though I’m getting ahead of myself as I have nearly 4 weeks left to go

I haven't been able to reproduce the feeling I had some 2-3 weeks ago, when running felt really easy and free. Desperately trying to figure out what caused it! 😀For now I am back to running feeling slightly tedious and exhausting.

However, my pace has finally improved a bit! Shortly after I finished C25k (end of February, I think), I ran 5k in 40 minutes, but that was with four walking breaks. My average 5k time in March was 42-43 minutes. Now (two months later) I am hitting just below 40 minutes consistently and today I even managed 38:31, which is a new personal best! So I think I'm finally improving.

I don't have a schedule / app anymore so I'm now trying to run per fortnight: 7k, 5k, 5k, 7k, 5k, and 1 x interval workout (6x1minute at target speed with 4 minute breaks in between - probably not what normal people understand by "interval workout" but this is the setup I can mange). I think intervals really help @ILoveCatsAndKittens if you want to try to become (even) faster!

Inspirational posts!
I completed week 4 r 2 yesterday, slowing right down for the 5 minute runs. They were slower than my walk breaks!
Just trusting that my stamina will build.
I used to run 5- 20k but that was many years ago.
Also, I fractured upper and lower jaws while running on pavements and tripping a few years ago. Horrendous!!! So now Im sticking to treadmill, and occasionally the park.
Running outside is so much more challenging though, and I end up finding short cuts!
Happy running, all

@couch25kagain im not really sure of a goal, my original goal was to bring my cholesterol down and I’ve done that. I would like to get my 5k down to 26 minutes like I used to do but that was many years ago when I didn’t have as much weight on me!

@SoftIce I should give what you are doing a try! Do you go as fast as you can during those minute runs?

@Buntyforgirls that sounds like an extremely painful injury, I am not surprised you are sticking to the treadmill. I have a few times nearly tripped, mainly towards the end when I’m tired. Lots of curbs on my route.

I hate Fridays as I can’t get out as early as I like to.
4k done in 23 minutes 16 seconds. New route and as soon as home was in sight I decided not to do the full 5k, lazy of me really as it would have only been a few more minutes to finish the 5k.

Week 6 run 3 in the bag 👍 Not used to running in this heat 🥵 but I finished it!

Managed to run week 2 run 1 today , want to complete 5k as per the plan. Ideally would love to run a 10 k race at some point. I am 52 years and it’s all new to me!

Well done @BetterOffNow , that's a huge milestone! And welcome, @ProfessorLayton1 !

@ILoveCatsAndKittens: I do, but truthfully I don't really know if that has made the difference or if I'm just improving because I've now been running for longer.

Week 4, run 3 today. I ran to music rather than listening to an audible book, and that helped lots- lifted me from the plod by keeping pace with the music- otherwise my walk and run were at the same speed!
5 minutes still seems quite long (!), so will repeat the run as my target is to be ready for an Autumn park run- comfortably, so I have time.
I enjoyed running shorter intervals post the session so will add in this.

Hello to @ProfessorLayton1 , I am a beginner too, almost at week 5, but taking it slowly alongside other exercise (yoga/ pilates, and started 30 days shred)
Enjoy!

Thank you, find it inspiring to read all the achievements of others.

3k yesterday in 17mins 26 seconds (fell over after 1k but tried to continue).

5k this morning in 29 minutes 33 seconds.

@Buntyforgirls I need to update my running playlist, getting a bit fed up of the songs.

Good to see some new people on here, keep on running!

Just wanted to say, don't be afraid to repeat runs or weeks - as long as you're out there doing something it'll all help!
I got to the end of week 8 + injured my ankle (no idea how!) so took a few weeks off and went back to week 4. It's easier second time round 😉

Thanks for the advice and support @BetterOffNow and @ILoveCatsAndKittens - it is very motivating.
I also need recommendations for any playlists, please? Have to say, my favourite for getting me going has to be Come On Eileen!

I just search Spotify for a running playlist I like - Happy Rock is my happy place at the moment. Once you get into longer runs you can search by bpm to help with pacing.

I'm really pleased with 37:40 today. 😀It's also the first time I managed 4k in 30 minutes!

@Buntyforgirls When I did C25k I also ran the first "long" runs (5+ min) in slow motion. I wouldn't have made it otherwise. I could definitely have walked faster! I think you need to build up endurance before you can build up speed (that's my theory anyway), so I think you are doing it exactly right!