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?

Week 9 run 1 done. 30 mind, 4.69k. My goodness it was hard, within 5 minutes I had a stitch but carried on running even though it felt awful!

Well done to all of those doing ParkRun, I have contemplated it but I dont do well with crowds so think it would be too busy for me.

@SoftIce I like the sound of the continued programme, ill have to check if my app has the same (its the BBC one I have).

Keep going everyone!! Its nice to get out in the dry weather, listen to the birds, see the daffodils waving in the wind as I run by!

@ILoveCatsAndKittens Well done! FYI, I use the "Just Run" app. The new programme is:

(Three workouts per week)
Week 1: 4x10 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 2: 3x15 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 3: 3x17 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 4: 3x18 minute runs with 1 minute walking breaks in between
Week 5: 2x22 minutes, 2x25 minutes and 2x30 minutes, each with 1 minute walking break in between
Week 6: 1x60 minutes runs

I was just delighted to see all those walking breaks to be honest. 😄

Thank you for this! And yes, the one minute runs are very appealing! I Will check this out thank you!

Again, years ago (prob about 4 years ago) I used to run 10k once a week no problem, no stopping. I just cant picture me doing that now.

Just updating because I ran 5k for the first time ever today. It's W1D1 of my new programme - 4 x 10 minutes with walking breaks in between. I saw "walking break" and thought OK, that means I can start off faster than usual. Dear god. 😄Anyway I managed 5.26k overall in 43 minutes (including the three walking breaks) or 5k in 40:31 minutes. That's officially a record because I've never run 5k before, not even as a child, so I'm elated. But I'm definitely going to slow down again for W1D2...

This is fantastic, massive massive well done! Do you plan to do any park runs or events or anything?

I woke up feeling so tired this morning and not in the best of moods so didn't end up doing my run. Kicking myself for not doing it as I usually feel great after a run but never mind.

@ILoveCatsAndKittens Thanks so much! No plans for park run over here yet. To be honest, one reason I love running is that I can do it on my own. I'll just keep following the plan for now.

Anyway, I can now say with confidence that C25K definitely works. If I can do it, anyone can!

Week 4, day 2 done!!! For the 7th time no less 😂🤪

I'm looping week 4 at the moment. Can't seem to get any momentum going.

For anyone struggling, I thought I’d loop back onto this. I started c25k as a complete non runner, couldn’t even run 30 seconds ever in my life. Did the app and thought no way will this help, I run 3/4 times a week now

I’ve just been for my run today and done 10km. My second 10km since completing the app.

as a complete non runner, so now running 25km a week at least it’s changed my life.
stick with it when it’s hard but oh man irs the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. X

It seems hard now but just keep plugging away.

I remember finding the increasing running time in C25k so hard and wondering how I would ever be able to run for 30 mins non stop, but somehow it happens. It isn’t easy and you can’t expect it to be, not at first, but it does get easier the more you do it. You just have to keep going.

5 years on from C25k and I’ve run a marathon, I’m training for another in April and I have an ultra planned for the summer. But honestly, the increasing time running each week in C25k felt harder than my 17 mile long run last weekend. But if you stick at it one day you realise that the run wasn’t hard and you enjoyed it.

today I ran twice. Once a hills session for my own training and once because my dog needed a walk and running with her seemed more appealing than walking! It’s a weird place to find yourself!! Good luck.

@Whataninterestinglookingpotato and @MamaBanana12 thank you for your encouragement on here! So good to see your successes!

I've done week 9 run 2 today. 30 minutes running, I managed just over 5k but my goodness it felt hard! The last 10 minutes I was constantly clock watching 🙈

Couch to 5k finished yesterday! I shall carry on running for 30 mins for a few weeks i think then move into the graduation programme.

Well done everyone who's doing this, and thank you for this space! Ive found its really helped to motivate me, reading other posters progress.

@ILoveCatsAndKittens Congratulations!!

Yay! Well done you! Can I ask how far you manage in 30 minutes as I'm not on course to be anywhere near 5k at 25 minutes!

I have done 5k within the 30 minutes but I felt so sick! So today I did it in 31 minutes.

At the minute i am focusing on keeping on running for 30 mins or pushing myself to the 5k mark, I will work on speed later on as I used to do 5k in around 26 minutes but that was a few years ago.

Well done!! I’ve just finished week 4, feel like it’s starting to feel more natural (5 min runs are easier than the early ones!).

Morning!
Ive done my 5k but ended up stopping after 3k for a 2 minute walk then continued running the other 2k.
Did it in just over 29 mins but feel ive cheated a little.

You’re going quite fast for someone who has just completed C25k which is probably why you felt you needed to walk for 2 mins at 3k. My advice would be slow down. Stick at a pace you can complete the whole 5k at and then keep practicing. Once you can do the distance your pace will naturally start to increase as you get more used to running that distance. If you try to go too fast at first you won’t make the distance.

Thank you so much for this advice, i really do appreciate it! I have noticed that my first 2k I'm feeling great and end up going quite fast. I find it hard to keep at a consistent pace and end up so exhausted by the end.
I am going to do what you say, slow down! I do need to work on this!

Morning all!
Took your advice and slowed right down. 5k done in just under 32 minutes, felt alot easier but I did find it hard keeping myself slow to start with.
Lovely spring sun run through the park, daffodils out, geese honking and squirrels foraging!

Been for my run this morning, it feels like a habit now and i feel bad if i dont go! 5k completed in 31.29 minutes, carried on and did 6k in 37.30 minutes.

Well done. 👏

if you keep slowly increasing your distances you’ll soon be able to pick up the pace over shorter distances without feeling like you need to stop. Tbh the times you’re running now aren’t bad at all for a beginner.

Thank you, I am really impatient so am rushing to get back to my times of 26 minutes but I know im not doing myself any good as I run out of puff!

Today felt alot more consistent, obviously paid off as it's ran an extra 1k no problem. I hadn't thought of what youve just said so thanks for this. I think i will prob continue to do 6k at a slower pace then hopefully like you said i will be able to quicken the pace for a 5k.

Really couldn't be bothered with my run this morning, dragged myself out and ended up doing 8k! Feel I am cheating by calling it a run, more of a jog! Completed in seconds over 50 minutes.

Finally my ankle feels up to running again - I'm not sure whether to go out for 1/2 hour + see how far I get or go back to say C25K week 5 (I did get to week 8 a while back but haven't run for a while for various reasons...)