C25K runners - anyone want to join?

[85reasons]

Finally hauled myself out of bed this morning to restart C25K, having been wanting to get back into running now that I’ve lost weight on MJ.

Two years ago I was able to run 10K… this morning the three minute runs in week 3 (I’m impatient…) were a real stretch - but it felt so good to be back out there.

I’ve struggled to get consistently into exercise since starting WLI in September but am now about a stone from target and really need to sort it out. I’m hoping getting into regular running will kick start some strength training motivation too.

Amyone else want to join in for mutual support?

I was seriously unfit and lacking in confidence and I didn't think I would even be able to run 3 minutes in the week when it went up to that. I only ran round and around the square that's a street away from where I live as I was too scared to go any further. You can definitely do this! (And even enjoy the headspace during and high feeling afterwards!).

Wk 8 completed this morning after having bout a week off due to a weekend away and illness.

Wasn't convinced I'd be able to do it after taking time off but I did.

Bring on week 9 😫

Week 4 Run 1 done. Felt surprisingly easy.

30 minutes solid running this morning, covering just over 4km. Next run is my last day of C25K, when I need to do 35 minutes. I think it will take me 40 mins to do the actual 5k, but that seems possible. So, goal next week?

Week 4 Run 2 done. Ready for week 5 next week. Think my breathing is getting better. I am also more conscious of doing more stretches in an attempt to reduce injury potential.

interestingly 2 people out of the 9 who started the running club course have already ‘disappeared’. One of the club helpers say people normally struggle around week 5 and 6 as that is when things pick up.

My PT has had me doing jump squats, little hops side to side on each foot, calf raises, and hip flexor exercises with a resistance band. That all seems to be helping the running and I am definitely finding the distance easier this time than when I did it seven years ago, despite being older! I'm also a few stone lighter, which I guess helps too.

Absolutely @WoolerOwl . It’s only because I have lost 5 stone that I have given C25K a go. There is no way I could have attempted this when I was morbidly obese.

I got a 12kg bag of bird seed the other day and thought it was bloody heavy getting it to the car. Later it dawned on me that I have lost almost 35 kg. My knees couldn’t run supporting all that extra weight.

Week 7 ✅

I am slow though! I have short legs syndrome😂 No chance I’ll be covering 5km in 30 mins.

I have long legs but there’s also no chance I’ll be covering 5k in 30 mins!! And I don’t care. I’m out of bed, wearing Lycra, and running. Better than the situation I was in back in February where I was scared of any exercise as it made me feel both ill and self-conscious.

I’ve just signed up for the Nike Run Club app, with the intention of doing their 6 week 10k training plan once I’m finished the 5k. Could I get to 10k by Christmas?

Going to need some more podcasts!

Totally agree about the benefits of doing a bit of strength training alongside running. It really does help minimise injury, and in the longer term building up some muscle definitely helps with speed and stamina!

Good morning!
Can I join the thread? I've been doing C25K for 6 weeks now. As I got scared of the inclination in week 5, I've adjusted the program a bit for myself. Basically I've split that week up: I've stayed with the 3x 5 min runs for all of week 5 and am now doing the 2x 8 min runs this week. I intend to skip the long runs (20, 25 min) and leave those for later. Next week I'll be doing the 2x 10 min runs from week 6 workout 2 exclusively🏃‍♀️.
I am doing just fine with the 8 min runs: I'm not out of breath, my speed is increasing slowly but steadily and for the first time yesterday (while doing my 2nd set of the 8 min runs) I felt that I was enjoying to jog!

Before I started the C25K, I did a 4-months walking program that started with 1 and 3k walks🚶🏼‍♀️. For my first 5k walk I had to stop and sit down twice because I was so unfit! 4 months later I was able to do a 20k hike and had fallen in love with walking! It was a perfect activity for the summer and I loved being outside so much, experiencing nature and finally moving my body again after quite a few years of physical inactivity. I've also lost 50 lbs with the help of Mounjaro, counting calories and going on long walks.

After finishing my walking program I started the C25K program but up to now I didn't find it as enjoyable as walking. I still try to fit in one longer walk per week on top of the 3 runs. Let's see if l'll learn to at least like jogging a bit more from now on!
My adjustment to a more gradual incline seems to be much more manageable for me, so I keep doing that, even if it will take a few weeks longer to reach the full 30 min.
Thanks for reading my long introduction!😊

Welcome @getthingsdone . I went slowly too - using the 5k Runner free app, which definitely goes up the the time increases more steadily.

5k done! I’m feeling very pleased with myself. I would never have believed at the beginning of August that I would have done this in around 9 weeks.

Wozer well done @WoolerOwl 👏🏻👏🏻

Well done @WoolerOwl!! Amazing!!

@WoolerOwl 👏👏👏 very well done!!

Completed wk 8 r 1 this morning and it was fine. I did it without looking at the timer on the app and actually think it may have been easier. I just counted how many songs I’d listened to/how many more were needed 😂

@WoolerOwl 🎉🙌🎉

I have just signed up for the 10k running plan as well but taking the slower 8 week route in the hope that my Achilles won’t protest too much. Mind you, have noticed far fewer twinges now that I have dropped a couple of stone!

@LadyClumber I will take a very slow route to get to 10k too! Will report back. Having done 5k yesterday, I just had a very long walk today (11k steps) so that feels like a good not too strenuous next step. Will try to do another 5k run later this week.

@WoolerOwl - just about to head off to the gym for my 1st run of the Nike 10k plan - a ‘Recovery Run’ of 3k. Hoping that the app will allow me to play my own music! Will report back.

Week 1, Run 1 of the Nike (10 week) 10k training plan completed. It was 3k so not too bad. Thankfully, you can play your own music/ podcast so not subjected to a Nike play list. There is (what sounds like) AI generated but it isn’t intrusive - just updating how far you have ran/ how much longer/ and pace. Tomorrow’s run is 9:15 minutes so I’m at risk of being lulled into a false sense of complacency as to how easy this will be…

AI generated commentary

I had a look at that programme too and plan to use it as well. Glad to know that I can have my own playlist. I would never have kept up with running if I couldn't distract myself with a podcast.

completed Week 5 run 1 last night. Finally feel as those I am half way. The running club that I do run 1s with did it slightly different last night. We had to do a 400 metre run, followed by 200 metre walk and then three 800 metre runs separated by 200 metre walks. By running I mean gentle jog 😂

our couch reckoned that a few of us, including me 😇, could already have a crack at 5k! We are going to stick with the programme though

@TheSlimmingPumpkin can I ask how you are getting on with the running club?

Someone at the gym keeps suggesting I join hers and do their beginners programme but I fear I would struggle running with other people. I get totally in my own head when I run and actually enjoy that aspect of it (not so much the physical!😂) so worry that I’d hate it.

I saw a group out running the other evening and thought ‘Eugh!’ Which I suppose tells me a lot…

My son reckons it would be good socially though and a chance to meet more people.