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 very glad of my increased fitness last night as I had to sprint through an airport to avoid missing my flight home 🤣🤣🤣

Have been very silent as hadn’t been back out since being ill but went out this morning. Desperate to get a few weeks further on! Really want to be “in my stride” by summer..

I started c25k in January when running for 90 secs was tough… now on week 8 run 3 tomorrow so running for 28 mins! I’m so pleased as I would never have thought it possible!

I am running on the gym on a treadmill though so really want to go outside now but also mindful it will change my pace etc as obviously lots of other factors outside… I was thinking of doing tomorrow’s run outside but don’t know whether to finish it all in the gym…

any tips for running outside? I’ve avoided as just not confident outside and so self conscious!

@Monstermissy36 I much prefer running outside and find it so much more motivating in terms of definitely 'finishing what I start' - and also much more impactful on my mental health as it's just so good to be outdoors. The best tip for me is to really plan where you want to go in advance and make it as comfortable an experience as possible. I go somewhere really scenic at the moment even though it's a short drive away, and do my warm up/cool down walks there too. I get much more bored in a gym! I also like the way that lots of people will smile at you as you go past, personally I am always just thinking GO YOU when I see other runners and I've learned not to spend any time wondering what others think about me.

I’m the same @Monstermissy36, I have been running on a treadmill so far but am thinking about going outside now I have moved past the walk/run intervals and the weather is getting a bit better. Also feeling a bit paranoid, and am terrified of hills!!

On the plus side, when I have run outside in the past I have found that the time goes a bit quicker as you aren’t staring at the clock wishing down the seconds. I would start somewhere like a park, where it will be relatively flat and you won’t have to keep stopping to cross roads etc. Hopefully I’ll take my own advice soon - my current inclination is to go somewhere isolated, pitch black and far away from home to make sure no one sees me, but that is probably not the best idea 😂

Thank you both good advice… I’m def getting bored on the treadmill and lots a lovely view over the beach but I then get distracted and watch the clock…

I can run alongside the beach on flat pavement so no hills (I live in Norfolk we don’t have hills 😂)

ohh I’m def going to try it outside tomorrow morning early ish cause it will be quieter but there will dog walkers etc about! I def feel like I want to go in the middle of the night in the dark but I am going to just get on and do it!

i did download Strava so it can map me 5km runs and I cannot believe I’m a person that does this now but I’m really enjoying it 😀

Not worrying about what other people think is something I’m striving to do in all areas atm so this is good practice!

I’m by the sea too @Monstermissy36 - it really is the best thing ever to have those views while running and listening to good music.

Let us know how you get on - yes @sylv165 last time I tried running on treadmills I just found it impossible not to convince myself to stop after about ten minutes. The good thing with running is you HAVE to get back to where you started so it’s either running as you planned or taking far longer walking back instead!

My stepdad and sister go to a circuits class every Saturday morning and they keep trying to persuade me to come along. I’m too much of a wimp at the moment but maybe an outside run will be starting point to getting used exercising in front of people!

I did it! I ran outside… it’s a bright and sunny day here but about 1 degree this morning so I got up early and drove to the beach determined to get outside!

set my route up with Strava and started and unknown to me ran straight into a bloody half marathon event with hundreds of runners 😭 going against the tide of runners! It was mortifying as obviously there were serious runners… I changed my route slightly so I wasn’t going against the tide and carried on!

I did ok, it was harder than on the treadmill and I stopped about 3 times for a little walk were I wouldn’t on a treadmill but did 4.5km

im going to go again in the week before work to try it without the massive running event 🫣 it really was lovely though and although I found it harder I really enjoyed being outside!

Well done @Monstermissy36!! Shame about the half marathon but who knows maybe that could be you next year!

@Monstermissy36 That’s amazing..! And 4.5k! You won’t look back I think…

Hey everyone!

How are we doing? So glad to get some sunshine to help the runs. Jealous of those who are by the sea! I'm not but have a lovely forest / river near me which is nice (if a little hilly at times!)

I'm still doing the nike running club app and have started doing 25 min runs. I'm averaging around 3.25-3.3k in that time, so not awful. Would love though to get into a 30 min run soon. It just feels like SUCH a long time to be running ha.

Hope everyone doing well!

I forgot to check in and say I finished the programme! I've just done a 5k for a second time this week. Running for 35 minutes feels long and boring and I don't like it, but now the programme has moved on to improving pace and it looks to be more interesting again. I seem to need a bit of variation.

Feels good to have done it though! I got a certificate and everything...

I did W5R3 at Parkrun today. Walked/ran the rest of it. Starting week 6 on Monday.

I ran for 30 mins without stopping this morning! I’m not really following the c25k program anymore as I’ve had a really busy month or so and have just been fitting in runs as and when I can. But it is good to know that even though I am not training as intensively as I could be, I am still making progress. Now just need to work on building up me speed, and getting brave enough to venture off the treadmill and into the outdoors!

@1clavdivsso impressed with your 2 5ks and 35 mins is a fantastic time!

@beguilingeyesthats brilliant I used to love parkruns

@sylv165huge accomplishment! 30 minutes is the longest I’ve run and I can’t say I fully enjoy every minute of it just yet 🤣

Ive signed up to a charity 5k at the end of May. Furthest I’ve run is 3.8k or 30mins. Really need to start getting to 4k - might attempt a 4k run this weekend and see where it takes me to. Suspect I’ll be around 38/39mins for a 5k at this rate.

Managed two runs this week. Made myself get to 30 mins earlier in the week. Today I managed 4k in 27 mins. I would like to have carried on but I just didn’t have it in the tank.

Just checking in to see if anyone is still running? I am still plodding along, have finally made it to 5k although it is taking me almost 40 mins so trying to work on increasing my speed. Also trying to fit in some strength training as I still feel quite flabby and not very toned at all. Hope you are all still keeping at it!

I got to week 7 and got sick so I'm going back to week 5. Still plodding along.

I did parkrun for the first time in ages last weekend and a local 5k this evening. Really pleased I finished in under 32 mins tonight.

Wow, you are all amazing, I’m feeling inspired reading this! I started c25k this week for the first time, having never run before in my life. I’ve completed the first 2 runs (first one was the hardest thing ever but second felt slightly better). Planning my third on Sunday. Really hope I can keep going, I’m finding it tough but get such a sense of achievement afterwards!

Sorry to hear you were ill @beguilingeyes, it can be so hard to get back to it after a break so well done for not giving up!

@CantbesureI’d love to do parkrun again but still haven’t been brave enough to run outside 😂. Maybe today…..!

@MummyInTheNecropoliswe all started in the same place as you! My advice would be to go through the weeks as slowly or as quickly as you are comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to repeat a week if you need to. And if week 5 feels like a massive step up you are not alone, I think we all found that one a bit intimidating!

Thank you @sylv165, at the moment week 2 feels a bit daunting so god knows how I’ll feel about week 5 - I’m trying not to think that far ahead yet!

@sylv165 maybe start at Parkrun by volunteering to check it out? I did barcode scanning today.

Hello… I started C25K last week, due to do Run 3 of week 2 today. I would like to do a park run and/or a local 3 or 5k run at some point this year.

This is the first time in at least a decade that I’ve done some form of consistent formal exercise. My fitness and general energy levels have improved massively since being on Mounjaro so I finally feel positive about being physically active, rather than it being a depressing chore!