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 ran around a new park this morning, while away. Can’t believe I did the 5 min, 6 min, and 5 min runs of week 5 relatively easily. And kept passing “real” runners going the other way who said hello. Maybe they think I’m a real runner too!!

Woo hoo well done!!

Week 1 run 2 done.

Meant to do it last Friday but it didn’t happen, then the weekend was too busy having fun. But it’s done now 😂

I am amazed at what I can do after 5 weeks of running and 12 PT sessions. But I’m also just reflecting that I really did need to lose some of the weight first, with MJ. It’s just easier being lighter and there’s so much less pressure on my knees.

I remember that back in January my heart rate on my smart watch was 140 when I ran for the bus briefly. It’s now only 120 when I’ve run for five minutes. Now, there’s still a long way to go to be “fit” but the improvement feels vast.

Totally agree @WoolerOwl I had tried to get going with c25k so many times without success, mainly because I would get injured, my knees were sore and I was just carrying around too much bulk to make it in any way enjoyable. Losing weight was the turning point for me.

As an ex-runner (half marathons, marathons, OCR's) i restarted on Saturday...

So W1 R1 done. Thought i was going to pass out 😂

Totally agree with @sylv165 and @WoolerOwl!

So glad to have lost a load of weight first (5stone) before starting. Realise now that’s why previous attempts have failed so spectacularly!

Forgot to to check in Saturday, week 6 run. 3 completed. 25 minutes non stop! I did it! Can't quite believe it!!

Wow that’s brilliant! Well done you!

Btw is anyone finding they get really bloody hungry after a run? I could eat my own hand right now!

Amazing, @Marypoppinsisnosaint !

❌ W1 R3
Torrential downpour. Run aborted half way.
Try again tomorrow!

I do usually feel peckish 10 minutes after, so I make sure I have some protein ready as a snack. So I'll have some chicken breast, or some sliced beef, or maybe a bit of cottage cheese. The key is to not end up eating more calories than you would have done had you not done the run! Having some protein for muscle building after the run is good though. Even if I'm not feeling I could snack, I generally make myself have it.

This thread inspired me to try again with C25K. I’m on my second run of the first week something which I couldn’t do before I lost 3 stone in weight.

A quick question though, it’s getting a bit chilly out, what kind of jacket are you wearing to run at this time of year?

Week 7 run 1 completed. A bit later than planned as my muscles were still aching from my PT session Monday 😂 every time I see "run for 25 minutes" I think there's absolutely no way I can do this! Half way through I want to jack it in but I managed to pull myself together and kept going.

I agree 4 stone ago there was absolutely no way I would have got this far.

@Marypoppinsisnosaint holy cow, that’s terrifying!!

I am balking at the idea of week 4 and a solid 5 minutes 😂

And then week 5 makes you do 8 minutes, and 5 minutes seems like a light stroll! I just think of it as joining up the runs and the walks into solid masses; not that much more effort than separating them out! And a good podcast takes away the boredom.

@WoolerOwl 😱😱😱

And then TWO lots of eight minutes the next session. The audacity of it. But I did it and feel better for it. Onto week 6. I’m about to run out of the crime podcast series I’ve been listening to that stops me from getting bored. Anyone got any good recommendations?

Feeling quite proud of myself today, on my 1 year Mounjaro anniversary! Managed to run 7k without stopping. It was slow, but I haven’t been running much lately and didn’t know if I still had it in me! I can also detect the hint of a bicep so my strength training is also starting to pay off - although my bingo wings are stubbornly hanging on in there!!

Started a course organised by a running club today. 💪🏻 Week 1 Run 1 done.

I was going to do it last year but I was 5 stone heavier. It feels an achievable goal to complete now. I have chosen Ella Toone for the two runs I have to do by myself.

I've been on the week 6 run for a couple of weeks now, which is a single 22 minute run. I use a treadmill, so I've been trying to increase my speed a bit by running for a minute at my usual pace then a minute at a slightly higher pace, repeating for the 22 mins.(so going from ridiculously slow up to very very slow then back down).
I have a right lather on by the end!

Week 6 running started. 15 PT sessions done. Have also started on the rowing machine and exercise bike at home. Work on my arms with resistance bands. I am starting to see arm and leg muscles!

I did my first parkrun today - it was hard as the course is so hilly but I finished it! 💪

@WoolerOwl what were you listening to? I love Redhanded! Real is pretty good. Just listening to Up and Vanished at the mo. Truth and Justice has been a fave for years. Crime analyst is outstanding but not story telling. Guilt is excellent.

I was listening to Tortoise Investigates' The Gas Man on iPlayer. Fascinating. Next in queue is the Stalked series hosted by Carole Cadwalladr and Hannah Mossman-Moore, recommended by a colleague, and I'd read about the case. Thank you for the other suggestions. I have just downloaded a few.