Sept couch to 5k

[FringeMonkey]

Anyone care to join me on the Couch to 5k? Apparently it takes 9 weeks. I have downloaded the NHS podcasts and now I just have to get going. Eeek!

Hi ginger4justice

Welcome to the the thread, as Babieseverywhere says - the more the merrier.

I started off very unfit and I'm gradually building up my fitness levels so I'm sure you will too.

Babieseverywhere - hope all goes well at the Drs tomorrow.

If it's any consolation I've had a viral respiratory thing for the last two runs so haven't really managed to up my game at all.

I am just popping in from the runners thread to say well done everyone on here and keep up the good work

After doing a few RFL, 12 months ago I decided to get serious and enter a 10k, and in June this year I did my first half marathon. I am fitter than I have ever been, lost a stone and dropped a dress size. But of course being healthy is the main thing. Keep it up

Thanks for the encouragement DrNortherner. I bet it's an amazing feeling to finish a half marathon.

I've been lurking on the runners thread and have been with the level of fitness on there.

I started running for weight loss but I realise now that I just enjoy it for it's own sake. I never ever thought I'd say that. I just need to keep it up over the winter so I might be coming to the runners thread to ask for advice on that.

Come and join us, really. We are all runners regardless of distance or pace. With the right kit winter running is wonderful. In fact, I prefer it to summer running. It's amazing how quickly your body warms up

Thanks for the welcomes and thanks DrNortherner for the encouragement. I hope you're right about the winter runs.

I did the first run today and it was ok, for the first few runs I thought it was easy and by the end I realised it wasn't!

Babieseverywhere any news on the knee?

I'm going to second DrNotherner. I found Couch to 5K because of Mumsnet. If you keep it up, you will be amazed when you look back from where you've come - I'm now doing a 10k programme and just ran 7 miles today. 7 miles! Get me - this is someone who doesn't run.

When I first started the Couch to 5K, I found the 90 second runs such a struggle, it was awful. I had to push myself to finish and couldn't see a future. I'm still pushing myself sometimes, but...many times I find myself running and smiling - I'm moving, faster than walking, and my body is keeping up with my mind. I'm not a glamorous, sporty, fit runner (read sweating, shuffling, red-faced runner) but that makes it even more important to me. I'm moving, more than just 90 seconds each time now, I'm running for 9 minutes segments, for repeats of more than an hour at a time. I never, never thought I could do that.

It's made me realise I'm stronger and more determined than I thought.

This running thing teaches you more than just running! Keep it up - and if you pause, and think you've failed, you haven't, you can still just start it again and take it gently. That's the beauty of Couch to 5K. You don't have to be an athlete, but it can teach you how you can gradually, slowly, become something you thought you couldn't.

Good luck, and enjoy it!

Wow - that's impressive Pombear. I can't imagine running that far at the minute.When did you start C25K?

I found it on Mumsnet too and think I'll be eternally grateful. I know what you mean about smiling whilst running. I was grinning from ear to ear when did our first 5minutes. It felt like such an achievement! I too am not an elegant runner but somehow manage to shuffle at a pace faster than walking.

So how did you move on from the 5K to the 10K? I know I'm going to need something to keep me going after I've finished the programme. I've been looking at joining a running club to improve my technique but it seems a bit daunting at the minute.

I'm getting sore hips since starting (but can run through it) so off to the sports osteopath on Friday. I have an old issue with my pelvis alignment.

Sofa, There is a "Bridge to 10k" running program, according to my phone app for Couch to 5K.

Good news. According to the doctor, my knee is just temporarily damaged and should mend. No running until I'm pain free and 400mg Ibroven three times a day.

So will be running again very soon, yeah :)

Hi Couch to 5kers,

Can I gate crash and ask a quick question? I did weeks 1-6 without too much problem, each new week was hard and I felt horrid at times but I always managed to complete each run. Then at the start of week 7, when you stop walking in between runs and have to do 20 min plus constant runs, I found it so hard. I have run for 20 mins a few times and felt AWFUL but I just don't seem to be able to go for longer. Its been like this for two weeks now. Did anyone else find this step v v much harder than the rest? If so how did you manage to keep pushing yourselves?

Thanks

Babieseverywhere that's good news about your knee that it'll get better. My hip is getting worse but really don't want to stop :-( I know I might have to though. Will see what osteopath says on Friday.

AAAVegetable I'm afraid I've not run for 20 minutes yet so not able to offer any advice. I have my first one on Friday and must say I'm feeling a bit daunted by it. It seems such a big step from 8 minutes to 20!

Let us know how you get on with the top tips from Octopusinabox.

Onto Week Three, Run One.

First time I have ran in two weeks due to straining knee muscle. Oh boy have I missed running ! Never thought I would say that. I took it really easy and only walked and jogged rather than trying to run faster. I just enjoyed the time and when the final three mins was up, I wanted to keep on running ! But I didn't want to push my newly healed knee, so I stopped.

But when I finished this run I was hardly out of breath at all and only slightly red in the face, so I wonder if I get any health benefits from such an easy run, even through I did still cover 1.41 miles ?

I am to rest for the weekend and see how the knee feels. Hopefully will do run two on Monday, I can't wait :)

That's great Babieseverywhere & sounds like your fitness levels are increasing but I'm sure you'll have benefits from it.

You've been very sensible to wait.

I went to the osteopath today as my hips had been killing me and he advised me not to run today, go for a walk tomorrow and then re-do W5R2 rather than move on. I will follow his advice as I want to continue in the long term.

He gave me some good stretches to do afterwards too and nearly split his trousers in the process. I'd been doing some stretches but hadn't been stretching everything I should.

I, like you, am surprised I'd be so keen to go running!

SofaKingOld, Glad your appointment went well, how do you feel about repeating week 5 ?

So tell me, how hard are week four and five ? (Getting a bit ahead of myself as I am only 1/3 of the way through week 3)

Hi Babieseverywhere

I don't feel too bad about repeating W5R2 to be honest. It's 2x 8min run so still progress and way more than I could do 5 weeks ago. I'm just delaying the next big jump which is 20minutes in W5R3!!

Week four was really good actually. I really felt like I made progress. You really start to notice the cardiovascular difference from when you started. I couldn't even breath in for the count of four when I first started .

I had to run in town today to get to the car park as I was due to move into the next time scale which costs an extra £3. I wasn't out of breathe - at all!

Wow, 8 mins seems so unachievable to me...then again I would of said the same about 3 minutes last week !

Running in your every day life, watch you ! Sounds like you are getting very fit :)

Oh dear Lord!!

I did W5R2 (again) but went on another route for a bit of variety. Normally go along the canal but went through the woods instead. Got a bit lost and went much further than I intended to. Ended up running uphill for the first 8 minute run. Actually that's a lie - I should have, but had to start walking after 5minutes .

Had reached a bit of a plateau by the second run so managed to do that bit and tagged a couple of minutes on to the end so I'd done about the right amount.

20 consecutive minutes on Tuesday- which will definitely be along the flat canal

Yeah, for doing it all with hills and everything, brave you.

Must confess we are doing C25k on a treadmill with a 2% incline to make up for the fact it is a treadmill and not outdoors.

But I am trying to persuade DH to do a run with me in the nearby park, just so we have tried running outside and see how it differs.

I have Week Three Run Two tomorrow to look forward to tomorrow.

Week Three Run Two.

Following my last easy run, I found today harder. I walked at 3 mph and ran at 4 mph and I kept my speed consistent, no slowing down at all. I do feel much fitter than when I started running and not as red in the face or totally out of breath as I was getting in week one.

I controlled my breath well for the first three runs but lost it a bit on the fourth. I ran further doing the same 1.41 miles I did on Friday but doing it in 25 minutes instead of 30 minutes.

Still proud that I can run three minutes but not looking forward to next weeks runs (5 minutes) but before I get ahead of myself I have to get ready for the final Week Three run.. :)

Pragmatically I can't expect all runs to be good ones, that would be boring.

1. Seeds mix and berries (on cereal and snack)

2 & 3. Salad for lunch plates worth

1. Chilli Flavour Peanuts, 25 g...yeah or nay.
2. Grapes, 40g is that enough for a portion.

So somewhere between 3 and 5.

Aiming to have stir fry with chicken for tea and I'll try and fit in an apple or banana/carrot snack later...maybe. ;)

Ignore last post, wrong thread

Hello

I'm c25king so I will come and tell you all about it if you like

I started a couple of months ago and ended up with knackered back & knees, so I stopped after completely failing to achieve anything in week 4 week 3. Got a bit fitter, lost a bit of weight and started again at week three a couple of weeks ago... well w3 was fine but attempted w4r1 last night and it was DISMAL, didn't even get half way through. I was fighting off a cold though so perhaps that's why. I'll try again tomorrow.

I've been running on a treadmill but only just found out about the incline thing, I'm wondering if perhaps I should repeat week 3 (again ) with an incline? What do you think?

Yeah, 4000. Glad you have joined us on here :)

DH had to repeat week three, partly as I had an injury and I didn't want him to race ahead and partly as it was just too hard.
He is now just starting week 4 and says it is very difficult.

Yes, I would repeat week 3 with treadmill on an incline, we have ours on 2%. Apparently that closes the gap between road running and inside running.

I'm on Week Three, Run three tomorrow and then I'll make a decision whether to join DH on week 4 or do Week three again myself.

Well done for doing the run Babieseverywhere. I know what you mean about the breathing. I sometimes forget to concentrate on it and it goes a bit awry.

I would recommend running outside of you can. I find it exhilarating but must confess I'm v lucky and live in some spectacular country side which is too hilly for my liking when running.

4000 I've found this thread really good for support and know I'm not the only one getting injuries. I'm a couple of weeks ahead so send reports back.

I've come back from W5R3 feeling rather smug as I ran a whole 20minutes without stopping . I'm so chuffed with myself and wouldn't have thought it possible. In reality I wasn't going much faster than a bloke out at the same time who was walking his dog.

Sofa, Wow, 20 minutes How wonderful...you are a real runner :)

Doesn't matter about the speed...you are moving faster than the people sat on their bottoms ! Plus you are building stamina and speed comes later... apparently the experts say What would I know ;) I only 'run' at 4mph but I am still running none the less and I am guessing my heart doesn't care as long as I am exercising.

Week Three Run Three for me today, had to do it this afternoon rather than evening as I have school stuff to do later.

After Week Three Run Two which I really struggled with, this run was fine. Not great not bad.

I had better control over my breathing but still breathing hard during the fourth run, that said I am coughing and phlegm filled atm so that might affect my running.

I do not feel confident that I can do week four and 5 minute runs but I might try it on Friday and if I can't do it, repeat week three again.

So 4000 any update ? What days do you run ?