Couch to 5K: A healthier year is underway

[ScienceGeekMum]

Through rain and snow and skies of grey
We will keep running the C25K
Though lack of sleep and time do test us
We wil not let excuses best us
For 2012 will be the year
For weight loss, fitness and good cheer
Nine weeks of running isn't that long
So come on ladies, get those running shoes on!

Welcome to all runners, joggers, speed walkers and waddlers! All levels of fitness are welcome here on the Couch to 5k support thread. For more information see the NHS website

Link to the old thread

I've just realised I can run the apps at the same time - Runkeeper, Get Running & iPod - love using runkeeper to record speed and distance.

Ooo Cocoa that's great news! I've not been wearing mine... Can now get then over my knuckle but they are still too tight, don't want to enlarge them, it would be admitting defeat!

Oh it's the evening for realisations!!!! I am running to a different App than the rest of you - exactly the same run times but the only difference is I don't hear Laura, I hear another woman - nice but not so chatty and I choose my own music - my own music is definitely a good thing!

Betty you mean you didn't want the banjo??? (which incidental makes me smirk every time I hear it (so 2 times so far then )

Well done on the jeans btw!

I use two different things - either Laura with the NHS podcast on my old iPod shuffle, or else an app on my Android phone which logs distance etc as well as telling me when to start running/walking, b ut with my own music (actually I listen to Radio 4 as I don't have any music on my phone...). The intervals seem to be the same so far. I like having the pace and distance measured, and being able to see a map at the end, but I also like Laura's encouragement. If I could I would download the podcasts onto my phone and have them both going at once. But I can't seem to manage to get the podcasts on my phone. I plugged my phone into my computer and tried to drag and drop, but it didn't work.. I also tried to download it directly onto my phone with no success. Any tips?

Why can't you do both woodlands.
I have my ipod with my own track I make using a program, with the voice and my own songs.
Then I have my phone in my pocket with runkeeper going to track distance, speed and where I have ran.

via the computer is the way to go, did you put your phone into the mode allowing updating? I like seeing the map at the end, I use move bike computer at the moment but have downloaded google mytracks which seems to allow connecting a bluetooth heart rate monitor which I may buy one day... Love the idea of running to radio 4!

I just downloaded the Get Running App to my iphone, the woman is encouraging but maybe not as engaging as Laura - I think it costs a couple of quid though.

The banjo would make me howl! Definitely find listening to my own tunes really helps me move through the pain barrier on longer runs. Try running to the Eye of the Tiger - you visualise youself running like Rocky...ok I'm getting a tad carried away but it really helps when I have a hill to conquer.

The music I run to is not the music I generally listen to but it really pulls me along.

Maybe we could share some running tunes....I could do with updating my list.

I admitted defeat on my rings only recently (about 2 years ago) and had them enlarged at great cost. oops they are getting loose now...

its really encouraging to read that so many of you are managing wk4 run1.
I suppose to do it tomorrow - reading your comments are settling my nerves a bit.

BTW banjo? have i missed it?

On to wk 5 on Thursday! This is going so fast (unlike my shuffley jog). What is in store next time I wonder...

W4r3 was ok. Cold rain soaked me to the skin, was pleased for my cycling jacket that is actually waterproof / breathable. I ran up and down a small incline near my home to stay close in case of frost bitten toes!

Keep it up everyone!

Just done Wk 4 r3; found it challenging, but I kept going :o Starting Wk 5 on Saturday

Just done Wk4 R1 - that was tough but I did it - I actually ran for 16 minutes which is incredible. I did end up saying out loud 'Come one' about 20 times to keep myself going. There seem to be quite a few other mums from school running but all much better than me - but I'll catch up!

JUst done Wk3 r3. I felt a bit sluggish today, maybe because I ran later than usual and I was less energised. Still, it's done!

Week 4 sounds scary - 15 minutes of running?!

right, i slogged through w6 run 2 this morning. was tough tough. 2 x runs of 10 mins with a 3 min breather.
so now it's 25 mins runs for the next 4 times. i have no idea if I will manage.
fingers crossed, eh?

good luck everyone else, we're all doing SO well.

Great going, everyone!! stringcheese well done you - I imagine getting to the 25 minute runs as the point where I'll really feel like one of those people who casually says 'think I'll go for a run'.

I just finished w4r1 and the first 5 minute run was by far the hardest bit. Once I know I can get through it, the second time around doesn't seem quite as bad. It was still tough, though!

Just back from W4R2 and I tracked how far I went, 2.4 miles, is that about right, I have no idea. Although I fear it may be a little on the slow side.

Well done all, keep it up, you are keeping me going

Just signing in! Not run for 4 days as full of cold do been in bed for 7 , but hopefully recovered enough tomorrow or Friday to resume!

Haha Rebecca I just checked my last run, w4r2, and I did 2.18 miles so you're outpacing me!

Good to hear from you Rusmum, hope you're feeling better tomorrow for some running action!

Just in after w5 r1, it's run 5, walk 3, run 5, walk 3, run 5, so not that far off week 4. It was hard but I did it. I can't believe I am actually managing this, such a great feeling.

RebeccaMumsnet I am slower than you- I do 2 miles. My jog is about the same speed as my brisk walk, but I think if I go too fast I'll not manage it. Building up speed will be my challenge after I've finished the 9 weeks of c25k.

I've been looking at the next two weeks and I'm a bit confused as w5r3 has 20 min straight running but w6r1 is back to intervals with 5, 8 and 5 mins running with 3 mins walking between. Does that seem odd to anyone else?

cinnamon yes i'm on week 6 so it did seem weird.
i think they do it so mentally you know you can do the longer runs.
i found todays splits of 2 x 10 min runs much harder than the flat 20. Weird, eh?

You lot are racing ahead! Literally

I have just done w2r4 and it felt good, so downloading w3 for Friday. Any tips?

I have just mapped my route and only managed 2.049 miles, so I think you are doing well rebecca.

hello - just rejoining the thread in time for my return to C25k on Saturday. Determined not to slide back to old ways! Well done everyone on progress so far - some very motivational and inspirational posts to get through!

Hi all, just checking in again, did W3R3 on sat whist away at the in-laws and tonight did W4R1. Tonights run was a killer. Really struggled in the last 5 min run, but i managed to keep at it. Always makes me giggle when the person on my app reminds me to slow my pace if i need to. If i go any slower id be laying down lol. Must work on my pace