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Original poster

Couch to 5k: whether you're picking up the pace or just starting the race

998 replies

QueenRunningGeekMum · 08/03/2012 20:16

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

OP posts:
cece · 28/04/2012 11:51

Trust in the program - I think we all wondered if we would manage each new challenge but it is possible!

I have been out today in the rain and did 5.5 k including my walks. I actually ran 4.6k in 35 mins today, so a slight improvement! So got to 5 k after about 37/38 mins.

I went along to my first time at my new running group on Weds, except I was 30 mins late (DH train was late) so missed most of it. Sad Managed to do 2 laps of the park with them (aboout 1 mile) before thy started their cool down, so I ended by poundung the pavements for the rest of my run... still it's a start. They are doing interval training so hope it will help me speed up and manage 5k in 30 mins. Smile

dementedma · 28/04/2012 16:22

I just did the dreaded W5 R3! I was struggling the last couple of minutes, I must admit, but I did it. Grin

yehudiwho · 28/04/2012 17:48

FIRST RUN AS A GRADUATE. felt just like before and still cant quite see me nearing 5 k in 30 mins but happy enough to be a runner. missed Laura a bit runkeeper woman is a little more clinical but the good points are hearing my own music rather than Laura's terrible choices and nice to know the speed (about 7.2km an hour )

to all you still on the plan you just have to trust it - it really does work and the jumps are really manageable

FunnysInLaJardin · 28/04/2012 22:11

Did wk8 r1 today and it was fine. Ran 4k altogether, so getting nearer 5k. I think I'll need 40 mins of a good run to get to 5k though. Also my new running clothes are fab. Proper wicking stuff so you don't feel too hot.In 2 weeks I reckon I'll be up to 5k Grin

FunnysInLaJardin · 28/04/2012 22:17

oh and I ran at 8km ph for the first 8 mins then 7.5 for the next 20 mins. I reckon I need to be at 8km ph to run 5k in 40 mins, which is tough for me!

dotty2 · 29/04/2012 08:01

Had a nice run with my friend early evening yesterday when it finally stopped raining. We did 30 mins at about 9.5kph, which am happy with given that we chatted all the way.

Well done dementedma on getting through the dreaded W5R3.

Hello to all the grads too - would be interested to hear how your running group works out cece - and I miss Laura too!

FunnysInLaJardin · 29/04/2012 09:17

wow dotty 9.5 kph is really fast. I can't imagine running that fast for 30 mins!

Artyjools · 29/04/2012 11:07

Hi, I started the programme a while ago but had to stop because of illness. So restarted at W3 and have now completed W5 r2, which was hard, but ok. Just can't see me managing 20 mins without a break. I'm the wrong side of 50 and the wrong side of 13 stone. I'm gutted to read that you don't lose weight on this programme but, amazingly, I'm really enjoying it and feel very motivated. Can I really run for 20 mins?????

FunnysInLaJardin · 29/04/2012 11:44

Arty of course you can. I am the wrong side of 40 and the wrong side of 13 stone too and I did 28 mins yesterday after starting running in Feb. You'll be fine!

dotty2 · 29/04/2012 13:40

Not fast enough for a 30 min 5k, though, or not quite.

Welcome Arty - some people have lost lots of weight with Couch to 5k as part of a programme, so don't get downhearted. It's just that you need to change your eating habits as well (and I don't mean having an extra biscuit when you get home like I did).

Artyjools · 29/04/2012 17:39

Thank you Funny & Dotty. I guess I won't know if I don't try - so I'll be giving it a go tomorrow. Gulp!

littledolly · 29/04/2012 21:04

I did R3 W4 earlier today & managed OK. Ate quite alot of rubbish yesterday & think that had an impact on me. I do try to watch what I eat & drink plenty of water on run days, and do think it makes a difference. I suppose watching what I eat every day would be better all round Grin

Really nervous about moving on to week 5, as 8 minute runs sound tough!! Will give it a go on Tuesday though.

I seem to use a different app to some of you, as I use mine over the top of my own music on my iPhone. The woman just talks over the music. However, I'm intrigued as to how you know how fast you're running - is that from another app??

dementedma · 29/04/2012 21:13

arty I did W5R3 on Saturday and made it. I am 48 and the wrong side of 12 stone. Go very slowly and think about anything but running - work, family, dinner, holidays. You can do it!

cinnamongreyhound · 29/04/2012 22:42

Welcome and you'll do it Artyjools!!

I use runkeeper littledolly which cuts in over my music to tell me each five minutes how fast I'm going and how far I have run in total. It gives a summary at the end which includes how fast each Km was and how fast each minute was, plus a map of where you've been :)

Have had the weekend off running but back to it tomorrow, hoping the sun stays out as it's supposed to!!

dotty2 · 30/04/2012 06:37

Tired and v busy today - loads of work and DD1 kept me up for ages, which is not what you expect from a nearly 7 year old. But determined to get in a run and make the most of the promised dry weather. I managed to run through the cold and ice in Jan/Feb, but the downpours are enough to test the resolve of the most hardened runner, aren't they? (And I'm hardly that!). Good luck today, everyone.

cinnamongreyhound · 30/04/2012 06:59

You're right Dotty2, I'm so sick of getting wet now!!! Hope you fit your run in, I'm going tonight too pending no disasters :)

BartletForAmerica · 30/04/2012 10:24

Thank goodness the rain has stopped here. We have glorious sunshine and a nice breeze, so it was much easier to go out for a run this morning than it would have been if I'd had to go out yesterday.

Does anyone else use Endomondo? I love it. I am a bit of a geek, I know, but I love coming home to find out if I have beaten any (as yet rudimentary) personal bests, and today I did!

Week 7 Run 1 (can't believe I have got to this stage - the plan really does work) - 5km in 31:17!

BartletForAmerica · 30/04/2012 10:25

littledolly, I use Endomondo for the stats afterwards but a woman comes on every mile to tell me my lap time. I am not sure how to change it to km, which might be more useful though.

bigbadbarry · 30/04/2012 11:01

Dd2 poorly again: I may never make it past week 4! I think it had taken me 9 or 10 weeks to get here :(

OrmIrian · 30/04/2012 12:23

Week 9 run 1. It was really good - I managed it quite easilyl But I am very slow. I only just managed 4.5k. But I did have to stop twice to do up my soaked shoe laces and I was running against the wind!

dotty2 · 30/04/2012 16:20

Made the most of the sun and working at home to go out this afternoon and did 7k in 46 mins, including a short warm-up walk. That's the furthest I've ever done - though I did really, really slow down towards the end. Am quite pleased with myself - and even quite pleased with my first ever blister! I had to divert twice though as was running along the river and it was flooded in a couple of places!

Am struggling to find an app that I like though. What I want is one that will let me play my own music and give me voice prompts every so many minutes - or every km as a second best. I tried to buy the upgraded version of runtastic today as the free version cuts out the voice prompts after the first 2km but it didn't seem to download. Maybe will try Endomondo - am useless technophobe and only recently got a smart phone, so not quite up to speed.

BBB - sorry to hear your DD is poorly. You will get there eventually, though. Don't lose heart.

And well done, OrmIrian. The wind really makes a difference, doesn't it. And I think 4.5k in the circumstances is actually impressively speedy - not so far off a 5k in 30mins.

cece · 30/04/2012 18:09

Blimey some of you are fast!

I ran for 38 mins today and it was a struggle near the end - got home and mapped out my route only to find I had actually only covered 4.3k during 38 mins of running Shock Sad

But with walks at both ends it was closer to 5.3 k! LOL I think I might be able to walk faster than I can run... Grin Sad Shock Blush

Artyjools · 30/04/2012 18:57

I'm really impressed by how far/how long some of you are running.

Well, I managed W5 R3 okay. Felt pretty grim at 15 mins, especially as I had a bit of an incline at that stage, but my mind was in the right place and I really wanted to finish the run. Towards the end, my breathing felt much better, although the front of my shins hurt like hell. I didn't feel my age, but I felt my weight LOL!!! I actually sped up a little towards the end and then I came home and mowed the (fairly large) lawn. I was officially cream crackered by the time I got into the shower though.

Dementedma, you have the slight advantage Smile. I so wish I was the right side of 50 and the right side of 13 stone!

dotty2 · 30/04/2012 19:47

Well done artyjools - funnily enough I too thought I ought to mow the lawn when I got home since it was dry for once but didn't have the energy. And ours is only 6m x4m!

yehudiwho · 30/04/2012 19:56

dotty runkeeper is the app for me - trialling mapmy run adn endo whatsit but runkeeper lets you play your own music or listen to radio and a slightly stern american woman pipes up every 5 minutes (longer if you want) and says you have run for 5 minutes - pace blah blah, distance run blah blah current pace - just what i wanted - i think you can get it to pipe up at a km or mile too -
arty I am 48 wrong side of 13 stone - running for 30 minutes but not lost anything - reason I still stuff my face but feel better whilat being 13 stone and my stomach is smaller!