Couch to 5K - to infinity and beyond...

[cinnamongreyhound]

A new thread for those of us who started in January 2012 and anyone starting now. Everyone welcome for support, encouragement and occasional arse kicking :)

Aha! Pleased to see this from my mumsnet email today. I was doing ck25k last year and the year before and building up to 10k but stopped around August 2012 after a wind down due to work getting very intense and then bad weather. So, I started again in November 12 in dribs and drabs and by Dec was doing 6x a week runs until Xmas eve when injured my knee and then spent a week eating trifle mostly. Started again properly on 5th jan and am going very slowly. I run cross country on clay soil so it is v hard going due to slippy, slippy mud so struggling to move beyond week 4. I use a ck25k app but not the Nhs podcast and it is almost identical.

I'm re capping each week at least once to try and improve speed as last time I found I got very stuck at a particular run speed and once you've progressed distance wise it is very hard to re set your pwrsonal body speedometer! Personal trainer recommended interval training as you have to train the brain to muscle something or other pathways.

I run every morning at 7.30 between school runs and my fear of running in dark woods makes me go faster but hoping for daylight runs soon as we head into spring.

Good luck all- i was NOT a runner until C25k!

How does everyone else cope with running in the cold. I have hat, gloves, layers etc... but a take a deep breath (I'm asthmatic) and it hurts... I can't just give up cos its cold, i've only just got back to it again

em3978 I am also asthmatic, I know exactly what you mean about inhaling cold air. I bought this thing called a "buff", it's a kind of snood thing, I cover my mouth with it so as to not breath in totally icy air. I probably look a prat running along like that, but better than not running at all!

Quickly checking in, last run of W1 today and could have run much further hooray!
Getting ready to swap galoshes for snow boots next week...
Happy running folks

Em3978 and milkybrew, me too - same problem and solution! I don't really care (much) if I look daft now, though I was more bothered at first. I already had a buff but I think you can buy similar things in running stores, though they might be described as something else (neck gaiters?? is that it???) Also, if it looks as though it's going to be grim, I'll use my inhaler first. In mild weather and if things are OK I will manage without it. Good luck!

I am running up here in the North East, went out this morning 6.15 - rather frosty today. I just wear running tights, running vest, long sleeved running vest and a hat in the cold weather. My hands seem to warm up quickly, as does the rest of my body. But once I've finished and I'm back indoors I call down very rapidly - need to be in the shower within 20mins.

I took my son (9) with me this morning - he's joining me on the parkrun on Saturday. I went slower than normal today - I am teaching him to run at a steady pace and get his breathing right. Think he'll be slowing down for me in a few months. It was fun going together.

Well done everyone running, I fell asleep on the sofa at 6 tonight instead of running and dh home late tomorrow so will only run Monday and Saturday this week.

Thanks milkybrew and sarah, I'll try that, I have one somewhere. I always take a double ventolin before I set off, winter or summer, but wednesday's run was one of only a couple where I've needed my inhaler half way round.
Not going out today, I'm still a bit sore from Wednesday, I think it took it out of me a bit :(

Does anyone use a machine instead of running outside? Self esteem issues mean I don't want anyone to see me and everything I read seems to be aimed at running outside.
Have just put some music on my phone and the run keeper app. Will this help me?
I did 1 mile on wed but mostly brisk walking (3.5 - 4mph) so I have made a start.
Was just trying to get the motivation to do another mile but have a few vinos with friends last night and at 46 I feel rough.

Hi ResolutelyCheeky! There was someone who was running on a treadmill but I'm not sure who it was or if they're still around. There is no reason why you can't run on a machine. When I started last January I was very glad for dark evenings as no one could see me but now feel confident enough in my running to be able to go out in daylight and enjoy myself. I used run keeper later on to measure my distance and also keep an eye on my speed to watch as I got quicker, as far as I know you can't listen to the podcast at the same time as your own music but you can listen to run keeper and you own music. You can set different timings to be spoken with run keeper but not sure how small they go, I use every 5 mins so you may be able to use run keeper and your own music as long as you can keep track.

Thank you for your reply. The machine has the settings so I guess I just need to know if it is important to follow the advice on run/walk/run and timings etc?

The plan really works so I would recommend following it, it gives you achievable targets for each run and helps you improve each week. I couldn't run at all when I started and after 9 weeks I could run for a full 30 mins, built up to a sub 30 min 5k in the next 3 months and stayed there. Recently I have wanted to go further and have managed a sub 60 min 10k this year :)

Not sure runkeeper will work as it's meant to on a treadmill though as it uses gps to track how far you've gone and you won't actually be going anywhere but it will still be able to time you!

I've worked out how to manually enter info on run keeper and they have an input for running machines. Have just done 1.7 miles with a hangover so feeling pleased with myself. Only about 5 mins of that wad actual running though, most of it was brisk walking but better than nothing I guess?

Hello! I decided this year that I want to do a half marathon in the autumn. I've just started on a couch to 10k programme as I've also signed up for a 5k in April and a 10k in May. Eek!

I've just finished my 3rd run of week one. Am hoping to lose a couple of stone in the process too, but my body is funny with exercise and never really seems to shift much, so im also back onto 1500 cals a day with it.

Excited about the races though!

Hello!

I've jsut today completed week 1 on the c25k, and really looking forward to week 2. I have never been a runner, but I have found a nice route now, mixture of on road and off road and I am rather enjoying it. I even did a couple of extra reps today of the 1 minute run/ 90 second walk. Can't imagine ever getting to 5k yet, but taking each week as it comes, and hoping this will be an alternative to gym fees.

I did the first run in the dark, but felt a bit nervous about off road trails, and I like the variety, so I'm running during the day now. Just hoping that we don't get loads of snow. Does anyone run in snow?

I would like to reiterate what cinnamon said about couch to 5k - it is the way to go. I have used the NHS version - brilliant, it gradually built up fitness and stamina. My legs never ached once. I have recommended it to so many people. Already 5 of my colleagues have taken up the challenge and graduated, I keep hearing them recommend it to others. Another group were questioning me today.

friend from work registered for parkrun today. I hope she comes tomorrow to walk the course :)

Been for my clubs Saturday morning run, was lovely this morning, fresh and crisp and bright :) plus I've burned 650 calories before I started the day!

Hi all, newbie to mumsnet.... Desperate to start the c25k program but something always gets in the way! Any hints for getting motivated?

hullaballo my advice for what its worth is use the C25K podcast and schedule the best 3 days in a week and the best time for you to go that suits you. I went in the evening on a Tues and thursday and then . Dont stress if you miss one but go the next possible day. and finally stay on this thread- i would never have carried on without the support of the others on the thread- they gently chide you if you fess up to missing one and help you over those bad runs!

today I bounced off in my new nike lunar glides and did my longest and fastest run of 2.3 miles in 30 minutes apparently 75% of my target of 3.1miles (5 k) by the end of jan- knees a bit creaky mind. To those using their old trainers I have just got my first proper running shoes after a year of on off running!!! Proper ones do support your arches and are all soft and padded , although mine have a definite clown shoe look to me

Haha yehudi, I think you have read my mind! I did dip out last night because it was so cold and horrid when I got home from work, but today looks even worse... however I am aiming to go tomorrow. I don't feel quite so bad about missing one day now I have made it to week 8 as it's really more consolidation at this stage. So come on then, tell me off gently!

You are obviously running at about the same speed as me - I tried to work it out and reckon I am doing about 2 1/4 miles in 28 minutes. Not sure how I am going to manage 5K - if I ever enter a race they will be timing me with a calendar! - but I'm feeling reasonably confident that I could actually manage the distance, if slowly. And I would definitely agree about the shoes - I have just got my first proper pair too (were we twins separated at birth?)

sarahwithafringe I think we were, dont give up- I advise an extra layer and go out tomorrow morning- I went this morning at 8.30 and once I was running wasnt too cold=- depending where you are the forecast is sunny and cold so should be lovely - dont let the days get away when I started lapsing last year I just went a few days then it got to a few weeks - I then picked it up again when we were on holiday and started doing once a week until December when I got back to 3 times a week. as to distance I was just chuffed to keep going for 30 mins but putting a goal of 5k on runkeeper really helps- its ridiculous how getting an email saying'new record' makes a difference (its made me revaluate rewards for children!)

I haven't tried runkeeper, is it any good? I've just googled it...

its great- play your own music or listen to the radio and gives you time and distance cues. I have it on 5 mins and miles as I need constant encouragement- then it loads to internet where you can put in weight and distance goals