Couch to 5k thread

Mr Slow

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I remember those days. I used to go out at 7 - 8am and stick to the local park where the only people who would see me where the dog walkers and alcoholics and they were all lovely.

I bet on the rest days you were there in a social capacity!

verywell wrote: »

Thanks mrslow, appreciate the motivation!

Last summer I used to get a great buzz running through Clonee village past the beer gardens where at 2pm on a Saturday people were half steamed and smoking like chimneys (I used to be that soldier) but I was on mile 2 of a 6 mile run

Don't ever lose heart, you'll get there!

Check this out for perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM

lour26

Yay, finally starting last night... downloaded the app on my iphone and it was so handy, I just listened to my music and the lovely alison just told me what to do..
It went okay, was a bit shaky at the last minute run but I was happy with it
Only downside was I didnt realise how cold it was last night and my head was freezing

Mr Slow

I just had a thought, if any of you guys live near each other then meeting up for a session would be great motivation, plus when you run with company you're not as focused on discomfort etc. You also won't consider passers by.

mrslow

mrslow wrote: »

I just had a thought, if any of you guys live near each other then meeting up for a session would be great motivation, plus when you run with company you're not as focused on discomfort etc. You also won't consider passers by.

Good idea but my doggy is enough company :D

maria74

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mrslow wrote: »

Nobody is watching and anyone who notices you out there is probably exercising themselves and will think 'fair play'!:)

The longest journey begins with a single step, congratulate yourself!

SO true, I started out wirth c25k on the beach well away from everyone. Now I realise that anyone who looks is either thinking fair play or I wish I could do that!!

rainbow kirby

maria74 wrote: »

SO true, I started out wirth c25k on the beach well away from everyone. Now I realise that anyone who looks is either thinking fair play or I wish I could do that!!

I started with it in a local park, well away from anyone who could see me - either that or running late at night. Doing my first race (Rathfarnham 5k, 2008) gave me the confidence to actually get out on the roads, though I'm still a rather nocturnal runner! :pac:

maria74

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rainbow kirby wrote: »

I started with it in a local park, well away from anyone who could see me - either that or running late at night. Doing my first race (Rathfarnham 5k, 2008) gave me the confidence to actually get out on the roads, though I'm still a rather nocturnal runner! :pac:

My first race also last Oct, am actually already looking forward to doing it again!:D
I will actually run anywhere now, around my area or nearby. I think it's doing races and seeing people of all shapes and sizes out there (me included) doing their best that gives you that sense of pride in your running (no matter how slow I am).
So for all those worried just look at all the drivers/walkers going by and think to yourself....can you do what I am doing??? Chances are they cant, and if they can they are just delighted to see more people out there getting started with running

elsy

W6 d1 done. My knee a lil sore for the first time since I started the programme any tips anyone. I iced it after my run

Mr Slow

elsy wrote: »

W6 d1 done. My knee a lil sore for the first time since I started the programme any tips anyone. I iced it after my run

The only advice on injury available is to go and see a physio.

elsy

I wouldnt say injured just a lil bit sore sure ill see how it is after my rest day.

Mr Slow

elsy wrote: »

I wouldnt say injured just a lil bit sore sure ill see how it is after my rest day.

I didn't mean to sound short, sorry:o.

There's just a very strict charter on the forum about injuries. Just follow R.I.C.E. - Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation and if you don't get relieve, go and see a professional. Get Well Soon:D

11811

Started this myself today, was harder than I thought, but feel quite good after it. Luckily I managed to miss the rain! Goal is to be reasonably fit for a mountain biking run in May, hopefully I can do it!

leggit

So I did my run on Monday, was a bit tired after and the next day I was fine.

Today I did a similar run, a little bit harder but not by much and I thought I was going to die! Got it finished but don't know how I'm going to do next weeks runs!

Anybody randomly have runs where they just get tired much quicker than they usually would?

Ramette

Week 3 complete:D
Leggit i found today harder than my first run of week 3.... so persevere....
am getting fed up of running in the rain though :cool:

RayCun

Happens to everyone - some runs are much harder than they ought to be, other times it feels like you're gliding along. Most are somewhere in the middle.

w4d1 complete o/

justplainme

hi all.. did w3 d1 today.. I'm doing it by time (not distance). However, I seem to have ran/walked further the first two weeks than I did this evening..does that seem right or am I doing something wrong?

eefums

so w5 d2 done? madness!
was pretty tough but i struggled throough, was counting down the seconds to the end of the 8 minutes each time!
No idea how I am gonna manage 20mins on friday? struggling with 8 mins cannot see myself being able to push it to 20? anybody got any advice hints or tips!
and yea I am already going slow, defo slower than if i was walking for sure? Is this normal?

Wantobe

W4D2 done.

Thanks to mrslow for the link re the Hoyts- it did actually give me a bit of perspective that I was sadly lacking.

When I found it tough I thought about them and kept going.

Still found it tough going but better than W4D1.

Mr Slow

Wantobe wrote: »

W4D2 done.

Thanks to mrslow for the link re the Hoyts- it did actually give me a bit of perspective that I was sadly lacking.

When I found it tough I thought about them and kept going.

Still found it tough going but better than W4D1.

Thanks Wantobe, congrats on your progress.

eefums

eefums wrote: »

so w5 d2 done? madness!
was pretty tough but i struggled throough, was counting down the seconds to the end of the 8 minutes each time!
No idea how I am gonna manage 20mins on friday? struggling with 8 mins cannot see myself being able to push it to 20? anybody got any advice hints or tips!
and yea I am already going slow, defo slower than if i was walking for sure? Is this normal?

Before I started doing the second 5min run on w4d1, I thought I was going to keel over and die but I kept the pace very slow and ended up doing 8 mins.
Just go very slow, keep the feet moving up high enough, and distract yourself. I think a lot of the "i cant go on" is psychological. Maybe put on some more inspirational or upbeat music toward the end

Mr Slow

bluewolf wrote: »

Before I started doing the second 5min run on w4d1, I thought I was going to keel over and die but I kept the pace very slow and ended up doing 8 mins.
Just go very slow, keep the feet moving up high enough, and distract yourself. I think a lot of the "i cant go on" is psychological. Maybe put on some more inspirational or upbeat music toward the end

The Superman or Rocky theme tunes would do the trick

Tigamber

I finished W6 D2 last nite! last session with a walking section Eefums i was like that last week thinking i wouldnt be able for the 20mins but finished it! just keep a nice slow pace and keep going you will want to stop at times but think of the good feeling you have when you finish a week that will help keep the motivation up!!!

eefums

mrslow wrote: »

The Superman or Rocky theme tunes would do the trick

ha ha that was the song that palyed for the last 8 min run lst ngiht the rocky one!
Think I may have to play them on loop

verywell

W1 D2 complete. Tried running for an extra 30 seconds just to see, but could only make it 10 seconds. Am not looking forward to next week for the 90sec run

But judging by other posters here, we all seem to have started thinking that it was impossible.

What keeps me going is writing it up here that another step is complete

w4d2 complete :cool:

w4d3 completed at 7am this morning because I am a crazy person

commence hobbling around til monday, week 5... :eek:

brightkane

Wk 2 Day 3 completed this morning.

I found day 1 to be bad, day 2 was not to bad and today was ok, bar my legs felt like they were going to give up at a few stages.

Taking it easy now until W3 starts monday!

Ramette

W4D1 completed this morning, cant believe i rang for sixteen minutes yahoo! i ran on the beach in portmarnock.. sand is definitely the surface to run on.... cant believe i have come so far in just a few weeks.... have a feeling i may need to repeat this week though... the thoughts of doing that amount of running again on monday is daunting!

RayCun

You'll be grand - the second time is easier.

Mr Slow

RayCun wrote: »

You'll be grand - the second time is easier.

+1

You've conquered it, you know you can do it, it will be easier!

elsy

So w6 d2 done and the last day of intervals all straight through running now eeeeek! Wish me luck! By the way I enjoy running never in a million years did I think them words would come out of mouth!

colliewobbles

Wow you are all such an inspiration. I had been contemplating whether to do the C25K or not for ages and after reading this thread I'm definitely motivated.

My problem is that I'm the type of person that needs music to exercise, My I pod is broken and I don't have a Iphone. I have an MP3 player nice and cheap but would love to be able to download music with instructions in MP3 format as opposed to pod casts, has anyone any advise/help on this.

Really want to get started with this.

Hope you can help me

rainbow kirby

The Robert Ullreys podcasts are available in MP3 format.

WesternNight

I started this this evening. Found it tough enough but felt great afterwards.

I am slightly paranoid that my knees/legs will give out from under me though!

colliewobbles

rainbow kirby wrote: »

The Robert Ullreys podcasts are available in MP3 format.

Thank you

brightkane

Started w3 today.

90 seconds run was fine, first 3 minute run was tough, but the 2nd one i felt i was stumbling to the end of it. It was very tough, (for me anyways). But i got through it and had a great sence of achievement when i completed it.
31 and never did any excercise in my life and now running for 3 minutes straight in just 3 weeks. delighted with it

rainbow kirby

rainbow kirby wrote: »

The Robert Ullreys podcasts are available in MP3 format.

Those are great and I really recommend them, except for week 4, I think the music isn't really good for it. I made my own playlist for week 4 carefully timed :pac: back to him for w5 though

Wantobe

W5D1 completed. Unbelieveably found it fine. Found the start of W4 so hard that I never thought I'd find the start of W5 okay!

Delighted with myself!

11811

Well thats week 1 down, legs are killing me though. Might have to start on grass I think!

RayCun

11811 wrote: »

Well thats week 1 down, legs are killing me though. Might have to start on grass I think!

Make sure you have a decent pair of runners too.

pokermonkey

RayCun wrote: »

Make sure you have a decent pair of runners too.

+1

Ramette

W4D2 done! thought i would find it really hard but it was okay... cant believe the difference in my fitness level in just four weeks..
am so glad i started this programme, if anyone is reading this as nike say 'just do it'! I am 41 and have never done any exercise bar walking in my entire life and now i can run (albeit slowly) for five minute stretches..

Mr Slow

Ramette wrote: »

cant believe the difference in my fitness level in just four weeks

Wait until you see yourself at 4 months, once you get to 5k the advances come in leaps and bounds.

elsy

So w6 d3 done 25 mins non stop I still cant believe im at this stage and running 25 mins straight! On with week 7 now

w5d1 done

dreading the rest of the week!! :eek:

moonbug33

Getting addicted to this running business.........I am on w4d2 but due to working 12 hour days and family activities I haven’t had a chance to get running in the last 6 days, looking forward to finishing w4 on Wednesday.

verywell

W2-D1 Complete

Delighted! Even managed a couple of extra seconds.

needaname

Week 4 completed

Actually cant believe it!! feels like such an achievement

Moman

Whoah Great Thread, Just noticed it
Im on wk2..... part 2 planned tonight

Really encouraging comments as i have been finding changing from wk1 to wk 2 hard , i have a bit more hope for the future weeks