Newbie Runner

You don't need C25k if you already can run 5k.

If you were wheezing and coughing, you were probably running too fast - just slow down next time and you will soon get a feel for pace. Run easy - easy enough to hold a conversation (talking to yourself, obviously, in the current climate).

Warm up and cool down by starting/finishing even slower.

Re gear - a good piroshki's of proper running shoes is essential. Avoid cotton - 'technical' fabrics wick sweat away and don't chafe.

Good luck with it!

I like ASICS gt2000. Depending on your size can get a pair for 70-90. But if you are a standard size 10 or similar you’ll be paying about 100-140.

Fir chaffing you can get cream or I find shorts with lining great : https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/run-dry-men-s-running-shorts-blue-en-s165444.html

Basically have built in tight boxers. Keeps dry and reduces chaffing

Omega28 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I'm going to try stick at this now. How long does it take to progress?

What is progress to you, running a 5km faster or running longer distances? Something else?

Omega28 wrote: »

For now, to get better at my 5km. I take around 30/31 mins to do it, which I know is ridiculously slow

I'm not an expert by any stretch, my fastest 5km is around 25mins but I'm working on it at the moment.

I'm sure someone more experienced will give better advise but from my reading, in order to get faster then you need to up your weekly distance.

Increase your weekly distance with longer runs, just run slower (you're doing 6mins/km at the moment, so run at say 7mins/km) and then re-test in 4 weeks time.

In weeks of commitment you’ll be in the mid 20s time wise. It’s all endurance improvement in the beginning. Getting the speed-endurance is where it really gets tough..

Omega28 wrote: »

At the beginning is it all improving stamina and adapting?

100 percent.....you said yourself that it has been quite a while since running, and this would explain the coughing and wheezing

It's also a great time to get your form and posture and gait in order.....this will help with overall efficiency and economy.

After a few weeks of commitment you will find that you can hold your form and pace that bit longer and longer....

30 minutes will then seem a lot easier to do consistently. You won't feel it near as tough to do; this is where you then push on, and the times lower.

The miles are in the legs and in the heart and in the lungs....you should see yourself pushing on with actual intent, as opposed to having to to reach a goal...you will want to, and will feel strong pushing on as opposed to really hurting.

And remember, apart from foods and liquids you put into your body, mots important of all is decent rest between days of work.

Also - on the wheezing - I find this time of year with cold weather can be bad for getting wheezy.

It's possible you have a mild cold or something like that.

There's a virus going around at the moment - shortness of breath is one of the symptoms - probably not anything to worry about though.....:P

Omega28 wrote: »

How many days a week do you recommend I run?

I was doing 3 days a week running, but cycling to work 5 days and getting some sessions in the gym.
Day on, day off sounds reasonable

Omega28 wrote: »

Is it wise to run 7 days a week?

Starting out - I'd say no. Or some of those days should be very short runs. Rest is so important - and probably the most difficult thing to do when you're starting out full of enthusiasm.

Plan your day(s) off and look forward to the rest, so you don't get the urge to get out and do something.
(Going for a swim could count as a day off by the way)

Omega28 wrote: »

Also, should I be incorporating other forms training such as core work?

Yes.

Full disclosure - the fastest 5k I've EVER RUN was 21 minutes or so. I'm nowhere near that right now. There are people on here far more qualified to give advice - but what I'm descirbing really worked for me - got me feeling fit, strong and really enjoying running.

Not a very experienced runner either but also not that far away from a C25K that I can't remember what it was like so though I'd pop my experience down as well in case you get anything from it.

You are in a most envious position at the moment as with some consistent training over the next few weeks and months you are really going to see great improvements in your running just by the fact that you are out regularly. Just by getting out and running consistently at this stage is the best way I found to get improve.

The key is to go slowly and let your body adapt to the increased load. Other posters have suggested day on day off which is a great idea as if you try and run everyday then after a couple of weeks your legs will be crocked and you won't run anymore. Mix it up with some home body weight exercise, Yoga, Pilates or whatever takes your fancy and that will get you stronger and more flexible. But again go slow, give your body time to get used to what you are asking it to do.

What I found worked was lots of easy runs of varying distances. Running way slower than you actually can. While it's hard to do and particularly if there are other runners out there passing you just need to keep it slow and steady. This way you build your stamina and endurance. It really is key, if you go and try and bust it every time you go training then it won't be long before you do an injury. Also you won't enjoy it as much as those sessions take a lot out of you physically. Get out, run slow, enjoy the runs and you can add in a little speed in a few weeks.

I found that it's great to train at longer distances so you might do 7K, 9K then 3K on alternative days. This is great training for building up your distance and then when you do go do a 5K the distance seems much easier than the 7's or 9's. Given time you can go longer again so you over-distance for a 10K. Just don't try and go too far too soon as that again increases your chances of injury and putting yourself off your feet for weeks.

I have a sports watch and to control myself running I try and keep my Heart Rate under a certain level. This means I have to run slow and it also turns it into a game for me and distracts me from trying to run too fast. By doing this I've upped my running from 1 or 2 times a week to 5 times a week. If I "trained hard" 5 days a week I wouldn't be able to walk up the stairs.....

Don't worry about times, especially now. As I said the first few weeks, months and years of running you naturally get better and faster really quickly so the times will come but don't fixate on them, what some article said was a good time for 5k really isn't relevant. What is slow for you may be brilliant for someone else and really depends on your level of fitness now, history in sports, gender, weight, genetics etc etc etc... It's better to get out and enjoy it. Also there is always someone faster than you so just enjoy the process and bake running into your life as a pleasure, you'll get faster but some arbitrary number isn't "good" just because you read it somewhere (although round number are nice )

Also I found a bath with Epsom salts was great for easing out the sore joints and legs and if you feel tired and sore, don't run that day and save it for the next day when you'll enjoy it more.

I'd say lose the obsession with 5k. Run 3k, 7k, 6.5k - change it up.

If you're just running the same thing over and over then you're training your body to do just that.

An interval run - run HARD for a short distance (sprint 200m, or run fast up a hill) then slow for a while. Do 5, 10, 20 repeats.

Are you doing any strength training, core training or anything to compliment the running?

I definitely think a bit of variety would help you.