Couch to 5k - any good?
Discussion
adycav said:
BalhamBadger said:
I find that if I sit down for even five minutes when getting home my chances of getting out for a run/ride or whatever are halved.
90% of the time I would find it difficult to train after work, depending on what sort of day I've had! I get up a little earlier and go before work first thing in the morning.Good luck with whatever works for you.
Maffy said:
Browno is my brother so quite funny to stumble across this thread!!
Anyway well done Bro, you are doing so so well, we are all very proud (putting me to shame with my I'll start next week attitude which I've had since Jan 1st!!!)
Thanks Matt - I'm getting there! Might even be able to manage a hill without a stream of swear-words soon!Anyway well done Bro, you are doing so so well, we are all very proud (putting me to shame with my I'll start next week attitude which I've had since Jan 1st!!!)
jamescodriver said:
Just a quick post to support the OP and to say that last year i couldnt run to the end of my road with out wanting to collapse...I gave up smoking 5 years ago and appear to have put on a stone a year!
<lots of good stuff about races and motivation>
Thanks James - Great to hear another success story! I have begun looking for 5K's to enter, so will give that a go before too long, and see how I get on - unfortunately the nearest parkrun is miles away, or I'd start with that!<lots of good stuff about races and motivation>
Stuart70 said:
Hi
Just made it through run 3 of week 3. Struggled as I have been off work this week, so lots of running which is great; but a lot more red wine and beer, crisps etc too.
Still made it today without too much pain. Weight is not coming off, but the running is getting addictive.
Hope this is ok to post, please tell me to get lost if you don't want other posting OP.
Here's to week 4
Cheers
Stuart
Hi Stuart - the more, the merrier! PH is a community after all! It's good for me to hear how other folks are getting on!Just made it through run 3 of week 3. Struggled as I have been off work this week, so lots of running which is great; but a lot more red wine and beer, crisps etc too.
Still made it today without too much pain. Weight is not coming off, but the running is getting addictive.
Hope this is ok to post, please tell me to get lost if you don't want other posting OP.
Here's to week 4
Cheers
Stuart
Great to hear you've completed week 3 - and are enjoying it! I've said before, but the sense of achievement as you step up through the weeks really is great isn't it! The weeks seem to really step up the running from there onwards, but it's still achievable, and by the third run of each week, you are starting to feel more comfortable before the next step up!
Keep us posted with your progress!
Cheers,
Gaz
I keep meaning to reply to this topic as another aspiring runner and have been watching the OP's progress with interest - well done browno - can totally empathise with how you're doing.
I was running 10Ks last year (not *that* fast but in a reasonable time for an overweight girly), shifted 2 stones over a few months, then the weight started creeping back on and I found the last 10K I did was knackering - turns out I was running with a 10lb ovarian cyst which they chopped out in October.
Come January, I try to run again - I have no strength or stamina, no core muscles and have put that 2 stone straight back on again
Running short distances to build up, but to no avail, and now I've had to draft in my OH for some serious exercises to get back core strength again. It's torture and I'm toiling now to get 5k under my belt. Interestingly, since climbing a few Munros a fortnight ago, that 'dead weight' feeling in my legs seems to have changed for the better. I'm damned if I can shift any of the wieght tho!
Aiming for a 10K in 1 hour in September - and maybe posting this as the virtual trainer mentioned above will help!!
I was running 10Ks last year (not *that* fast but in a reasonable time for an overweight girly), shifted 2 stones over a few months, then the weight started creeping back on and I found the last 10K I did was knackering - turns out I was running with a 10lb ovarian cyst which they chopped out in October.
Come January, I try to run again - I have no strength or stamina, no core muscles and have put that 2 stone straight back on again
Running short distances to build up, but to no avail, and now I've had to draft in my OH for some serious exercises to get back core strength again. It's torture and I'm toiling now to get 5k under my belt. Interestingly, since climbing a few Munros a fortnight ago, that 'dead weight' feeling in my legs seems to have changed for the better. I'm damned if I can shift any of the wieght tho!Aiming for a 10K in 1 hour in September - and maybe posting this as the virtual trainer mentioned above will help!!
I'm back again! Firstly, good to hear that you're getting back up to speed c8bof - sounds like you had a legitimate excuse to take a break from running though, and glad to hear it's going okay!
I have not been slacking this week, but didn't post on Weds, as I went out on the bike, as a change from running, and did 7.2miles in about 45minutes - which was quite a nice change!
I've been out tonight and done the first run of week 8, which is up to 28 minutes of running. In the previous longer runs I've usually backed off a little bit for a breather late in the run to do things like crossing the road. I managed today to get through the whole thing, and it felt really good! I managed 3.20miles in 41.12 at 12.53/mile. Looking at runkeeper too, my pace looks pretty steady for the whole run too, which I guess is pretty good.
Lets hope the next one goes as well, and hope the other couch to 5K'ers are also doing okay!
I have not been slacking this week, but didn't post on Weds, as I went out on the bike, as a change from running, and did 7.2miles in about 45minutes - which was quite a nice change!
I've been out tonight and done the first run of week 8, which is up to 28 minutes of running. In the previous longer runs I've usually backed off a little bit for a breather late in the run to do things like crossing the road. I managed today to get through the whole thing, and it felt really good! I managed 3.20miles in 41.12 at 12.53/mile. Looking at runkeeper too, my pace looks pretty steady for the whole run too, which I guess is pretty good.
Lets hope the next one goes as well, and hope the other couch to 5K'ers are also doing okay!
Sounds like you are doing superbly browno; I have to say I like cycling as a change and less impact on the old knees / ankles too.
Managed 25 minutes cycling through the week - work was pretty intense unfortunately. Ran yesterday in the gym and managed a full 30 minutes running. Ahead of the plan, but was really enjoying it and just kept going.
Unfortunately I then followed it up with too much red wine, I am paying the price now. Off to walk the dog, so some low impact, low energy exercise.
Will try to do better this week....
Cheers
Stuart
Managed 25 minutes cycling through the week - work was pretty intense unfortunately. Ran yesterday in the gym and managed a full 30 minutes running. Ahead of the plan, but was really enjoying it and just kept going.
Unfortunately I then followed it up with too much red wine
, I am paying the price now. Off to walk the dog, so some low impact, low energy exercise.Will try to do better this week....
Cheers
Stuart
Sounds like you're doing well Stuart - seems as though you've managed to get a bit ahead of the plan too! Hope the low-impact session helped you recover too 
I've just been out for run 2 of week 8, and did pretty well - apart from a slight slow down at the start when I followed another damn fly! If it hadn't been for the fly, I reckon I'd have managed to go just a bit quicker than run 1. In the end though, I was 32 seconds slower over the same 3.20 miles at 41.44, at a pace of 13.02/mile.
Happy that I managed another decent, consistent run - so let's see what run 3 brings.
I've just been out for run 2 of week 8, and did pretty well - apart from a slight slow down at the start when I followed another damn fly! If it hadn't been for the fly, I reckon I'd have managed to go just a bit quicker than run 1. In the end though, I was 32 seconds slower over the same 3.20 miles at 41.44, at a pace of 13.02/mile.
Happy that I managed another decent, consistent run - so let's see what run 3 brings.
Hi Browno
Hope you have had a great night out and enjoyed the "release"...
Managed to run 5k in the gym today.... really enjoying getting going, although I am very definitely plodding along. My aim is to cut out the walking bits, make the plodding bits faster and bring the time down.
Missing out on the high protein snacking (flies) by running in the gym; need to get out into the real world soon - aim for this weekend. Next run hopefully on Friday night.
Motivation to post on here is keeping me going - so cheers
Stuart
Hope you have had a great night out and enjoyed the "release"...
Managed to run 5k in the gym today.... really enjoying getting going, although I am very definitely plodding along. My aim is to cut out the walking bits, make the plodding bits faster and bring the time down.
Missing out on the high protein snacking (flies) by running in the gym; need to get out into the real world soon - aim for this weekend. Next run hopefully on Friday night.
Motivation to post on here is keeping me going - so cheers
Stuart
Hi Stuart,
It sounds like you're making great progress - well done! It's great to hear that you're doing so well and that this thread is helping a little bit to keep you motivated! It sounds like the running is suiting you well so far - hitting 5K already is really good!
I didn't make the night out last night due to a slight panic at home (all ok now though!), so didn't have to worry about the calorie intake at least!
I've been out for another run tonight - the last one of week 8, so getting close to the final hurdle now! It wasn't a bad effort - no unexpected snacks, so that was good! I managed to improve on my previous best slightly - I did 3.20 miles again in 40.58 at 12.49/mile.
Just in case anyone is wondering about my timing etc and wants to compare data - I'm starting runkeeper as I start the podcasts, so am including the warm-up and warm-down walks as part of my overall timings (so that's 10 minutes each time at a brisk walk) - looking back at the data on the pc, it looks like for the running sections I'm doing about 10-11 minute mile pace consistently. I've not really pushed the pace yet, I'm focussing at the moment on getting the duration up, then when I've finished week 9, I'll try to get a bit quicker!
Thanks for looking in - and I'll be back again with an update from the start of week 9 soon!
It sounds like you're making great progress - well done! It's great to hear that you're doing so well and that this thread is helping a little bit to keep you motivated! It sounds like the running is suiting you well so far - hitting 5K already is really good!
I didn't make the night out last night due to a slight panic at home (all ok now though!), so didn't have to worry about the calorie intake at least!
I've been out for another run tonight - the last one of week 8, so getting close to the final hurdle now! It wasn't a bad effort - no unexpected snacks, so that was good! I managed to improve on my previous best slightly - I did 3.20 miles again in 40.58 at 12.49/mile.
Just in case anyone is wondering about my timing etc and wants to compare data - I'm starting runkeeper as I start the podcasts, so am including the warm-up and warm-down walks as part of my overall timings (so that's 10 minutes each time at a brisk walk) - looking back at the data on the pc, it looks like for the running sections I'm doing about 10-11 minute mile pace consistently. I've not really pushed the pace yet, I'm focussing at the moment on getting the duration up, then when I've finished week 9, I'll try to get a bit quicker!
Thanks for looking in - and I'll be back again with an update from the start of week 9 soon!
I'm back again, and I've managed another run (sort of) - I was supposed to be doing the first run of week 9, which meant 30 minutes. I had postponed on Friday, as it was raining heavily, and planned to run Saturday - we were then late in, so I decided that I would run this morning. I don't know if it was that I am used to running in the evenings, or if I started out too fast, but I felt hopeless after about 20 mins.
I carried on running for a bit, but gave up as a bad job after 25 minutes of running and walked back. Ended up doing 2.75 miles in 35.48 at 13.02/mile.
Not a great session, but hopefully the next one will be better!
I carried on running for a bit, but gave up as a bad job after 25 minutes of running and walked back. Ended up doing 2.75 miles in 35.48 at 13.02/mile.
Not a great session, but hopefully the next one will be better!
Bad days happen to the best of us (did you see the GB men's 4x400m squad earlier today? Dropped the baton - muppets!). Well done for getting out there and the next one will be better.
Do you have a target 5k race? Is it morning, afternoon or evening? Worth timing your training runs to be a similar time of day as you approach the date if you can.
Do you have a target 5k race? Is it morning, afternoon or evening? Worth timing your training runs to be a similar time of day as you approach the date if you can.
Well - I'm back again and have had a better couple of days!
I started the week by trying something different - Maffy and I have signed up for a taster Kickboxing deal, and had our first session last night - which was really enjoyable, but I was aching in my shoulders this morning!
I also thought I should get out and kick off the downer from Sunday, so have been out tonight, and did my first proper 30 minute run! It felt much better tonight that Sunday, and I managed 3.30 miles in 41.26 at 12.33/mile - so I'm very happy to have finally reached the 30 minute goal, and hope that I can improve and make it feel even better with another couple of goes!
ewenm - good point about the time of day! I'm still mucking around deciding on a suitable 5k, and keep umming and ahhing! I am however planning to try some runs at other times of day - there is a gang of folks at work who go out running at lunch, so at some point over the next couple of weeks, I'm planning on heading out and joining them, for a change of route and time so that I can see how it works out.
I started the week by trying something different - Maffy and I have signed up for a taster Kickboxing deal, and had our first session last night - which was really enjoyable, but I was aching in my shoulders this morning!
I also thought I should get out and kick off the downer from Sunday, so have been out tonight, and did my first proper 30 minute run! It felt much better tonight that Sunday, and I managed 3.30 miles in 41.26 at 12.33/mile - so I'm very happy to have finally reached the 30 minute goal, and hope that I can improve and make it feel even better with another couple of goes!
ewenm - good point about the time of day! I'm still mucking around deciding on a suitable 5k, and keep umming and ahhing! I am however planning to try some runs at other times of day - there is a gang of folks at work who go out running at lunch, so at some point over the next couple of weeks, I'm planning on heading out and joining them, for a change of route and time so that I can see how it works out.
I'm back once again, having not managed a run in over a week! I went kickboxing again last Thursday, which was good - although I ended up with sore and aching calves until Sunday (when I planned to run, but it clashed with Top Gear 
).
I was then travelling on business for 2 days (and had a couple of beers, so think the scales won't be happy with me!) so it was important to get out there tonight - and an email from a PHer asking how I am getting on was the perfect motivation to make sure I put in a decent effort!
Today I did run 2 of week 9, and set a new distance record! I did 3.51 miles in 44.44, at a pace of 12.45/mile, so I'm happy with that!
).I was then travelling on business for 2 days (and had a couple of beers, so think the scales won't be happy with me!) so it was important to get out there tonight - and an email from a PHer asking how I am getting on was the perfect motivation to make sure I put in a decent effort!
Today I did run 2 of week 9, and set a new distance record! I did 3.51 miles in 44.44, at a pace of 12.45/mile, so I'm happy with that!
Well, another week of being a slacker! I went Kickboxing again on Thursday night, and haven't done anything since - we've had a sick toddler, which has meant very limited sleep, along with dodgy weather when I had a thought about running, it's been a bad couple of weeks!
I did at least manage to make it out tonight, and it was a funny run - I felt able to run a bit quicker, but got more tired when doing so, and had to walk a few times to recover a little bit.
Overall, it wasn't a bad effort though - just a few seconds behind last week's record! I did 3.50miles in 45.00mins - an average of 12.51/mile.
I'm planning on getting out again next over the weekend, so let's hope it's a good one!
I did at least manage to make it out tonight, and it was a funny run - I felt able to run a bit quicker, but got more tired when doing so, and had to walk a few times to recover a little bit.
Overall, it wasn't a bad effort though - just a few seconds behind last week's record! I did 3.50miles in 45.00mins - an average of 12.51/mile.
I'm planning on getting out again next over the weekend, so let's hope it's a good one!
Thought it was about time to resurrect this thread as I've been a bit of a slacker for the past month!
I've been out three times in total - one evening run on the usual route and two lunchtime runs at work which have been shorter (ca. 2 miles) but on a more punishing route, which is pretty hilly. The good news is that I've not changed in weight either up or down in the meantime, so that's good - but I need to get moving and get out and running again soon.
I did a lunchtime run yesterday, which was hard work, but it felt good to actually be out and exercising again - so I'm going to try and get back to a more regular routine from here.
How are the others on here that had started the couch to 5k getting on - anyone seeing decent progress, or conversely got part way and needing some motivation? would be good to hear some more stories to try and keep me honest!
I've been out three times in total - one evening run on the usual route and two lunchtime runs at work which have been shorter (ca. 2 miles) but on a more punishing route, which is pretty hilly. The good news is that I've not changed in weight either up or down in the meantime, so that's good - but I need to get moving and get out and running again soon.
I did a lunchtime run yesterday, which was hard work, but it felt good to actually be out and exercising again - so I'm going to try and get back to a more regular routine from here.
How are the others on here that had started the couch to 5k getting on - anyone seeing decent progress, or conversely got part way and needing some motivation? would be good to hear some more stories to try and keep me honest!
browno said:
How are the others on here that had started the couch to 5k getting on - anyone seeing decent progress, or conversely got part way and needing some motivation? would be good to hear some more stories to try and keep me honest!
Hi browno, since I e-mailed you a few weeks ago I've been doing the podcasts and I completed run 2 of week 7 last night. It feels pretty good to be running for 25 minutes now to be fair and I don't think I'll have a problem with getting to the 30 minute goal (it is only another 5 minutes lets be honest!). I'm considering doing the Bridge to 10k once I've completed the C25K too, but I think I want to get a couple of weeks of 30 minutes running with a better pace before starting it.I thought that I'd bump this thread back up as I'm about to do my second run of week 9 tonight so I'm nearly finished. My first run was on Monday and I did 3.38miles in 41.33mins and 12.17/mile which I'm pretty pleased about. I know that I can go faster but I just want to make sure that I finish each run!
Reading this thread has been very motivational for me over the past nine weeks and I hope that it will help others out there who may be thinking to themselves that they'd like to give it a go but can't see themselves managing the later runs. I was like that but this really does work - I can now say that I can happily run for a least 30 minutes - something that I have never been able to do before!
Reading this thread has been very motivational for me over the past nine weeks and I hope that it will help others out there who may be thinking to themselves that they'd like to give it a go but can't see themselves managing the later runs. I was like that but this really does work - I can now say that I can happily run for a least 30 minutes - something that I have never been able to do before!
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