Couch to 5k - any good?
Discussion
If you think you're going to keep up running it's worth going to a proper running shop (Sweatshop, Runners need, etc) who will get you on a treadmill and sort out how much support you need in a trainer. You're probably looking at 80-100 quid for a decent pair, you;ll get cheaper from Sports Direct or the like but you really don't want to be put off running by an uncomfortable pair of trainer. They'll often try and sell you expensive moulded insoles too but they're not really necessary.
If your doing 5k 3 times a week constantly you need new trainers at least yearly. my trainers only last 4months usually because I do more than that and im a pounder.
Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
Foliage said:
If your doing 5k 3 times a week constantly you need new trainers at least yearly. my trainers only last 4months usually because I do more than that and im a pounder.
Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
100% this. I don't use orthotics in my trainers but do wear stability shoes. When I knew nothing of the differences I just used to buy trainers I liked the look of. Now I wouldn't dream of it and will only buy Brooks support models. Tried the Beast but they were "too supportive" so now use the Adrenaline. Once I knew my gait and what I needed I tend to buy a couple of pairs of last years model in the sales to see me through the year. Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
Pieman68 said:
Foliage said:
If your doing 5k 3 times a week constantly you need new trainers at least yearly. my trainers only last 4months usually because I do more than that and im a pounder.
Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
100% this. I don't use orthotics in my trainers but do wear stability shoes. When I knew nothing of the differences I just used to buy trainers I liked the look of. Now I wouldn't dream of it and will only buy Brooks support models. Tried the Beast but they were "too supportive" so now use the Adrenaline. Once I knew my gait and what I needed I tend to buy a couple of pairs of last years model in the sales to see me through the year. Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
Foliage said:
ep I buy last years too, if they are particularly cheap I get 2 pairs. BTW sportsdirect owns sweatshop and I refuse to use them for the fact A. The way they treat staff and B. the destruction of once great brands in the name of profit.
Startfitness do some cracking deals although tbh my local shop actually had them half price so I bought them locally and was able to try them on the treadmill to make sure that they were right firstFoliage said:
If your doing 5k 3 times a week constantly you need new trainers at least yearly. my trainers only last 4months usually because I do more than that and im a pounder.
Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
I replace shoes at the 350-400k mark. Generally tend to go Asics but have been using On running shoes for the past couple of rotations. Get decent socks, get gait analysis and if you need them get orthotics, I use orthotics, helps loads, I bought mine in boots not with my trainers.
Trainers are the only real cost for running. Rest of my running gear is the cheapest stuff from decathlon.
The only other running equipment I spend real money on is socks. Everything thing else is Aldi (they do good compression stuff in Australia) or free shirts you get with a race entry.
Hey everyone,
I started C25K last year and yes i'm lazy and lapsed doing it so i'm turning into a lard ass again!
My issue last time was after week 3 i think, i was seeing improvement in my overall fitness and running sections were easier but....
I was getting a really really painful left hip, to the point of it hurting when walking
Also my knees were starting to play up again
The knees partly my fault though for not exercising and not keeping up any sort of physio excersizes (had 6 months of physio on them several years ago due to my poor amateur football past ruining them)
I didnt mind the runing though, stick a track on behind the c25k app and off you go. But i dont want to go back to the pain in the hips and knees!
But perhaps i should look for a lower impact way of getting fit?
Going to get back on my bike for work (6 miles easy going each way)
I'm not mahoosive, 6 foot and about 16 stone (mainly beer belly though!)
No room at home for a rowing machine otherwise i'd get one
Mrs Haddock and i have embarked on the 5/2 diet too, we did this last year with some decent success. But i need to find some excersize too!
Any thoughts? (apart from calling me lard ass...!)
I started C25K last year and yes i'm lazy and lapsed doing it so i'm turning into a lard ass again!
My issue last time was after week 3 i think, i was seeing improvement in my overall fitness and running sections were easier but....
I was getting a really really painful left hip, to the point of it hurting when walking
Also my knees were starting to play up again
The knees partly my fault though for not exercising and not keeping up any sort of physio excersizes (had 6 months of physio on them several years ago due to my poor amateur football past ruining them)
I didnt mind the runing though, stick a track on behind the c25k app and off you go. But i dont want to go back to the pain in the hips and knees!
But perhaps i should look for a lower impact way of getting fit?
Going to get back on my bike for work (6 miles easy going each way)
I'm not mahoosive, 6 foot and about 16 stone (mainly beer belly though!)
No room at home for a rowing machine otherwise i'd get one
Mrs Haddock and i have embarked on the 5/2 diet too, we did this last year with some decent success. But i need to find some excersize too!
Any thoughts? (apart from calling me lard ass...!)
chris_c201 said:
350-400k... What is everyone else doing roughly?
I thought the general advice was 400 miles, I'm approaching 375 in my Asics and they look fine but sure they are getting past their best, especially as I'm heavier than the average decent runner!
I did 68k last week, 3 half marathons and a gentle 5k, so yeah my trainers get changed often,I thought the general advice was 400 miles, I'm approaching 375 in my Asics and they look fine but sure they are getting past their best, especially as I'm heavier than the average decent runner!
haddock82 said:
Hey everyone,
I started C25K last year and yes i'm lazy and lapsed doing it so i'm turning into a lard ass again!
My issue last time was after week 3 i think, i was seeing improvement in my overall fitness and running sections were easier but....
I was getting a really really painful left hip, to the point of it hurting when walking
Also my knees were starting to play up again
The knees partly my fault though for not exercising and not keeping up any sort of physio excersizes (had 6 months of physio on them several years ago due to my poor amateur football past ruining them)
I didnt mind the runing though, stick a track on behind the c25k app and off you go. But i dont want to go back to the pain in the hips and knees!
But perhaps i should look for a lower impact way of getting fit?
Going to get back on my bike for work (6 miles easy going each way)
I'm not mahoosive, 6 foot and about 16 stone (mainly beer belly though!)
No room at home for a rowing machine otherwise i'd get one
Mrs Haddock and i have embarked on the 5/2 diet too, we did this last year with some decent success. But i need to find some excersize too!
Any thoughts? (apart from calling me lard ass...!)
Your may think your not massive, but your obese....I started C25K last year and yes i'm lazy and lapsed doing it so i'm turning into a lard ass again!
My issue last time was after week 3 i think, i was seeing improvement in my overall fitness and running sections were easier but....
I was getting a really really painful left hip, to the point of it hurting when walking
Also my knees were starting to play up again
The knees partly my fault though for not exercising and not keeping up any sort of physio excersizes (had 6 months of physio on them several years ago due to my poor amateur football past ruining them)
I didnt mind the runing though, stick a track on behind the c25k app and off you go. But i dont want to go back to the pain in the hips and knees!
But perhaps i should look for a lower impact way of getting fit?
Going to get back on my bike for work (6 miles easy going each way)
I'm not mahoosive, 6 foot and about 16 stone (mainly beer belly though!)
No room at home for a rowing machine otherwise i'd get one
Mrs Haddock and i have embarked on the 5/2 diet too, we did this last year with some decent success. But i need to find some excersize too!
Any thoughts? (apart from calling me lard ass...!)
Start all that again, and try stick with it, mild pain is normal when you start running, if you get sharp stabbing pain or feel something pop, snap then that's a problem, aches and pains will come and go especially at the beginning. You just need to be aware of your body, stretch after running and take it gently to start with. Your in no rush to improve, but your goal is to improve, you have years to change just do it gradually.
Life is pain, if you aren't in pain and aren't hungry are you really alive?
haddock82 said:
Hey everyone,
I started C25K last year and yes i'm lazy and lapsed doing it so i'm turning into a lard ass again!
My issue last time was after week 3 i think, i was seeing improvement in my overall fitness and running sections were easier but....
I was getting a really really painful left hip, to the point of it hurting when walking
Also my knees were starting to play up again
The knees partly my fault though for not exercising and not keeping up any sort of physio excersizes (had 6 months of physio on them several years ago due to my poor amateur football past ruining them)
I didnt mind the runing though, stick a track on behind the c25k app and off you go. But i dont want to go back to the pain in the hips and knees!
But perhaps i should look for a lower impact way of getting fit?
Going to get back on my bike for work (6 miles easy going each way)
I'm not mahoosive, 6 foot and about 16 stone (mainly beer belly though!)
No room at home for a rowing machine otherwise i'd get one
Mrs Haddock and i have embarked on the 5/2 diet too, we did this last year with some decent success. But i need to find some excersize too!
Any thoughts? (apart from calling me lard ass...!)
See above comments about decent trainers and orthotics/insoles. If you're got a bit of an odd gait you can cause various things to hurt. A decent running shop should be able to set you up with trainers, and possibly insoles/orthotics, to improve your gait which should stop thinks hurting.I started C25K last year and yes i'm lazy and lapsed doing it so i'm turning into a lard ass again!
My issue last time was after week 3 i think, i was seeing improvement in my overall fitness and running sections were easier but....
I was getting a really really painful left hip, to the point of it hurting when walking
Also my knees were starting to play up again
The knees partly my fault though for not exercising and not keeping up any sort of physio excersizes (had 6 months of physio on them several years ago due to my poor amateur football past ruining them)
I didnt mind the runing though, stick a track on behind the c25k app and off you go. But i dont want to go back to the pain in the hips and knees!
But perhaps i should look for a lower impact way of getting fit?
Going to get back on my bike for work (6 miles easy going each way)
I'm not mahoosive, 6 foot and about 16 stone (mainly beer belly though!)
No room at home for a rowing machine otherwise i'd get one
Mrs Haddock and i have embarked on the 5/2 diet too, we did this last year with some decent success. But i need to find some excersize too!
Any thoughts? (apart from calling me lard ass...!)
Where on the knee did it hurt? I used to get a lot of trouble on the outside of my knee, which was linked to a tight ITB, a mullering from a sports therapist bod and making sure I stretched my ITB properly before each run solved my knee trouble.
Haven't had a chance to read the whole thread yet but I started on the couch to 5k journey last night, first "run" of week 1 and I really don't feel too bad this morning. I actually covered just over 4k between the warm up / cool down walks and the running so I guess it mostly boils down to upping the pace over time.
Also using the NHS app which seems to do the job. I hoping to stick with this as the reality of being quite unfit has kicked in. I've never been massively overweight but always hovered around the 16 stone mark without doing loads of exercise, I'm 6ft3 so able to carry it, however I've been on steroids for nearly a year now thanks to a rare condition and have piled it on so now pushing 18 stone, if I can get back to 16st that would be great, but if I could ever get back to my glory days of being nearer 14st that would be amazing.
Going to see how it goes for a week or two and then invest in some proper running shoes if it is suiting me. 10k runs within a year?
Also using the NHS app which seems to do the job. I hoping to stick with this as the reality of being quite unfit has kicked in. I've never been massively overweight but always hovered around the 16 stone mark without doing loads of exercise, I'm 6ft3 so able to carry it, however I've been on steroids for nearly a year now thanks to a rare condition and have piled it on so now pushing 18 stone, if I can get back to 16st that would be great, but if I could ever get back to my glory days of being nearer 14st that would be amazing.
Going to see how it goes for a week or two and then invest in some proper running shoes if it is suiting me. 10k runs within a year?
C0ffin D0dger said:
Going to see how it goes for a week or two and then invest in some proper running shoes if it is suiting me. 10k runs within a year?
Once you finish C25K there's another similar plan called Bridge to 10k that might be worth a look. I just did a couple of 7.5km runs and then a very slow 10km race instead though 
I'd also really recommend finding your local Parkrun once you know you can do 5km in under 45 mins or so.
So i re-started the cycling to work again this morning
Wasn't quite as bad as i was expecting it to be, but a good run.
6 miles into work and same again back home this evening
Using Strava to log my cycles too.
Also i over estimated my weight!
I felt like i had put on a shed load since Christmas and a long period of inactivity since a hernia op last year
so I reluctantly weighed myself this morning and turns out I'm pretty much the same as before!... just over 14 1/2 stone
Not the 16st I thought and feel like!
Still sitting on the wrong end of the "overweight" section for BMI though
Mrs Haddock and I have agreed to go swimming together too, at least once a week
Good to have low impact excersize for the knees etc... :-)
Wasn't quite as bad as i was expecting it to be, but a good run.
6 miles into work and same again back home this evening
Using Strava to log my cycles too.
Also i over estimated my weight!
I felt like i had put on a shed load since Christmas and a long period of inactivity since a hernia op last year
so I reluctantly weighed myself this morning and turns out I'm pretty much the same as before!... just over 14 1/2 stone
Not the 16st I thought and feel like!
Still sitting on the wrong end of the "overweight" section for BMI though
Mrs Haddock and I have agreed to go swimming together too, at least once a week
Good to have low impact excersize for the knees etc... :-)
Morning Chaps,
i finally got run 3 of week nine done last night after a week long break with a stomach bug ( cheers kids!). It was killer, i really pushed myself too hard.
a bit of a set back and by no means a quick one, 34mins for 5k.
on a positive side my 6-monthly checkup for hypertension on monday was positive. my BP is lower than ever before and i've lost a stone in weight. i've set a target of another stone by christmas.
i'm going to keep at the 30minute runs, bring my pace up to hit 5k and then start building up to 10k.
i am finding it hard, I am struggling at times but i remember week 1 and struggling with 90seconds.
100% sexual gazelle....BOOOOM!
i finally got run 3 of week nine done last night after a week long break with a stomach bug ( cheers kids!). It was killer, i really pushed myself too hard.
a bit of a set back and by no means a quick one, 34mins for 5k.
on a positive side my 6-monthly checkup for hypertension on monday was positive. my BP is lower than ever before and i've lost a stone in weight. i've set a target of another stone by christmas.
i'm going to keep at the 30minute runs, bring my pace up to hit 5k and then start building up to 10k.
i am finding it hard, I am struggling at times but i remember week 1 and struggling with 90seconds.
100% sexual gazelle....BOOOOM!
Captain Benzo said:
a bit of a set back and by no means a quick one, 34mins for 5k.
i am finding it hard, I am struggling at times but i remember week 1 and struggling with 90seconds.
I know people who have been running for several years and still do about 34min 5k i am finding it hard, I am struggling at times but i remember week 1 and struggling with 90seconds.
Your second point's a good one. I was knackered after 90 seconds when I started, and when I was a couple of weeks in to C25K my Mrs, who'd finished the programme probably only a month earlier, came out with me on one of them and seemed really surprised when I reached the end of it as she was hardly out breath
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