Couch to 5k - any good?
Discussion
I re-started running a year ago, before that it was probably 30 years ago when I last ran at school - did my first parkrun in 39 minutes last June.
The dream was sub 30 minutes, and I got there within a couple of months which surprised me!
So amended the dream to sub 25 minutes, and bit by bit I'm getting there - 26.05 is my pb from back in November, over winter I was between 28-31 minutes generally, last week I managed 26.56 so getting back in form.
I'm no athlete, 45 and probably 2 stone overweight now.
I would recommend parkrun, it gives me structure!
The dream was sub 30 minutes, and I got there within a couple of months which surprised me!
So amended the dream to sub 25 minutes, and bit by bit I'm getting there - 26.05 is my pb from back in November, over winter I was between 28-31 minutes generally, last week I managed 26.56 so getting back in form.
I'm no athlete, 45 and probably 2 stone overweight now.
I would recommend parkrun, it gives me structure!
MOBB said:
I re-started running a year ago, before that it was probably 30 years ago when I last ran at school - did my first parkrun in 39 minutes last June.
The dream was sub 30 minutes, and I got there within a couple of months which surprised me!
So amended the dream to sub 25 minutes, and bit by bit I'm getting there - 26.05 is my pb from back in November, over winter I was between 28-31 minutes generally, last week I managed 26.56 so getting back in form.
I'm no athlete, 45 and probably 2 stone overweight now.
I would recommend parkrun, it gives me structure!
Amazing what park run does. I know how hard it is to start so very well done The dream was sub 30 minutes, and I got there within a couple of months which surprised me!
So amended the dream to sub 25 minutes, and bit by bit I'm getting there - 26.05 is my pb from back in November, over winter I was between 28-31 minutes generally, last week I managed 26.56 so getting back in form.
I'm no athlete, 45 and probably 2 stone overweight now.
I would recommend parkrun, it gives me structure!
I'm not a couch-to-5ker but had seriously laid off the fitness apart from walking our pup a lot.
Did a 5k runway run (closed runway at night) last week and loved it; 25:52. So did a parkrun on Saturday morning and really, really enjoyed that! Did it in 24:33 which is enough of an improvement to spur me on to keep at it.
Would recommend! All sorts of people at it. Good atmosphere.
Did a 5k runway run (closed runway at night) last week and loved it; 25:52. So did a parkrun on Saturday morning and really, really enjoyed that! Did it in 24:33 which is enough of an improvement to spur me on to keep at it.
Would recommend! All sorts of people at it. Good atmosphere.
Not seen this thread near the top for a while... 
Just signed up for my first official 10k in a few weeks time. I still find it hard to believe that I finished the C25K just under a year ago having considered myself a non-runner before that as I really didn't like running and it always left me in pain. Now I'm nearly up to an hour non stop!
After graduating off the C25K I pretty much kept up 3 x 5kms a week bar the odd blips for holidays and such like. Been using an app to get up to 10k in 9 weeks which uses a combination of a "short" 25 minute run a week, either a HIIT or tempo run session, and then a long run. I almost look forward to the distance runs and seeing what I've actually achieved. Not amazingly fast, managing around 6mins/km on the long runs, but it's something to work with.
I'd quite like to keep the 10k fitness when I get there so wondering if it would be okay to do a 5k and a HIIT/tempo session in the week then aim for a 10k most weekends. I guess I'll have to let my body lead me on that one! Don't want to damage myself but do want to push on a bit.
I was working out the mileage on my shoes last week and it would seem that I should be looking to get a new pair soon!
Stick with it folks and if you're reading this and considering giving it a go just do it!
Just signed up for my first official 10k in a few weeks time. I still find it hard to believe that I finished the C25K just under a year ago having considered myself a non-runner before that as I really didn't like running and it always left me in pain. Now I'm nearly up to an hour non stop!
After graduating off the C25K I pretty much kept up 3 x 5kms a week bar the odd blips for holidays and such like. Been using an app to get up to 10k in 9 weeks which uses a combination of a "short" 25 minute run a week, either a HIIT or tempo run session, and then a long run. I almost look forward to the distance runs and seeing what I've actually achieved. Not amazingly fast, managing around 6mins/km on the long runs, but it's something to work with.
I'd quite like to keep the 10k fitness when I get there so wondering if it would be okay to do a 5k and a HIIT/tempo session in the week then aim for a 10k most weekends. I guess I'll have to let my body lead me on that one! Don't want to damage myself but do want to push on a bit.
I was working out the mileage on my shoes last week and it would seem that I should be looking to get a new pair soon!
Stick with it folks and if you're reading this and considering giving it a go just do it!
I'm considering registering for a 5k on the 4th March. Considering that I've not done any fitness work this entire year, do you think it'd be possible for me to go from sedentary, to this in the time I'd have available?
N.B. Training wouldn't start until January 8th because of Christmas and New Year.
N.B. Training wouldn't start until January 8th because of Christmas and New Year.
HarryFlatters said:
I'm considering registering for a 5k on the 4th March. Considering that I've not done any fitness work this entire year, do you think it'd be possible for me to go from sedentary, to this in the time I'd have available?
N.B. Training wouldn't start until January 8th because of Christmas and New Year.
Yes. Easily get up to 5K in that time frame as long as you are in "average" condition to begin with. (< 28 BMI)N.B. Training wouldn't start until January 8th because of Christmas and New Year.
I'm not a huge runner by any means but last year it took me about 6 runs to get up to 5K without stopping. It is only 3 miles after all.
Start off with a 2 mile run/walk and go from there. I think you'd crack it in at least a month of running 2/3 times a week.
I did really well this time last year, running 3 times per week and doing some cycling and weights int he gym. Unfortunately, my work has been a complete and utter clusterf
k and has caused me to become very lax with my training, diet and over-consumption of The Booze. My BMI is currently a smidge under 27, which isn't bad considering how I haven't really looked after myself.
I feel that I need a deadline to motivate me to get back into the gym and training routine, and this is the perfect opportunity.
k and has caused me to become very lax with my training, diet and over-consumption of The Booze. My BMI is currently a smidge under 27, which isn't bad considering how I haven't really looked after myself.I feel that I need a deadline to motivate me to get back into the gym and training routine, and this is the perfect opportunity.
HarryFlatters said:
I'm considering registering for a 5k on the 4th March. Considering that I've not done any fitness work this entire year, do you think it'd be possible for me to go from sedentary, to this in the time I'd have available?
N.B. Training wouldn't start until January 8th because of Christmas and New Year.
No problem, the Couch to 5K program is 9 weeks so the Jan 8th to March 4th would be a week shy of that but by week 8 you should be able to do one even if you walked a little bit of it. N.B. Training wouldn't start until January 8th because of Christmas and New Year.
C0ffin D0dger said:
Not seen this thread near the top for a while...
Just signed up for my first official 10k in a few weeks time. I still find it hard to believe that I finished the C25K just under a year ago having considered myself a non-runner before that as I really didn't like running and it always left me in pain. Now I'm nearly up to an hour non stop!
After graduating off the C25K I pretty much kept up 3 x 5kms a week bar the odd blips for holidays and such like. Been using an app to get up to 10k in 9 weeks which uses a combination of a "short" 25 minute run a week, either a HIIT or tempo run session, and then a long run. I almost look forward to the distance runs and seeing what I've actually achieved. Not amazingly fast, managing around 6mins/km on the long runs, but it's something to work with.
I'd quite like to keep the 10k fitness when I get there so wondering if it would be okay to do a 5k and a HIIT/tempo session in the week then aim for a 10k most weekends. I guess I'll have to let my body lead me on that one! Don't want to damage myself but do want to push on a bit.
I was working out the mileage on my shoes last week and it would seem that I should be looking to get a new pair soon!
Stick with it folks and if you're reading this and considering giving it a go just do it!
To anyone else reading this and thinking of taking up running for the new year, do it! I've been running regularly for well over a year now, did my first 10k event back in September which I managed in under an hour so well pleased with that, also did a 5 mile cross country which was fun. I now try to do a 10k and two 5ks a week and it's keeping me in good shape. I now actually look forward to going out running too!Just signed up for my first official 10k in a few weeks time. I still find it hard to believe that I finished the C25K just under a year ago having considered myself a non-runner before that as I really didn't like running and it always left me in pain. Now I'm nearly up to an hour non stop!
After graduating off the C25K I pretty much kept up 3 x 5kms a week bar the odd blips for holidays and such like. Been using an app to get up to 10k in 9 weeks which uses a combination of a "short" 25 minute run a week, either a HIIT or tempo run session, and then a long run. I almost look forward to the distance runs and seeing what I've actually achieved. Not amazingly fast, managing around 6mins/km on the long runs, but it's something to work with.
I'd quite like to keep the 10k fitness when I get there so wondering if it would be okay to do a 5k and a HIIT/tempo session in the week then aim for a 10k most weekends. I guess I'll have to let my body lead me on that one! Don't want to damage myself but do want to push on a bit.
I was working out the mileage on my shoes last week and it would seem that I should be looking to get a new pair soon!
Stick with it folks and if you're reading this and considering giving it a go just do it!
Easy be able to do a 5k in that time frame.
I think just aim to do a 5k loop as a brisk fast walk and then start to run small sections. Then start to aim to run slightly larger sections, before you know it your running the whole thing and then next thing you are off out on Sunday mornings running for 2 hours in the snow and ice wondering how the hell that happened
I think just aim to do a 5k loop as a brisk fast walk and then start to run small sections. Then start to aim to run slightly larger sections, before you know it your running the whole thing and then next thing you are off out on Sunday mornings running for 2 hours in the snow and ice wondering how the hell that happened
hello fellow sexual gazelles!
i'm still on it, slowly shedding my excess timber, got my 5km time down to 31:07.
i got into road cycling last year and upped my distances to 25km in an hour. so not fast, but not last.
the obvious next step was to sign up for a short triathlon in july.
looking back to 2 years ago when this all started, i wouldnt recognise myself.
My blood pressure is now normal and i am off one of my medications. my self-confidence is much higher. I am a happier guy.
for everyone starting out, keep going, you are doing great.
i'm still on it, slowly shedding my excess timber, got my 5km time down to 31:07.
i got into road cycling last year and upped my distances to 25km in an hour. so not fast, but not last.
the obvious next step was to sign up for a short triathlon in july.
looking back to 2 years ago when this all started, i wouldnt recognise myself.
My blood pressure is now normal and i am off one of my medications. my self-confidence is much higher. I am a happier guy.
for everyone starting out, keep going, you are doing great.
RC1807 said:
Nice one, Benzo sexual gazelle!
I have my 1st half-marathon in May having started C25K this time 2 years ago, like you ...
(I used to be 5PotTurbo, BTW )
good effort, my first run-attempt at a half marathon is in November. this crappy weather isnt helping the training though, -5C is not shorts weather!I have my 1st half-marathon in May having started C25K this time 2 years ago, like you ...
(I used to be 5PotTurbo, BTW
)C0ffin D0dger said:
I really ought to do my local parkrun, it's just the early on Saturday bit that puts me off as I like a beer or two when I get in from work on a Friday. They should do Saturday/Sunday afternoon parkrun for moderate alcoholics
Finally hauled myself out of bed earlyish on Saturday having not had much beer the night before and got down the Parkrun. I've never ran a 5k as a race before (only 10k) but as usual the old must catch person in front / not get overtaken instinct kicks in, also not helped by trying to keep up with a lycra clad girl with a nice arse in front The kids had also come down to cheer me along, will get them doing it when they're a bit older, but I did a sprint finish for them. Finished on 26.01, beating my previous 5k PB by some margin, well pleased with that. Definitely under 26 mins next week Not only did I beat my 5k time but I'd also ran down there and back so the overall effort was around 10k including 1k of warm up / cool down walking. Well pleased. Parkrun convert I think
C0ffin D0dger said:
Not only did I beat my 5k time but I'd also ran down there and back so the overall effort was around 10k including 1k of warm up / cool down walking. Well pleased. Parkrun convert I think
I usually run there and back (or well, run there like the clappers as I'm late, stroll back as I'm knackered). Extends the run nicely.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff