Couch to 5k Running - Part Three

1940sGal

Well I've got to Week 6 Run 2 but I'm thinking of stopping it there and concentrating on something else.

I've managed to run for 20 minutes without stopping and I'm unbelievably happy about this.

But last night I submitted an application for the Army. As part of the joining fitness test I have to run 1.5mile in 14 minutes or less. So I'm thinking of concentrating on that rather than trying to increase my run time.

Today I went to the gym and ran the 1.5mile in about 16minutes 15. Which tbh is faster than I expected. Though it's on a treadmill and the test will be done outdoors. So I'm going back outdoors this week and I'll see how far I can run out there. I hope there isn't too much of a difference. Has anyone gone from treadmill to outdoors and noticed a big drop in endurance?

iammumtoone

1940sGal wrote: »

Well I've got to Week 6 Run 2 but I'm thinking of stopping it there and concentrating on something else.

I've managed to run for 20 minutes without stopping and I'm unbelievably happy about this.

But last night I submitted an application for the Army. As part of the joining fitness test I have to run 1.5mile in 14 minutes or less. So I'm thinking of concentrating on that rather than trying to increase my run time.

Today I went to the gym and ran the 1.5mile in about 16minutes 15. Which tbh is faster than I expected. Though it's on a treadmill and the test will be done outdoors. So I'm going back outdoors this week and I'll see how far I can run out there. I hope there isn't too much of a difference. Has anyone gone from treadmill to outdoors and noticed a big drop in endurance?

I have ran on a treadmill in the past and I hate it, I find it boring. I really admire those who have the commitment to do it. For me it is easier to run outside as there are interesting things to see along route, planning in your mind where you will run once you get to the end of the road (in my case which way can I go to avoid seeing anyone). This all takes your mind off the running. Having said that I am at the beginning of the plan and to go on a treadmill in the conform of my own home would be appealing right now.

Just out of interest what are the other fitness criteria of the test? Once I have completed my 5K I might try to achieve it (not that I going to join but it would be nice to know that you have the fitness level to pass)

I would also say that general fitness is mainly stamina and that comes from the long runs, so whilst yes it is a good idea to concentrate on getting your time down on the 1.5 mile don't give up altogether on the longer time/distances make one out of your three runs a slower longer distance one, you will achieve your goal quicker that way. Good Luck.

John1993_2

Hopping in late to this, I know, but I started couch to 5k in January, after years of neglecting my fitness (decades, really). I struggled with the ramping-up of effort at first, but persevered with it, and it was exactly what I needed to kick-start a proper exercise regime. In the last seven months I've dropped a little over 4 stone, seen my resting pulse drop from 72 to 40, and this weekend did my first 10k timed run outside, in 49 minutes.

There's still quite a way to go, but I think that the app definitely helped.

iammumtoone

John1993 wrote: »

Hopping in late to this, I know, but I started couch to 5k in January, after years of neglecting my fitness (decades, really). I struggled with the ramping-up of effort at first, but persevered with it, and it was exactly what I needed to kick-start a proper exercise regime. In the last seven months I've dropped a little over 4 stone, seen my resting pulse drop from 72 to 40, and this weekend did my first 10k timed run outside, in 49 minutes.

There's still quite a way to go, but I think that the app definitely helped.

Well done :T :T that is excellent just goes to show the plan is a good place to start and really works.

I forgot about resting pulse rate I need to take mine so I can see how much it improves.

1940sGal

iammumtoone wrote: »

I have ran on a treadmill in the past and I hate it, I find it boring. I really admire those who have the commitment to do it. For me it is easier to run outside as there are interesting things to see along route, planning in your mind where you will run once you get to the end of the road (in my case which way can I go to avoid seeing anyone). This all takes your mind off the running. Having said that I am at the beginning of the plan and to go on a treadmill in the conform of my own home would be appealing right now.

Just out of interest what are the other fitness criteria of the test? Once I have completed my 5K I might try to achieve it (not that I going to join but it would be nice to know that you have the fitness level to pass)

I would also say that general fitness is mainly stamina and that comes from the long runs, so whilst yes it is a good idea to concentrate on getting your time down on the 1.5 mile don't give up altogether on the longer time/distances make one out of your three runs a slower longer distance one, you will achieve your goal quicker that way. Good Luck.

Thanks never thought of it like that. Will try it that way

For the test the run can be a set max time depending on the role, regardless of gender. But the max is 14.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to do press ups or sit ups anymore. But you do have to be able to lift bags of set weights, which I think are 15kg, 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg and 40kg, as high as 1.4meters (like loading on to the back of a lorry).

There's also a Jerry Can test, where you have a set time and length to carry two full Jerry Cans. I did that before when I wanted to join the TA. I passed all the other fitness tests but couldn't pass the run as I was a lot less fit than I am now. And lazier

Eyeore

Pink - oh my goodness, well done to you both that is amazing!

1940sGal - good luck with your application.

I did another wk1 run today and am going to try my first wk2 run on Thursday.

Keep up the good work all.

pink_princess

Kiwisaver wrote: »

A whole twenty five minutes of running really does not bear thinking about, so well done Pink and your DD that's amazing!! :T

The weeks certainly do turn around very fast though, I have just done my third run of week three, so it's onwards and upwards to week four on Thursday. :eek:

It seems totally impossible that a week ago I was fretting about moving on to week 3 - still tonight I had to force myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other for the last minute but I felt like I was at a more comfortable pace and I recovered my breath much quicker than I did on Saturday.

Keep on trucking ladies!

Well done kiwi :j the fact you recover quicker is a sign that you are getting healthier :T

pink_princess

John1993 wrote: »

Hopping in late to this, I know, but I started couch to 5k in January, after years of neglecting my fitness (decades, really). I struggled with the ramping-up of effort at first, but persevered with it, and it was exactly what I needed to kick-start a proper exercise regime. In the last seven months I've dropped a little over 4 stone, seen my resting pulse drop from 72 to 40, and this weekend did my first 10k timed run outside, in 49 minutes.

There's still quite a way to go, but I think that the app definitely helped.

:eek::eek: 10k!!!!!! Don't come on here using swear words like that

Very well done, great weight loss and achievement. Half marathon next?

pink_princess

1940sGal wrote: »

Thanks never thought of it like that. Will try it that way

For the test the run can be a set max time depending on the role, regardless of gender. But the max is 14.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to do press ups or sit ups anymore. But you do have to be able to lift bags of set weights, which I think are 15kg, 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg and 40kg, as high as 1.4meters (like loading on to the back of a lorry).

There's also a Jerry Can test, where you have a set time and length to carry two full Jerry Cans. I did that before when I wanted to join the TA. I passed all the other fitness tests but couldn't pass the run as I was a lot less fit than I am now. And lazier

You are very focussed and determind, I have no doubt you will do it x

pink_princess

Eyeore wrote: »

Pink - oh my goodness, well done to you both that is amazing!

1940sGal - good luck with your application.

I did another wk1 run today and am going to try my first wk2 run on Thursday.

Keep up the good work all.

You can do it eyeore, it will surprise you were you get the strength from :T

Sorry for all the individual posts, I'm on my tablet and can only see one post at a time. I must learn to use it :cool::rotfl: