Couch to 5k Running - Part Four Beginners Running

donglemouse

you are correct barring injury etc. you are meant to do it in consescutive weeks so you build up your fitness/endurance through the program

browneyedbazzi

Yes, I know - I was being flippant. At the moment the gaps don't make much difference because I'm finding it quite easy....if I end up with gaps later in the programme and it becomes difficult then I'll go back and repeat the previous week. It would be great to do it straight through in one go, but life has a habit of getting in the way!

Change4Life

Well done to all of you currently on the Couch to 5K Running plan!

For those of you who aren't sure what the programme is about:

The Couch to 5K is a nine-week running plan for people who want to be more active. It's perfect if you're new to running - the plan is all about starting slowly and building up gradually. Anyone can start Couch to 5K - no matter what your fitness level. It's available to download from iOS and Google Play for free today.

Hope this information helps.

RM, Change4Life

CupOfChai

Doing the week 5 run 3 this week. I took it really easy for the first time but I'm able to go a bit quicker now. I think I underestimated myself and took it a bit too easy because I wasn't practically dying at the end!

Emma4270

I started with the couch to 5k a couple of years ago and it got me hooked on running! It's a great stress relief especially if you have a busy job or are at home with the children all day - for me now running is a treat (it didn't used to be - I had to drag myself out) - keep going and you will soon start to really enjoy it

elsien

Just popped back to say I've done it! Couch potato me who struggled to run for 1 minute at the start has done 5K.:D
Not in the 30 minutes, I hasten to add, that was never a realistic target for me at the speed I run.
Struggled with week 8 for some reason, so did that run 5 times as the first couple I had to stop. Then after a couple of thirty minutes runs I decided to extend by a few minutes each time. Planned a route which finished on a nice downhill and kept going. 5.2 K in 40 minutes. Well chuffed,

barbarawright

:T Well done! That's a great achievement. I do think it's a flaw in the C25K that it assume you'll do it in 30 minutes which, 18 months later I still haven't achieved :embarasse

elsien

My next step was going to be a park run, but having checked the times for my local one it's put me off. They're all a bit quick and I don't want to trail in ages after everyone else.

donglemouse

elsien well done - i wouldn't be worried about being last at a parkrun (if that happened which it might not anyway), based on my experience you will probably get the biggest cheer of the day in the event you were the last finisher

parkrun crowds are usually very inclusive/encouraging/non-judgemental and not a bunch of snobby super athletes who will sneer at the slower athlete

Nickynoo1

I started couch to 5k straight after I had to do a 1.5 k run with my son without stopping and realised how unfit i was. I started at week 3 as i had been doing a little bit of run/walk and needed a bit more structure and motivation. Today I started week 5 run 1. I had been a little nervous of this one. It was 3 runs of 5 mins, and I found the last run to be the easiest. I hope this means I'm getting fitter. Looking forward to upping it a little more, but hope the weather is kind on the next run day which is wednesday. Good to have found this thread!!

Nickynoo1