Couch to 5K support thread.

Cherryfudge

Hi pixiebel, you started and that's the most difficult bit of all! I am just amazed at how good C25K is at building fitness (and getting me into a particularly lovely dress for a big event next week, LOL).

I think everyone else has gone to start the 'slow jog' thread we were talking about recently, and I wasn't quick enough to catch them. How are you all? or is everyone watching the tennis now?

pixiebel81

W1R2 last night. Did much better this time, didn't manage all the running but I think I did about three quarters of it :-)

fire-wannabe

Hi, my last day of C25K today and also a race on Sunday....feeling nervous as I signed up for 10k and due to weeks that set me back I am just about doing 5k....ambitious thinking but will give it a go anyway, feeling deflated that time has arrived quick and I am not ready though...I will update next week how it went

hollie.weimeraner

A bit of a story here if anyone is interested and it may also help someone:

I had major back surgery (successful I may add ) in 2001 to my l3, 4 and 5 vertebrae which resulted in me basically giving up exercise and getting a sedentary office job. Fast forward to Jan 2013 and my weight had increased to 13 1/2 stone my cholesterol was high and my kids were telling me I needed to do something about it so I joined slimming world and ended up getting down to 11st and now have a cholesterol of 4.

Anyway I hit 60 in March and other than walk my dog still did no exercise so 13 weeks ago (after reading some postings on the C25K forum) I decided the best thing for me would be to join my local gym on the basis if I've paid for something I will use it:D.

I had read the the basis of the C25K theory but basically what I did was a mixture of cross trainer, treadmill and exercise bike with the treadmill being the thing I hate most and find the most challenging.

Anyway on the basis of the C25K I set myself some goals and last week managed 4K on the treadmill but this week I have cracked the 5K mark in 36 minutes.

I don't think I would have done this without reading the inspirational stories within this thread so a big thank you :T to everyone that has posted as you have given me the motivation to get myself reasonably fit again.

I now go to the gym twice a week and am just about thinking of whether or not I should be stupid enough to target a 10K :rotfl:

Cherryfudge

Wow, I turn my back and people are being amazing! Well done all your former non-runners

I managed a couple of runs this week, neither of them more than 3K but hey! That's 3K more than I would ever have attempted before. We were on holiday and had to get up early before it got too hot, and there were quite a few late nights and big meals too... but it's such a good feeling to have run at all. In my defence: it was hot and hilly and my heart rate clocked 173 at one point but now that I'm fitter than I used to be I recovered okay.

I'm so looking forward to running back here where the slopes are gentler and the heat is less!

Sharon87

So I've got my 5k Race for Life this Sunday. I've yet to run a full 5k yet. I've done 4.4km, but with a lot of walking in that. My calf muscles are really tight, which slows me down a bit sometimes. Any advice on how to speed up recovery? I plan to keep at it after the 5k, and might do another one next year. I've bought new trainers to help as mine were getting old!

My first 5k I plan to half walk, half run, so my target is 45-50 minutes.

Cherryfudge

Do you do runner's stretches after your runs? If they are difficult, don't overdo it, just do a little more each time. Also have a small amount of protein in the first 20 minutes after a run: this will help the wear and tear on your muscles, and keep hydrated.

Lots of luck for the Race for Life, it's a great cause!

pixiebel81

Since I last posted I've had one really bad run which resulted in me taking my trainers back and exchanging them for a new pair, then the first run in the new pair went really well, didn't manage to do the full thing but it was probably my best run yet. That was last Tuesday, didn't manage to get out again until Sunday and it was disastrous. We both gave up halfway and came to the conclusion that running at in the early afternoon after not having eaten since breakfast maybe wasn't the best idea. Trying again this evening, fingers crossed we do a bit better!

AlecEiffel

Ugh :mad:

I did what I promised myself I wouldn't do, and stopped.

Got to week 9 in early May, running 30 mins but not making the 5k (did about 4 1/4 in the 30 mins running section). Then went on holiday for a week and work was mad when I got back and I fell out of the habit.

Getting back to it tomorrow - planning on starting at week 5 and seeing how I get on.

On the upside, I've lost a little weight since (5:2ing it).

Anyone else had a 2 month break and where did you restart?

fire-wannabe

Haven't been here for ages, been busy and trying to keep active while school holidays are on, it's just a nightmare....BUT I ran a race on Sunday non-stop 10k and feeling great for it.... starting in March with C25K, struggling to breathe, repeating weeks etc and getting to this stage feels absolutely amazing....keep going everyone !!!!!