Couple of stupid questions...: I did W1R... - Couch to 5K

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Couple of stupid questions...

Geordie_julie profile image
18 Replies

I did W1R2 yesterday so am still really new to this and have a couple of stupid questions...

I know the programme is 3 runs per week, and understand why the rest day is necessary, but do I need it to be a 7 day week, or Cani just run alternate days? I ran on Wednesday, yesterday, and will hopefully (if storm Katy doesn't get in the way) do my final week 1 run tomorrow morning. Do I need to wait til Wednesday to start my next week? Just I'm off work on Tuesday so could start week 2 then, but can see this, given my varied work/volunteering pattern, to become a habit that varies from week to week. I guess what I'm really asking is do people have a space in the week where you have 2 rest days in a row, or does everyone just run on alternate days?

Also where does everyone put their phone/iPod/whatever you're using to listen to the app/podcasts? First run I had it tucked in the waistband of my trousers but it just kept nearly falling out, so yesterday I ended up with it tucked in my sports bra! 😳 there's got to be a logical answer to this, but none of my running gear has pockets!

Which brings me on to the next question, where am I supposed to put my house key? At the moment it's attached to a hair bobble around my wrist, but I'm still constantly checking it's there for fear of losing it!

Sorry I know I'm being dim, but just thought I'd ask you supportive people these weird questions 😄

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Geordie_julie profile image
Geordie_julie
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18 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Yes.. day on, day off...that is how you do it..:)

Just make sure you have a rest day in between each run...:)

I ran Friday and will run tomorrow.. run tomorrow and then run Tuesday and so on..my  starting days change. I only don't run on a run day if the weather stops me!!!!

I got a belt for my phone.. not very expensive and it works for me..

amazon.co.uk/FinBurst-Runni...

I find it perfect.. wear it with the pockets at the front.. if you read my post 'Spring is Sprung..'  there is a pikkie of me running.. you can see the belt.. or the back of it. It is light and fits well Phone in one pocket, keys if I need them and sugar free mints in other! :)

Hope this helps :)

nervepill profile image
nervepill in reply to Oldfloss

That is exactly the belt I got, and it is excellent. Recommended. 

Well done on making a start on the plan. Run every other day if you like, as long as you take a day in between runs its fine. I have a bum bag that I got from ebay for a few quid which I use to carry my phone, lip balm and cash/card etc. Good luck with the rest of the plan, enjoy! :)

secan profile image
secanGraduate

The "week" is only indicative, you can run every other day if you want but remember to respect your rest days; they are as important as your running ones.

For the first couple of weeks, I ran with my phone in one hand and my keys in the other... then I bought a small bum bag, which I consider the second most important piece of my running equipment (after my shoes).

I'm a newbie too. I asked about the six day week too and some people seem to run set days with a two day break at some point others do alternate days. I've done a mixture so far - will probably have. Three day rest this week due to a hospital procedure. So think it's fairly flexible. 

My  running jacket has a pocket big Enough for my phone and a tiny wee pocket at the top  big enough for a house key.  My trousers have a tiny picket which wouldn't be big enough for the phone. Don't know where I can put the phone in the summer if it is warm enough not to wear the showerproof jacket. 

Hi and welcome :) and well done on greeting outvthere and starting this wonderful program. 

As already said it it totally up to you if it is  every other day, the important thing is to have rest days so your body recovers :) 

Just take things steadybas it may take a while for youbto adjust to your new regime hence the rest days, you can do other things on thevrest days, i.e. xross training as long as it is low impact .

As for a mob and keys luckily my shorts had a back pocket they fitted in :) 

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

In the early stages of the programme, the short runs are hard but achievable but it gets harder each week, so a 7 day run plan will help you to rest and recover and get ready for the following week.  I had a bum bag to put my stuff in but it was too bulky so I bought a running belt, which is fantastic, can put my key and phone in there.  A lot of running trousers have zip up pockets which could hold a key.  Well done for starting, excited for you

Nuddles profile image
Nuddles

I have a great running jacket, light, showerproof and inexpensive (under £20). Pockets just right and very comfortable to run in. I guess bum bag/ belt when weather warms up. I never thought of days thing, was just going to wing it with how I felt day to day, definitely abiding by rest days though😄

jt24 profile image
jt24Graduate

I go run, off, run, off, run, off, off. I carry my phone in my hand so I can put volume up and down as required. I don't wear earphones, I run on cycle paths with the dog so need to hear my surroundings. My running tights have a zip pocket in the waistband so I can put my house and/or car key in it- I hone down the rest of the set :)

No question is a stupid question xx

OldPapaBear profile image
OldPapaBearGraduate

H Julie, I had the same problem when the weather got better and didn't need my jacket so I went online and looked for a running vest and got like a bib goes over the head and has Velcro on the sides to fix it has a nice pocket in the front that holds my iPhone and key. Also no pocket in your leggings? Mine has a pocket and the back with a zip... Hope that helps oh cost between £7-£8. 🤗

vivster profile image
vivsterGraduate

I've been doing the three runs over seven days rather than six so I get a two-day break at some point. In week 2 I took a four day break as I needed to recover from some hospital treatment. Just go at your own pace and do what you feel comfortable with.

I have an arm holster thing for my phone. Phone goes in a pouch with a clear plastic front that allows me to control it. There's also a tiny pouch for a house key and the thing has Velcro straps to wrap round your arm. Cost about a fiver from Amazon.

I might upgrade to one of those belts though. They look cool.

Cgar profile image
CgarGraduate

Well I have pockets so can't answer your practical questions.  As to the rest days I do three runs a week. Generally running a Monday and then either Wednesday or Thursday and then Friday or Saturday and then back out on Monday. Whatever suits your other commitments. Make sure you have a rest day though. Good luck with the programme. I am about to start week 7 and can't believe how much I can run now. Week 1 was such a struggle. 

Rignold profile image
Rignold

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people. ;)

Interesting range of answers re storage. I'm with jt24 on the phone thing. I carry mine in my hand so it is, erm, handy. I have tried those arm bracelet thngs but found it very unwieldy for access to the phone. Bum bags tend to make anyone look like Jason Donovan circa 1988. Lightweight jackets are great in winter but (this weekend apart) we are heading into the months wehere it is too hot for one. Race belts are a good option but for the sake of 30 mins it is easier just to carry the phone.

Most of my running shorts and tights have a key pocket. Actually my winter running gloves have a key pocket on the palm, although that feels really weird, and again wrong time of year.

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poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Welcome to the board Julie, and dont worry , ask any question that you like, there will always be someone around to help :-)

I have a little bum bag, I keep my phone, my key and an emergency stash of jelly babies in it . I dont wear a jacket, I get far too hot and the pocket in my leggings is tiny so I just stick my bum bag around my waist and Im off. I dont notice its there now to be honest .

I did try one of those armbands for my phone, but I found it a bit of a faff so I dont bother with that at all. 

I used to run Monday, Wednesday and Friday , then the following week I might have done Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. As long as you take the rest days, it doesnt really matter if you go into another week .Sometimes Id take two rest days if I felt any niggles .

Good Luck with the programme and keep posting ! :-) xx

Geordie_julie profile image
Geordie_julie

Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice! 

Really like the idea of the belt, might have to invest in one of those. My running leggings/tights don't have pockets, probably something to do with the fact that apart from my Nike running shoes (which I will confess I bought cheap at a shopping outlet in New York last year, it's just taken me this long to motivate myself to put them on!) all my running wear (leggings/tights, vest, top) is cheap (Primark mostly). I guess you get what you pay for, hence no pockets!

I'm intrigued by the stuff people have shared that they take out with them. RunJayDubRun I like the idea of taking out a lip balm and a bit of cash, although I would probably have ended up buying a takeaway and undone all of my good work on Friday if I'd had any cash, the Chinese I ran past while doing the last of my 60 second runs on Friday night smelled heavenly! Poppypug I hadn't until now thought of an emergency stash of jelly babies, but might have to now!

I suspect I'll probably end up running regularly on a Monday, then which other days will depend on what's happening that week. It's good to know it doesn't matter too much though.

I'll definitely keep posting on here, you're all so helpful! 😄

in reply to Geordie_julie

I don't go anywhere without lip balm lol. I mainly carry cash for emergencies or if I'm popping in the co op at the end of my route. Its also handy for storing my ear phones and ID band until I'm out running again. 

Oh I tend to run wed/Fri/sun as I do karate on a Monday and found out the hard way that running the day after is a bad idea!

Joanne76 profile image
Joanne76Graduate

I read and saw a video clip about tying your key in to your trainer laces... not sure how easy/secure/comfortable it would be.  

I too am looking for a jacket to run in as my every day jacket is now too big and bulky to run in.  I often see other runners in T-shirt and shorts/leggings only but at be moment it's still a little chilly.

Any recommendations?

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

I don't think the programme is 3 times per week as such, you have to do each "week's runs" 3 times in total. I did 2 runs per week as I was doing other stuff, it took me ages to graduate! Some people repeat "weeks" as they don't feel comfortable moving on. These days I tend to run every other day except I take an extra day off after a longer run. It's really up to you. I've read you shouldn't run carrying anything in your hand, it unbalances you and you could (I would for sure) drop your phone or whatever. I didn't like armbands, they chafed that thin skin on the underside of the arm, ouch! I'd recommend a belt, you can pick them up for about a fiver. xx

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