Week 8 Run 1...and beyond.

[misterbrownesq]

Hi.

I'm relatively new to running and was inspired to "Couch to 5k" -it by a friend who seemed to come on leaps and bounds in very little time at all (around 9 weeks now I come to think about it..) .

Anyway, after 7 weeks of progress - and strangely enough looking forward to my first run of week 8 tomorrow - thoughts are starting to turn to what happens next. If I'm honest I've surprised myself by sticking with the programme, staying healthy, and - strangest of all - actually enjoying it. Can I say this out loud? I'm proud of myself.

Thing is, I don't really want this to end. I'm aware that there're 3 x 5k+ podcasts, but the thought of not having a rigid plan to stick to and having to rely on myself to stay excited about an open ended podcast series has me panicking slightly. Can anyone point me in the direction of a "couch to 10k" or a "couch to half marathon" podcast that's worked or them? I'm keen to stick at it and not slide back into bad habits.

Thanks!

[Biscuit0107 Graduate]

I'd be interested on some advice on this too. I downloaded the Bridge to 10k and (not wanting to offend our American cousins...) I was disappointed to have an American chap just saying 'run' 'walk' at various intervals with frankly none of the warmth and charm of Laura. Hopefully there's some more experienced runners on here who have some tips , for the time being I've ditched the headphones and am simply running and it feels great

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Biscuit0107]

Well done on getting this far. Congratulations. Post grad I ran the 3 stepping stones podcasts to death (still do) I swear by bridge to 10k podcasts with Samantha Murphy. Join the 10k community once you graduate. The link is under the Communities tab

Don't get ahead of yourself though. You still have to complete c25k 😊

The good thing about a proper plan is that it saves you from running too much. Left to our own devices we could overrun and get hurt

[misterbrownesq Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I'm still surprised by how bloody lovely this forum is; thanks misswobble.

I will absolutely give the Samantha Murphy podcasts a listen (thanks for the tip), and I'll join the 10k community too. It's interesting; it took me a while to realise this forum existed and then it took me almost as long to post. I wonder if it would have made the programme easier to follow if I'd been on here earlier. Better late than never.

I also acknowledge how right you are about staying focussed on finishing all 9 weeks before thinking about any sort of next step. I just know that I do better with exercise when I don't have to think about it too hard; if the next step's in place I'm much more likely to take it than if (fingers crossed!) I finish C25K and then think "now what?"

Thanks again!

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

what are the stepping stones podcasts and where would i find them please?

[misterbrownesq Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I think misswobble means the Couch To 5k+ podcasts which are available on the C25K homepage here; nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

[RunningGeek Graduate]

I'm on W6 and have wondered this too but reading on the forum it seems that very few people manage 5k by the end of the programme. My plan is to carry on with running for 30 - 35 mins 3 times a week, hopefully I will speed up & get to the 5k, and as I get near to doing this try Parkrun which I may have to finish at a walk but so what! Perseverance is what is needed Happy running

[misterbrownesq Graduate in reply to RunningGeek]

Thanks RunningGeek. I'm a bit like you in so much as I feel like the 5k is my "holy grail". I'd never really thought about Parkrun (I'm really still trying to figure 'running' out), but that's a great idea too.

You're right about perseverance! I was huffing my way around W8R1 this evening and found myself thinking of Winston Churchill's "If you're going through hell...keep going" quote. We shall overcome! Good luck with the programme, and happy running to you too!

[RunningGeek Graduate in reply to misterbrownesq]

Can't say I have running figured and suspect lots (most) of the people on here are the same. Just bumbling my way through 😄 Running can feel like hell sometimes but the buzz when you finish a run is worth it 🤗

[misswobble Graduate]

The Stepping Stones podcasts are designed to take your running on beyond C25k but still in a measured, careful way, towards 10k, if that's the way you want to go

They are tricky but good!