I have been putting together a list of thoughts for the FAQ of C25k that we will try to provide answers to in the C25k realtime videos. Of course, a these things go, I had dozens of ideas floating around in my head while thinking about it in vague terms but not so many when it comes to putting them down on paper. I would really welcome everyone's input: what are the questions that come up time and time again? What were the questions you had when doing the programme? What quetions would you like to know the answers to?
thanks in advance
Here's what I have so far:
Should I start?
How do I start?
How do I find the motivation to start?
What should I wear?
Do I need new trainers?
Will people stare at me?
Where can I run?
Can I run on a treadmill?
When does it get easier?
What should I eat before running?
What should I eat after running?
What should I eat as a runner?
Will I lose weight doing C25k?
Will I become more toned doing C25k?
I have been doing C25k for X weeks, why have I not lost weight?
Help I have put on weight doing C25k.
What time is best to run?
How fast should I be running?
What speed/incline should I set the treadmill to?
I am on week X and am only running Y distance. How will I make it to 5k?
What running app/watch/fitbit should I use?
Pain etc:
My shins hurt. What do?
My feet/knees/calves/back etc hurt…
I am on W1R2 and my muscles still ache. Should I stop?
I have a sharp/shooting pain in XYZ
Will running ruin my knees?
I have a cold, can I run?
I had a cold, how long till I can run?
I sprained my ankle/pulled my calf/tore a knee ligament, when can I run again?
I missed a run/week due to illness/life, should I repeat a week/where should I start back from?
How should I breathe? The podcast says…
What part of my foot should strike the ground first. Laura/my friend from work/Christopher McDougall says…
I have signed up for a 5k/10k/ultra marathon in September and am on W2. Will I be able to run it all?
What do I do after I graduate?
How do I get faster/run further?
Why is the leap from Rx to Ry so great?
How can I do W5R3? Should I just repeat R2?
Why does Wsix R1 go back to intervals? Why was it so hard?
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Rignold
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I assumed that you and your terrible twin ju-ju- will be co-presenting and she always wears a black running vest. So please do start the video series with your shirt on
A really excellent list which does sum up the Frequent Asked Questions on the forum.
The one thing I reckon you need in there that isn't in the list already is: What do I do if I am struggling to keep running in a run section? What do I do if I actually have to stop running in a run section? ('cos it is my specialist subject!)
Some very basic 'what does the program look like? How many runs, how many weeks, walk and run sections, do I run every day? There are three runs each week, but seven days in a week. How does that work?
Reduce blood pressure, increase cardio-vascular health, improvements to mood, increased metabolism, improved general wellbeing and an increased attention to general health and diet...
Do I need to carry a drink with me on a run? How much should I be drinking per day? I'm drinking 3-4 liters a day and urinating like a race horse 🐴 , is this normal?
I require assistance getting in and out of mine on sweaty days. It bunches up under my armpits but above my boobs and I am literally stuck in the most unflattering way possible.
I feel your pain Nobby ! I had to practically turn myself inside out the other day just to get mine on ! Of course it doesn't help when you're purple , sweaty, flustered and then having a hot flush on top of it all !
Well there are 27 episodes, and 20 to 30 minutes in real time, so there's a lot of scope for questions. I'm trying to roughly match them to the week when people ask them, where applicable.
I think maybe, seriously, a question that I have not seen posted about too often, other than... 'What are you getting from the programme posts',=... but one which may occur to some of us... is... Is this programme really of benefit to me...what is the impact it may have on me/my health etc... ?
I.e. What difference is doing this going to make to my life?
Another existentialist question: Where do all the swishy-ponytail haired girls go in the winter? I never see one when I am running gently, slowly and carefully on frost-covered roads. Only in the summer. Do they hibernate, or go to Klosters for the winter?
Reduce blood pressure, increase cardio-vascular health, improvements to mood, increased metabolism, improved general wellbeing and an increased attention to general health and diet...
This may have already been covered too many replies to be sure I haven't missed it but and program specific question: W5R3 is a huge jump in length of time running, can I really do it?
Excellent list, I would be interested in exercises for warming up and cooling down. Apologies if this is already covered, I'm new and haven't watched your videos yet.
What a hoot! Laughed my cap off!! Some very very funny peeps on this forum ! Can I come to your crib Rignold when I'm a swishy swoosher? I seemed to have missed your 'top off' post
Anyhoo...
Toxic ten
Told to run slow, but how slow is slow?
Getting over the embarrassment of running in public
To eat or not to eat............that is the question?
I am 4 years older than her lol. I know she was a model but thought she was a swimmer first but have just looked her up and she became famous for the"swimsuit" issue of Sports illustrated. Cheating!
Will running help with my mental health?And the whole, massive issue of mental attitude....the psychology of running and the way that negative beliefs and thoughts undermine progress
How to beat the 'gremlins' or how to challenge negative cognitions?
Commonly asked is where do I put my phone - looking at some of your replies, lets keep it nice.
Also the replies mention RICE a lot, it has been superseded by MICE. People were taking R(est) as not moving and doing it for too long and getting stiff, so M(ovement) was put in for gentle and gradually increasing mobilisation.
I think something on quads exercises in the knees hurt bit would be useful. Is there a physio available to advise?
The drinking bit: what to drink? Although that could be a brief answer.
Great post! Will these FAQ be found on this forum or elsewhere? If elsewhere, then a 'where can I find lots of nice helpful supportive like-minded people?' could be answered with ' right here on HU C25K!
Omg, please tell me this is not still going? I have been out of uk for 17 years. Not very PC in 2017! Well, I guess it wasn't back in the 90 s either, but you know what I mean.
Viewing this link, I had forgotten quite how crude they were. No offence meant, it wasn't this element I was likening to you, more the humour of misdirection. Look back at your replies re joggers nipple and buttock clenching, classic examples. It must be a peculiarly British thing I think. People here🇨🇦 don't do it or appreciate it when I (or DH) do it, so we don't. 😐 Very refreshing.
Pretty sure that our friend Rignold is immune from taking offence. Viz is still struggling on, but is certainly not in the mainstream. Quite how it has survived this long I am at a loss to explain.
This is a sensible question....I have seen this posted quite a few times...
"Is it necessary to have gait analysis before I buy my running shoes ?"
(I shall be interested in this, as I just did the , wet foot test before I started... researched like mad and plumped for the pair I thought best suited.. which are brilliant Just lucky maybe?
Ha ha Finbar Saunders ! I used to love " The Viz " The top tips section used to crease me up ie
CYCLISTS: Avoid getting a sore behind by simply placing a naan bread over your saddle. This will comfort your ride and when you return home, hey presto! A warm snack ! xxx
Really enjoyed reading the replies to this post 😁 what a long list of questions!
Headgear/glasses/clothing - what is best to wear on my head? How can I keep my ears, neck, nose etc warm (buffs are great). How can I stop sweat going in my eyes? How can I stop my glasses steaming up? (Not a problem I have but notice that folks ask advice about this issue). What is the best underwear - technical fabric or cotton? Do I need two pairs of shoes, one pair for road and one for trails?
Races - when should I enter my first race? What distance should I attempt? How do I find events near me? Other general advice about races.
Life after C25k - how do I get my graduation badge? how do I keep motivated? How do I increase distance/pace? Which is best 5k+ podcast? Is it OK to run every day? What are core exercises and why should I do them? (I really struggle with this!)
Sorry if these have already been covered.
Looking forward to seeing the videos (great idea ☺)
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xxx
Can the audio on the podcast be described as music?
Please explain!
Resuming my C25K journey tomorrow 
