The first run! : Tonight I ran my first week 1 C... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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The first run!

FlickTheRunner profile image
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Tonight I ran my first week 1 C25k run with a friend from work! We used my phone torch to run around a local park in the dark and listened to Sarah Millican giving us instructions. I noticed: 1) How unfit I am, 2) That I need to figure out properly how to breathe and run at the same time, 3) That I don't need an extra hoodie later on top of a long sleeve running top! Maybe a gilet next time!

Overall really enjoyed it..my chest feels clearer and fresh and I liked the girlie chat on our walk breaks. Hoping to keep on schedule with my own extra 2 per week runs and also a weekly session with a friend! Wish me luck 🀞😜 xx

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FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner
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26 Replies
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swisstony4 profile image
swisstony4Graduate

Hey Flick, well done on getting the first run under your belt... the first run is never pretty... many of have said exactly what you have ... fitness will come, the whole program is planned to build the fitness and not to have you running marathons straight out the blocks.

Breathing will also come with time, I think it took me until around week 3 or 4 to actually feel comfortable with my breathing... it will just happen for you.. I watched some advice vids on YouTube and found it a really useful resource.

Be careful running on the park at night on your own.. try to stick to well lit roads or residential streets if your not with a buddy!

Layers are a nightmare, so many times I have had to strip down as you get hot really quickly ... it is 12deg where I am and tonight I ran in a short sleeve top and shorts... you will learn what is best for you.

Keep us up to date with your progress, we’d love to be on this journey with you XX

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to swisstony4

Thank you swisstony4 such great advice! Yes I was thinking about watching YouTube videos for breathing and running when it's more lighter by myself - yes it can be dodgy in the park at night! It is 3degrees for running here at night in the UK so I can't really moan in comparison πŸ˜› Xx

swisstony4 profile image
swisstony4Graduate in reply to FlickTheRunner

YouTube is great although you can spend far too much time on it😳

3degs..!! Blimey... You must be up T north!! A nice balmy 12 done in Kent.

Boaty profile image
Boaty

Good Luck! You'll notice your fitness improve quite quickly, great that you enjoyed it :-)

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to Boaty

Thank you Boaty xx

Bobdbob profile image
BobdbobGraduate

One tip I read was to dress for ten degrees warmer than the outside temperature - so if it's 8 degrees outside, dress for running as if it was 18 degrees. I find that helps with choosing my layers.

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to Bobdbob

Thank you. Great tip Bobdbob xx

PetrinaB profile image
PetrinaBGraduate in reply to Bobdbob

Great tip! I’ll use that. I got far too hot and sweaty during my run today. I went to the supermarket afterwards and it was all I could do not to climb into the chiller cabinet!

Hi Flick from another Flick. I thought I was going to die after week1 run1. Tomatoes were paler than me and my heart was beating and my chest was heaving like a racehorse after the National. But Ive just finishd week 3 and was raring to do more. It’s suprising how quickly you adapt and gain fitness.

Ok, clothes.i went out in just above freezing temperatures the other night. I was wearing thermal leggings, a thermal top under a hoodie, with a thin windproof running jacket, a beanie and running gloves. After the first run I regretted the thermal top, had to unzip the jacket and took the gloves off.

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to

Well done Hidden for being on week 3! Yes my breathing was rather loud, I felt a bit self conscious!! Clothing wise yes I think you learn from experience! πŸ‘ Great to hear your experiences too as reassurance xx

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

Welcome!

The best advice I had about breathing ( I struggled in the first few weeks) was not to think about it. Just go really slow, relax and just breathe as you always do. It will sort itself out. πŸ˜ƒ

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to Elfe5

Good tip thanks Elfe5 πŸ™‚ Xx

HGVDan profile image
HGVDanGraduate

As it gets cold make sure your legs are warm

Compression tights can help too

You can wear a hoodie without a t-shirt if you get too hot wearing both but cold in a t-shirt

A hi-viz is another layer and does make a Massive temp difference

A head torch lights the way perfect and you might look silly but you’re lapping all the couch potatoes so don’t worry about how you look at all

Drink more than you need the. Drink more

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to HGVDan

Yes HGVDan I definitely need to look into hi-viz, some reflectors and maybe an alternative torch/head gear. It would help I think for night running. Thank you for the tips πŸ™‚ Xx

Ruthie2907 profile image
Ruthie2907Graduate

First of all well done. There are others on here much more experienced than me on here with advice about breathing but my strategy is not to worry about breathing in! I focus on getting a regular breathing out pattern (sounding a bit like Ivor the Engine just starting up) and the breathing in just happens naturally.

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to Ruthie2907

Ruthie2907 good advice, I did feel like I was constantly breathing out and not in. I'm hoping it will improve and I won't be so noisy as I continue with C25k and get better at it! 😝Xx

raquelscatt profile image
raquelscattGraduate

well done! I'm near the end of week 2 and am feeling better for it all ready!! x

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to raquelscatt

Great to hear! Hope you are enjoying it raquelscatt πŸ™‚Xx

Sandyscroll profile image
Sandyscroll

Well done!! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ I found the first week the hardest, but I stuck with the plan, and it really does work! ☺ Always remember your rest days in between each run. The experts tell us that's when your body repairs itself and makes you stronger for the next one. For clothing the advice is to dress like it's 10 to 15 degrees warmer outside than it really is...and...layers, layers, layers! Good luck and happy running!β˜ΊπŸƒ

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to Sandyscroll

Thank you Sandyscroll 😊Xx

EmmaSheila52 profile image
EmmaSheila52

Fantastic, well done both! You be surprised how much fitter you'll be in few weeks. Still trying to work out the jog/count/breath thing on wk7!!!

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate

Welcome! Sounds lika a lovely run :) Great idea of mixing running alone and with a friend :) Your fitness level will improve, although the runs are more challenging every week, so remember today's feeling as a reference ;)

Eenjoy the programme and probably even more this forum.

Cheers

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to IgaT

Thanks for the encouragement IgaT πŸ˜„ I'm hoping I will be able to manage it all! It's just finding the motivation to keep at it! Xx

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate in reply to FlickTheRunner

I know. I am not the best example to follow, as I am here over a year and I didn't finish the programme. BUT I went from 'I hate running, it's not for me' to 'I love running'. I generally struggle with creating new habits or in other words with doing something regularly for a longer period of time. I am currently on the stage that I don't stress about finishing the programme or that I have to run 3x per week or every other day. I focus on going out there running and continue to push myself a little bit harder every time. Mostly I follow the programme, than my life happens and I tend to have a break, after which I am doing some running, and start to follow the programme again moving a little bit back (usually approx 1 week). I hope this time I will graduate. It will be a huge success and a very big day for me. At this point, I am focusing on running 2x per week, with a total minimum of 1 run per week, as I know it is 1-2x more than nothing and each run makes me healthier, less stressed, and happier :)

Bordandbey profile image
BordandbeyGraduate

Oh yes! I remember w1r1 - hardly managing 60seconds running, not feeling anything like recovered after the recovery times & getting very hot & red during & for what felt like a good while after! I also remember aching so much the following day - legs, bum, lower back & sides! The aches became more just legs as I got through the programme! Well done on starting the programme! Keep going & before long you will be posting your success prefaced by these wk1 traits! We all do it & are all similarly amazed at what body plus determination plus C25K can achieve!

FlickTheRunner profile image
FlickTheRunner in reply to Bordandbey

Thanks for the encouragement Bordandbey ☺️ Yes I did feel like I was pleading for the recovery times to kick in during the first run too! Hoping I will be able to manage w1r2 tomorrow! No aches and pains today (1 day after) but I definitely feel like I need a good rest after a busy week at work too! Putting my feet up tonight. Hope you do too! 😝 Xx

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