First timer: Inspired to give this a go after... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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First timer

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate
27 Replies

Inspired to give this a go after hearing about it on BBC Breakfast. Thought no time like the present so downloaded the app. And...

Yeah! just completed my first run of week one and I’m feeling super energised. I’m not really built for running and I could definitely feel a fair bit of jiggling going on but I really enjoyed it and just loved having prompts and encouragement.

Feeling inspired.

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Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53
Graduate
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27 Replies
VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate

You will be in great company! This forum was wonderful when I started C25K last autumn and continues to be great now I am a 'grad' from the programme. Be sure to share any questions or triumphs with everyone here. Glad your first run went well.

I bet Couchto5kLaura will be excited that the BBC brekky piece inspired you too

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate in reply toVictoriaRuns

Thank you, are you able to run 5k comfortably now ? Just wondered if this has spurred you on to greater distances or are you happy at 5k?

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate in reply toBirdsong53

I consolidated for a long time, which just means continuing to run for 30 minutes three times a week. That was a fun time. I would cover about 4.5K each time doing this. Then I started to up my distance very gradually and not worry about pace or anything like that. Then I started doing one set of speed intervals in the week. Now I can push myself and do a 30 minute 5K but if I am going at an easier pace it's more like 32 minutes. The longest I've done so far is about 9K.

Some days I need to dig deep to get to 5K and other times it is more pleasant, but the difference is I always know it is do-able now so it has definitely gotten easier, but it is never easy if that makes sense.

I normally do two 5Ks in the week and then one long run at the weekend, but I'm going to try to up my distance this month.

I would like to be able to do a 10K the same way I can do a 5K right now, but I have no real ambition beyond that. Maybe a half marathon, but not until next year or so. Do you have your sights set on a distance beyond 5K? Some people are quite happy sticking to that distance, so I wouldn't worry either way 😊

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate in reply toVictoriaRuns

At the moment my sights are set firmly on completing the 9 weeks, but who knows? I’ll let you know how I’m feeling when I’ve graduated! X

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate

I second this! I was under the impression for a long time that being rather unblessed in that department meant I could get away without one, but a forum member on here told me that you can do irreparable damage to your ladies from the movement. So strap them in!

Mand102 profile image
Mand102Graduate

Well done on your first run, glad you found it so enjoyable. You won't regret deciding to do this, and everyone is so helpful and friendly on here.

Good luck and enjoy your running 😊

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate in reply toMand102

Thank you, this app is amazing, so much support out there.

seaspaniel profile image
seaspanielGraduate

Welcome and well done.

I can thoroughly recommend the program. It took me from puffing Billy to Billy Whizz in 9 weeks(some would say Billy Wheeze but thats offspring for you).

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate in reply toseaspaniel

I can’t believe the responses I’ve had, I’m feeling really encouraged, thank you. X

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

Well done on starting! :) It's a life-changer, this programme.

Fun2Run profile image
Fun2RunGraduate

That’s Brilliant!

Enjoy your running but just take it slow and steady and remember to breathe!

I just graduated and at times I found it can be tough but it really is achievable... you can do it!!!

Happy running!🏃🏻‍♀️

Jen58 profile image
Jen58

Enjoy your journey

PetrinaB profile image
PetrinaBGraduate

Oh goodness, a well fitting sports bra is a must. I’m “built for speed” but even I feel the difference without the right “booby knickers”. (Credit there to my friend’s 4yo son for coining that particular term!)

SuperMouse profile image
SuperMouseGraduate in reply toPetrinaB

Ha ha that takes me back, my son (all grown up now) used to call them 'booby baskets' when he was little :O

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Welcome to the best thing ever.... and very well done...( another one caught..tee hee) !

Check the linked post out for great information and advice. Lots of tips on how to run C25K safely and enjoyably :)

Take it steady and slow, keep posting and enjoy :)

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome.

Do read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... for basic advice.

Enjoy your journey.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Wow well done! It works! I’m evidence! Never been able to run and now I’m up to 20 mins!

SuperMouse profile image
SuperMouseGraduate

Well done for getting out there! :)

Clairecandothis profile image
ClairecandothisGraduate

It gets addictive. And each week builds on the previous so you really feel you are moving forward. I felt more resilient with everything in life after achieving this app. Music helps. And refusing to stop lol 😊🏃‍♀️

Getfitok profile image
GetfitokGraduate

That's great! Good luck👍

I am on week 2..it is a fab app.

I have tried to run before now and gave up and now i have started to use this app realise i was pushing myself to hard and..to early and felt it for a few days af ter and i didnt want to continue..

Couch to 5k is manageable your not rushed and you can still reach goals and feel the achievement Go for it you will love it!!

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate

Hi there, the jiggling wasn’t so much my boobs as my butt! Could do with losing a stone so hopefully my efforts will tone up my nether regions. X

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Brilliant. Welcome aboard!

This programme is fantastic and it teaches you more than just how to run. It will take you further than you thought possible 👍😁

Birdsong53 we are all here for you. There is a wealth of experience here and we are all at different stages of C25K.

If you need any advice or support we are here.😊

Birdsong53 profile image
Birdsong53Graduate in reply to

Thanks Steve, I don’t post much but I love reading how everyone’s doing. This has got to be the best forum ever. 😊

in reply toBirdsong53

We are here to support each other through C25K but also if you need a friendly ear. If you don’t want to put something in a general post you can also pm some of us if you need to. Just keep going most of us repeat weeks if we need to so we can gain a bit more confidence before moving on.

We are here if you need us😉

Razouski profile image
Razouski

Well done you. I started the programme while recovering from a mastectomy and breast cancer treatment after being persuaded by my PT from Macmillan. It’s been great and I not only graduated at 5K went on to 10k and can now run 15k reasonably comfortably.

Just take the programme 1 run at a time. I had never run in my life before and I was amazed at my progress- believing that you can do it really helps as a lot of it is about your brain (and managing the pesky gremlins) as well as conditioning your legs and lungs.

Happy running. 😀

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