I’ve kicked C25K off with Sanjeev Kohli and my wife is being coached by Sarah Millican....we wanted to start off gently! But I’m wondering whether it’s best to stick with one all the way through the 9 weeks or can you mix ‘n’ match, or at some better than others as the weeks progress?
Thoughts, views, etc welcome!
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I didn't use any, just my own music, but just wanted to let you know that there is a problem with Sarah on week 5 run 3 (it's the wrong session) so if your wife sticks with Sarah she may have to swap coaches just for that run
The first time I couldn't download the app here in France so I used the podcasts. Laura was lovely but the music was awful! Second time around I down loaded the app without any problem so might be worth you trying the download again?
Michael Johnson - feels like I’m getting an expert coach and for me sticking to the same one helps make it feel like a ‘journey ‘ with my improvements each week very tangible due the continuity, which for me personally is very motivating....
Did think about MJ initially as I thought it would bring that expert feel but like you (you’ve a cracking turn of phrase!) I have a “historic loathing of cross country” which I think deep down put me off!! But having just completed W1R3 might try him out in W2 or W3
I thought the coaches were pretty much reading a script. However, I chose Michael Johnson and I am more than happy so have not tried any of the others. Why not give them a try and stick with your favourite 😊
I also chose Laura and had tried one of the other options but reverted back to the expert. She was encouraging and knew what I was going through each run. I even replied to her at times, sometimes in a nice way and other times not so nice!
Lots of people say for Week 5, Run 3 Sarah Millican is wrong. I used a mix of Jo Whiley and Michael Johnson so no personal experience of SM, just what people have said on here.
Good idea re mixed approach and I know this sounds daft as they’re not really there, but I wonder if mixing it up gives you the impression that there’s actually a coaching team behind you....in addition to the 84k others in here!
I started with SM but found I couldn’t take her seriously! Changed to Laura at Run 3 I think and stuck with her - now I’m on the C25K+ Stepping stones podcasts and it’s still Laura 😊🏃🏻♀️
I do wonder and I was hoping all (except MJ of course!) would say they’d done it, lost weight, got fitter, etc....if they have it would be nice to know and I’m guessing they must otherwise you could have put any celebrity in their as a voiceover?
Same here. Had great success with Laura 5 years ago, before any of the celebs were available (I think). Restarted with Laura this year. Laura all the way for me.
I loved Jo. They all say the same thing and then a little ad-lib. I found Jo said a little more than Sarah and kept me going. I think they are all the same just who you prefer.
It’s MJ for me too - I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with any of the others and all have their good points (Laura, as you say is normal and proves the programme is possible, Sarah, is, imo, funny, so probably brings some humour), not sure about the other 1 (or 2?), but I always admired MJ as an athlete so I felt naturally drawn to him) x
I've tried them all but I personally prefer JW as she seems to ad-lib a bit more. I use Spotify as for me the music helps me forget what I'm actually doing! I couldn't get one to complete, so I just played it again when I got home. It was funny not doing what I was told!
This happened to me on a few. Did the run but it wouldn't save or my phone went funny and completed the run without the app. If it happens again, you can fast forward the run so that you don't have to listen to it again. X
MJ is amazing. Such a lovely voice and really encouraging. I read an interview with him recently, he suffered a stroke last year and was talking about his recovery.
Yes, he has, which I suppose shows strength and determination - s/thing else I admire about him! As far as I can tell he’s recovering really well (I don’t have a huge amount of experience with stroke survivors but I do have some) x
Yes - it's got to be Michael! I couldn't have done it without him and he really understands me... Fantastic voice, and he knows what he's talking about!
I chose Michael Johnson. My thinking was he’s an ex Olympic athlete so he knows what he’s talking about and I trust that he’s giving me the best advice (yes I know they’re probably all saying roughly the same thing but he was top of the list for me). Plus I love his voice, it’s very soothing but authoritive at the same time. It’s personal choice x
I’m from Canada and not familiar with any of them but MJ. I wanted someone “normal “... not a sports god. I went with Sarah too. I’m only at w4 r1 but I like listening to her voice and she’s encouraging. Thought about Laura, but I think I’d miss Sarah and have come to link her with my running.
Sarah Millican was very flat and gave me no motivation but Jo Whiley kept talking about how she did on her journey. Found her much more motivating. Never listened to the others so cant comment on them. Good luck!
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