What happens when timer runs out?

[NewbieRunner19]

Hey guys I’m just curious, I’ve got a busy week ahead and trying to figure out when I can fit my runs in. What happens if the timer runs out? Will I have to start from the beginning again??

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Hi there! You won’t lose any fitness for a couple of weeks, so with a very busy week, do what you can. From the app POV, nothing, just select the run you want to do, and you can adjust the reminder (in settings) so you don’t miss the times you have set aside.

[NewbieRunner19 in reply to DiscoRunner]

Thank you. I’m just concerned that my timer says I need to do it by 3pm today, but I can’t do it at that time, so wondering what happens when it gets to 0... will I need to start from the beginning or can I just do today’s run later on?

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to NewbieRunner19]

Just do it later I think. If it’s the app, go into settings (cog symbol) and reschedule for when you can. It won’t reset. Every run you’ve done still counts!

[NewbieRunner19 in reply to DiscoRunner]

I can’t change anything like that in my app, only voice on/off or update frequency :/ maybe I’m just being dumb about this lol

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to NewbieRunner19]

🤷‍♀️🤣🤣!

[NewbieRunner19 in reply to DiscoRunner]

Haha I will let you know come 3pm when the timer has gone to 0 with what happens lol

[LittleSallyRacket Graduate in reply to NewbieRunner19]

I'm not sure what you mean about a timer?! The C25K app lets you set reminders for runs but that's all they are - just reminders to help you remember you'd planned to run.

The programme suggests running 3 times per week, but that doesn't mean a calendar week, it just means three runs in seven days. And if you can't fit those in and need a couple of days' rest, that's fine. If you don't run for a few days your fitness won't lapse in that time and your fitness level certainly has absolutely no idea when 3pm is. Just run when you get the chance. It's fine.

[NewbieRunner19 in reply to LittleSallyRacket]

Do you not have a count down on your days? I assumed that’s when I had to do it by, or is that the apps way of telling me when my body is ready again? I could be completely dumb about it as I genuine though it was w countdown 😂😂

[LittleSallyRacket Graduate in reply to NewbieRunner19]

No - maybe we’re using different apps? But no, you definitely don’t need to run by 3pm - just do the run when you’re ready 😊

[NewbieRunner19 in reply to LittleSallyRacket]

So good news, it was only a count down for when your body is ‘ready’ for its next run. So it went to zero then reset to a three day time limit

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I don't know about the app but I imagine it is easy enough to reset as life is like this and we'd have a lot more tales of woe. 'Week' in C25K terms simply means (for most of the 'weeks') set of 3 repetitions of the same session. Some of us run set days in a week, others simply observe the minimum of one non-running day between each run day, so that some weeks will be 3 runs and others 4, assuming no life hiccups. Remember that the session is only 30 minutes so you're only adding on any getting changed time and getting to your location if you are not heading straight out. So it can be easier than you might think to shoehorn it in... for most people it is energising rather than energy sapping.

Do check out the pinned FAQ post.

[Granspeed Graduate]

A quick search on the App Store suggests to me that there are several app that use the Couch to 5 K phrase somewhere in their title! The one I used was actually called NHS Couch to 5 K (or sometimes One You is in the title too, I think).

Anyway, any app should be a help but not a dictator! 🤣 We all need to vary the Plan depending on Life, the Universe and Everything. As long as you take at least one rest day between runs to let your new running legs recover, the rest is adjustable.

Happy running at your own pace! 👍👏🏼