Not enough guidance for people who don't do headphones

[Ada72]

I got off to a bad start with this App because it said "now start your music" and I don't do music or headphones so I ignored it for a few training sessions. I was training with my phone in my hand to look for the gait changes. Then I started to wonder what Sarah Millican had to do with it and wouldn't it be useful to have a bell or something to tell me when to change gait. I was puzzled by the bell at the top of the screen. I didn't want to wear headphones because I would feel cut off and also I'd have to remove my hearing aids. However, I decided Sarah must be trying to talk to me so I've started wearing headphones. It is helpful.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I wear 1 headphone that is enough to know what is going on without being cut off from what’s going on around me

Good luck with your running journey

[Hidden]

I have bone conductor head phones that are just the business. They weren't cheap but I got them for my birthday. It means you can listen to music or stories and still hear what is going on around you.

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes bone conductor headphones are the answer - they sit just outside the ear. I have recently purchased a pair of Aftershoz titanium- on offer on amazon. They are worth every penny. Happy running.! The coaches encouragement is a big help to most even if you don’t listen to music or anything else during the run.

[Ada72 in reply to Hidden]

I'm seeing my audiologist next week. He's never suggested that type of aid.

[Yoginut Graduate]

Clearly you've managed it somehow but I'd find it impossible to follow the guidance without being able to hear it.

I use ear buds but also have a pair of furry headphones that are perfect for cold days! I'm saving up for bone conductors!

You can choose whatever you like to listen to during the run - music, radio, an audiobook - it just quietens off when the guidance comes in.

Good luck on your path ☺

[Frizzmog Graduate]

I use Aftershokz bone conductors which work fine, not for music but I like to listen to podcasts, usually from BBC Sounds. I’ve listened to, and learnt about all kinds of things I probably wouldn’t have learnt about otherwise if I hadn’t started running.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Here is a link to a post from a few years ago. It has a spreadsheet of all the runs, would it help? At least you will have an idea what is coming up on the runs and you could go by your watch if you miss a bit, good luck. Rfc x

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Granspeed Graduate]

It’s worth checking with your audiologist. Some hearing aids can even be set to work like Bluetooth ear buds. 😳 And in any case, s/he should be able to advise what will work to hear the commentary without interfering with the aids. If s/he doesn’t know already, it will be an exciting challenge for them to explore. 😄👍

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

I don't wear headphones either! I didn't bother with the app, just printed out the spreadsheet someone else has linked to, and used a stopwatch. Meant I had to memorise the timings. I've come back to c25k lately and tried the app, played very loud while I carried my phone. It was ok but wouldn't want to bother with it every time. But you're right to point it out, it's easy to make assumptions.

[limberlou Graduate]

I too didn’t get on with the App because I don’t have much music in my phone but I download the podcasts for C25k and they have music already. Not really my choice of music but quite catchy and I find it works a bit like a metronome and keeps me running at a steady beat. Laura, Sarah or Michael chime in with their advice and tell b you how much longer and when to run or walk. Maybe try that? Good luck

And I love the “ Julie” song!!

[SamNotSammy]

I wear bone conducting headphones too. So must better than in ear headphones.

[mayberunner Graduate]

a thought for the app developers: make it so your phone vibrates when you need to change from running to walking... would make the app more accessible for people who use hearing aids, are deaf, or have other reasons to avoid headphones! Could even try having it hook up with Fitbits/Apple watches to vibrate on your wrist.