Have you started Couch to 5K in the last 2-3 weeks? Partnership with the BBC!

[SaffronGracePHE]

Hello C25K community!

If you've recently taken up running with our Couch to 5k app we'd love to hear from you! We have an exciting partnership with the BBC and are looking to include some of your stories! So if you've started Couch to 5K in the last 2-3 weeks, send us an email containing your story to [e-mail]

Looking forward to hearing your stories!

[Knightrider_28 Graduate]

Hi I'm on WK5R3 can I still share my story and journey

[ChampGran Graduate in reply to Knightrider_28]

Absolutely, you can! You can post whenever you feel like it, no compulsion 😊

Happy running!

[Knightrider_28 Graduate in reply to ChampGran]

Cool

[Fattyboomboom73]

Hi just started, would love to share, not sure it will encourage people! I am pretty pathetic at running but I’m here giving it a go with my big red face and fat body attempting to run up the road. How do I sign up? Clare x

[Knightrider_28 Graduate in reply to Fattyboomboom73]

Hiya....do it for you, you have nothing to prove to anyone,Big tip...follow the app its tells you home truths and Massive encouragment .good luck 💯🏃‍♂️

[SaffronGracePHE Couchto5k Researcher in reply to Fattyboomboom73]

Hi Clare! Please do share your story if you're comfortable to! Send us an email at [e-mail]

[suzyshopper]

Hi this is my 3rd or 4th attempt at C25k. I’m lucky because we have a wellbeing program at work that offers this but obviously being in lockdown means I now need todo this on my own. I have Michael Jordan as my coach. On my good days I like to pretend I am an Olympic athlete in training. On bad days I feel like the 57 year old woman, officially in the obese category that I am. That won’t change unless I do something about it so hence the program. I run awkwardly because I have mild cerebral palsy but I get round. Just look less like a gazelle and more like an asthmatic rhino.

I’d like to do my 5km in under 40 minutes at some point. I do wonder what difference it makes having nutritional experts and psychotherapy to hand. Be great to see the impact of this on couch to 5km runners.

[SaffronGracePHE Couchto5k Researcher in reply to suzyshopper]

Hi suzyshopper ! Could you send me a private message with your email address so we can contact you about your story?

Thanks so much!

Saffron

[Weakwillednomore]

I have the app but not managed to psych myself up to do it. I tried it a while ago but don’t seem to be able to run for 90 seconds. I didn’t realise how long it could seem!

[Knightrider_28 Graduate in reply to Weakwillednomore]

Hi,,,,try just gentle jog.it will work,the tips are useful on the app.good luck

[Sealie459 in reply to Weakwillednomore]

I count lampposts,I roughly know how many lampposts are 90 secs etc.it pushes me

[Joey_74]

Started on Wednesday with my 8 year old daughter have completed 2 runs so far

[jimytwo2 Graduate]

Hi all ... I'm 52 year old male and completed up to week4 run 1 .. it's really got me out into local woodland and countryside and I've seen a grass snake and a slow worm for the first time while jogging (very lightly and intermittently) . week 4 seems like a tough jump from week 3 and I'm really feeling it today (rest day) if I can't get on with week 4 or I start to feel worse rather than better I've already decided to go back to week 3 rather than stop completely as I was enjoying it .. But we'll see ... I'll give week 4 run 2 a go .

[LuvLondon]

I started it a few weeks ago and found it really hard and couldn’t get passed week 1. Then had to self isolate for a couple of weeks (I’ve been tested and I’m fine) so will start again this week - at week 1! I have asthma, am overweight BMI of 32) and live in north London surrounded by hills which are so challenging! Haven’t found a route that allows me to avoid them. Do let me know if I can help or if I’m too much of a project!

[Timotea Graduate in reply to LuvLondon]

Just take it very slow. I was like you in Jan this year. Just could not see my way to running at all, not even one step. I felt like an elephant so heavy and ungainly. But I persevered and even ran whilst on holiday so as not to interrupt the programme. Have now graduated and managed 7.5k but vereeeeee slowly. Still can’t do 5k in 30 mins but getting there. Take small steps and go slow. You will get there and even enjoy it!

[LuvLondon in reply to Timotea]

Thank you! I hear a voice in my head saying that I will never be a runner and I read that anyone can run. I’ll try to persevere and yes - I feel like an elephant! Good analogy!

[SaffronGracePHE Couchto5k Researcher in reply to LuvLondon]

Hi LuvLondon !

Could you private message me with your email address so we can contact you about your story?

Thanks!

Saffron

[Zoot3000]

I only started yesterday but would be happy to help if that’s of any use

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

Hi! I'm on week 7, so not sure you want my story. I badly broke my ankle a few years back, and three surgeries and two years in casts, I was pretty certain my chances of Olympic glory were probably over (never started, ha!). Then factor in lockdown, asthma, hayfever and sinuses. Honestly, I was not built for running! But here you have me in week 7, googling running socks and becoming obsessed with which are the best leggings. Honestly, if I could get this far, really anyone can.

[Hidden]

I’m on W3R1. W3R2 tomorrow night. C25K is the best thing I have done in a long time. It’s hard fitting a run in every couple of days - night time after kids are put to bed. I already feel better for it.

[SaffronGracePHE Couchto5k Researcher]

Hi! Could you send me a private message with your email address so we can get in touch about your story?

Thanks so much!

Saffron