Not impressed: Just back from my first "run" if... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Not impressed

EbonydeVillefort profile image

Just back from my first "run" if you could call it that. Do you have to work your way up to the various coaches? I chose Michael Jonson for mine. Voice did not fade in and out. Had to stop after walking for nearly ten minutes to restart the app because nothing was happening. Did I miss something? I did walk a reasonable distance, but that wasn't the point. I wanted this to help me run. Gutted

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EbonydeVillefort profile image
EbonydeVillefort
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18 Replies
SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

That’s bad luck for the app, you could try the podcasts, sometimes there is a blip in the app but not often, maybe listen to it while at home and see if run 2 is better?

Well done though for getting started

You could try a different trainer, we used Michael and only had app problems twice

EbonydeVillefort profile image
EbonydeVillefort in reply to SueAppleRun

I'm devastated as it's had the opposite effect completely and I feel even less motivated than I was before I started 😭

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate in reply to EbonydeVillefort

Please don’t be put off, do you also play music, i set the music off first and the music faded for Michael to talk

EbonydeVillefort profile image
EbonydeVillefort in reply to SueAppleRun

I did. I also started the music first ☹️

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate in reply to EbonydeVillefort

Either try the podcasts or try another trainer, good luck

MMP175 profile image
MMP175Graduate

I’ve just finished week 9 and used MJ as the trainer all the way through, without any problems. I’ve got an iPhone8 and also played an iTunes playlist and had Strava running too. Try again as sometimes there’s a blip

SquareBear profile image
SquareBearGraduate

Firstly well done for starting!! I chose Sarah M, she’s very mumsy but encouraging. When I got to week 4 I switched to Jo W who I’ve found great.

Stick with it and don’t get disheartened.

in reply to SquareBear

Another fan of Sarah Millican. There’s no stop offs for a cake or anything like that which is disappointing initially. I’ve got wk4/run2 next so it definitely works. One thing I twigged last night is that the app pauses if you have MapMyRun running. Grrr!

It’s really unfortunate that you had a bad start but don’t let this defeat you. If you allow yourself to stumble so easily then getting fit is going to be a trial!

C’mon 😖 determination is what’s needed right now!

SB1724 profile image
SB1724

Don’t worry. It took me about fours runs to get all the technology working together.

you can change your coach at any point.

I used SM until w6r3 then switched to MJ. That was the first time the Ap failed me and I was so disappointed as it seemed to fast forward five minutes and instead of going with my instinct knowing I was too far from home to possibly be finished, I stopped. same thing on wk7r1.

I’m changing to Laura next run as it can completely throw you off

But, you will find your rhythm soon and get it all working and start to enjoy running! keep going. 🏃‍♀️👏🏻

Couchphoenix profile image
CouchphoenixGraduate

Don’t let a glitch ruin things for you, you’ve made the decision to get fit and get out there, I’m sure your next run will be fine. I chose Jo Whiley and found her great. Don’t run too quickly, go at the pace of a brisk walk, nice deep breaths...Good Luck 👍

EbonydeVillefort profile image
EbonydeVillefort

Thank you everyone. I'm going again tomorrow, so we'll see how things go then

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

There are sometimes app attacks, I had a couple, then realised I wasn't starting the music first, but looks like you were.

I preferred Sarah Millican, perhaps because she really made me feel like I had achieved something hard, the others I tried didn't seem as impressed!

Don't be despondent, when you get going, you will be amazed at what a difference this makes to your life, fitness, mental health.

Good luck 😊

Shaggy48 profile image
Shaggy48Graduate

Hi there, I tried MJ at first too because he’s one of my heroes but the audio was terrible and his files wouldn’t download in the higher quality format. I switched to Jo Whiley and got on really well with her as a coach: kind and encouraging but quite firm too. Good luck with the rest of the programme!

Newbie59 profile image
Newbie59Graduate

Try the podcast for the first few weeks, less to think about! Laura tells you when to walk and run and music comes on inbetween that you may not like but it sets the pace. Later on when there is no talking, you can play your own music for fun!

Deetermined profile image
DeeterminedGraduate

Hi EbonydeVillefort,

Congratulations to your decision to start C25k! I did my final run of the plan yesterday and still can't believe that I did it. I am really sorry to hear that you had such an unfortunate start with the app. Please don't let this put you off as the training plan is amazing and really works!

I also experienced some technical issues in the beginning. Have a look at your phone settings: Does your phone maybe go to sleep when you haven't touched the screen for a while? Or maybe there are some permissions the C25k requires but which you have not granted yet? I checked and changed a few of these settings and did not have any issues with the app since. Regarding trainer: I ran with Jo Whiley and really liked her voice and the way she encouraged me. I will really miss her tomorrow when I do my first run without her.

Good luck for your next run and have a wonderful C25 journey!

EbonydeVillefort profile image
EbonydeVillefort in reply to Deetermined

Hi. I'm sticking with it, I was just a bit irritated. I've changed every setting I can think of, but I started week 2 today and it still cut out 3 times. I'm looking at getting a different phone tbh. All things considered, it's probably my phone that's at fault. I did it today with just his voice. I managed, but I prefer having music for sure

Lara1972 profile image
Lara1972Graduate

I had started music first then C25K app and then Strava my coach all the way through has been Sarah M and no problems as yet, I m on wk7, dont give up, try again.

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