A question at the end of week 1

[Whydothis]

Very pleased with myself for finishing week 1 more easily than expected, having thought my knees would never allow it!

I have not downloaded any instructions, but have used the run and walk timings I found on the spreadsheet, and this has suited me perfectly. I do not want to run or walk with a voice or music - I go out to enjoy my surroundings and the birdsong! (And wearing hearing aids and glasses would make it difficult anyway)

This week I have used the stopwatch on my phone to time my runs and walks, but I have read somewhere on here that gripping the phone in my hand is not a good idea. I don't feel the need for tracking or other information - so my question is - can someone recommend a cheap and cheerful watch type gadget that I can wear and use purely to time each stage?

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Well done 👍👏👏

Do you know why they say don’t hold phone?... I run with mine in my hand 😳

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Tinytears60]

Your hands are best if they are not tense when running as this can cause tensions in neck and shoulder.

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks- I never knew that!... I’ve recently bought a couple of things with secure pockets so in it goes 👍

[Blowing-Bubbles in reply to Tinytears60]

For the first time in my life I’ve put it in my bra strap and it’s surprisingly unnoticeable. A revelation! I was thought it would be awkward but nope, absolutely fine.

[Islandmacmum Graduate in reply to Blowing-Bubbles]

That’s a good tip - I have a wee MP3 player and no pockets in my running gear so I’ll try that next time. 😃

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Blowing-Bubbles]

That’s a fab idea 👍 Thanks

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help., although I suspect you have already read it.

Why not carry your phone in a running belt then you can use an app such as Runkeeper to programme in the C25k intervals and just turn the volume up.

Enjoy your journey.

[Grannyasbo Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Oooo that’s a good idea. Thanks I like birdsong too. Thanks for the question whydothis 👍

[Whydothis Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yes, thank you, I have read the advice, as I have seen you signpost to it for others!

I will look for Runkeeper - that sounds like the perfect answer!

[Whydothis Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I have now downloaded the free version of runkeeper, and I can see various ways of using it, but not a way to programme it for the timings for C25k. Can you advise? Or do I need the paid-for version?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Whydothis]

The free version is fine.

From the Start page, where you start your timer, select "Workout" then "Create new workout" then you can programme in all the C25k intervals for each run of the programme.

[Whydothis Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Brilliant, thank you. I had assumed that "workout" would be pre-programmed ones - I know really I shouldn't make assumptions!

[cornishgirl54 Graduate]

I don't use anything downloaded, I just printed off the written sheets so I had the timings and put those into a gymboss which can programme multiple intervals.

[Whydothis Graduate in reply to cornishgirl54]

Thank you - I have ordered myself a gymboss and wristband. This looks like the answer to my question!

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to Whydothis]

I've only used gymboss as I'm hopeless with technology and don't know how to use the apps that other people use to track their runs and listen to the podcasts etc. I bought the most basic gymboss at the beginning and used that for a few weeks but found that it could only be programmed with two intervals - so a run and a walk, repeated was fine but when I wanted to do runs of different lengths the one I'd bought couldn't do it so I bought a second one which could be programmed with a lot of different intervals. It works reall well for me, I hope you find the same.

[Whydothis Graduate in reply to cornishgirl54]

Thank you for your help. I look forward to the gymboss - in the meantime I will do week 2 from Monday with my phone as before.

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

I’m sure most basic digital watches have a stopwatch feature, maybe try Argos 😊