A question at the end of week 1: Very pleased... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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A question at the end of week 1

Whydothis profile image
WhydothisGraduate
17 Replies

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?

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Whydothis profile image
Whydothis
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17 Replies
Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate

Well done 👍👏👏

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

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor 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 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate 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 profile image
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 profile image
IslandmacmumGraduate 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 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to Blowing-Bubbles

That’s a fab idea 👍 Thanks

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

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 profile image
GrannyasboGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

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

Whydothis profile image
WhydothisGraduate 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 profile image
WhydothisGraduate 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 profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor 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 profile image
WhydothisGraduate 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 profile image
cornishgirl54Graduate

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 profile image
WhydothisGraduate in reply to cornishgirl54

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

cornishgirl54 profile image
cornishgirl54Graduate 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 profile image
WhydothisGraduate 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 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate

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

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