Hello everyone. I just found this forum. I started the couch to 5k program a few days ago and, whilst sitting immobilised in a chair, getting over the shock of my first go at it, wrote about my experience:
So……I just completed my first running session courtesy of the ‘one you couch potato to 5k’ app. I have no ambitions to actually run 5k… such a thing is in the realms of cloud cookoo land…. but as the app actually mentions me by name I felt I had to try it. I am entirely happy to spend loooong stretches of time sat at a piano or computer and it is all too tempting to do it far too much…
The app has a selection of coaches who tell you when to start and stop running. I was hoping that my one would also tell hilarious stories etc to distract me from the fact that I was actually off the sofa, but sadly no. He just gave minimal instructions. Fortunately I had set my phone to play a random selection of music. I wondered if there might be an ideal genre or tempo for running music, but as I had no idea what would be best I just went with random. That was a good move as my running gait turned out to be fairly random also…. growing ever slower with each step…
Clothes are, I suspect, a big deal to runners. I went to the back of the wardrobe and dug out my old ‘bargain’ trainers, purchased decades ago for £4.99 and hardly ever worn… They turned out to be shoewear sponges for the wet grass (my route was all on off road footpaths) and grew progressively heavier as the session went on. They also proved to lack grip, but might perhaps be of use on a ski holiday. My socks also turned out to be far from ideal: a one size fits all pair which I got free on a flight a few years ago…. They demonstrated the same spongelike qualities as the shoes, so at least my equipment was well matched.
The only surprise was that I ended up with no blisters. I can only put it down to the fact that I was going so slowly (even when running) that friction could not take place.
Added to these fashion delights, I wore a skirt and my (regrettably) purple bum bag to carry my phone in. If unfitness had a ‘look’, I would be it
The time of day I chose – early in the morning – was a good one. Cooler, more beautiful than noon etc. but most importantly….I met nobody else. I am not sure how I would have dealt with seeing the confusion on the face on anyone who happened to catch a glimpse of me... I suspect late evening would be a good choice also …preferably well after sunset when my purple pouch would look grey.
The run consisted of a series of 60 second runs (9 in total I believe) separated by 90 second walks. A severe shock to my system, but doable. It must be decades since I last ran anywhere. I don’t recall so much wobbling going on in my body….. A loud klaxon sounds when you are half way through it, so you can turn back and head home. I manged to stumble my way through the entire thing.
Now I am supposed to do two similar runs this week before progressing to the new challenges of week two.
Will I continue? Quite likely. Why? Because I think I may have worked out what is the best bit about running…..It is not necessarily the doing of it (especially for those of us who fit into the couch potato category with ease)….. No, the best bit comes afterwards. When you are back home with a slightly raised heartrate and a good feeling that you have done it …and can perhaps later reward yourself with chocolate..…. 😊
I suspect I will be turning up here from time to time for encouragement and to see how others are getting on. Very best wishes to you all! 😊
Written by
xKnuckles
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I was were you are, what feels like a few days ago, and now I'm just starting week 7. This programme is fantastic as are all the lovely people on this forum. Keep going, keep posting, and i promise you that not only will you (very soon) not care who sees you, you'll be running for minutes on end, the 'high after the run will get bigger, and you'll be shopping for new trainers and leggings with a special pocket for your door key and phone😊
I'm sure most of us can relate to one or two of these situations.
For me it was the old trainers !
I had a pair I bought over 10 years ago and on week 2 run 2 I decided to try them , well , that was the only run I have had to repeat so far !
Half way around the soles departed from the uppers, on both feet within a few seconds of each other !
I had to undo the laces and try to tie the soles on so I didn't have to try and walk home barefooted ! And I was now about 20 minutes from home .
I have of course now had a gait analysis done and have a great pair of running shoes that feel like they were personally made for me (and at the price, they should have been 😂 but they are worth it )
Gosh that took me back to my week 1 runs 😂 keep going and keep us posted x
Great post. I’ve just finished my last week 1 run so we’re in this together!😀
If you need music I use the BBC Sounds app and play radio 1 workout anthems. Not my genre (I’m too old) but the beat keeps my walking pace up and my running pace steady.
Good luck with this and look forward to your next post 😂👍
Oh you wonderful person, that was a great inspiring post, we always say our first run nearly killed us I sounded like a steam train and Willow was bent double gasping for breath, today we are just back from a gentle 5k in way longer than 30 minutes and you are right, it’s really too hot to run, keep us posted and we will all cheer you on
Hi. That all sounds very familiar and made me laugh. Thanks for posting it.
It is the feeling at the end that keeps me going. Every time I’m due a run I resist it somewhere in my head. Then I think of how I will feel if I don’t run and if I do- big difference so I go run. And now I can run for 28mins non stop (w8r2 ✔️). Admittedly very slowly but am getting a little faster with each week. Never thought I would or could. But here I am. You get loads of support and advice on this forum so welcome and good luck. Keep it up cos you’re worth it! 👍👏💪
What a great post, your running gear made me laugh, I think we all have to dig about at the back of the wardrobe to find some kit when we first get out there. I had thick joggers, trainers a sweatshirt and a tee shirt over the sweatshirt for visibility, plus a beanie hat as it was end of Jan. I lumbered out at 6am and managed to complete the first run.
That evening a concerned neighbour knocked the front door.....had I seen a suspicious character leaving one of the houses early that morning, he’d been knocking the doors along the terrace and asking as he thought someone had been broken into !!! I told him yes it was me doing Couch to 5k 😂
Well done for getting out there, your fitness, stamina and your running kit will improve in no time 👍
You’ve made me feel better about my running shoes ... (I know NOTHING about running shoes) ... lots of people on here talk about gait analysis (?!?!?!) & getting the perfect pair of shoes as a result.
I can’t do that as I live in deepest, darkest, rural Africa ... so I went along to the weekly market and bought a pair of second hand trainers (I think they’re Diadora?) for just over 50p. They are about 3 sizes too big, have mis-matched laces, holes everywhere ... but ... they don’t smell (!), are the comfiest shoes I’ve ever owned & (don’t) match the leggings & tops that I also bought in the market!!!
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