Couch to One Hour!: Today was my first one hour... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

133,246 members158,954 posts

Couch to One Hour!

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate
5 Replies

Today was my first one hour run. (It was actually 61 minutes, because Take On Me was on the spotify and I got a bit carried away.)

In February I began Couch to 5k. I found the first couple of weeks quite easy because I've always used "scout's pace" whenever I'm running late for stuff. Scout's pace is where you alternate running 40 paces and walking 40 paces, and it's a good foundation for the start of C25k. The hardest week for me was Week Four, when I almost collapsed at the end of a five minute run. Only the knowledge that my sister had given up and walked on that week kept me going - not a very noble motive, I know. That's when I found this forum, and the precious advice about slowing down. Someone had linked to a video of Japanese Slow Jogging and it really helped.

I had the standard "HUH?" reaction when I saw where Week Five Run Three would take me. I prepped hard: alarm for 5:30, porridge and fruit, route planned to give me all the uphill early on and make the last half easier, and set off nice and slow. I've seldom felt as proud of myself as when I ran for 20 solid minutes without stopping.

The rest of C25k was very manageable once that 20 minutes had been cracked. Being here on the forum helped, I found out quite a bit about avoiding injuries and pacing sensibly. I consolidated with a few 30 minute runs, and when I was ready for a bit more challenge I joined the Bridge to 10k forum here.

There's a plan on the forum for post C25k, look for a thread about the "Magic Plan". It's a double plan, to get you to either 10k or 60mins, so it's double the C25k. I took the time route, because I'm rather slow. It works really well just like C25k does. It's also a good forum for more advice about running from people who do it lots and who are nice and helpful when I have questions.

I've been quite surprised by how much I've enjoyed running, I only really started because I had got a bit unfit and felt something needed to be done about it. Part of what makes it enjoyable is how supportive other runners are. So to everyone here and at the Bridge to 10k forum, thanks for being lovely :-)

Written by
Magellan profile image
Magellan
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
5 Replies
John_W profile image
John_WGraduateAmbassador

Fantastic progress. Being able to run for an hour is a great milestone!

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

Was that an "Aha" moment? 🤣

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate in reply to nowster

Yup. I was twelve in 1985. Morten Harket will never not be in my heart :-D

MontyMooDog profile image
MontyMooDogGraduate

That's great running. Very well done👍🏃🎂😀

Leve profile image
LeveGraduate

I’m about ready to tackle the 1 hour so was pleased to read your review. Will definitely give the magic plan a go. Thanks.

You may also like...

Couch to 5k - one year on...

from the Couch to 5k plan. I'm still getting out two to three times a week for my runs and still...

Began One Hour Runner program

3, 30-minute runs/ week, which fits well with the c25K advice which is to spend the few weeks,...

Room for a small one on the Injury Couch?

nothing more of it until about 4 hours later. Stopped to chat to someone for about 10 mins and...

Room for one more on the injury couch?

days ago I picked up a bug that left me too weak to run and a chronic back problem I have, has...

Couch to 5K - completed it mate

have followed the plan to the letter and as such have done the 9 week plan on 9 weeks which I’m...