C25K UK Team
clur85
Posts: 187 Member
I've never been a great runner. I've done various charity 5ks but never felt succesful in running or jogging. But I guess if I set it in my head as a challenge then I will be more successful this time, as I can't turn down a challenge!
So I'm going to start c25k tomorrow. Who's with me? And anyone who's already done it, any tips very welcome
So I'm going to start c25k tomorrow. Who's with me? And anyone who's already done it, any tips very welcome
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Replies
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Hi,
Have heard about this but not done it myself but it sounds pretty good. Am a part-time runner as I much prefer being out on the bike but I can fit a quick run into some days where I wouldn't get out otherwise - did 6 miles yesterday in fact.
Got a couple of tips though:
- check your trainers - footwear's very important and while they may look fine, the soles could be shot. Do a couple of searches for tests but after a while you'll be able to tell as poor trainers can really hurt your legs.
- stretch - helps a lot when you body's not used to it.
- hydrate - before, during & after.
- music - some people like it, some don't, if you do then get a good collection together so you're not faffing about with songs or albums when on your run.
- rest - make sure you give yourself time to recover.
Oh and have fun!0 -
Great, thanks for the tips Mr B! 0
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I started this last week... music is a must. Makes the time fly much quicker. Are you using a phone app as you go? If not, and you have a smartphone, I'd really recommend the C25K app by RunDouble. It syncs up with a playlist on your phone, and while you're listening to the music a lady tells you when to jog and when to walk. She also tells you when you're halfway, and gives you a 5 min warm up/cool down notice. It tracks your route via GPS, gives you stats as you go, and can even hook up to a heart monitor if you have the right sort (mine isn't but I don't mind).
I like that I don't have to time my intervals at all, I just do as she says! It's really nice having my route to look back on too, I'm starting to discover places in my neighbourhood I didn't even know were there x0 -
I've just completed week 5 and I'm loving it! Can't agree more on the footwear thing though, by week 2 I was in agony with shin splints, entirely cured by a visit to a sports store where I had my running gait analysed, chatted with a staff member who was a runner hinself and I came away with some Asics - my feet, and legs, haven't looked back since!
The programme is great, don't doubt it for a second! You'll look ahead and think "no way I can do that", and then amaze yourself every time when you DO succeed, then magically your outlook changes from "oh hell I'll never manage that" to "when's the next level, I'm gonna nail it!"
(spot the happy c25ker lol)0 -
Hiya, I'm just about to start week 6 of c25k, it's gone by quickly and I have improved so much! I've gone from struggling to run for 60-90 seconds to jogging 20 minutes straight yesterday!
My advice would be just to stick at it, take it step by step & also make sure you rest your legs enough!0 -
I just started yesterday, I felt so proud after. :-)0
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I'm on week 6, and am pleased with what I have achieved. I'm not particularly fast, but my plan is to get to being able to jog 30 - 45 minutes, then start the programme at the beginning again, this replacing the walks with a slow jog and upping my speed for the runnning bits.0
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I may try this. The app sounds good. I have always been rubbish everytime I've tried as I think I go too fast. I can sprint quite effectively but seem to struggle getting jogging at the right pace. Anybody got any tips for pacing it correctly?
This may sound really girly but I don't think I'd like to jog in the rain though, it just seems a bit miserable, so I guess now is the right time to try while the evenings are getting lighter and it's not too cold or hammering it down. Will it really hamper progress on this if I miss a session? I know it's only 3 times a week but if I can only manage once or twice sometimes?0 -
all I would say is if you miss a session, make sure your next run is picking up from where you left off, not where you "should" be timewise. So if week 3 you only do 1 run, on week 4 you should still be doing the other 2 runs from week 3, not skipping ahead. And it may mean you feel you need to repeat a couple of runs to get your stamina up to pace. One of the biggest ways to succeed in a programme lke this is through the structure though, for both mental and physical reasons, so unless you absolutely can't do it, I'd urge you to run anyway - even in the rain, once you're out and going it's not so bad, and it sure brings a sense of achievement when you finish it!0
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all I would say is if you miss a session, make sure your next run is picking up from where you left off, not where you "should" be timewise. So if week 3 you only do 1 run, on week 4 you should still be doing the other 2 runs from week 3, not skipping ahead. And it may mean you feel you need to repeat a couple of runs to get your stamina up to pace. One of the biggest ways to succeed in a programme lke this is through the structure though, for both mental and physical reasons, so unless you absolutely can't do it, I'd urge you to run anyway - even in the rain, once you're out and going it's not so bad, and it sure brings a sense of achievement when you finish it!
I walked home from work in the rain yesterday and I was freezing and miserable by the time I got home, couldn't warm up all evening, I am a wuss when it comes to cold! :ohwell:
Thanks for the advice. I think I will look at doing this after my holiday in May, that way I won't take 2 weeks off in the middle of it and hopefully the weather will be better then. I have downloaded the app already though, so it's there ready and waiting for me.0 -
My first ever run was in the rain, running in the rain is soooo different from walking, I felt absolutely exhilarated by it.0
