Couch to 5 K app

ChloeBeck2453
ChloeBeck2453 Posts: 2 Member
edited January 22 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi there, newbie here to mfp.
Wondering if anyone is currently participating in the couch to 5 k app or has completed it?
I'm only on week 2 and looking for some tips to keep motivation up as I seem to have hit a wall. I'm aiming for 15,000 steps daily and alternating running with YouTube exercises.
What's everyone's experience/outcomes with the app?
Would gladly welcome new friends to help motivate each other 💪🏃‍♀️
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Replies

  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,760 Member
    I did the app several years ago and went on to do some races which led to me running 5 marathons. I started running at age 54. Fourteen years later I'm still running, about 30 miles a week ATM. So yes, the app does work.

    Best advice for starting out is to run slowly, really slowly. Some people say they walk faster than they run in the beginning. I found that speeding up from walking to just barely running was a good sustainable pace. You should be able to speak whole sentences while you are jogging. Running slow and easy will allow you to run farther, with less effort. It's a lot more fun when you aren't always gasping for breath. If that seems impossible now, be patient. It will come.
  • ChloeBeck2453
    ChloeBeck2453 Posts: 2 Member
    Hey! Thanks for replying!
    That makes sense with running slowly. When I look back I see that I am walking faster than running at points however maybe I am still running too fast as I doubt I could speak full sentences! I will give that a try on my next run!
    That's brilliant that the app was a starting point for you going on to do so many marathons! Massive congratulations to you as that's no easy task! I am determined to stick to it. Hopefully trying a slower pace will get me over this wall 🙈. Take care!
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,029 Member
    Yes, try to run even slower. Endurance for running is build in slow runs, preferably ones that get progressively longer eventually. But overall: slow. Running is a lot more strenuous and burns more calories than walking as you're effectively jumping instead of always keeping one foot on the ground as you do with walking. It just takes a while, and if it means that you have to repeat a week or two then don't fret. It happens.
  • Drvincenttomm
    Drvincenttomm Posts: 5 Member
    Hi Chloe! Welcome to MFP! It’s awesome that you’re doing Couch to 5K—congrats on making it to Week 2! Hitting a wall can be tough, but it’s totally normal. Have you tried setting small rewards for completing each week or listening to a great playlist during your runs? I’ve done C25K before, and pacing myself really helped. How are you balancing the running and YouTube workouts with your 15,000-step goal? I’d love to hear more and connect to help keep each other motivated!

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