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Get Running with Couch to 5K

nhs.uk

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Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#131

Post by iamacyborg »

bennyp101 wrote: post #81

There’s a thing called runtogether in the uk, which I’ve been thinking of joining, but I’d have to drive there and back, and last time I tried it I could barely walk!

If you’re in the UK athletics clubs are fantastic and well worth joining.

Mine has training sessions twice a week with groups at different ability levels and you can join the more competitive track and cross country seasons if you feel up for it.

I ran in the National CX relays this year which was loads of fun and meant I got to run alongside olympic calibre athletes.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#132

Post by deebosong »

sw030695 wrote: post #116
misterspaceman wrote: post #103

I have a theory that people who want to get in shape but don't know where to start will gravitate towards running, because it's what we all remember doing in grade school gym class. Running is great, I'm not knocking it at all. But I would also try other activities to see what sticks (hiking, weightlifting, rock climbing, social sports leagues, etc.) There's also lots of free beginner-friendly workouts on YouTube (wh…

I think running is attractive because it's one of the most effective sports at burning energy, and it's entry level. Shoes, and some loose clothes. In the past I've lost weight from a bunch of different sports and running worked the best. It's just the most intense pure sport, without mechanical assistance.

Gotta agree.

I kinda dread running (but will do it, and like having done it after the fact but during the runs is another story).

But in terms of being able to run anytime (with the right layering), anywhere (more or less, so long as you can avoid traffic), and with basically minimum barrier to entry in terms of gear, it's hard to beat when comparing it to other sports & fitness activities.

I still much rather would ride my bicycles hard, but I can't deny the barrier to entry is significantly higher, even if you're aiming for budget bikes (the learning curve is kinda steep in being able to spot a decent deal), let alone higher-end stuff. But oh, is it a sublime and beautiful experience on the bike.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#133

Post by Someone1234 »

sw030695 wrote: post #116
misterspaceman wrote: post #103

I have a theory that people who want to get in shape but don't know where to start will gravitate towards running, because it's what we all remember doing in grade school gym class. Running is great, I'm not knocking it at all. But I would also try other activities to see what sticks (hiking, weightlifting, rock climbing, social sports leagues, etc.) There's also lots of free beginner-friendly workouts on YouTube (wh…

I think running is attractive because it's one of the most effective sports at burning energy, and it's entry level. Shoes, and some loose clothes. In the past I've lost weight from a bunch of different sports and running worked the best. It's just the most intense pure sport, without mechanical assistance.

> most effective sports at burning energy

I'm pretty sure it is one of the least effective sports at burning energy. Humans have evolved to be highly efficient runners, therefore we exert less energy when we run (plus compared alternative we're under-using our upper bodies). Swimming is almost certainly the most effective sport for burning energy.

That being said: Losing body fat from exercise is a bad strategy anyway. Exercise is important for improved health, improved aging, combat certain diseases (like metabolic syndrome), etc. But the maths alone shows that you cannot out-run a bad diet, one McDonald's meal is more than an hour of moderate exercise regardless of type.

Body fat is lost in the kitchen, fitness is gained at the gym, people mix those two things up regularly.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#135

Post by OJFord »

twawaaay wrote: post #98
OJFord wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally I think (I don't do !) I'd rather go harder/faster/longer less often. Getting ready for and then showering etc. after such a brief activity every day is just annoying isn't it?

I shower every day anyway, so I don't count shower time as cost of running. I head out first thing in the morning immediately after I get up and then shower immediately after I come back. Which I think is a terrific way to start my day. Does it take time? Yes, it does, but only if you look at it in this simplistic way. Even if I did not enjoy running itself, it makes the rest of the day feel better for me which I thi…

> I shower every day anyway, so I don't count shower time as cost of running.

So do I, and there's no way I could go out for a run before it - so the post-run one would be additional, that's why I count it as a cost.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#136

Post by sw030695 »

Fargren wrote: post #117

I have a question that this is probably not the best forum for: I don't run, but know plenty of people who do. Everyone is running what I would call marathon-style, by which I mean their goals are measured in how far they can reliably run/ how fast they can do a relatively long distance, 5K being the lower bound. To me, running shorter distances very fast seems just cooler and more exciting, say 500 meters. 100 meter…

5km is considered a short distance run. Within a few weeks, it's something that should be achievable in sub-20/25 minutes.

In the UK, there's a volunteer led organisation called parkrun which hosts 5km runs/races in over 1000 parks around the country every Saturday. It's quite popular. My local race consistently get 300+ entrants each week. Worth checking out: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/

5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon are the main running distances. Less than 5km is generally stuff run on athletics tracks, which falls under athletics.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#137

Post by iamacyborg »

lottin wrote: post #71
Mistletoe wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m sorry I don’t want to look like this, I think I’ll stick with running. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rippetoe#/media/File%3A...

If your concern is looking healthy and athletic, you need a decent amount of muscle mass and a low percentage of body fat. Running helps with none of that.

Doing hill strides will build some serious legs and running every day (while maintaining an appropriate diet) will be more than enough to reduce your body fat.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#138

Post by MagicMoonlight »

dspillett wrote: post #74
dotBen wrote: post #46

Is there a cycling equivalent Couch to 5k app? Given the impact running has on the joints, it would be great to do a program like this with a bike instead. (Other than Peloton which obviously has a high entry cost and even their app-only experience is pretty expensive for what it is)

The “impact on the joints” is massively overstated. Run with good gait & such (there are many good instructional videos on this, but some key points are don't over-stride thinking it'll make you go faster, try not to heal strike, don't push too hard or too fast, make sure you get rest between fast or long sessions, and wear decent shoes) and your knees/ankles/other will be just fine. There is as much evidence for run…

If you haven’t run at all your entire life then your joints don’t have the required strength. Obviously that’s not the case for you so you wouldn’t know.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#139

Post by jhellan »

Fargren wrote: post #117

I have a question that this is probably not the best forum for: I don't run, but know plenty of people who do. Everyone is running what I would call marathon-style, by which I mean their goals are measured in how far they can reliably run/ how fast they can do a relatively long distance, 5K being the lower bound. To me, running shorter distances very fast seems just cooler and more exciting, say 500 meters. 100 meter…

It's just so much easier to improve your range than your speed.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#140

Post by observer987 »

I woke up one day just after turning 40 and shortly after separating from my wife feeling quite miserable. I had wallowed in the depths of depression and indulged in self medicating with lots of alcohol. The alcohol consumption led to hangovers, not only of the transient headache variety, but also of the “I can’t fit in my pants” variety. Anyway, I woke up, went to the mirror, looked at myself ans decided that wasn’t the way I wanted to continue on. So, I decided to start a couch to 5K… It really sucked the first couple of times I went out to run, but I was determined to continue. Each week I got a bit better, and each week I lost a bit of weight. I also noticed that my mood was dramatically better after a run. Finally, it was time for my 5K - and it didn’t suck! I actually did a decent job for my age group. Fast forward a few years where I have continued down this path of doing 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathons and I find myself down 11 kilos in weight and up 60 kilos in a new partner - in part due to being in a better state of mind due to regular exercise.
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