Review of NHS Couch to 5K - Never run in my life

Never run in my life

☆

“I had never run in my life and the thought of it had always been hideous - not something I could or would do. I probably had episode 1 downloaded on my phone for a year (probably one of many overdue New Years' resolutions) before I finally ran out of excuses one Sunday afternoon and made myself do it. 60 seconds of running/90 seconds walking a few times didn't sound too bad, and if it was any more I'm sure I wouldn't have bothered (even after a year). I went to my local park and it sounds silly but I felt nervous and as though everyone was looking at me, as if they all knew I had never done this before and it was absurd that I would. The podcast starts with 5 minutes of walking to music, so that was fine and got me used to being there and a bit more relaxed. When it came to the running bit I made sure I was in a quieter part of the park. It was so strange to just start running. It felt very unnatural to me and I don't really have a clue how to, so I'm sure I did it wrong, but still, I was doing it! I won't lie, I found it hard. 60 seconds! I told you I couldn't do it! How do people run marathons? Or even for half an hour?! But it was hard, not impossible. I pushed myself, finished it and felt really pleased with myself. It definitely gets the feel good chemicals flowing. TIP: obvious in hindsight but with the walking warm up/cool down, I forgot to stretch (and can't believe the podcast doesn't tell you to). From just a few minutes of running, my legs were in bits for days! There was no way I could do it again in that time as I was supposed to, but by Saturday I had put it off as long as I could and finally pushed myself out the door again. It was dark and the park was closed so I just ran around the streets. I actually preferred it being dark, I felt more hidden and there was hardly anyone about. Plus it was bonfire night so firework back drop very cool! I had stretched really well before this time and it immediately felt much better and easier. Still a good workout for me, hard work but definitely easier, amazing to feel that already by session 2. That was yesterday and my legs feel worked but not destroyed today. It feels good and I will keep going, just one more episode at a time. I can't stress how much I am that person that would never do this, but taken one episode at a time - it's only 20 minutes really - it isn't that daunting and really, what is the worst that can happen? If you hate it, you can stop and no one will know. But every minute you do, is a minute you've done! If I can do it, you can. Do it. (But stretch first). 1 star down for no mention of stretching and the descriptions being the same for every episode instead of telling you what to expect.”Read full review »

Chalhay via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 11/05/17

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Exactly what I was looking for!

☆

“I had started the "Couch to 5K" program on Sparkpeople, but was finding that watching the seconds tick by was not fun, nor motivating. So, in my quest to find something good to listen to, I found this podcast. It's great! This makes getting started with running very easy. ...”Read full review »

ddparsons via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/30/11

thanks laura!

☆

“thanks to this podcast I can now run for 30 minutes. I liked simple approach and Laura's encouragement in a lovely accent to boot!”Read full review »

halo1313 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/20/12

Great Podcast

☆

“I'm on week 8 of this podcast I can't believe how I've managed to do it. I've done running podcasts in the past and this one is much better. I'm now running for 28 minutes and although I'm putting in some effort, I find that when I've finished my run I'm not...”Read full review »

JemimaPuddle via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 05/09/11

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