Couch to 5K

For a lot of us sticking with an exercise plan, even one as easy as Couch to 5K, is a bit challenging.  For me personally, the most challenging part is staying motivated, and one thing I found that helps is listening to or reading about people who have had success. A few weeks ago when I learned on Twitter that Gaby had completed a 5K race I asked her if she would do an interview  for this blog in order to give a little motivational boost to all of us who need it. Gaby graciously agreed, and so here’s the the first in what I hope will become a series of interviews with people who have successfully completed the C25K program, ran a 5K race, or some similar motivational story.

The takeaway for me is: sign up for a race in order to make yourself keep with the program! Something I’ll have to do myself if I ever want to complete the C25K program.

Congratulations Gaby for completing the race and coming under the goal you set!

Read on…

1. Question: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living? Are you a exercise/fitness buff?

Answer: I live in London and work as an editor in Travel. I am probably the least naturally sporty person I know and am always the last to pick things up. I learnt to snowboard about six years ago and it took me two winter seasons of living in a ski resort to learn how to get off a chairlift properly. I was also the sick-note girl at all school games lessons, shunning running shoes for Converse.

2. Question: How did you discover Couch to 5K running plan? Were you physically active before starting the C25K?

Answer: After being rendered immobile with a knee injury a year ago, I really valued being able to walk properly again. I started walking and then did a run/walk programme as part of my rehab. I loved the feeling of being outside and active but was lacking any clear direction. This spring, I discovered the C25k on Twitter and then found the app on iTunes.

3. Question: What were your goals when you started the C25K plan?

Answer: I didn’t know if I could do it but wanted to be able to run a whole 5k. And then because people challenged me, I also wanted to run a 5k in less than 30 minutes. I really didn’t think it would be possible when I started the training though!

4. Question: How do you fit in the workout in your daily routine? What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

Answer: I’m terrible at motivation and self-control. Really bad, in fact. But, I found that having a tangible goal of a race booked and knowing that all I had to do was fit in three sessions a week, I somehow bargained with myself. And because the c25k prog is very clear, and I didn’t have to think about it, I saved having to dither each session about what I was going to do. There’s a good support network on Twitter too on the #c25k search.

5. Question: What iPhone apps do you use for your workouts?

Answer: iTunes and the c25k app. I did try Runkeeper but found it too fiddly and it didn’t record my distance or route correctly. Now, I need a c210k app tho!

6. Question: So, tell us about the 5K race you just completed.  Have you done a 5K race before? What was you time?

Answer: It was brilliant! I came in at 28 minutes 45 seconds in the Race for Life in Regents Park which was under my 30 min target AND I ran the whole way. It was hard and there were plenty of moments that I would have paid good money to stop but ultimately, I beat my PB easily. Having the added pressure of friends who had sponsored me to beat 30 minutes gave me a bit of added motivation. I did a 5k race when I came back from my knee injury where I ran 3 minutes, walked 1 min and came in at 32 minutes then, so I have definitely improved!

7. Question: What did you do to prepare for the race day? How is running a race different than your regular 5K run?

Answer: I was so nervous before my race. For about two weeks before, I had recurring dreams about turning up late/the route taking bizarre turns/not having any shoes on etc – I guess I really was strung out about it. But on the day, that sheer adrenaline made me faster. The only downside to this was that I could have paced myself better – but on the other hand, I doubt I would have beaten my target if I had run at a comfortable pace! For preparation, I stopped running on the Tuesday beforehand (race was on a Sat) and spent the rest of the week walking and stretching. A good night’s sleep and a carbs meal the night before may have also helped.

8. Question: What are you plans after completing the 5K program? Do you plan running longer distances?

Answer: As i write this, I’ve just entered a 10k in October. It’s an ‘undulating’ route in a country park. Right now, I don’t think I can do it. But then I thought that when i picked up the c25k app!

9. Question: Anything else you’d like to add?

Answer: I would LOVE you to do a 10k app that also brings in some elements of cross training like cycling. Having your programme so automated and a kind of ‘tick off’ training schedule really helps. And as a wishlist, if you could add any kind of GPS tracking into it… well that would just rock!