Couch to 5K - My Journey From Netflix Under a Duvet to 05:00 Gym Sessions

As part of my on-going 'weight-loss journey' (cringe), I decided to chuck a bit of exercise into the mix to try and speed things along. It turned out that I actually put on quite a bit of weight across Christmas (24lbs....) so I have an even longer way to go to get to my goal weight before Bermuda.

When a colleague said she was signing up for the 5k Race for Life in July, I told her to sign me up with her and suddenly I had a tangible goal to work towards. I'd heard about Couch to 5K before on the My Fitness Pal forums and figured I could give that a try. There are actually quite a few apps for it out there - even one from the NHS which helped me feel like this was a good idea.

I chose the C25K app from ZenLabs. It's completely free from the app store with only a tiny strip of ads at the bottom of the app which doesn't bother me. I also think it's really well-designed as an app - simple, sleek and easy to use. 

Week 1 was a really gentle start. I remember feeling like I could definitely run more than the 60 seconds of jogging that it starts you off with. The immediate running endorphins had me feeling like such a bloody champion. I kept thinking 'oh my god, this is so easy. I'm a natural! I was MADE for running!' and day dreaming about running a marathon someday. 

As the weeks go on, the time spent running slowly increases up to the full 30 minutes of non-stop running that you eventually end on. I should note here that you're only going to be running a full 5k by the end of this if you're running a 10 minute mile. Any slower and this app is only going to train you up to run 30 minutes without stopping - but you can work on speed later on.

I did have to have two weeks off near the beginning - the first one because I got a horrific case of runner's knee. It turns out I had VERY WRONG shoes and it was putting all kinds of pressure on my poor crooked knee joint. I invested in some high-arch Nike trainers to support my ankles and haven't felt any pain since. I also had to have a break when I got a chesty cold too but thankfully that passed quickly.

I'm just about to head into the 8th and final week of the programme on Tuesday and I'm really excited about it. I'll be continuing to run 5k three times a week after the programme and until at least after the race. 

I didn't expect that I'd stick with this for as long as I have so I'm really proud of myself for that. I remember that after completing the 4th Week, the app comes up with a little trophy and says that people who reach the halfway mark usually go on to complete the programme. That motivated me massively. It's so rare that I actually complete the fitness goals that I set myself so this feels like a step in the right direction at last. 

There have been so many mornings when I've just wanted to go back to bed - especially those mornings when the alarm goes off at 04:15 because I have to fit a session in before an early start at work. But I have managed to overcome the hesitations each time and my reward has been endorphins and a buzzing energy for the rest of the day afterwards so it is well worth it.

I'd recommend this programme to anyone that is wanting to take the first step in fitness and isn't sure where to start. It's perfect for building up stamina and you can take it all at your own pace too so there's no pressure.

Tabitha