Couch to 5k App for iPhone – Review

The last few days, my wife and I have been doing Week 1 of Couch to 5k as a way of getting her into running. We’ve enjoyed it, and it’s been a nice break for me with shorter runs, and I anticipate these turning into ‘inbetween’ runs while training for the 10k.

There are two popular C25K apps for the iPhone, and the one I use is that published by Felt Tip Inc. Felt Tip also do a Couch to 10K app, which I’ve also been using lately.

Generally, I’m happy with it; it’s been updated recently to allow one to control music playback within the app; previously, you had to start music via the iPod app on the iPhone, and then launch the app; decide to change the playlist or album, and you would need to quit the app and go back into the iPod. A pain in the bum.

This latest update removes that requirement, but the couple of times I’ve tried it, it’s been temperamental. Perhaps it doesn’t like my taste in music :) ¹

The voices and alerts within the app are nice and clear, and one can hear them clearly above the music; you can also change the voice and volume of same, which is nice. Personally, I’ve just left it on the default.

It doesn’t update your Twitter or Facebook automatically, which I believe the other app (called C25kapp²) does, but this shouldn’t be a make-or-break issue IMO, since I personally update my Twitter after a run so I can put my little touch of genius on my tweets rather than a templated message, but it’s quite clear that a number of people use the automated posting (see those tweets referencing @c25kapp, so best of luck to them.

If you have an iPhone or iPhone Touch, and feel that having something guide you through these specific programs would be helpful, then you can’t go too wrong with either of these apps.

C210K – W2, D1

Couch to 10K – Week 2, Day 1

Another very-early-morning workout this morning; awake at 4.45am, dragging myself out of bed at 5.05, and out the door at 5.20. I was seriously tempted to pass on this morning’s run, promising myself I’d do it tomorrow, but instead I realised that would mean my weekend run would be on a Sunday which has become my do nothing but sit around like a fat slob day. Important!

Anyway, today’s workout was scheduled to be 55 minutes long, with intervals of 1 minute running and 5 minutes walking, repeated 8 times. I will come clean and admit I skipped the last running break, as I was close to home and absolutely knackered.

As I posted on Twitter:

The first couple of running break were cold and painful. After this, I loosened up a little and they were merely cold. However, after 40 minutes, I was now no longer cold, merely in pain. So, you know, swings and roundabouts.

I have a niggle in my lower left calf which I’m hoping will go away. It wasn’t constant today, but it was there much of the time. Right hamstrings were tight but soon loosened up.

All in all, it was a good workout which I was glad to see the end of!

C210K – W1, D2

So, Day 2 of Week 1 for my Couch to 10K program; this morning, I took a lesson from Tuesday and headed off earlier so I could have my run done without then having to rush to get ready for work. So, at 5.20am I was out the door and done by 6.10.

Doing this meant I was also able to complete the entire session, and boy what a difference that last 10 minutes make; the final running break – even though it was only 30 seconds long – wore me down and I could really feel the fatigue in my legs after the entire session was over.

The total distance for this morning is around 4km, but I need to map it out to make sure that’s accurate; considering Tuesday’s was just over 3km, I’m sure 4km won’t be far off.

There is one more session this week, on Saturday, then next week starts Week 2 which is 1 min running w/ 5 mins walking, repeated 9 times for a total session time of 55 minutes.

Update It was actually 4.4km this morning, after being able to map it out on Google properly. Go me!

C210K – W1, D1

As referenced in my video from this morning, I started a Couch to 10K plan this morning.

The reason for this is that, running through my head the last week or so was the knowledge that my 10K is 13 weeks away, yet the Couch to 5K plan only runs for 9 weeks. Was I to be left to my own devices for 4 weeks? What then?

So, I looked for a 10K plan and found an iPhone app for one by the same folks who make the 5K plan app I was using. This is a 13-week program (how fortuitous!), and will take me up to 3 days before my 10K; I plan to miss the last workout to allow me some additional days rest before the big day.

The Training Itself

This morning was my first day doing it, and it was easy going (again, see the video for a brief overview). I’m looking forward to the coming weeks.

The only problem was I had to cut it slightly short as I was running out of time; I was supposed to be out the door starting at 5.30, but didn’t manage to until 5.50. Come workout 2 (this Thursday), I’ll just set my alarm to go off earlier.

The early mornings and runs don’t bother me, and as it gets lighter earlier I’ll enjoy them even more, since right now I am sticking to running up and down the high street, since venturing into the park at that time isn’t ideal when it’s pitch black.