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We all probably spend a little more time in front of a screen that we’d like to, I know I do. But sometimes my mind escapes to visions of running with wild horses in open fields or pounding along a seaside promenade at the break of dawn but I have to settle with running around the suburbs of Norwich. As you can tell I’m trying that exercise thing. Now I used to be a keen runner but a knee injury a couple of years ago scuppered that and I’ve been trying to get back into it but its not been easy. But recently I’ve discovered the Couch to 5K programme that eases you back into it with a mix of walking and running which builds up over time until eventually you can apparently go on to be able to run 5km with ease.

Now I’ve tried a number of Couch to 5K methods but none of them really motivated me or kept track of my progress but now I’ve found Get Running which does just that.

Before I explain the app it may well be worth explaining how Couch to 5K works. So basically we start every session with a 5 minute brisk walk to warm you up. You then, in week 1, have to run for 1 minute and then walk for 90 seconds followed by another 1 minute run and then 90 seconds of walking until you complete the requirements for the day. In the subsequent weeks the duration of the runs and walks increase easing you into some hardcore exercise.

Get Running compliments this by being a glorified timer that runs in the background allowing you to listen to your own motivational music or fave podcasts. But when you have to run or walk you get audio instructions telling you what to do and when so that you don’t have to refer to your screen. It works really well and I’ve found that it’s made my return to running far easier than it would have been doing it under my own steam.

The other great features of the app are that it records the runs that you do and moves you though the various weeks and increased difficulty levels. It also tells you when your next run is so that you can keep up with the programme.

You can also link the app to Facebook and Twitter so that it can automatically post your progress to your nearest and dearest which does actually help with motivation if you receive encouragement from your mates.

Just finished #c25k week 2 run 1 with #GetRunning – 29 minutes of exercise and 9 minutes of running. Next run: Tuesday 10th.

— Paul Wright (@paulums) September 8, 2013

So if you’re looking to shed some lumber or just get a little fitter then this is well worth a look. It costs £1.99 and is available for both iOS and Android but if you don’t want to shell out your hard earned cash I found that the NHS Couch to 5K podcasts provide a similar service but without the facility to record your progress.

Author

Paul Wright

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