First day of C25K...things I have learnt

[Teahouse]

So, 1st 'run' of C25k and I have learnt the following:-

1. I am very unfit
   
   
2. my local field requires a trek through a sea of mud to get to
   
   
3. my local field has more of an incline than I thought
   
   
4. the only place to keep my front door key is down my bra
   
   
5. if I 'run' in a beanie and gloves although it look so silly the local horses laugh at me, I do at least stop my ears and fingers hurting from the cold (have Raynaulds disease)
   
   
6. wearing a long sleeve t-shirt and a thick fleece might be a bit too much
   
   
7. I need to make sure I only have 1 week of the MP3 on my Walkman at a time because I am more technologically incompetent than I realised
   
   
8. I can jog easily for 15 mins at home in bare feet, bra and knickers (curtains closed of course) but outside it is so much harder
   
   
9. it would be very easy to give up
   
   Only read on if you feel like something a tad more serious
   
   
10. I did actually manage to jog....and the reason this is so huge for me is that I have just recovered from a TVT operation and the last time I ran I wet myself very publicly. It was awful and the most embararasing thing in my life as it was the mothers race at my youngest childs last ever primary school sports day, at which my ex husband, his new wife [his ex other woman and my ex friend] were at with their new baby in tow. But 2 large babies had left my insides in a mess with a torn and shifted bladder. My bladder has now been patched so no more blood in my urine, and it has been put back into its proper place. No matter how crap I am at doing this, and no matter how daft I look, that I can actually manage to be out walking and jogging for nearly 30 mins is a miracle....and not a wet patch in sight.
    
    My youngest is off to Uni this year so I have not been able to exercise in public for a very long time, and I have not been able to have the op until now because there was no one else to do the school run; long time lone parent!
    
    I am not looking for a pat on the back but I do think I want to try and keep a sort of diary on here to keep me motivated. Hope that is OK and apologies for the long post.

[racingheart]

Well you're getting a pat on the back anyway, because that is incredibly impressive.
But you must be pretty far into C25K to have jogged for 30 mins. I started it and never got that far.

Keep it up. It sounds inspirational. I'd love to hear how you get on.

[Madondogs]

Well done, very very impressive!
It's a dream if mine to do C25K... But I think I need to loose about 2 stone first or will have a heart attack !

[Flossiechops]

Well done!! I took up running a few years ago, I never thought I could run. I started 1 minute running 1 minute walking and built up. It absolutely does get easier, that tightness in your chest and throat goes too. I have now worn out 3 pairs of running trainers and have done a half marathon! Keep it up honestly it will be worth the pain

[piprabbit]

Congratulations on getting out there and running - I hope you enjoyed it enough to carry on.
I did C25K last year - but had a problem in week 9 which has put me off getting back out there. I really do miss it though and hope to feel brave enough to have another go soon.
Madondogs - I was 6 stone overweight when I started, and I promised myself that I would go very gently and spend more time on the earlier weeks (when there is lots of walking) if I needed it. But I loved it - don't put off having a go for too long, you don't necessarily need to lose all the weight before trying.

[Teahouse]

'Walk/jog' number 2 done. Different field as it rained that night and the path to field 1 would be impossible...5 min trek through slurry right now. Field number 2 means a 30 min trek through slurry.

Managed to do the whole 8 jogs without having to stop a few seconds before the end...yesterday I had to stop on runs 4 & 6. Even manged an extra 10 second to get to the field gate a the end of run 8 today. Boy it was cold though. Wore less clothing and managed to find somewhere to leave my key.

I have decided someone needs to invent running shoes with a key pocket- or socks with one, or maybe I should just buy a pair of sweat pants with a pocket ;0)

Meant to snow tomorrow so might chicken out and try 30day shred

[piprabbit]

It's snowing here today - so I think you've earned extra Brownie points for turning out. Glad to hear you are making progress. Well done.

[HeySoulSister]

Sports direct sell running gear... Arm straps for siping phone/keys into... £3.99

I've just completed c25k and running 30 mins x 3 weekly. Well done!!

[HeySoulSister]

*storing

[Teahouse]

Ohh, arm straps will check that out. Thanks HSS. Did you really struggle at the start? I can't see it being possible to run for more than 90 seconds before having to walk...running outside is so hard

No snow here Piprabbit, hoping it'll miss us bu damn cold.

[HeySoulSister]

Yeah I struggled! But as you move through the weeks and look back..... You'll amaze yourself!!

That is so so motivating

[PinkCustard]

Well done Tea. I started today too - found the short bursts of running harder than I expected, but the podcast I was using told me to run for 2 minutes and recover for 3 minutes. Have now downloaded the proper nhs podcasts, so will try that tomorrow and see how I get on.

[StopEatingThatMud]

Wow, well done Tea!

I finished run number 3 of week 1 of C25k on Friday and think I should be ok to move onto week 2 tomorrow.

BUT I've done all my running so far inside, on a treadmill, at the gym (they have a creche and I don't have anything resembling a running buggy for 21mo DD!). I'm too scared to try "proper" outdoor running yet on the rare occasions night shift working DP is home and not asleep, I'm not working and have a spare 30 mins!

Thanks for the arm strap tip HSS, I was wondering where to get something for my non apple phone so I could still listen to the podcast when I work up the courage to run outside the gym.

[frenchfancy]

Well done teahouse it does get easier. I am on week 6 I never thought I would make it this far.

I wiuld encourage anyone to get out there and try it. Don't use being overweight as an excuse. No more excuses!

[pennygallops]

Well done teahouse, stopeatingthatmud and pinkcustard you've started something great with the c25k. I used the NHS podcasts - I still can't believe the progress I made in a few short months. There were runs that didn't 'feel' as good as others, but everyone gets those and they continue even when you have 'graduated'.
I'm now doing a weekly parkrun - check to see if you have one in your area. They are good - friendly, welcoming and accept all abilities, including children.

[Teahouse]

Snowing and bitter cold so did 30 day shred (or most of it). Couldn't manage 2 mins of cardio...boy am I unfit ;0(
Will do 3rd go of C25K tomorrow, but can't see me moving onto the week 2 easily...I know you all keep telling me running for more than 60 secs without dying is possible but right now, I am afraid I just don't believe you.

[NurseEzzzaChapel]

Teahouse, it sounds like you're doing great! I didn't believe I'd be able to run longer than 60 seconds without dying a month and a bit ago either. I distinctly remember pleading with Laura to tell me it was time to slow down for most of the first week, but it's amazing how fast you'll get fitter. I did week 6 run 2 today and am thinking of doing a park run on Saturday. Keep going!

[NurseEzzzaChapel]

Also, your first 9 "things I learned" really made me laugh! I wear my house and car key on a chain around my neck tucked in my t-shirt (to stop them bouncing off the girls and smacking me in the face).

[piprabbit]

I hide my house key in the back garden in a cunning place.

But I need to work out how to take my mobile phone with me as well as my MP3 player as the police advised me to carry it with me. I imagine I'll end up accidentally dialling all sorts of random numbers as the friction builds up.

[Teahouse]

Pip...why do you need to carry your mobile?
I have ordered some writs thing that should be able to take my phone and house key; says in the lure it fits a passport so thought it would double as a travel thing.
It's so cold and windy tonight with snow forecast too. May do The Shred in the morning and see if I can get out to do C25K in the early evening....really don't fancy a run at 6am in the snow.

[piprabbit]

I was groped while out running (week 9 ) and reported it as there had been similar attacks in the area. The police advised me to carry a mobile at all times so that I could phone immediately if I saw the guy again rather than trying to get home first. Also probably for my peace of mind, although it tends to be a reminder IYSWIM.

I think Shredding sounds v. sensible given the weather - although The Shred does sound tougher than running. Good luck.

[HeySoulSister]

I ran yesterday ( 30 mins) then did shred tonight

I'm that you were groped!! Was he running too? That's bloody awful

I take my phone too and nearly trip up if I try and read a text whilst running, so don't do it lol!

[piprabbit]

He wasn't a runner - seems to be someone who lurks and grabs at female, lone runners in our area - twunt.
Love the texting tip .

[Teahouse]

Pip, poor you. Tha is terrible. I didn't intend to take my phone but will now....just in case (although I can't see anyone ever groping me...never even been wolf whistled ;0)

Second day of shred but stopping as it gives me a strange noise in my neck like bones grinding. Had this before after 1 week and had to stop. I have some Pilates stuff so will do that on non-C25K days and try and run at least 3 times a week as recommended. I have dodgy knees too so I am not sure all the Shred jumping helps there either ;0(

[Teahouse]

Well just managed my last week 1 walk/jog...guess Thursday I start week 2.

I go back to work tomorrow so am unsure how people fit in their runs. Do I get up before 6am and do it then so I can see my DC off to the college bus, or do I try it when I get home before cooking tea? I have read that exercise before breakfast is best but getting up before 6 sounds like hell; maybe I should sleep in my trackies ;0)

Any hints and tips on how to get up early or how to fit in a post work run (so either n 6 am or 6 pm) do le me know.

[StopEatingThatMud]

Well done!

I should of started wk2 on Monday...I've not done anything yet! Really struggling for motivation this week and I'm not sure why.

I struggle with early morning exercise, I just find everything 10 times harder and requiring more effort. I'm very much a night owl though so that reflects through I suppose.