The Couch to 5k 2011 thread :0)

Peskey we are at the same stage and tho I've not found the whole shebang too bad so far I am very intimidated by week 5 - it seems like such a huge leap. I'll think of you as I attempt it. W4R3 tomorrow - then onwards!

Well done everyone else and hello new people. x

Morning all!

Pumpster, there are some other ladies on this thread who started out at your size. I think pretty much all of us have noticed that we've toned up as we've gone through the programme, so hopefully your trousers will start to fit better soon .

Having a rest day here today. HAve good runs supersal and Yorkshire

I've skived off this morning too- not due to hangover though but cos if the rain! It was peeing it down first thing and I refuse to start out in the rain. Planning on going out this afternoon when dh gets home from his mums then he can run later. Hate running in the dark- I'm a big wuss!

I only run in the dark too because then I'm invisible!!

Someone will be able to tell you about having running assessed it's not something I've had done. We do have a running shop though near here that will do it. I'm SW London if that helps?

Hey - off line for a few days and some amazing achievements! Well done Piste, ILT and midtowner - fantastic performances.

Molly and justaminute, well done also. That 20 min run is a big boost.

I've not been well so not out since my disaster on Wed of managing only 2 miles before conking out. Feeling betetr today, so will try again early in the week.

Welcome all new joiners. Have a good week everyone.

Midtowner they are m & s performance running trousers- I am a size 20 with an apron belly (4 sections, 2 in the last 22 months) so I fear it may be my shape causing the issue!
I may have to safety pin my top to my trousers
That distance chip sounds interesting, will look into getting one I think.

Crikey - what a lot of runs to catch up with! A catch all well done you all for some fab running the last 2 days, and welcome to newbies! Mental note to check thread more often - routine always goes to pot at weekend!!

Good run on Sat morning - w2d2. Felt easier and faster than day 1 this week. Am really looking forward to being where you guys are that are doing 20 mins etc, but must have patience.

I used to run with Nike +, in fact I still do butt gamin has kind of taken over which I got a couple of months before stopping running ( another reason I'm glad to be back out there as garmin was otherwise looking like a stupid investment!!). I loved the Nike + as I loved to see my distances tracked and have a tangible record of improvement. Also, the website let's you set yourself challenges etc as well as joining challenges with others. I'm really self-competitive and love to beat previos times so was great for that. I didn't have the Nike trainers, but used a shoe pouch to carry the chip receiver - it threads on to laces and is pretty small, you barely notice it - it cost about £6 from amazon.

Toting with idea of another run in the morning, will see how tired I am. Otherwise, rest day.xx

Welcome Pumpster!

What kind of trousers do you have?

Hi can I join in? Am moving onto week 5 on Monday and am also dreading the 20 min run!!
Am loving the running apart from the whole clothes thing, still can't find trousers that don't slide down arrgh.

Bet you were popular piste! Did it work for DD? Reviews on some websites seem a bit mixed.

Midtowner. DD had one of those chips in her Nike trainers and it linked with her iPhone. That is until I put her trainers in the wash cos they got too muddy and foul. That was the end of her running technology ! [twit]

justaminute and mollycuddles well done to you

YorkshireCrock - my dh is out now, despite complaining about a sore ankle. I did suggest that he might do better on his bike, but he's got the running bug too now. We learnt over the years not do any kind of sport together - neither of us is particularly competitive with other people, but for some reason we are with each other. And because he's bigger/fitter/stronger than I am it brings out the worst in me!

Who was asking about shoe chips to measure distance upthread? I was reading up on them the other day, as one of the babysitters we use was posting her half marathon training progress on her FB page from her ipod/chip combo. I found out that Nike trainers have a special compartment for them, but if you don't wear nikes you can get a special attachment to fit them to any shoe. I saw one when out today - it's a little orange pouch which fits over the shoe laces. I had one of those "the things people will pay for moments" - my granny would have been proud of me , but am now feeling quite tempted. Am I mad?

Justaminute - exactly the same here. I really didn't think I could do it but it was fine. The first 5 minutes was hard but once I'd turned round after hitting halfway I just knew I'd do it. I found it easier than when I first did 5 minutes actually and considering I got a stitch in my very first minute in week 1. I'm amazed at myself! Pixie - you can do it. Honestly! And midtowner - all I can say is wow!

phew - Just caught up. Nice to see some new peeps. I felt like a gatecrasher when I joined in 5 weeks ago but I gained so much motivation/inspiration from those posting that I hope I can now repay the debt to the newbies.

Today I did the big one - w5 r3 - a full 20 minutes of running. Strangely the first 5 minutes were the hardest as I tried to find a pace which I felt I could maintain for the full 20 minutes. the second 5 minutes were OK despite an uphill section, I had to slow the pace and felt I would have been quicker walking but I kept on moving, the third 5 minutes were a breeze for the final 5 minutes I even upped the pace. When Laura said slow down I just stopped dead it was hard to keep walking for the cool down. However the upshot is I RAN FOR A FULL 20 MINUTES I am so pleased and looking forward to joining you 5kers!

Envy at running in Central Park! My local park is not quite so iconic!

yup, still buzzing!

We went out for a Chinese lunch (so I could refuel!). My fortune cookie said "you will achieve a long held goal soon" - very appropriate for today

WELL DONE PISTE! You are one fast lady!

Yaaaaaayyyyy W9R3 and I did 5.3K!!!!

No one can be more surprised than me!
If you'd said before Christmas that I'd be doing this then I would have laughed. Amazing ( you can tell I'm having a post run buzz!)

Off for my shower now . That was what my face looks like

Welcome all newcomers. Stay and achieve good things.

Well done Midtowner ( amazing )
and well done everyone. We really can do this

'buss'????? what is it with me today! - the 'buzz' of course, sorry midtowner!

Isn't it funny that a 'contract' with lots of unknown people on-line can feel so powerful/motivating etc!
well, whatever was behind it, you've done really well and I hope the buss from it is suitably amazing?

Thank you clenched! I have no idea how I did it - if someone had said "midtowner, today you are going to run for 40 mins non stop and cover over 3 and a half miles in distance" I would have told them they were taking to the wrong person .

As gormers said upthread, once I'd told you all that I was going to do it, I didn't feel as though I could not do it IYSWIM.

Welcome newbies. Look out for bottom corners!

midtowner - 40 mins!!!!!! 5.9 k!!!!!!!! {so impressed she faints emoticon] - serious respect, that is amazing!

Welcome PeskyPiskie!

well done molly! That 20 mins is such a breakthrough!

Well I DID IT! I walked to the bottom of Central Park, ran through the Park to join the running track and went almost twice around the track (ended up stopping for a loo break a tiny bit before the end of the second circuit). I set the timer on my ipod and when I stopped I had done 40 mins running. I hadn't checked as I went along and had no idea how long I'd been running for. I've mapped my run and it was 3.68 miles = 5.9km!!!!! I feel fab !

New here too. I've just finished W4 and am dreading W5 - it seems such a big jump to do 20 mins non stop (by the end). How did you all find it? I am also now a running bore, with my husband rolling his eyes every time I mention it - which, to be fair, is a lot.

Hey all - thanks for the motivation and support. I did 20 mins! It was fine. Am so happy. Onto week 6 now :)