Any Couch25K new starters?

I did my first duathlon this morning. 1k run, 10k cycle, 3k run. I completed in in an hour and 5mins (estimate- waiting for official timings) I found the runs good although it was getting hot by the last run it was around 9am and its really sunny here today. The cycle leg was ok but I had road bike envy. I am borrowing a friend really awesome mountain bike but its not really good on the road- a bit clunky. Still no head wind and overall I'm really pleased. Next one is in a month 1.5k run, 15k cycle, 4k run so need to up my training.

vanimal - w8r2 was ok, def easier than r1 despite aching legs. I woke early with the clock change so had loads of time to stretch first, which helped. I actually didn't time it in the end, as I pause 58s in to check out a calf twinge then was about 10mins in before I realised I'd stopped my timer and not started again! But I know the route that takes 28 mins so just ran that - if it was a minute or so over then so much the better for w9

Good luck making it out tomorrow morning

No More Trouble Zones- a fabulous Dvd from Jillian Michaels

Hiya febes, what is NMTZ?

I still have super-achey thighs from yesterday morning's run, and wierdly, also an achey waist!

I am off out tonight for my annual date with DH, really looking forward to it. It's just a meal out, but there is a high possibility of having too much to drink afterwards, so I may skip tomorrow's run in favour of a lie in.

Wolef how did W8R2 go?

I played netball last night- first time in 11 years!! I loved it but am a little sore today. I am planning on doing NMTZs by Jillian Michaels today. A 5k run tomorrow evening and then a rest day on Saturady before the duathlon on sunday.

It is good running to my own music now although I need to change the music on my shuffle to more upbeat stuff. I mapped my run and I am doing 5.25k on my loop. I'm just running that distance for a while and in a few weeks I'll time myself and see how I'm going.

Maybe this one's slowing down cos a few have dropped off the end, not sure.

Re W7, it definitely got easier. By the end I was grinning practically all the way round except the first ten minutes which is always hell.

My legs are still v achey, but I'm looking forward to W8R2 tomorrow. Just have to hope little brother doesn't keep me up chatting too late tonight - he's staying with me for a night on his way back to an overseas job and never seems to need sleep

Wolef I have achey legs too, even though I stretched beforehand. Perhaps a nice warm bath is in order. How are you finding W8? Did W7 get easier for you?

I just mapped my run - 3.7K in 25 mins. I thought I would be closer to 4K by now, but giving how slowly I was dragging my feet towards the end it's no suprise I guess

Is there a new C25K thread, or is this one just slowing down cos everyone has finished the plan?

febes eeeek! 4 days' time!

Are you training right up to the day, or having some rest days first? Good luck in any case!

vanimal Glad your W7R1 went ok. My legs hurt like buggery this morning - I think they're a bit shocked at running again - but I'm hoping that will have worn off by W8R2 tomorrow. Can't believe we've all come so far! The idea of not running regularly now seems awful where it was inconceivable 3 months ago

BsshBossh How are you doing?

Wolef I love this thread too, I often type things out in my head whilst I am running, or wonder if one of the early morning joggers I pass by could be you :)

I did W7R1 this morning, and it was fine! I have one slightly sore shin, nothing some stretching won't sort out. The toughest bit was pacing myself and knowing I won't get a break. I struggled on and off throughout the run, but I did manage it. Had to stop for about 5 secs when I was waiting to cross the road.

I think by the time I have done this run 3 times I'll be fine though. The music is particularly uninspiring for this week's runs though, I can't wait to be running to my own music soon. I think more upbeat music will help to keep me going.

febes good luck with your dualathon, you sound like you are on top form for it.

Well done everyone! I did my 3rd 5k run last night and it felt a little bit easier. My quads are sore today though because I didn't stretch when I got home. MY duathlon is in 4 days time

vanimal Well, you could always have a go at W7 and just see how it goes? If you're struggling you can always do W7 twice.

I like this thread. It def makes a difference having a few C25Kers to moan about shins and early mornings with

Wolef yay! Well done! I know what you mean about having to start again - I am wondering whether to repeat W6, as I haven't run for a week now, but I just going to get stuck into W7 and hope for the best.

The half-marathon plans are a tad optimistic, I am going to stick with C25K over the winter months too, and then move up a gear once I am comfortably running the 5K in under 30 min.

I am glad you are back on the thread though, it's motivating to know there are a few of us doing this together. I can't believe how close we all are to the end now - although I started this at the end of Aug, and so should have finished by now, it still feels like it's progressing very quickly.

I'm back! I restarted w8 this morning. I think I probably could have restarted on Saturday, but wanted to give myself just a few more days to make sure I was 100% again. Plus in my head each C25K week starts on a Tuesday, and I'd have felt all scrambled if I'd restarted before Tuesday

I was really nervous about going out again, in case it turned out I had to start from the beginning or my legs or lungs had stopped working or something, but actually it was OK. I was significantly slower than I had been before I got the cold - I start with a 2.7k lap of the park, which normally takes about 17:30, but today it took 18:45 - but I managed the whole 28 minutes without my legs falling off, which is the main thing, right?

Well done everyone for keeping it up! And I'm impressed by your half-marathon plans vanimal - I'm thinking of going for a 10K maybe next year, but the next few months are going to be pretty busy so my first goal is to complete C25K and then just. keep. it. up. through the winter...

Wolef are you feeling any better? I have also had a week off, and then didn't go running this morning either, as I had had a terrible night's sleep.

I went to visit family during half term week, and didn't do any running whilst I was there, so I am going to start week 7 tomorrow, eek!

I am thinking of signing up for a half-marathon this time next year, there is one quitel literally on my doorstep, the DDs would be able to wave at me from our front window. I got as far as registering on the BUPA great run website, but didn't complete the application - I am going to muster up the courage once I have completed C25K.

Good on your run BsshBossh, I hope it's going well. I haven't run for nearly a week, and can't start up again till Tuesday (as DH is away).

Wow, I disappear for 3 weeks and look at how far many of you have got with your running. Well done! As for me, I've run out of excuses now (holiday, illness, half term) so will repeat Week 4 tomorrow. I hope I still have it in me....

Well done vanimal! 25 minutes! As Laura said, you're officially a runner now

As for me, I've been a bit quiet lately: I came down with a horrid cold and didn't manage to complete W8. I'm out the other side of the sneezing and sniffling now, but I've decided to repeat W8 starting next week so as to give myself lots of time to recover completely. But I'm not giving up!

Well done febes for getting to W9! You must be through the whole programme by now?

I'm just behind you...

febes, good luck for tomorrow, how does it feel to have almost finished?

Awesome vanimal!!! It doesn't matter how you get there as long as you get there!!
I did run 2 week 9 with DH yesterday morning and covered 4.79km according to mapmyrun for the running part. So I have now worked out a 5k route which I am going to run tomorrow as my final run of the programme- if I don't get to 5k in the 30mins I'll keep going. I reckon it will take me 32mins or so. Not bad for a complete (previous) non runner!! Then my aim for the next few weeks is to keep running the 5k to my own music and in a few weeks time myself to see if I'm getting quicker. I still find it really hard and have to talk myself out of stopping for a walk every run but I love the feeling of achievement afterwards.

W6r3 done! I just hobbled ran for 25 mins non-stop!

I did lots of stretching beforehand, so the first 5 min was do-able. I did struggle at the end.

When Laura suggested upping the pace for the last 60 secs, I was barely able to keep going at my super-slow pace and had very jelly legs by then.

But she did say I am officially a runner now!

You will definately manage it Vanimal!! No more walk rests for you then!!!

Well done febes! I think stamina and endurance to actually get through the run are more important than how far you go at this stage. I am hoping to be able to run for 30 mins regularly, and will then start looking at improving times/distances after this. Good on you for doing it in the rain.

I did W6r2 this morning, and it was tough. It was 2 x 10 min runs, and really did not enjoy the first run, I was struggling from around 2 mins, but I did manage it. The second 10 min run was easier, I think maybe the cold has an effect, and I am properly warmed through by the second run.

I don't know what the next run is like, but I am guessing its a 25 min one, and I am really not sure I will manage it. But I am a stuck record, cos I say the same after every run!

Still feeling post-run smugness though :)

I just did run 1 week 9 so my first 30 min run. It went really well and I felt good but according to mapmyrun I only ran just over 4k! It was raining but I felt good the whole run and felt like I was keeping good pace but I'm not too worried about distance at this stage I'll keep plugging away and trying to reach the 5 k milestone.

vanimal - oh yes, all sounds so familiar! I love my food but I know I have to cut back or I won't lose the weight. Have been doing lots of home cooking recently and experimenting with new recipes, last night made a chicken curry using full fat coconut milk. It was delicious but it isn't going to help! I need to cut back the portions and keep the full fat meals for treats/weekends!
werewolef thanks for the encouragment. I will keep telling myself - it's all in my head, it's all in my head! Will do the run on Sunday so will try and post afterwards to let you know.

stranded You probably haven't noticed, but as you've been getting fitter it takes less and less time to recover after a patch of running. So actually the change to not taking a break will be trivial for your body, even if it feels like a big deal in your mind.

Also it takes the first mile (10mins) to really warm up, so the first ten minutes always feels horrible. According to my marathoner brother this never changes, even when you're very fit. So you'll also find that even if the first ten minutes was grim, the second ten minutes amazingly isn't - and that feeling of needing to stop was in your mind, because your body was just getting going.

It was such a buzz the first time I did the 20 min run - don't be scared, just relax into it and enjoy the feeling of running comfortably having survived the first painful mile