Couch to 5k

Thanks Auntfini - fellow Aunt!

I did the last run of week 4 today, on a treadmill at lunchtime. That means in 3 runs time Laura (from the podcast) thinks I will be running for 20 mins?!!!

I can't run on Thursday, so I'm not sure whether to go tomorrow and Friday or Friday and Saturday.

Remus - that sounds great. The 3 different Week 5 runs with the nhs podcast are supposed to be;

1. 5 mins warm up walk, 5mins running and 3 min walking x3,

2. 5 mins warm up walk, 8mins running and 5 mins walking x 2,

3. 5 mins warm up walk, then 20 mins running

Just want to pop in here and encourage you all, keep at it even when it's tough-running is so good for you and you'd be surprised how you can train your body to do more and more. 2 years ago I did the ct5k when I was 3 stone overweight, I could barely trot along and needed all my walk breaks!

Now I'm a healthy weight, and tonight I ran 9 miles. Next month I'm running a half marathon. I'm still a slow runner but if you'd have told me a few years ago that my body could do this I would have laughed in your face! I can eat as much as I like because my running burns it all off, I'm happy and stress-free and I have running to thank. Honestly, it might sound a bit twee but ct5k really makes you realise you can pretty much achieve anything.

"I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way"

Thank you everyone - will be running again tomorrow :)

I know I have fallen off the running track so to speak but honestly it took me just over a couple of months to happily run for about 25 min or so at a time. And at my peak I could do 10k in just over an hour.

Running 90s is a little painful at the moment but it will get better I hope

Remus - the 1 minute comment is encouraging. I feel quite embaresed that I can just about manage 1 minute.

Thanks Pip. :)

1. They were v small hills - slopes really
2. Even a minute felt like very hard work when I started - it does get easier.

I can't imagine myself ever being able to run for twently minutes without stopping, but it feels slightly less impossible now than it did a few weeks ago!

Waves to Miranda - come and join us

I did my same run again and it was even a bit harder than last time - blaming it on the giantness of my Pmt boobs. But I managed it and hoping for it to get easier.

Hi! Been reading while waiting for my new trainers to arrive. I did week one run one last night - very late,son would not go to sleep & I really wasn't feeling it at ten pm but I forced myself & quite enjoyed it!!

I suffer badly from shin splints so I'm hoping the combo of new support shoes & breaking in gently will keep the pain away.

9.5 mins , hills . Well done Remus - I can't imagine managing either of those things.

My face sweated on a run for the first time ever tonight!

I amanged one block of running for 9 and a half minutes and then a couple of 4 minuters to make 23 minutes running in total. I also managed one and a half hills. On Thursday I aim to run for two sets of 8 mins if I can manage it, including the hills!

I managed to do my first week 4 shamble run today.
I love the way Laura keeps saying 'just a light jog' - it justifies my slow speed.

It wasn't too bad. Not good but could have been worse. What it did seem to do was generate a lot more sweat than week 3. Even my hands and forearms got sweaty. Weird.

It's really encouraging to read so many positive stories on here about how people really found it difficult to begin with, but are now able to run for longer distances. It does spur me on!

I think I have a different app to most people, I have been using 'ease yourself into 5k'. Has worked for me, as I can add my own music (nothing like a bit of The Pointer Sisters to get you going!) and I don't have someone talking constantly, just beeps and a quick reminder that I am about to walk/run/am half way there!

If anyone is looking for clothes, Dare2b have a sale on at the moment. I bought a t-shirt the other day, reduced from £15 to £4.50 and found a 15% discount code on google. I find their tops to be very clingy though, can't wear the size 10 I already have so ordered a 14 and it fits comfortably.

Hello - can I join in? I used to do running a couple of years ago and have decided to try again. Did Robert Ullery last time so am again this time :) did week 2 run 1 today and it was OK - just need to keep going now . Will run again on Wednesday.

No MP3 player, so can't do that! Have been doing 3 times a week for the last fortnight and sporadic bits prior to that. I've just been going on what my body is telling me it can/can't do, thus far.

I'm not using the MP3 player thingie but I'm trying to get out 3 times a week and can now manage about 20 minutes of running time, broken into 5 lots of 4 mins with 30 seconds to one minute-ish of walking between each set. What should I be trying for now? I managed to make it up my first ever small hill yesterday; normally I stop and walk up it!

Fantastic news HalleLouja - congratulations. One more run and you'll be over half way through.

Okay, not pay.
Least, not leat.

I'm doing the 5k app also. Did week 2 day 1 today. I started off pay but there seemed to be lots of dog walkers tc out tonight, and I felt self-conscious. Consequently, decided to do an extra run at the end. Then spotted two policemen walking to a police car o ended up wlking again. At leat I've done half an hour exercise, whether walking or running.

Should I repeats today schedule again,or go onto the next one?

AuntieBulgaria - thank for the heads up on tomorrow's musical delights. I was going to run today and Wednesday, but it coincides with busy mornings (teacher home visit this morning and first day of school on Wednesday) so I've decided to do Tuesday and Thursday instead.
The bonus is getting to run early on Saturday when the rest of the world is seriously asleep - fab.

I can't take it any easier, by the last run today I was going at glacier speed in order to do them all (which I manage) I have to run as slow as humanely possible, anyone watching would be very entertained.

I'm putting it down to the extra 4 stone which I'm having to lug round, bet if I was lighter it would be easier.

I'm using the 5k runner app - it doesn't have music and I think the runs are different to what you're describing.

You're doing really well Halle - I will catch you up