Couch to 5K- join us if you dare, running is highly addictive!!

Wow, this thread moves fast - turned my back for a couple of days and it's moved on pages and pages! Welcome to all the newcomers...

...and I would just add that the programme really does work and you can trust it. I can also add that it works for those of us who are... more than mid-30s. Not sure I want to admit to my age but it begins with a 5 I wasn't overweight when I started but hadn't done a lot of exercise for years, just the odd exercise class, and had never been a runner. I finished the programme in January and have been running ever since (I def. agree with cinnamon about starting in the dark so no one could see me, though now I don't care any more

Good morning all, hope you are all feeling bright and bubbly and raring to go!

Feeling happy this morning, despite regular snacking on chocolate and a sneaky meal at Nandos with hubby yesterday, I weighed in at 10st 13lb this morning. That's a steady loss of 8lb since starting.

Ordered myself some new trainers, nothing expensive or flash but I noticed the bubbly bits in the right heel of my current trainers have all popped. I am not experiencing any issues YET but I thought it best to renew them before it does cause issues.

Hey ho. Got to try to schedule in W4R1 today, juggling around DS being at home from school and the possibility of work this afternoon!

Feeling so positive about this. THANK YOU. xx

Nigella - I'm mid 30s too and realised if I want to be around along time I'm going to have to start exercising, no exercise in 5 years. What with commuting, having DS, generally busy life I thought I had no time to exercise. And I've only done week1 run1 ( run 2 tonight), but I went once DS was in bed,in total it was about 35 minutes (it would take me that long to get to the gym and back) so for a quick burst of exercise I think c25k is ideal.

Lots to catch up on! Busy thread. Which is great. Lovely to know I am not the only one out there beginning to run. Although now that I can run 3 mins I class myself as a real runner!

Week 3 run 3 here today for me. Just waiting for my phone to charge before I head out.

I def feel it in my legs after a run - feel like an old woman going up the stairs! I stretch after when I remember but need to be sure I do it each time. Am hoping that as I get fitter and more used to it my legs will recover quicker. I am old and overweight so am not surprised my muscles are complaining!

I meant to say it is lactic acid which causes stiffness, if I remember correctly

further to our posts about stretching. captain reminds me that I think the reason we should cool down with the walk and stretch is to.stop the lactic.acid produced during exercise from.pooling in.our muscles - ie gently using muscles bit below anaerobic pace.
I'm hoping to see a physio layer this week for, among other things, some knee exercises. I will ask her about stretching and am happy to report back if helps others.
I'm on a rest day : happy running those who are not

Nigella if we can do it, you can do it! Go for it, there's lots of support on here.

Captain I find if I stretch afterwards as well as doing the five minute walk at the end I don't get stiff & sore. Also would agree with giving it another day for your muscles to recover before you do Run 2.

nextphase I think trying to keep one day ahead of the kids is a great plan to keep me motivated!

Captain -apparently the rest days are really important, so worth building at least one in between each run.

Nigella - I'm mid 30s, obese and very unfit. Nothing like the 'me' I imagine I am in my head. I think run 1 might have been the hardest (or possibly wk 4run1).

I have told myself its ok if I don't make it first try, I can repeat sessions and take it slower but so far I haven't had to. I thought I was going to die after some of the wk 1 runs but now a month later I'm easily running 3 minutes. I'm a complete convert, although its taken me this long to trust and believe! Its an amazing feeling of achievement. I'm only at the end of wk 3 but love that I'm progressing. My only tip, apart from good shoes, is to slow down and then slow down again.

Good luck -its fab once you're into it!

So tell me please, just how hard it is for an exercise phobic who has done literally zilch for 6 years. Am I going to even be able to complete Day 1? I'm overweight and sooooo unfit, but want to do something as I'm mid 30's and know how important it is o get my weight and fitness under control.

captain. You should give your body a rest day tomorrow and run again on Tuesday.

My legs are stiff tonight after week 1 run 1... 8 minutes of running and I'm stiff! :(
Run 2 is tomorrow.

"Alpaca* I've struggled with run 2 of each week, but am still getting through. I've made it to week 5, and should be doing w5r2 tomorrow morning - my first day time run, all the others have been after the kids are in bed. Congrats on getting this far - sounds like you should try to keep one day ahead of the kids!

I did Week 3 Run 2 this morning. I don't know why, but I found it tough. I got through it but spent most of the running sections giving myself a good talking to.

Hope Week 3 Run 3 is better. I'll probably leave it 3 days - at my advanced age (49) and level of fitness (dire) it's best for my body.

I'm pleased to report that DS2 & DS3 are persisting with the programme. They will catch me up soon as they are young & don't need to take a longer break between runs.

Can anyone advise me about the treadmill please? I've got the elevation set at 1.5 as I remembering reading somewhere that it is more like running outdoors if you use a low elevation. Is this correct, and if so, what elevation would be best to use? Thanks!

thankyou Trazzle, will check it out

scarecrow I use Get Running.

queen I've been looking ahead to when I finish, and might start the 0-1650. swim a mile program, its the same idea, 3 swims a week over 6 weeks to build up to a mile.

I do like a challenge! I'd probably keep running twice a week too, I'm trying to get more exercise into my week ad I get nearer 50 so it becomes routine

hello again, I just finished week 4. after Wednesday 's struggle, yesterday went really well ( different location) . Still can't believe I've been out running 12 times.

I think I'll be looking for new trainers soon, my current ones are ok but more for gym work so not as cushioned as they could be.

How is it affecting you all mentally? I'm feeling stronger, in that I'm not giving up. more resilient.

Everyone is doing so well! Feeling really inspired & chuffed to bits I found this thread. Unfortunately my body doesn't agree with me & after a week of resting my knee I planned to get back into it tomorrow. BUT after a bit of walking yesterday, I feel back to square one. My bloody knee is doing my head in! There's no way I can get my gait analysed today as planned as I can't even walk comfortably, let alone run naturally. Sooooo frustrated! For once in my life I'm not relishing having to rest & am straining at the bit to get moving again. Thinking of trying swimming for a while as hoping that may help get my knee functioning again. Am now off to sports shop to ask some advice.

Well done to everyone, just keep running!

I went out for a half hour this morning-visiting family so had to find a new route. Had a lovely run up a canal path, now starving for a Sunday roast!

add my vote for mapmyrun. Found it very easy to use.

can somebody remind me the app which you can play over your own music? Think Trazzle suggested it?

started w2 today: borrowed dh's iSomething so ran with Laura for first time... She's lovely and music not too awful but not sure I can listen to somebody speaking on behalf of the British State who says "you're doing great" for another eight weeks

oh my park run time? oh, I couldn't oh go on then....... ok so I was a lot younger and a lot fitter, was pre DC and have v long legs...,just over 22 mins

Back to reality now, sigh

Morning all - lovely morning here

Nextphase, have you found Mapmyrun.com on the PC? You don't need a phone. I found it easier to plan my routes on the PC - it even tells you the elevation changes so you can avoid the hilly bits

My first route was entitled " long way round to the pub" and you can also use it to map/plan walks and cycle rides for your rest days and set goals. Seems to more than the app although it does sync, if you want to use the app too

I use the Run keeper app to track distance, its free and I find it really motivating. I used it at the same time as a c25k app and music/podcast.

Thanks backward and cinnamon

Tina - thanks for the suggestion but I'm a bit low tech! My mobile can send and receive texts messages / calls, but no internet access, so its sitting with a map and working out where I can go to end up back at home around the right time - and to add to the complication, I prefer loops to there and backs!

Ooh next phase I think you are just ahead of me! Baking -honestly trust the programme! People told me that and I wasn't sure but it is amazing how your stamina builds up.

I did wk 3 run 3 this morning and I'm a convert!! I'm slightly high! After my complete disbelief in myself I found today quite manageable. I even ran an extra minute at the end. I truly cannot believe how far I've come in a month, from struggling with each minute long run to finding 3 minutes ok.

I'm going to try wk 4 in 2 days and I'm quite excited by it. I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't manage it but want to give it a go :-)