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

TwasBrillig I cannot believe that I ran (a very slow plodding ) 5k last Monday. Seriously I was puce and ready to puke after 60 seconds at the start. It's some sort of witchcraft that if you JFDI (Just Fucking Do It ) you miraculously get better at it. Injuries, ill health and extreme weather conditions aside, it is that simple.

And that's why I started. Despite being old, tired, overweight and unfit I know I am lucky to be in good health and no physical reason to not JFDI. I am 41 and already seeing people my age starting to age badly. I don't want to stay young or anything but I want to be on the best shape possible health wise. I've got older kids and younger ones and I want to be the same mother to all of them iyswim.

First Parkrun on Saturday. Gulp!

I went for my run today, expecting to do Week 2/Run 3 - but my app told me it was Week 3/Run 1! So I did that, and it was fine. I'm enjoying running much more, second time around, which is interesting. I think it must be to do with the psychology of it all. I know that I can run 5K, so there's less worry about what's coming next, IYKWIM!

I started as I'd kept putting it off until "i'd got out of the obese" category. I use to enjoy jogging at uni and would like to be fit and healthy and its free and easier to fit into life. However it wasnt until I realised that it was ok for very overweight people to try couch to 5k that I started and I'm enjoying it so far. Aware it may well take me longer but ok with that. Already running 90seconds easily when initial a minute was hard so should get there!

Thank you ladies for sharing your reasons for starting . Onwards and upwards !

This tread seems to have fallen off my 'I'm on" list somehow.

I managed wk 2 run 1 and quite enjoyed it. Felt ok, but ready to walk each time she said to. Can't quite see myself doing 3 minutes next week!

At uni I'd do 15 mins at the gym without thinking. I hate how far I've sunk. On good news though I've lost my first 6 pounds. . . Just another 5 and a half stone to go!!

Cinammon, what a worry with your cat... hope he's ok now.

I've just completed week 7 with a struggle. The first 2 runs felt horrid but not sure how much of that was down to running on hot days. Tonights run was definitely easier but I was running into a cool wind. However I'm quite impressed that I'm managing to run about 3.5k in 25 minutes considering 3 months ago I couldn't even run to the end of the street.

Right. I'm checking them online tonight. Will get some at the weekend. First run Monday night.
Can I get the c25k app on android?

If you can, it's also worth going to a running shop and get your gait analysed, and take their advice about which shoes to buy.

Ok thanks. First step: buy trainers.

Yay!

Yey that's great news cinnamon, hope she is ok.

I agree with BIWI. If your trainers are not supportive and cushioned enough you run the risk of injury. Converse don't have any support so wouldn't be suitable.

No - you definitely need good trainers.

I'm thinking about starting this. Do you really need trainers to start with?

Would converse do to begin with?

I started because its something I have always wanted to do but thought I wasn't fit enough to run. And I thought I was too heavy for my poor old knees. I lost weight so some of that excuse went I and started in April. Gave up after two runs as the weather was so bad. Started again 3 weeks ago and have graduated to week 2! My sister runs and we are going to New York next year for my 50th and we want to run in Central Park. I also want to lose more weight and tone up and then have something that wil help me keep the weight off.

QueenJelly- sorry about your friend, that's so scary at that age

Just done W1R3, but for some reason it hasn't ticked it off on my app. Might actually do it again, rather than move on, as I'm going to struggle for the next one- think I left it too long between runs, but had a busy week at work so I've just not been able to fit it in. Need to get ready for work now, would rather sit with a cuppa!

Oh no - hope the cat comes back - they do tend to know their way thuogh :( I started because a couple of ladies in local mumsnet sent out a plea for running buddies! I thought why not basically - have never been able to run ever! I have been a big swimmer for a few years now but suspended my gym membership as it wasn't worth it - could hardly ever get there - although I am returning at the end of this month so will swim again. Anyway, we all started off beautifully and then I seriously injured my knee which meantIi had to take a month off. By the time i restarted, they were well ahead so i decided to start again with a mum freind from school. She comes along sporadically but I am religioulsy doing it every other day. I am already noticing my legs a bit more shapely (actually dh commented, I nearly fainted!) and i feel loads better. It's a personal challenge and a two fingers up to the sporty lot at school (who were all my best friends) who could do 100 metres in 12 seconds whereas my pb was 22!!! I was never terribly sporty...

Pollydon, I had more reasons to start than not so knew I should just bite the bullet and get on with it. Basically, wanted to lose weight, tone up, get fitter and improve my health. Lost my best friend to a heart attack recently when she was just 39 and definitely made me understand the importance of looking after myself. Running early morning before kids & dh are awake is my only option. Hubby's and my work commitments make it impossible at any other time. Would have loved to get to the gym or pool though to mix it up a bit but they don't open until later.

Pollydon - it was in response to a call-out from the Woolly Hug crew, to raise money for World Child cancer (a charity suggested by MrsDeVere, who lost her daughter to cancer). It's an extension of a training programme that I began 18 months ago in a bid to get fit, stave off the effects of getting older (I'm 53), as well as help with my weight loss/maintenance of my weight loss - I lost just over 2 stones last year. I have another half stone or so to go and am hoping that regular running will help me shift it.

Aw cinnamon I hope your cat gets home ok. Well done on your run.

Pollydon - I wanted to run mainly to lose weight but also to increase my fitness.

Sorry to hear about your cat, cinnamon - but don't worry, cats are pretty hardy and I'm sure she will be back soon.

Well done on your time!

Morning all, just completed w3r1 and I'm amazed I managed to run for 3mins without the use of oxygen

I was wondering what everyone's reason for starting the plan was? Mine was I promised myself Id be able to run at least a mile aged 40.