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

well done eminemmerdale! I'm pretty much at the same point as you, did run 2 of wk 3 tonight. The thought of 3 minutes wasn't great but such a good feeling when you manage it!

Good lord! just done wk 3 day1 - didn't realise that you go from 1.90 to 3 mins straight away - I thought it was two lots of 1.90 then 2 lots of 3 mins Still, I did it!!!!

Oops got interrupted!

Weight loss achievements which are very inspiring. I'm trying to use MFP for monitoring what I consume. Not dieting as such, just keeping aware.

Still hunting the elusive endorphins, but have pinned some motivational quotes/posters. I like "sweat is just your fat crying"

Just read back over some people's weight loss achievements which I

Watchingout

You're doing great, and it's amazing how quickly you'll be running longer distances. I just followed the podcast and it really did what it said on the tin

I'm trying to get quicker in time for my first 5k next week, am hovering on 26/27 minutes, but I'm scared I'll go too fast and peg out on the hills at the end!

Thankfully my sore shins aren't from shin splints, Buda - it's more to do with very tight, lumpy muscles! That's caused, apparently, by vibrations from the impact of running (so says my osteopath), which is why running on softer surfaces and plenty of stretching after finishing a run is so important.

So far, it seems to be going well. I did Week 2/Run 2 this morning.

W3r1 completed this morning - yay!
Was very shocked as Laura said 3 mins running just as I opened the gate.. But I did it maybe only 2.5 mins on the second run
Still seems a long way to go to get to 30mins plus of running, but there are loads here who have done it.
My mantra this morning was "if you give up, it's harder to start again"

Chopstheduck - look out for me. I'll be the one with the big fat red face!

Actually there seems to be loads of MNers heading to Cali this summer. Maybe we should have a meet up?

Muddy prints - I haven't looked ahead at runs but a 20min run in week 5? Sounds flipping scary! Well done for managing it.

well I was dreading week 5, did first run twice, second run twice and thought id try the 20 min run even though it seemed impossible after running 8 max but I managed it and ran 2 miles so I was pleased.

That's odd bakingnovice, did you download the NHS podcasts?

CiderwithBuda, we're off to cali tin July too - might be running past you in golden gate park!

Good luck with being run director, cinnamon!

hi episode, can't believe you went out at 11! I think it was around that time, after several glasses of wine that I decided I was going to do it, but I did wait until the next day to start! I started 6 months ago and have lost nearly 50lbs in total since I started it. Dropped from 22-24 to a size 14. I track what I am eating on MFP, but I do have quite a lot of treats, so not a strict diet. I run about 10-15 miles a week, I also cycle a lot - 50+ miles a week, walk, and go to the gym once in a while. Running has def increased my cardio fitness far more than any other exercise ever has.

babysocks, I love early morning runs like that. I usually see rabbits and game birds!

How do I get Laura's tips? I have her saying 'run' 'walk' but she never says its the last run etc.

nextphase - I think I would have to drive to somewhere to find more off road running which I really don't want to do. I love the ease of just walking out the front gate and heading off. I think my legs hurt so much on Friday because I was basically on my feet all day after the run.

pennygallops - sounds good! We are off to California in July and I am planning on running there. Golden gate park in San Francisco for sure. And I am going to check out some runs to do in the other places we will be.

W2r1 done! Definitely harder than week 1. One run was particularly hard to get to the end and I told myself I would skip the next one. And then the lovely Laure told me that the next one was the last one! So I did it. Yay!

Next run due to be on Wednesday but will see how I feel and might leave it till Thursday to leave two days between runs.

BIWI - I remembered when I was out that years ago I used to do aerobics and got bad shin pain. Aerobics instructor called it shin splints and gave me exercises to do to build up the muscles. I remember one was sitting with legs straight out in front and flexing feet and holding and then bringing toes back holding. I'm going to start that in an effort to avoid issues. I think my knees will be more of a problem though.

Just finished run 3 of week 1! Not particularly enjoying it yet but optimistic that will come. Definitely feel a sense of achievement & determined to stick with it.

Morning all , just completed W2R3, but my legs were incredibly achy, could this be due to my period ?
Ive downloaded week 3 ready for Wednesday

Penultimate run before graduation tomorrow then, a 5k for my final run of the programme on Wed.
I have no real idea of my time as the GPS tracker in my app keeps loosing signal. Very annoyed Saturday as I tried pushing myself a bit harder than I have been and it only recorded 0.91k
Episode - running in the dark sounds very scary. Early mornings are also good if you're a bit self concious to start with. I went out of my way to pretend I wasn't actually running or would go in the opposite direction if I saw anyone in the early weeks. I actually smile and say hello now

I managed w2d2 today. Early morning which was tough as I'd had a v late night. Stayed high and buzzing for the rest of the day. I'm still finding the actual workout easy, and can't wait to get to week 2. Just hope I don't struggle too much by then.

I'm doing d3 of week 1 tmrw after I do the shred. I'm doing both on the same day as I need to factor in rest days somewhere. Hoping to do a park run soon. Thanks to all on this thread, keeps me inspired.

I go out at 7.30 on a Saturday, back by 8.15, it's not a park run, but at least I get out.

I saw you Mum2Fergus! Come on in, we're not scary, and nearly all of us would only run a bath before we started the C2 5K programme.

Did my second 5k run on friday and forgot to report in (sorry!) I will really have to think how I can persuade everyone else in my family that mummy NEEDS saturday mornings off! What time do you finish after a parkrun people? Just for runners not run directors though cinnamon!

Peeks in from behind a cushion (",)

Well done you dementedma. I think setting your own targets is best and sub 40 sounds good to me. I find when you run with a crowd you actually run faster, so that sub 40 is within your grasp.

Well done to you and your mum gingerpins, and a good pace. How is the knee tonight?

I'm glad you are enjoying the running so much pollydon. Have you got a parkrun near you? I think you might like a little 5k run on Saturday morning.

ciderwithbuda running in Central Park is on mine (and my DS's) list this summer. Our hotel is just a block away , so I need my knee better for then. I've bought a pair of (very short) running shorts for my holidays this year. I tried them this morning for the first time - think I need a bit of sun (or fake tan) on my legs!

Welcome foundachopinlizt - very impressive 5k time. I'm still waiting to go under 27mins (BP is 27.02mins), can't see it happening for a while.

I think I run at about the same pace as I walk.
I've been working out distances of possible loops on mapmyrun.co.uk, and so put in a couple of C25k jog/walks, and a walk I did one lunchtime from work. Pace all coming out very similar!

Week3 seems a very short session?? Can't beleive I'm enjoying this running!

Cinder is there any chance of joining up several patches of softer running with pavement running? I do the warm up along a cycle path, and then get to drop down to the stream, through the woods, and back out of the valley on cinder track, which is softer than the tarmac, before more cycle path then grass along the river, and then back home. And yes, I live in suburbia - never more than 200y from the housing estates on either side of the valley, just happen to have a green belt patch through the middle.

Well done dementedma, sure you will manage sub 40 next week!

I had planned to have a week off running this week as was tired and had a bit of a sore knee...but I actually missed it and after watching my DH, Dsis and DBIL put in great performances (26, 27 & 28 mins respectively) at parkrun on Sat I just wanted to get running again! I was meant to be on Wk6 Day 2 but we were at my Dad's house and my step mum suggested running together so since she is quite fit I decided just to skip the 10-3-10 of Day 2 and go for the 22 mins of Day 3!! We were on the beach and when we turned back at half way there was a pretty strong cross wind and I struggled a bit with my breathing but just kept plodding on. Felt like I was going pretty slow but pace was actually 11.5 mins when I am normally 12 so was really pleased...and felt I had earned the copious amounts of gin, wine and bbq food I consumed after!

Well I got out again today and managed the whole 5k in 42 minutes. I am going for sub 40 in the R4L next week and I will be very happy if I can do that. I am 50 next year and I think a 30 minute 5k is not going to happen!
I was a size 18 when I started with walking back in January. Am now a 14. Haven't lost much according to the scales bit have definitely lost inches. Down a cup size in the Norks department and all clothes fitting more easily. Feel more toned and more confident

Hi Pennygallops, I'm really enjoying it, I love the sense of achievement when you've completed a session & have just downloaded W3