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

just done w1r3 and it was harder than the 1st and 2nd runs. is that normal? should i repeat week 1? or trust it and move to week 2? i honestly don't think i could run longer than 60s!

im not even getting aches in my legs it's just being out of breath.

well done hairtwiddler and baking both.

My weight goes up and down 4 pounds anyway, at the mo its at the low end, because I've been more careful. I'm still 7 pounds heavier than last year.

I read a good book, Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald. Funny in a way as it's really for good level endurance athletes but a lot of it made sense diet and exercise - wise even for beginners. His diet approach is a lot easier than calories, points etc though there is some counting.

Bakingnovice - it's not a fluke, honest, trust the programme! Really, you can do it... I felt like that, but once I realised my subconscious was doing its best to sabotage me I got on much better, so give yourself a stern talking to and you will be able to do it. You're not a fraud, you followed the programme and now you can do it. Go on...

Possibly not in this terribly hot weather though (we're never happy, are we? ) Eetracey, I should think the weather is mostly to blame. I don't know where you are but it's certainly far too hot here to run except early in the morning. I went out at 6.45 this morning when it was still reasonably pleasant, but I'm not a natural early-morning runner and it nearly finished me off! (Possibly doing 5:2 and fasting yesterday didn't help either ) But at the moment it's early mornings or nothing - I thought the cold in winter was a problem (well, the icy paths really were), but it seems it's a lot easier to run in than the heat!

Thanks - am determined to get off w5 this week, hopefully will go onto 6 by Sunday..

Etracey - don't give up. Try again and take as long as you want to on weeks. I think week 5 is a really tough week.

Next - no haven't lost a sodding ounce. Have gained 1lb in the last 5 weeks and I'm not gonna lie its really frustrating. I was fasting 4:3 but haven't done so this week as a bit demoralised with the whole weight loss thing.

Re week 6 - I thought I'd repeat week 5 as I don't have the confidence to progress. Even doing week 5 feels like a total one off fluke. Does anyone else ever feel like this? Like a bit of a fraud pretending to run. I might try week 6 after your post though, I'm my own worst enemy sometimes!

watchingout Where? I want my graduation badge!! Link please if you can!
I haven't lost an ounce. I was doing mfp too but I'm either feast or famine when trying to diet - it's not healthy. I have changed shape though. Clothes are fitting better, and people have remarked my skin looks great.

Who is in the south of England and fancies this in September?!

Not sure if this link will work as I'm on phone

Easily pleased, me

Congrats to hairtwiddler & baking novice
And to anyone managing to go out in this sunshine! Loving it though..definitely not complaining
Found another forum through nhs website t'other night that implied you can apply for a graduation badge

Conbgrats Hairtwiddler When shall you be dishing out the G&T and biscuits for your cermoney? I'll be there!

Baking - its amazing the progress, isn't it. I'm only a few runs ahead of you. week 6 follows a very similar pattern to week 5. I've done a 5walk, 5 run 3 walk, 8 run, 3 walk, 5 run, 5 walk. Think I've got 5/10/3/10/5 tonight, and then a 22 min run. Are you sure you want to repeat? Or would you like to continue on, and then hopefully yourself, watching and me can all graduate in August? Were all at the same stage?
PS you lost any weight yet? I'm gaining

Well, I redid w5 r2 last night - but failed miserably :( it was so hot that I thought I might faint half way through the second 5 minutes. Will give it another go tonight..

Just adding my congrats to hairtwiddler on graduating & Bakingnovice for completing the 20 minute run.

to both of you!

Sorry that was to BakingNovice...

HairTwiddler

That first 20min run is a turning point! Well done!

Just back from a very hot and hilly 5.3k! Aim was to run 35mins and achieved it. The heat does slow you down though...

Feeling great after shower and dog walk, having scrambled eggs and coffee.

My stealth gripe is that my summer crops and skirts don't fit as my hips and waist are whittling down!

That 20 min run is such a confidence boost eh? Well done!
Thanks for the congrats. I had a bacon butty to celebrate

Hartwiddler - well done!!! Amazing achievement.

Hi everyone. I just did w5r3. Omg. Feeling emotional that I actually ran 20 minutes straight!!! Such an achievement for me. Running has helped massively with my very low moods. I must admit I found it more me tally challenging than physically. I was worried about being breathless and my
Knees hurting. But that was all fine, my feet hurt a bit and I kept time checking.

Feel so amazing right now. Think I will redo this week as I have found it challenging. I want to do the 20 mins again!

Tally - well done for starting.

Ginger - hope you're back at it soon.

Cinnamon and everyone else thank you for the support on this thread.

Fantastic hairtwiddler, well done!!

Woo hoo, hairtwiddler!

Job done! Do I get a graduation ceremony?
I've stopped counting warm up and cool down walks so ran the 30mins plus another 3 for luck on a treadmill at mostly 8kmph. I think I don't get injured because I'm so slow!
4.4k covered. Onwards and upwards! Off to Aldi to celebrate!

Keep going everyone. Honestly, if I can do this, so can you. I am huge of nork (have to wear two sports bras), naturally lazy, 40 this year, overweight, and have never been fit in my life.

p.s. the numb feet issue is definitely better after proper calf stretches and loosening the shoes.

Tally, the total distance I covered according to my run double app, including warm up and cool down was 2.6 miles. I do have really long legs though

I already walk 6 miles a day so my legs are quite strong it's just my poor heart and lungs that feel like they're going to drop out my belly after! And the sweat!

I take a small 300ml bottle of water with me and take a couple of swigs on the walk rep and always make sure I drink loads afterwards.

Go hairtwiddler! Am quite jealous!

cinnamon don't worry, am not giving up completely just going to give myself a decent break before thinking about trying again since this has now happened a couple of times recently. I suspect it is probably because I run in barefoot trainers (although I always have done and wear barefoot shoes day to day aswell) and it seems to be a common thing so I probably do just need to find some strength exercises/stretches to do.

We are going away on Saturday anyway, so will just enjoy the break (with plenty of walking!) and re-assess when I get back.

Very true!