Anyone fancy starting Couch to 5K on Monday 5th Aug?

Emsyj - I'm quite tall too and thought I was fairly brisk in pace :( BUT I certainly didn't run any more than told to (that was enough for me!) and week 3 sessions are shorter than week 2 by a few minutes so that might make a difference too I suppose... I'm very impressed by all you athletes out there running so fast or for extra minutes to the plan, it bodes you well for the later part of the programme unlike me, hauling my wobbly body round until the second I'm allowed to stop

Off to start week 4 now. I'll be impressed if I even complete this one, never mind worrying about my time/distance anymore!

Slev - just checked and a 7 minute mile is just over a 4 minute kilometre!

I'm only on week 2 Tinwe but I'm quite tall and I walk pretty fast anyway so even on a brisk walk I would cover a fair bit of ground I imagine! I also ran through most of the last recovery walk as I was feeling pretty good - it takes me a while to warm up so I struggle much more on the earlier runs and feel better towards the end.

Bit nervous about my run tom... Going from 1.5x2 + 3x2 to 3x2 + 5x2!

Emsyj - I'm averaging just over 3.6 km every run if I stick to the exact instructions (ie starting and stopping my Map my Run app when the C25k instructions start/end)... I must be going v slow! Oh, maybe not, what week are you on?

Slev - I'm running a 7 minute kilometre not mile! I would consider a 7 minute mile fast.

I mapped the run I did last night using mapmyrun and it came out at 4.69km. I actively ran slower as I was conscious on previous runs that I would get really puffed and knackered super-fast, and it made a big difference. I haven't run on a treadmill for a long time (and have never done so regularly) but I would normally have it on 8/9 to be running. I am going more slowly than this running outside on the streets. Interestingly, there were some serious-looking runners with fancy tights and all the right clothes who were going the same speed as me when I was headed home (albeit without the walk-breaks!) So you don't need to be running as if you're running to catch the last train outta here or anything! Try slowing down, it worked immediately for me - and I found week 2 run 2 a MILLION times easier than week 2 run 1...

Slev, I probably jog slower than I walk to stop me getting tired and struggling. I'll work on speed once I've got some stamina. Try slowing down and see how you feel at the end.
I was meant to go out last night for W3R1 but I was exhausted. I feel much better today and am raring to go once DP gets home.

I did W2R1 yesterday and it's not getting any easier - please somebody tell me that it does! I do wonder if I'm running too fast on the run bits and then walking too slowly on the walk bits as I attempt to recover - does anybody know what sort of running speed you're doing? Mine tends to be about 7 minute mile - is that too fast?

ellie/emsyj I know what you mean about running in public. I tend to go down to the playing fields near the river which is also a bit of a hangout for yoofs in the evening and I'm pretty sure they're highly amused by me lumbering round the football pitches. But then I remember that I'm going to be fitter and healthier than all of them and just forget it while looking in the other direction so I don't actually see them laughing at me

I'm going to the coast at the weekend and am really looking forward to running on the promenade! I came off the main road and did a double loop in some quieter roads. It was fine and like you, I had my music loud and was totally in my own world!

ellie I felt very nervous about running in public and considered hiding in the gym too, but from a childcare perspective it would be a massive arse to have to spend all evening and drive to the gym, wait for a treadmill etc etc - it's much easier to just skip out of the front door whilst DH does bathtime and I'm home in time to feed DD2, I love that it only takes 30 minutes.

I put the ipod on so loud that even if I did get a heckler, I wouldn't be able to hear them jeering and laughing anyway . We live right on the seafront and it seems silly to pass up the opportunity to run along the (flat) promenade so I've bitten the bullet and I'm doing it. Every time I go out in public I feel a little bit less self-conscious, although I do still hate running/walking past other runners. Makes me feel like a faker, which is stupid, but there you go.

I did w2r2 this evening and... I actually enjoyed it!!! I am shocked. I even ran through most of the last recovery phase and did an extra minute at the end! I plotted on mapmyrun and completed 4.68k in the time.

Feeling very pleased with myself - having never been able to run and the whole thing seeming like an impossible task, I can now see that it is probably achievable.

I haven't run for a week and I'm not used to running on the streets so I could feel that was different but the trainers definitely helped. I didn't feel like my foot was rolling and they felt so much more supportive than my old ones. My trousers nearly fell down. Next step, buy new trackies!!

Well done Ellie! Did the new trainers help?

Back from w3r1 wearing my new trainers! I even decided to stop being a wimp about running in public (I've been hiding in the gym!) so proud of myself!!

I agree Workate, it's really sad that we have comrades dropping like flies with injuries ATM as we run towards our joint goal - feels quite battlefieldish! :( Quite right to rest when needed though, especially if improving fitness in the long term is your actual goal!

I'm very surprised that I've not become injured yet and a bit embarrassed that my body isn't as delicate as I'd thought and so done no exercise Still think I'm best made for comfort not speed but can't use that old chestnut anymore as I drag my chunky body out on my wobbly trot every other day.

Ah, yes, well, when I say uphill what I actually mean is a very slight upward incline! More a figure of speech than an accurate description of my running terrain IYKWIM Dotty. It just makes me feel better to think that I have a reason for why a 90 second jog feels like such hard work. Of course if it was completely flat, I'd be like a gazelle!

Still here but being rubbish. Only starting week 3 tonight and it must be week 4 now :( Life getting in the way. Blasted app seems to have cancelled week 2 so have to figure out whether to repeat it or make the big jump up...
On the upside, I have an invite from a friend to go to a gym class with her so fingers crossed this will be a good week and I can enjoy the BH weekend

I haven't been out for the last week because my foot has been really uncomfortable when I run. It feels like it rolls and then my ankle gets really sore. Going to go to a running shop this morning and see if I can get a gait analysis done and get new trainers with better support. Only problem is I'm literally terrified because I can't run for very long and I'm worried they will laugh at me! My new sports bra is a bit tight around the back so I have serious back fat issues too. Not feeling confident at all right now. Want to crawl back into bed and hide!!!

Haha not to worry tinwe - pretty sure you're just echoing what we're all thinking! But yes, I'm def going to try and 'trust the programme'...

W3r3 done, on hols so running somewhere new, bit of a rubbish route today so need to look at a map for a better route on weds.

Hope all ok - and lurking that you're doing ok, red another one who thinks that sounds sensible, take it easy and take care of yourself. rosina hills are grim aren't they! Although at the moment any slight gradient counts as a hill to me!! emsyj did you find another podcast?

Keep going everyone

Sorry everyone- just realised how negative my post re week 5 was... Must trust in the programme ... trust in the programme

Rosina - I find the first bit of running each time hardest too and DH says that's well known (he's run a long time). Something about your body adjusting to the exercise?

Tinwe, I saw that and I'm a bit scared of week 5. I'm thinking if I have to repeat any it's going to be that one!
Redwelly, good luck for your future C25k once your fully recovered. Walking is great, I lost a stone over a summer a few years ago just walking 30mins to work then the same in the evening 5 days a week.

Just completed W2R2 and again found it quite tough at the start, but it got easier as I got further through the repetitions although part of my course is uphill, so that might have something to do with it!

I tried to concentrate on the mid foot landing again and it still feels strange, but I didn't ache after R1 and I did wonder whether it was the change of running gait and doing the stretches that were recommended in one of Tinwe's links that helped (I didn't do any stretches after the runs un W1).

Thanks for the Aldi info Tinwe, I'm going there on Wednesday and may well treat myself to some new kit, I think!

I'll aim to do W2R3 on Tuesday evening, or failing that sometime during the day on Wednesday, but I really prefer to go out ont he edge of dark to make it less likely to meet anyone!

Sorry your knee is giving you so much grief Lurking, and that you can get sorted and ease yourself gently back into exercise before too long.

And Redwelly, I think you're absolutely right to go down a gear while you recover fully from your cs, as the pulling is probably your body's way of telling you you're doing too much. Hopefully I'll still be here for another 7 weeks at least, so may see you back again?