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Original poster

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

690 replies

workatemylife · 30/07/2013 10:39

I have not run for YEARS. In the last 18 months I have lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise (walking), and, it would appear, breastfeeding. But I'm back at work, LO isn't drinking me dry any more, my diet is not all that it could be, and the weight is sneaking back on. I don't have the opportunity for long buggy walks with a gurgling baby to toddler groups and playparks, but I do try to cycle to work to get a bit of exercise, although probably not enough. A couple of friends do Park Run eack weekend and I'd love to join them, but at the moment I suspect it would be Park Huff and Puff before Collapsing rather than actually a RUN Blush.

I'm planning to start a C25K plan on Monday next week, and would love some (virtual) run buddies until I feel brave / fit enough to run with real people as well. I've seen some positive comments about the plan on here, although I think I'm still a little Hmm about whether it is possible to progress like that through the weeks and actually get as far as a 5K. Still nothing ventured nothing gained.

I have running shoes somewhere at the back of the wardrobe, but might need to invest in some suitable clothing, and have a weekend of overindulgence lined up. So Monday is the day I think. First Monday of the month, and counting. I'll put a big ring around a late Sept Park Run on the calendar and start counting.....

Anyone care to join me?

OP posts:
MyDaydream · 11/08/2013 11:30

I hate being seen running but it wasn't so bad at Parkrun, the people around me were obviously just starting out too so I felt comfortable. I was bright red for quite a while after finishing, but everyone else was too and it faded before I'd left the park.

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 23:50

My Daydream - having read about Park Run now I'm even more impressed! Being seen running is my dread, not helped by my FILs comments (up thread) Hmm

MyDaydream · 10/08/2013 21:46

Park Run is a big weekly 5k event that happens in parks all over the country. It was really good, loads of people there to cheer you on and keep you motivated.

redwellybluewelly · 10/08/2013 21:22

MyDaydream we've a parkrun not too far from us, I'm iintending on having a go at the end of week 4.

No I didn't get out but have all my gear ready and music loaded to phone

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 19:38

You're one run ahead of me Dotty, I'll be really curious to know how you find W3. Seems big jumps from week 2>

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 19:36

Did you get out Welly?

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 19:36

Well done My, would have been easy to wait another day. What is Park Run though?

MyDaydream · 10/08/2013 14:54

I did Park Run today, which I was going to do as W1R1 but left my headphones as home so had to freestyle it with just running when i had breath and fast walking to Get it back. I really recommend it to anyone who has one in their area, it felt amazing to be cheered so much while running. I wasn't going to go to one until I was further along the programme and faster but I think it's going to motivate me now because I've got a time to keep beating. I did it in 45 minutes, towards the end I was only running the downhill bits but I did it!

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 13:29

Thanks Red Smile

redwellybluewelly · 10/08/2013 11:00

Well done tinwe

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 09:48

Done it. Felt tough today as I felt rough before hand, think it's TOTM soon.

Tinwe · 10/08/2013 09:11

Just about to go out now... W2R2 Smile

redwellybluewelly · 10/08/2013 08:34

I'd like to get out today if possible but baby welly is being a bit of a pickle this morning so we're still in bed. Plus I need to get some music loaded onto my phone - I've downloaded map my run and also the zombie version of C25k.

dottypyjamas · 10/08/2013 08:02

Just back from w2r3 and actually really enjoyed it (apart from the bit where a massive dog ran at me barking ), ran along the river and it was just me and a couple of other runners (and dog walkers obv!), just lovely Smile. Concentrated on gait and leading with my knees - felt a lot better and like my legs were actually attached to the rest of me IYKWIM, so a lot smoother.

A bit nervous about week 3 mind but will trust the programme!anyone done w3r1?how was it in comparison to w2?

Good luck forty, sure you'll be great!

Anyone else out today?

FortyFacedFuckers · 09/08/2013 23:59

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement. I am actually looking forward to getting out and giving it another try tomorrow. I'll let you all know how it goes.

MyDaydream · 09/08/2013 21:08

Red, that's what I paid for mine a few years ago but they're worth every penny.

Tinwe · 09/08/2013 20:51

Laura that is, not Work (sorry I forgot it was you posted earlier)!

Tinwe · 09/08/2013 20:46

Well I've posted twice now and it's eaten them so I'm not posting much this time Hmm

Just wanted to add another link in response to the poster who commented on Laura recommending a heel strike.

here

I think she's a bit old fashioned as mid/fore foot strike is recommended by latest research as the new "barefoot" shoes show.

redwellybluewelly · 09/08/2013 20:40

This was £35! I nearly fainted!

redwellybluewelly · 09/08/2013 20:39

OscarWilde I was also wondering about the wisdom of running on pavements straight away - we've a big green space near us so I might start out there.

MyDaydream · 09/08/2013 20:35

Haha redwelly, when I was a student and much fitter and richer than I am now I paid £20 extra for the shock absorber bra in pink. They had the black one in the sale but I wanted the bright one. I love OTT bright gym kit even if people don't get to see it.
I'm writing off this week as a fail and counting tomorrow as W1R1.

redwellybluewelly · 09/08/2013 20:29

Well I went out and bought my bra today ladies. I got a shockabsorber runners no bounce. Only downside is that it is shocking pink!

DH doesn't really believe that I'll get out for a run over the weekend. Have to prove him wrong.

Feeling inspired by comments about graduating from the scheme Smile

oscarwilde · 09/08/2013 16:49

Did my first run out on the local pavements, moved to a grassy park for the second and just ran laps/lengths. Joints are much happier. Figure I will do this until the runs get a bit longer and hopefully my supporting knee muscles are a bit stronger. Need to do some squats though.
W1R3 tonight (or maybe tomorrow as I have a shocking blister on my heel that hurts)

Original poster
workatemylife · 09/08/2013 11:57

Good morning running ladies! I've just been recovering from my efforts today by looking over some recent posts and those useful sounding links from Tinwe. Thank you so much for the encouragment berry. For those of us starting out, all the success stories are great to hear.

I just used a mapping website to see if I could work out the distance covered today. Apparently I covered about 2.5 miles (including the five minutes of walking on either end of the 20 minutes of run / walk), which seems like a lot given the lack of speed at which I was moving. Quite encouraging though.

I was being told by lovely Laura from the NHS podcast that it was important to land on the heel of the foot first to avoid injury and I was trying to do this today, possibly to comic effect (remember the Ministry of Funny Walks?). But the 'running gait' link suggests that we should run on the ball of the foot. Well, actually it says that 'elite' athletes do that. I might be exaggerating the scale of my progress in the last week or so Grin

I've read the Alexander technique site too. I might try the tip about lengthening stride by leading with the knee rather than the foot. I think I probably do the foot thing, which may not be helping.

Either way, I love the fact that I'm planning my next run. I hope I can keep up the willpower. I'm might even download week 3 to my mp3 player in eager anticipation so that it is there when I complete week 2.

OP posts:
ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 09/08/2013 11:16

Good stuff Tinwe. I especially liked the gait stuff also.
I'm quite a fan of Alexander Technique; some useful hints here.