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Original poster

Anyone fancy starting couch to 5k on 26/8?

231 replies

SevenReasonsToSmile · 25/08/2013 13:27

I've done virtually no exercise since I left school, I'm now 27 Blush. I weigh over 14 stone and I'm horribly unfit. I have family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, and I've finally realised I drastically need to do something to improve my health and fitness. DH is running his second London marathon next year, and tbh I find it embarrassing that A) I weigh more than him and B) he can run 26 miles, I'd struggle to run 26metres without being breathless.

I'm running in the evenings after DCs have gone to bed, I'll do Monday, Weds/Thurs then again on Saturday. Anyone fancy joining me?

OP posts:
gintastic · 02/09/2013 07:19

Going to start wk2 today :-) fingers crossed for everyone...

FunnyRunner · 01/09/2013 21:26

Prudence :o

Original poster
SevenReasonsToSmile · 01/09/2013 13:38

Thanks all, I'll do run 3 tomorrow then start week 2 on Wednesday, I guess I won't be far behind.

OP posts:
DearPrudence · 01/09/2013 12:24

Well done FunnyRunner and everyone else. I'm just back too - rewarding myself with a cup of coffee and a bit of Mumsnet. Impressed at you running into the wind and on the beach!

So today was W1R3 - found it much easier than last time, back wasn't as sore, the jogging almost looked like jogging (as opposed to the limp/shuffle I was doing before) and I got a bit further along the lane than last time. Week one done!

IWish - my 11 year old runs at a similar pace to me (he needs to get fitter too!) but I can imagine that two little ones would slow you down quite a lot.

FunnyRunner · 01/09/2013 10:54

Morning :) Just back from W1 R3 along the beach with a full gale blowing against me. I actually missed the first run and walk segment because I couldn't hear the bloody app over the wind! Had to add a 60 sec run into my cooldown, just as I thought it was all over, aaaaagggghhh! :o

Neck is a little bit sore, probably partly because I had to hold my phone and look at the screen thanks to noise.

Good luck to other Sunday runners and everyone else - enjoy your rest day :o

DearPrudence · 01/09/2013 10:11

I'm planning to do run 3 later this morning. Really didn't feel like it today, so came on here for inspiration - and it's worked. DS (11) is coming with me.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 31/08/2013 22:01

La La La La La La La!

gintastic · 31/08/2013 21:57

The 20min run at the end of wk5!!! I guess they know what works, but that sounds like a long time to run for after only 5 weeks...

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 31/08/2013 21:40

Good weight loss Seven. I've not weighed myself and I can't say that I've been inspired to eat any more healthily (yet - it might happen sometime!). I think I'd do week 1 run 3, set yourself up well for week 2.

I found run 2 tough, it run 3 ok and have had a peep at what next week has got in store and am not too freaked by it!

FunnyRunner · 31/08/2013 21:36

Seven I looked ahead on app to week 5 and was a bitShock at how quickly you have to progress but I liked the comments on your link page - lots of people saying hang in there if I can do it anyone can! Next run tomorrow.

DramaAlpaca · 31/08/2013 21:00

Well done on your weight loss Seven.

As for W1R3, I think as it was such a struggle I'd do it again on Monday. It may seem like a waste of time, but completing the week will help to build up your stamina & make W2 easier. I would also advise that you always leave at least a day between runs as your muscles need that time to recover. Not leaving a day could be why you struggled with W1R3. It doesn't matter if you take longer than nine weeks to complete the program - lots of people do. Also, it's fine to leave a few days between runs if you need to, it won't affect your progress. Just see it as extra recovery time.

Good luck with your next run.

Original poster
SevenReasonsToSmile · 31/08/2013 20:59

Just found this, it gives the details for each week though I wish I hadn't looked!

OP posts:
Original poster
SevenReasonsToSmile · 31/08/2013 20:50

Sounds like everyone is doing well.

OhOne good to hear how much you've got out of doing C25K, that's very impressive. My DH is running his second London marathon next year, I'd love to be able to join him maybe the year after. Are you running for charity or just for fun?

I found run 2 on weds much easier than run 1. I tried run 3 on Thursday knowing I might be pushing it but it was the only chance I could go again before Monday. I managed half of it then had to give up, my knees were hurting and I had a stitch I just couldn't get rid of. I'm not sure what to do on Monday, whether to start week 2 having only done two runs of week 1, or finish week 1 first. Any advice from those further ahead would be much appreciated.

How is everyone feeling? I've noticed that my energy levels already seem to have improved a little, plus combined with trying to eat much more healthily I've lost 3lbs this week.

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 31/08/2013 19:19

W1 R3 completed this morning. My ds's (5 and 7) wanted to come with me, so I got the podcasts set up on their iPods (shuffles) and off we all went!

My fast walk is a run for them, and they weren't happy that they couldn't keep up so I detoured and dropped them home after run 3! Ds1 is amazed by how fit I am - just wait and see how much fitter I get mate!

On R2, a lad on his bike (about 9) joined me for run 1 and was egging me on (in a nice way) and I told him I was just starting out so not to expect too much! He was out again today and seemed surprised to see me - he kept popping back to see how I was doing!

Today felt much better than R2, and my hips feel far less achey so that's encouraging.

I've not been brave enough to look ahead at what week 2 has in store for us all yet!

DramaAlpaca · 31/08/2013 18:41

FunnyRunner - I found I automatically wanted to eat more healthily as I got more into the running & started noticing changes in my shape. I've reduced portion sizes & cut out evening snacking (my biggest weakness). I've still got a way to go with my weight, but I'm getting there.

Good luck with Run3!

FunnyRunner · 31/08/2013 18:33

Gin that was an impressively early start :)

OhOne / DramaAlpaca thanks for the encouragement. Did you change your diets significantly too?

Run 3 tomorrow for me!

DramaAlpaca · 31/08/2013 16:59

Hi Westmorland good for you on getting started.

You'll probably find your next run is much easier. Lots of people find a bad or difficult run is followed by a good one. I'm another Lakelander (although I live abroad now) so I know about those hills. Just tell yourself that running up them will make you fitter more quickly Grin.

I've also toned up and dropped a dress size since starting C25K about three months ago. I can see the changes in my body shape week to week, and it encourages me to keep going.

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 31/08/2013 14:54

Westmoreland - I've lost a stone since the start of this year, and dropped at least one dress size. I've done a lot of running over the last couple of months and it's really made a difference to my body shape.

WestmorlandSausage · 31/08/2013 11:45

OhOneOhTwoOhThree how much weight did you loose in terms of clothes sizes? I'm not overly bothered about weight as i dont think its going to be that much difference as fat hopefully will turn into heavier muscle, but I really want to drop a clothes size.

WestmorlandSausage · 31/08/2013 11:43

just completed my W1 R2 - wow it was hard. Still can't understand how I managed to do R1 so easily the other day and yet the exact same run is so hard a few days later.

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 31/08/2013 08:43

I just wanted to pop in, wave some pompoms and offer some encouragement.

I started C25K almost three years ago thanks to a MN thread. I got the running bug, and have run 5 half marathons, lots of 5 and 10Ks and am training for a marathon later this year. I was very proud to run the BUPA 10K in London as part of a MN Woolly Hugs team earlier this year.

I've lost weight, toned up, never felt fitter, am far happier and deal with stress far more easily (and don't turn as readily to the wine and chocolate as I used to Grin ). I couldn't have imagined doing any of this before C25K.

Keep going, and I hope you find it as worthwhile as I did!

HaveTeaWillSurvive · 31/08/2013 08:36

Well done Gin

I really enjoyed running early yesterday and found it had the added benefit of, seeing as I spent the rest of the day running around after a 1 yo, meaning i am not stiff at all today Smile

gintastic · 31/08/2013 08:22

W1 R3 done this morning Smile beautiful morning, was so lovely to get out for half an hour and leave DH to do breakfast with the kids.

That would be after he'd recovered from the heart attack induced by the news I was going running at 7.30am...

Am going to my Aunts 60th birthday party this evening so no chance to go tonight, seized the moment!

Lorelai · 31/08/2013 06:50

Sorry that should have read last night, I wrote the post last night then my internet connection went

Lorelai · 31/08/2013 06:49

I finally managed to start tonight, having bought some decent trainers. I found it pretty tough, but do-able. My ankle is hurting though, but that had started before the run. It is the front of my ankle, and it gives me problems from time to time, but I really hope the running isn't going to make it worse.

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