Couch to 5k- Cage your inner chimp and get started!

Evening!
Well I didn't get a chance to sort out any new gym kit on the way home but I did go & do my W1R2! (Polishes halo)

I did find bits of it a bit tough, was a sweaty mess again & when I picked DD up from nursery she asked if I'd been swimming!

Those of you who have had analysis on the treadmill at a proper run shop- how long did u actually have to run for- bearing in mind my one minute at the mo!

I can totally recommends the Freya sports bra for large of nork - it's soft but v supportive! Not massively attractive- I wouldn't wear mine alone as it looks a bit scaffoldy but it does the job perfectly.

watchingout thanks. I know a good physio, I should give it a try - although the thought of spending £40+ doesn't fill me with joy! I think my running shoes should be OK - I had my gait analysed and (hopefully) bought appropriate shoes. They didn't mention anything about my running style, though. Maybe it's my body going into shock at all this exercise .

MsV Can you get a sports massage or some physio on your calf? I did the same and it worked wonders

Are your trainers supportive enough? If you can get gait analysis done somewhere, they might give you tips on your running style. I was told (and shown) that I didn't pick my feet up enough. And STRETCH LOTS!!

I'm starting on Week 4 tomorrow. Minifingers I also feel better when I low-carb but have not got myself organised at the moment . Must do some meal planning! I had a Pret salmon and edamame pot for breakfast this morning after my run, which is better than a croissant, anyway.

I splashed out a bit - I got it all from Runnersneed because I wanted to try stuff on first, and wanted to go on the treadmill in new shoes so the sales assistant could check that I wasn't going over on my instep. I bought Brooks running shoes again but have gone up half a size as my last pair squashed my toes a little bit towards the end of longer runs. Also I didn't know what size bra I needed (sports bras are completely different size-wise from my usual Bravissimo jobs) so I wanted to be able to try on the bras. So I bought a spenny Nike one

Normally though I buy cheapo stuff from Sports Direct - they are fine for most things as long as you know what size you are.

I was on the last thread, got as far as W2R3 when I pulled a muscle in my calf. It felt fine 3 days later so went for W3R1 but it went again, 15 mins in. A week later, it's still not recovered. Also, my knees (which have never been particularly good) have started aching, and kneeling down on a hard surface is impossible.

Do I just have to accept I'm not cut out for running ?

Scarecrow If you do the NHS ones, just avoid stamina for a while. The other 2 are OK, but would suggest stepping stones first (speed is a bit shorter tho)

welcome IWish The more the merrier!
I graduated a.few.weeks.ago and didy first park run ten days ago, coming 497th or something!!
Lots of great advice, motivation.and laughs here.

Talking of which finding motivation harder: I want to run mornings but dh back to term time (works at uni) so starting v early again and I'm.so knackered by kids' bedtime and seem ro have so much to.do. So need to download next steps podcasts. Can people remind.me what arw good ones?

Thank you both. Luckily sports bra still fits bit I can pop into both Tesco & sports direct after work tomorrow

I go to Sports Direct, and get last years end of line stuff at supermarket prices.
I have splashed out on a sports bra tho.

lizard, supermarket fitness gear is great until you find out what you like to wear or feel like splashing out for fancy stuff which is overpriced from a sports shop

I love this thread! Ooh original can I ask where you got your new kit from?

In my mad dash to get run one started yesterday I went off in the oldest (but still fairly good) leggings/ trousers, trainers that I literally had to brush the dust off & I think my feet may have grown and one of DH's t-shirts. Need some bits that are a bit nicer but will fit my plus sized frame- stuff that whisks the sweat away would be good too...

Mini, can you suggest some good comedy podcast? I love bbc's Friday night comedy - can you recommend anything similar? Thanks!

Meant to add, I listen to comedy or a factual programme on Radio 4 while I'm running instead of music. A bit odd probably. Today I was listening to Jeremy Hardy and laughing like a jackal all the way around the round the park. That really got the endorphins going I can tell you. I was in such a good mood by the time I'd finished the run.

Hi all.

Well, just started week two, and surprised myself by managing the 90 second runs...... (though it was a bit cheaty for me that I chose to go to a park with a paved track, and not the very grassy, up and downy park I've been to for my other runs. The advice on the other thread to 'trust the programme' was spot on.

Also bought myself a sports bra in Tesco - an absolute abomination in terms of style, but actually really effective for keeping my 36F's in check and about as comfortable as a sports bra is ever going to be. Super cheap at £6.

I'm low carbing by the way, and what with that and the running have now lost nearly 5lbs in 2 weeks. Really feel so, so much better when I low carb, it's quite remarkable.

I am really liking this thread - thank you for the welcome, everyone

Have just been out and bought new running shoes, running bra and socks. Might even have to run home from work, so excited am I by this (I do have some slightly whiffy shorts in my desk drawer

Hi all.

Can I join you?

I did week 4 run 3 yesterday and will start week 5 tomorrow evening.

I have to say that the end of week 5 looks scary, but I've surprised myself getting this far so we'll see how it goes!

no pony tail - had two bunches today (hair too short for a ponytail)

must have looked like some weird sweaty woman-child, but i care not

i is getting fitter

i'm trying to convince DH he needs a headtorch so he can run after work not so i can use it, oh no, i mean i can go during the day and wouldn't think of going out late evening just so i can wear another bit of running kit

DawnDonna - I had a crap week 4 too, but then the endorphins finally kicked in at week 5. I agree with nextphase and cinnamon - we all have bad runs and you'll be better next time. Can you do the next one outside? I tend to change routes if the previous one doesn't go right although that may be difficult if you have a sleeping baby in the next room.. maybe change your music?

Yarns - Oo Hair up - you must be a proper runner! Do you have a swingy ponytail? I can't get my head into TMs either. Scarey. I think having the right kit def improves your mental attitude. My first runs were done in my dog-walking trainers, with a pair of heavyish yoga pants and a golf shirt...

I also have to get two tracking apps going and a podcast before I leave the gate...

Cinnamon that headtorch idea might be a plan - still couldn't get the chimp off my (dark) pillow this morning so maybe I need to dazzle him with my enthusiasm! The alarm went off and I managed to set off my running playlist instead of hitting Snooze.. DH got serenaded by Hot Chocolate "You sexy thing"...

I'm planning on a lake run after work (gotta be flat right?)

Thank you folks!
I guess I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, AS son started uni on Friday, organised dh a surprise birthday do on Saturday and put on a couple of pounds which I really don't need. However, between you and dh I can see that I'm just being a bit daft, I couldn't have run for five minutes four weeks ago and I did, albeit only once, but I did and that's an achievement. Thank you Cinnamon, Ripping (yes, I've seen you over on SN boards) and Next. I shall pull up my proverbial socks!

Dawndonna (we've met on the SN boards, yes?)

i had to go on a treadmill for the 1st time in my life at the weekend, i absolutely fucking hated it, the nerves i got were unreal, i was flushed, sweating, couldn't speak properly and that was to have a fricking gait analysis done so only ran for about 10 seconds at a time, it was horrible. there is no way i could do a running programme on that at all. but get me outside and it's so different - is this a possibility for you?

next yes, sorry, wrong turn of phrase, i warmed up and stretched

feeling pretty pleased with myself tbh, instead of stopping some of the runs early, i felt able to carry on, even though Laura said not to

Donna Please don't get disheartened. You've got 2 more goes to lick week 4 before its classed as a tempory blip- and you've already done the majority of it jogging. I graduated several monrths ago, and still havn't done a 30m 5km. I can however run for the 35 mins it takes me to cover 5km. I think lots of us who wern't big runners back in the depths of time don't cover 5km at graduation.
Your still getting off the couch, beeting the chimp into submission, and doing something, which is massivly more than everyone watchign eastenders eating crisps.

Go Yarns although I heard said you shouldn't stretch cold muscles - you should warm up before stretching - like bluetac doesn't stretch well when cold, it snaps. Might be worth an investigation?

right, boob-scoffolding in place

hair up

NEW runners

pod cast a-go-go

legs all better, stretching done

w1d1 revisisted - here we go!