Starting out on c25k - New Year, new start [title meddled with by MNHQ]

Ran for a total of 13 minutes tonight - in bursts of 2 or 3 mins. Then hit a pothole (first run in the dark) and went down like a one legged donkey. I even had puddle water in my MOUTH! it's a bridle way road so I was black from head to foot :)

Praying I haven't done too much damage and can still run tomorrow - I took the shock on my arm and should've is now complaining. We're less bouncy at forty!!

Found a brilliant running playlist on spotiffy which I downloaded... It definitely helps!
hope everyone else has had more success than me! :D

Well done Thomas!

week 1 run 1 done. Nearly didn't do it as the weather was so bad, but when I got to tour meet up place, it had cleared up, so I was glad I made the effort.

Hi. I am just back from w1r1 tonight. It wasnt as bad as i expected it to be.

I have never ran before so right now 5k seems like the impossible to me but I am determined to do it and if I can lose a few pounds that would be a bonus.

I am using the c25k Zenlabs app. It lets you play your own music and cuts in when it needs to.

Bleugh, run 3 of week 1. The worst of them all.

Please tell me that week 2 is all about sitting in front of the TV.

I think I have to give week 1 a run 4 as I couldn't complete it today. It was torture.

knitknack - I use the Zenlabs one which I believe you can play your own music through though I don't as too busy gabbing with friends :)

I did w1r2 today and still feeling good - going to a stretch class thing on Wednesday so next run planned for Thursday.

Hi all, did w1r2 yesterday. Back to school for me too today but am feeling very up for it too, not all miserable like last term!

V jealous of size 10 jeans, I am currently a 16 going on 18 and dying to get back to a 14.

Will aim to do w1r3 on weds as I am out tomorrow (cricket nets so kind of sporty but not exercise-y!)

Can any one recommend an app that let's you play your own music?

3rd run of week 3 done! (Stopping here at week 3 for a bit I think!!!)

Thanks soontobe and knitknack I probably didn't stretch my muscles last time I tried it. I just relied on the NHS 5 minute warm up of brisk walking before I started.

Hopefully the playing fields won't be too waterlogged for us all to run on tonight, and I'll make sure we all warm up properly.

Hope everyone else gets on well with their runs this week.

I'm in (again)... I completed C25K in the spring, ran a 5k race and then it got too hot to run; I tried again in September but got too busy/bored. Did w2r1 2 on Saturday and realised that I need new trainers and something to keep my ears warm.

Tomasz are you using the NHS app? In week 2 she advises that your heels should always hit the ground first and she CONSTANTLY reminds you to go slow. She says that if someone were running/walking the same path as you but on the other side of a hedge and could only see your head then they shouldn't be able to tell that you are running - your head shouldn't 'bounce' at all.

Sine then I've been working on my heels hitting the ground first which has had an additional effect of slowing me right down!

School today, so I had my usually first day back insomnia. Am determined to go out when I get home however! Wish me luck, this is my real test....

Good luck to those starting this week. :)

Completed W1R3 tonight, onwards and upwards. Felt much better than W1R2. Really want to do this.

Tomasz - you just need to take it easy, Ibuprofen will help with any pain but if you get them properly you are supposed to apply ice and not run.

Here is how to prevent:

To prevent shin splints, you should:

Always wear shoes with good support and padding.
Warm up before working out, making sure to stretch the muscles in your legs.
Stop working out as soon as you feel pain in your shins.
Don't run or play on hard surfaces like concrete.

Hope that helps and obviously the less weight you are carrying it should be less likely that you get them, but even seasoned athletes get them.

Hello can I join you? Started this last year but only managed it to week 3 due to shin splints

Got my friends to start running with me starting tomorrow night at the local playing fields.

Can I just ask for any tips to avoid shin splints? And, if you do get it are you supposed to work through it or take it that your body is telling you to take it easy?

Just a bit of extra information - im massively overweight. 5'2" and 14st 5lbs. Is it because I'm so overweight??

Still impressive

You have reminded me to take some before measurements

Celia - thank you! Don't be too jealous though, I put ALL my weight on my tummy so can still squeeze into relatively small bottoms even when I'm a couple of stone over where I should be... The bit above ain't pretty though!! I made dh take some 'before' pics and they've certainly helped get me out if the door too :D (although not as much as how much in enjoy doing it with the kids, that's the best bit!)

Starlight I think your plan sounds excellent - I might do something similar.

I'm a 'little' lighter too, though just done 2 runs.

I think the effort of it kind of makes you watch what you eat a little more carefully, though I haven't dieted and still had my chicken and mushroom pasta with cream and wine yesterday with another wine on top. I did however refrain from a left over piece of chocolate log the day before and a mince pie yesterday and I am careful not to pick.

Well done Celia.

I'm going to try and run every other day rather than 3 times a week because if I go two days that will be the end. However I think I', also going to give each week 4 goes rather than just 3. I want to give myself half a chance of getting through the first run of the following week and hopefully being able to do a run 4 without feeling miserable will boost my confidence. I run LATE at night so mostly it doesn't have to be on the same days each week.

We did week 3 run two today - was much easier. Still can't believe I've actually run for 3 minutes without keeling over. Can't believe either that we've all got out there, in hail, rain, wind and sun for NINE days in a row ( previous running attempts have lasted ONE DAY).

School starts tomorrow, so this is my big fear, that we won't keep it up - I'll stay on thread to make sure that doesn't happen. Hope my 41 year old knees can keep up :)

Good news is I'm wearing an old pair of size 10 jeans (and baggy top to hide overspill haha) so it's clearly working ( have cut out sugar and grains). I'm 7lbs down now. Hoping that will steady out to losing 1lb a week which would be ideal.

Biggest change though is my change in mood - I'm much more 'up for things' than I was! This is what i need to make term time easier, esp with the run up to exams (only a term away, eek). Last year was horrible grieving for my dad (my mum died when I was younger) and setting up a new GCSE course so I've PROMISED myself that this year will be better and so far it's working!!

Yes! There's an H&M in Bury! Lots of sports shops in fact :)

I'm using the NHS one. It took me my whole brain to get it on my phone so I'll try and stick with that one for now.

I wanted to kill Laura though coz she tells you what you need to do with just a few seconds notice. Fine if you're about to start running. Not fine it is to have a snack, preferably a banana when you have no food in.

I started this last Easter and did the first 4 weeks but then gave up / got bored with it. I'm determined to try again though.

I know what you mean about running fitness being different to other fitness. I could easilywalk 15 miles or 20 miles, or snowboard all day, or climb a mountain, but struggle to run the length of a football pitch.

Which apps are you using? Can you suggest any android apps?

I started this last Easter and did the first 4 weeks but then gave up / got bored with it. I'm determined to try again though.

I know what you mean about running fitness being different to other fitness. I could easilywalk 15 miles or 20 miles, or snowboard all day, or climb a mountain, but struggle to run the length of a football pitch.

Which apps are you using? Can you suggest any android apps?

I'm in a grumpy mood so I'll just do all my whinging now.

The music was fine the first time. Why can't they put different music on for the second week 1 run, and PLEASE don't tell me it doesn't change by week 2.

zipzap - the NHS ones music is dire! I don't have music now cos I go with friends and we just gab to each other as we go - I have it on the ipod and just carry it in my hand and watch the timer. Not sure which app I'm using other than it is free :o