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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Couch to 5k- fantastic plan that works for all!

995 replies

cinnamongreyhound · 04/02/2014 12:57

Come and join us for support, advice and a gentle butt kicked when needed!

From starting out to those of us who started 2 years ago, and everyone in between!

OP posts:
Moleyjay · 23/06/2014 23:07

Trainers are ok I think?! Haven't had gait analysis though. Maybe something to try?

ChameleonCircuit · 23/06/2014 22:45

Moleyjay well done on your run. Have you had a gait analysis and got appropriate trainers?

Moleyjay · 23/06/2014 22:43

Hello, I've just completed week3 r2 and I'm doing ok but after the run ( and slightly during run) I get pains in my shins. Any advice on anything I can do to prevent/ help this?

Minstrelsaremarvellous · 23/06/2014 21:27

Hey smallbee, good effort plus buggy! Dotty, did you get out? I've just done W7R2 and I'm still plodding on. My work skirts fit better, I'm getting a gap between my thighs and I fessed up to my friends on Saturday night when pissed, that I'm running!

SmallBee · 23/06/2014 21:04

ThanksSmile I think it had it's plus points though, I had to be careful not to lean on it to much!

addictedtosugar · 23/06/2014 19:46

dizzy
personally, with a target of 5km in August, I'd do a mixture of 30 mins, and get as far as you can, and increasing the distance slowly over time in a longer, slower run once a week.
So, if your on about 3km, do 1-2 runs of 30 mins, and maybe a 4km run each week. Then move to 30 mins or 4.5 km etc.
I log stuff on mapmyrun, which when I managed the 5km in 30 mins, told me I was in the fastest 25% (of ladies, and poss my age - mid 30s). I think C25K is pretty catchy, but not actually realistic of what most people can achieve.

smallbee with a buggy, thats very, very impressive. Well done!

DottyDot · 23/06/2014 18:50

smallbee did you do it with the buggy - because I'm hugely impressed by that - it must make it harder so you get double brownie points..!

I haven't been able to go to the gym tonight which is OK cos it's officially a rest day - I just like to kick things off on a Monday. But I'm at home tomorrow so will go in the morning to attempt W4R1.

SmallBee · 23/06/2014 17:12

Phew! W1R1 complete.
Thanks Ink for the positive words this morning, they kept me going. Now I've just got to do all of the rest of them!
How did everyone else's runs go today?

dizzyday07 · 23/06/2014 13:50

W8R1 for me last night (28 mins).

I think I need to rename the programme Couch to 3k as that's all I can cover in 30 mins! I know that it's a great achievement for me to be able to run for that long but I am entered for a 5k colour run at the end of August and the distance is going to be a big step up Hmm

Can I ask you experienced runners - once week 9 if over, should I just keep to the 30 mins and hope eventually that my fitness will improve and I can go faster and cover more ground, or should I be upping the time run too Confused

PlushSuppie · 23/06/2014 10:57

Ooh well done addicted can't wait till I'm running 5k
I managed W6 run1 today it was strange as it felt like a step back but it also felt just enough for me aswell.
I listened to what was coming up for my next run and it was playing at double speed! Hope its back to normal for tomorrow!

DottyDot · 23/06/2014 10:29

I've mentioned it on facebook so I guess I've told most people I know Grin. I usually give up too on stuff like this but am really trying to think differently - and am enjoying it at the moment, so am trying to imagine what it'll be like when I can run for 30 minutes and do a Parkrun - that's what's keeping me going...

That and the fact that I can definitely see a difference in my body - still haven't weighed myself as I tend to get a bit obsessed with each tiny weight loss/gain, so am going by my clothes, which are getting easier to get into, thankfully...

Going to do W4R1 tonight as I take ds1 to cricket and have 90 mins to fill, so might as well give it a go .

Inkspellme · 23/06/2014 09:42

other than my dd - who is 16 - whom I am doing it with and my dh and 11 year old ds I haven't told anyone either IRL either. I think I might just carry on and then do a 5k race at the end of August or so with my dd. Think I will be ready to tell people then. maybe because I can say I run then.

SmallBee · 23/06/2014 09:28

Thank you :) I haven't told anyone IRL I'm doing it as I always give these things up, so I'm glad I've got this thread for support.

Inkspellme · 23/06/2014 09:16

then go for it smallbee! you will feel better about yourself doing something than nothing - thats what I've found.

SmallBee · 23/06/2014 09:12

It's an uppababy vista, so some big chunky wheels. I'll be running with her on an old bike track that we do lots of walks on so at least I'm familiar with the buggy on that terrain! (It's also well hidden so no one can see me huffing & puffing!)

Inkspellme · 23/06/2014 08:56

smallbee what kind of buggy is it? If it is anything with decent enough wheels I reckon you could give it a go!

SmallBee · 23/06/2014 08:49

Hello!
I'm about to start week one this afternoon. The only way I can do it is to take DD with me in her buggy, has anyone else done this? If so I'd love some tips.

I have zero stamina, flabby arms & thighs that get upset if separated so something has to change!

addictedtosugar · 23/06/2014 07:41

PlushSuppie Many people seem to find week 6 harder than expected after running for 20 mins in week 5.
I always find the first 5 mins harder, so maybe thats why the walking in week 6 makes it harder - its like starting several times.

On the plus side, a year after starting C25K, I've run 5km in under 30 mins. A whole 10 seconds under..... Smile Think it will be a while before I do that again tho - it was tough.

Inkspellme · 23/06/2014 07:03

w4 r1 done! not half as bad as I expected (I seem to say that every time -you would think I would learn by now)

PlushSuppie · 22/06/2014 21:41

So I'm going to do W6 run1 tomorrow any tips?
I've accidentally squashed 5 weeks into 3 weeks due to some weeks deleting itself after one run so I'm hoping I'll cope tomorrow.
I love the fact that my exercise for the day is done by about 9.15.

rockybalboa · 22/06/2014 20:29

Hello!! waves I've just finished Week 2. Really hard one tonight after too much wine last night! It's funny how each run varies so much within the week depending how I'm feeling. I'm not looking forward to Week 3, the prospect of running for 3 whole minutes is alarming me! However I must lose this baby weight and I'm hoping this will help.

DottyDot · 22/06/2014 17:22

Woo! W3R3 done Grin and unlike last week, I feel ready for week 4 - which has probably doomed it - but roll on Tuesday, I can do it...

I also did an extra couple of short runs at the end of the session today, because it's only about 23 minutes so I did 2 more x 2 minutes with walking in between to get to 30 mins - I'm also much better towards the end of a session than at the beginning - completely psychological for me I think!

High point of the day - struggling getting back into smaller jeans I haven't worn for almost 2 years (I have a wide variety of sizes in the wardrobe Grin). Low point - discovering chocolate covered ricecakes are 84 calories! I was assuming they were way less than that and ate 4 yesterday.... Ahem. Blush

Ah well - hopefully have run them off today Smile

Whatsthatnoise · 22/06/2014 15:54

I bought her a new skirt at asda to make up for it Grin she's away out with her favourite aunt and I am self medicating with wine.
I always find the second half of a run easier too think it's a pace thing and possibly the incline of the path Smile

spookyskeleton · 22/06/2014 15:35

chameleon I don't know but my running friends always say the first 10 minutes of a run are hell and then it improves although I generally struggle with my breathing most of the time I am running!

My ankles are hurting today Sad hope they improve by tomorrow!

ChameleonCircuit · 22/06/2014 15:33

Wow! I did W2R3 this morning and I've been like the Duracell bunny ever since! Grin

One question for the ol' pros, if possible - the first couple of 90 second runs, I'm gasping and really struggle to get my breath back, but for the other four, I'm managing ok. We even did an extra 90 second burst after she'd said to cool down. So how come I'm in such trouble to start with, but doing ok in the latter part? Is there an obvious reason or am I just weird?