Couch to 5k...it's not about speed (thread no 2)

Went out this morning and decided to repeat a W3 run as was still struggling a bit. I had thought it might be due to my inhaler running low, so wanted to check. Managed every bit of the runs without stopping, AND managed to hold a conversation too! The moral of the story is check you're actually getting anything out of your inhaler! . I think we're going to do another W3 and then move up to W4. 5 minutes running at once!

NB : when I started this a month ago I couldn't even run for 60 seconds, so I know it will come, but 5 whole minutes!?!

Thanks spooky glad to hear your back is feeling better today. I've just got back from a 45-50min run. I did about four miles I was ages from home when I finished my 30 mins so I thought I'll just run to the end of this road and so on, but ended up running all the way home! I think because there was no pressure on me, I had done my run and I could stop when I wanted that I just kept going. I still did my five min warm down walk on very wobbly legs!

I've not looked in on this thread for a while, I'm going to read it and catch up. The slimming world group I go to is doing a 5K event so I'm going to do it! I'm not entirely sure when it is yet, but I'm nervous already.

Did 25 mins today, went to a park and ran round, much easier than country road running! Also not as self conscious as didn't know anyone!

Go dotty I never managed to get for a run yesterday and right now I wish I could say no to more wine not sure I can even lift my head off the pillow plan is once I get home tonight I will go for a run sweat out the alcohol

I prefer to run outside. You do have to pretend that it is completely normal for you to do so, and really people are generally unobservant. It is strange when you are used to drinking more alcohol. I have nearly stopped drinking too. A colleague said to me 'ah, but you're just not ready to be the person that always says: just an orange juice for me'. I completely got it! it would be like a personality change!

Sadly, I couldn't finish the 2nd glass...! My tolerance has taken a nose dive in the last month, which I know is good but is a bit strange....

Yes I want to try and do a run outside but am a bit mortified at the thought of it. Might go round the park for one of the sessions this week.

Am also going to start cycling to work on one or two of my rest days each week - it's 5 miles each way and I used to do it regularly a couple of years ago, but then put on weight and stopped. Aiming to give that a go on Tuesday...!

you've earned it dotty! so does that mean you will be running outside??!! you will love it, honestly.

Make that two glasses of wine...

Ooh moosey that's fantastic!

I'm having a large glass of red which I know isn't sticking to the being-all-healthy plan, but hey, can't be perfect all the time...

Yay - I ran for 25 minutes today. Absolutely unbelievable.

Go Dotty!!!

spooky that's not good - hope it eases up soon - have you got good drugs to help?!

Woohoo! I did it! 20 minutes run

I started off faster than I've run before 'cos I felt really good, but got panicky at about 7 minutes so slowed it down to a more manageable jog and then went a tiny bit quicker at the end when I knew I was going to survive!

Definitely a mental challenge for me running for that length of time. Am going to aim to up my speed in the shorter runs from now on but aim to just get through the long runs for now...

Nice1 lovelidl, u should be proud! I'm having a rest today, after yesterday I need it

How did your 20mins go dotty??

Well done Flashnorman and everyone else! Good luck today Dotty!

Just back from W6R3 - I ran 22 mins without stopping - v.proud

Beautiful morning here which helps and never met a soul which helps even more - still feel self conscious when I come across people when I am running.

I am using MapMyWalk along with the ZenLabs app as it shows distance as well as time. I am (just) managing the 10 min miles.

Dh and I have signed up for a fun run the first Sunday in August so hoping by then I will be ready for the 5k and not embarrass him (too much!).

Have a lovely sunny day and enjoy your runs

P.s Where is the runner??

go Dotty on the 20 min!

interesting on the cycling muscles as the one day I did cycling in between run days was the day where my legs did hurt. cycling is not usually my thing but with hubby and ds training for a 50k race it's an option at the min. I think I might have enough on my plate with the running though!

tanacot that's really interesting! I sadly have no muscles as I drive to work, sit at a computer all day and then drive home . But I have noticed that my calves are getting much more bumpy and the top of my bottom is firmer (it's big enough to have it's own geographical areas ).

smallbee keep going! I'm so impressed you're doing it and have a baby - my youngest is 10 years old and it's taken me this long to have enough energy to attempt it!

Off to the gym to attempt W5R3 - the 20 minute one - later today. Feeling positive and ready to give it a go...

Coming back in to say I might have answered my own question about the leg pain/running too quickly problem and apparently it's not that uncommon so I'll put what I've learnt here for anyone else with the same. (I buttonholed a physio I know, v handy.)

I don't drive so I've always ridden my bike around and have to do a lot of heavy lifting so I'm muscly for a woman, with pretty strong quads from the bike but weak glutes and hams. I also sit down a lot (computer job) and have an anterior pelvic tilt (big sticky-out bum). So I'm unbalanced already.

Running speed is determined by pace (how many steps) and power (how much force against the ground) so faster runners don't necessarily take more steps but stronger steps. My strong quads are putting too much uncontrolled force into the ground which is why I can't slow down and why my legs hurt -- the muscles that I don't really stress cycling or swimming are being creamed trying to keep up. And the answer is to do loads of bum and hip exercises, apparently, which I wouldn't have guessed cause those aren't hurting.

Anyway, just in case that helps anyone.

Yay, well done Flashnorman! 30 minutes running is awesome. How far did it take you, do you know?

Wk9d1 done tonight! Struggling to get my head round the fact I ran for 30mins! It was raining when I went out, not too heavy, but a nice gentle rain & it kept me lovely and cool. I really enjoyed it

W2R2 done! I've been trying to find time this week & finally ran out of excuses. I can feel myself already wanting to quit & I'm feeling it so hard to stay motivated. Even though it's only half an hour out of my day! It's crazy. But at least posting here helps me stay motivated.
I'm away at the weekend for a boozy foody thing, so contemplating a run tomorrow morning or Sunday evening when I get back. Not sure what is best!

I get cramp swimming too! Not had it running yet - probably not going fast enough

that's a fantastic weight loss - congratulations! I'm trying to at least change shape for a wedding I'm going to in September and then our first big holiday abroad in October - would love to look a bit fitter at least - of course will be running 5Ks in 30 minutes by then...