More Couch to 5k encouragement!

Love that t-shirt MyGhast! Be wary of W6R1- it has intervals again but it's actually longer than W5R3 and I keep hearing about people who found it much harder than they expected. I found it ok yesterday but I think if I'd not been forewarned I'd have set off too quickly!

I own this t-shirt!
I didn't get out at all last week because - life - but I'm hopeful I can pick up where I left off. Last run was W5R3 and I know W6R1 is gentler then that's!

Thanks @Hopethiswilldo Can bear weight on it today so hoping it's just a strain after all. Definitely taught me to stretch properly. Must admit the stretching's been a bit hit and miss!

@MirandaWest Be thankful you paused it on your walk, I realised mine was paused when I was on my 5 min run. Turns out I had run 9 ! No wonder I was finding it tough.

Hopefully wk4 r2 will feel a little better because of it.

Did week 5 run 1 this morning which almost felt good in some parts (especially when I’d finished).

Thought my warm up walk was a bit long and then realised I’d paused it

Good luck Twilbury. I did W4R2 this morning. I definitely find R2 each week harder than the first run. I keep thinking I must have paused Jo Whiley.

Good morning all

I am about to get ready to start wk4 . Worried about the jump but I am trusting the programme. I have a really busy day today but I am still sitting in pyjamas reading through Mumsnet!

Off to get ready now (honest)

This is me!

Whippet not whipper

Ah, thought she was a grey. I have 2, I’d love to take them running but my husband tried and they were seriously unimpressed!

@Sexnotgender she’s a retriever whipper cross

Thanks sex I’m fine I just feel a bit daft!

My dog is enjoying couch to 5K - I did week 9 run 1 today so getting there

Hope those of you with injuries recover quickly.

Ds and I did week 7 run 1 today - it was a warm one but we did it. Only covered 4.2k in the entire 35 minutes though so I’m not sure we going to hit the 5k mark u less our pace increases significantly!

Not worry, we’re all definitely making progress.

I fell over today so I had to stop half way through the run and walk back. I hit my knee but the grazes seem fairly superficial so I’m hoping it’s just bruised.

@Cmini I had something similar and was out for a good 3 weeks, I don't think that was a tear though, maybe a nasty strain. Am strict now on doing calf stretches before and after runs. It doesn't take much for mine to pull. Really hope yours isn't a tear.

Oh no @Cmini! Hope it’s better soon.

I totally failed W9R2 this morning. Started feeling calf cramp about 1.5k in. By 3k it was agony and had to limp home. It's so painful that I'm having to go up and down stairs on my bum! DH thinks it's torn so probably going to have to rest up for a while. Old me would have been secretly pleased with an excuse not to run but I felt fit and fast today, even when pushing through the pain, and was so geared up for graduating on Tuesday!

W8r1 done. Changed my route and did the opposite way to what I tried last week. Meant that the first 5 mins of running were uphill but the next 23 were a steady downhill. Finished and still had another 15 min walk after the cool down. Total distance covered was 6.5 km but looking at the map I think I might have run about 4km.

Best bit was my Fitbit said I burnt 500 calories.

Can I join in please? Have done couch to 5k a few times before but currently doing it again as I hadn’t run for a while (broke a bone in my ankle in April) and also have been getting heavier during lockdown. Am working on losing weight and also moving more and will be doing week 5 run 1 tomorrow morning

Congratulations @Stopthehop and @HelpMeh !!

@LambChopsMcGee I love your thinking condensing that one down.

I've just done W7R3, my first run in the rain. Cotton joggers are not ideal but overall I think it was better than running in the heat. Feeling ready for W8.

@Polkadotties I'm taking it slow and steady. Most of us were literally where you are only a few weeks ago.

Just playing catch up, well done all the graduates and hello to the newbies😊

I’m back from Skye and regretting not running! I did W7R2 this morning and it was a slog!!

So my news is I managed W5R3, uneventfully apart from nearly tripping over a dog who was trying to sniff my ankles. On to W6R1 tonight - slightly concerned that people say going back to intervals caught them out as I'm quite tired and period started today so not feeling great. Will try to take it steady!

@whenwillthemadnessend I think week 5 is when the work from the previous weeks really starts to pay off, it's a great feeling!

@PrincessWatermelon that's a great time :)

@LambChopsMcGee glad your virtual Mumsnet posse gave you encouragement!

Welcome new starters, great decision! @StillDumDeDumming sorry to hear about your DH, hope he makes a good recovery.

Loving the pictures too, I do love having something nice to look at as I run. I chose a nice new route for W5R3 as a treat - beautiful in the evening light.

I think I am getting fitter steadily though there are always ups and downs and it's easy to lose track of how far we've all come.

@CeciledeVolanges I try to avoid hills even if it does mean doing a bit of looping.

@Twilbury good luck for tomorrow, I think you will surprise yourself!

@Polkadotties I remember feeling that when I first started, now I'm up to 20 minutes and not quite sure how I got here!