Starting couch to 5K tomorrow morning - anyone want to join?

I’ve been a bit quiet but I’m still running. Finally found the courage to run with a friend yesterday and had a great time. It really helped with the pace trying to chat at the same time, and I was actually proud of myself that I could keep up with them as they have ran for much longer.

Did my usual weekend 5k in about 38 minutes and i’m happy with that.

My aim now is to push to 10k.

For those of you asking about socks, I love the Injinji toe socks. They helped me when I had a toe injury years ago which was worse in the cold, but also prevent toe rubbing during more sweaty summer runs.

Just completed week 5 run 1. The last two runs my shins suffered at the start (different feeling to splints), but I seemed to ease in to it within a few minutes. Very odd. I might repeat this one before I jump to the 2x 8 min runs just to make sure my shins are fully ok with it.

I did Week 5 run 2 this morning. Felt great, again I was dreading it but it went surprisingly quick.

20 mins straight off next time

W3R3 done this morning. Another week done makes me feel good! Really stressful and busy week at work next week, will have to be in the office each day so not sure how I'll fit runs in but really don't want to take a break either. Will have to leave the house at 7 and will get back around 8 and make dinner etc

Really well done @Spirini - I'm hoping to go out tomorrow, so will let you know how it goes

Honestly if you get to 20mins your doing great but why not add 2 minutes walking and then run another 2mins and suddenly you have done an extra 0.5k 😊honestly I feel like giving up all the time at the 2-3k mark but either walk for a minute or push through and get 5k done. I’ve not reached the “it feels easy mark”…yet but I’m thinking of adding on 0.5k to my mid-week runs next week and slowly build back upto 10k again. The mind is a powerful muscle that often holds you back ..

Thursdays 5k took 42mins I then had a 48hr migraine so that explains why it was SO hard my delightful menopausal hormones out of whack, today it took me 35mins. Not as quick as last week & I walked at 2.5k and at 4k mark for 60secs. But got it done 😃

@Furball I did it! I was so glad to stop running at the first 8 minutes because it was the start of a hill. Then the second 8 minutes were ok as I was on a slight downward incline. I even tried to up my pace a bit.

And now 20 minutes without stopping I'm going to have to select a route that's pretty flat otherwise I won't be able to do it.

I can see the logic in reaching a 20 minute goal and leaving it at that. Very sensible and still a great achievement.

@Spirini - it really does doesn't it - but then the day after is 20 mins 😨

I have decided to pause at the 20 mins for maybe forever. The last time I did the 30 it nearly did me in and I never carried it on. So I'm thinking that 20 is fine and doable and if it creeps to more than that then great but if not I'm still getting my steps in and heart rate up.

@Furball we're at exactly the same spot! I'm deliberating doing it tomorrow, my back has been aching and I don't want to overdo it. 8 minutes sounds insanely long doesn't it?

@Winter645Mermaid thank you. I’m finding I really want to do more. My youngest told me I’m bouncy when I come back from a run, definitely feel great and want more of that good mood!

Finally completed week 4 run 3 today after a 12 day hiatus. Weather, business travel and just general busy life stuff stopped me from running. So glad I went out. But slower because I'm away and it's less flat where I am, but it was so nice to be out.

@Gardenerboo if you use the nhs couch to 5k App it suggests 3 runs a week with a rest day between them. But you can do whatever suits your body. I’d add in some strength training on the in between days to reduce injuries- that can just be body weight squats/ planks / lunges / sit ups etc. or using weights.

Hello, are you aiming to run every day? Every other day? Every third day? What’s the guidance?

Can I join you all

I did Week 5 run 1 today - and agree with @balancingfigure - I was dreading it to be fair, but it went fine. Will try for run2 Sunday - 2 x 8 mins - eek

Well week 5 is a bit of a shocker! Runs 1 and 2 have been OK but seems like quite a jump to now run for 20 minutes😯

But I will trust the program and new trainers are definitely helping!

W3R2 for me today. Getting a bit too warm at 14 degrees here ha ha
I did lose weight when I ran regularly before and actually found it had to keep on (!) but only when I was marathon training and running at least an hour 3 times a week with my long run 10 miles or so.
Any distance or time before that I didn't notice any effect on my weight sadly

I’ve never lost weight running but it has kept me from gaining weight. The year I stopped running I gained a stone plus it really tones up my thighs & bum as my leggings get looser. Eating less is the only way I drop any lbs sadly.

Phew 5k dragged out took 42mins nearly 10min longer than my ParkRun on Sat, but I was determined to do the distance even if I mixed it up walk / run / wall jumps/ squats & a mini hill. I was ready to give up 2k mark with legs of sludge but so pleased I kept going. Hopefully that will inspire someone to give the 5k ago as I nearly always want to give up at 2k but when I keep going I get a great tired buzz at the end.

@Winter645Mermaid @minipie those leggings are amazing! Glad you mentioned them again as I'm on the lookout for some nice new ones.

Weight is always an issue! Though mine is coming down slowly! (My walking trousers almost fell down today, which was embarrassing. You could see my underwear, like it was 2005.) And yes, that is it, minipie! I don't exercise to win any races, but because it's an important thing to look after my body and my emotional wellbeing! And that's what I want her to learn.

Winter those leggings look great! Nice that they use more average shaped models too.

Struggled with W6 r2 today. I’m not sure why, maybe as I was out for drinks last night or maybe as I ache from a weights class. Couldn’t complete the second 10 minutes 😕 never mind I will try again another day! 3/4 of a run is better than nothing!

ScottishBeth I find weight loss easier in the summer generally… in the winter I just seem to eat way more food especially after running! Could it be that rather than a difference in the runs? Agree totally about setting an example, I have two DDs and want them to see me doing regular exercise as part of normal life.

I was a runner on and off through my late 20s/early 30s. But haven't been for a few years (I'm nearly 40 now). I have never really succeeded in getting farther than 5k before, but I think I constantly pressured myself to be faster or better. And that caused injuries a lot.

This time round I'm not really intending on getting beyond 5k, and I think I'm more realistic about my potential speed. Plus I've got a daily yoga practice so am hoping that the strength and flexibility I have from that will help reduce injuries.

I mainly started running this time round because my little girl is 18 months old, and I really hope she doesn't have to spend her whole life struggling with exercise, her weight and her body image. I'm hoping she'll see me running as she gets older and maybe want to join me. It is a bonus that I'm enjoying it! I always did enjoy it before though.

@ScottishBeth that's super that you're liking it so much. I can't say I actually like running but I do get a high from it afterwards. Were you a runner before?

Howdy fellow would-be runners.

So I got out again today, W5D1 (I seem to start a new week midweek). 3x5min runs with 3 min walking in between. I definitely could've kept running after the first one but disappointingly I couldn't finish the last 5 minutes because I was on a hill. But! again I misjudged the length of the route so I was finished my cool down a fair distance from my house so I did 3 sets of sprints as well.

Thinking about my weight loss last summer vs now, I was doing it on the treadmill but used to do a couple of sprints as well. I wonder if the sprints is what helped with my weight loss then? I might try to keep up them up. I know I look like a mad lady but I don't care 😂Going to take 2 days off now, next session is two 8 minute runs with 5 minutes walking in between, eek, that'll be tough...

@Winter645Mermaid hope you feel a bit better soon! The good thing about running 3 times a week is that there is a bit of flexibility.

I did W2R2 yesterday and I loved it again. I read the health unlimited article on posture and gait and tried to implement it a bit. I feel like it did make a bit of a difference.

I’ve had running shorts and leggings from these guys that fit my large rear end ok with a zip pocket for my phone. They often do offers elementkarbon.co.uk/

Couldn’t run this morning just way too tired and weary after late night taxi duties for the teenage & then couldn’t sleep, so walked the dog and hope to run tomorrow instead. I do switch my mid-week run between Wed or Thurs so I’m not too fussed. But I do try to stick to a Sat & Mon run.