Starting Couch to 5k next week ( 17th May) and looking for company :)

Rugbylovingmum - glad you are underway! Don't beat yourself up about the slow start, life does seriously get in the way sometimes.

lisasimpson - if you could have heard me six weeks ago I was saying exactly the same thing. I was a complete exercise-dodger and was so amazed when I first managed 60 seconds, but last Friday I did 20 minutes. It works, really! Honestly, give it a go, you've got nothing to lose, and there's loads of support on here.

Thanks everyone for your support after my "blip" on Sunday. I think there might be some truth your suggestion, littlebluepills that I might have been a little dehydrated. I usually down some water beforehand, but I can't remember doing that on Sunday, and it was HOT.

Back on the wagon this morning, thank goodness, did wk6 run 2, which was two ten-minute runs with a small walk in the middle. I need to lengthen my circular route as I arrived back home before the last run finished (oops). Gearing up for the next biggie on Thursday, but Robert tells me it should get easier from now on.

Looking forward to hearing all your updates!

so am I the only one who would like to try this but don't even think I could manage 1 minute?

Hurray, finished week 1 run 1 and going to do run 2 on Thursday. It was hard going in the heat but I feel great for having done it .

Hi all,

well I had a terrible start to the running program - I managed the first run but then DP was away so I had to do the second run around our tiny garden and then DD and I both came down with a horrible cold so I didn't manage to do any of the runs after that. Last week I started back at work and have been so exhausted (combination of the cold, DD up all night, feeling all emotional at leaving DD at nursery and trying to catch up on everything I've missed at work in the evenings) that I haven't done any more runs. I'm really disappointed but also trying to be realistic - it was just bad timing the way everything happened at once but I can get stuck in to the running now.

Anyway the upshot is that I'm starting the program over again and I am heading out to do run 1 tonight. Fingers crossed it all goes better this time!

notanidea - how are the new trainers?

the nextmrsdepp - one bad run is nothing compared to everything you have achieved over the past few weeks. Just keep going!

littlebluepills - sorry you can't run for a little while but it's great you have been able to get out and cycle. I took DD to nursery on my bike this morning then cycled to work. I'd forgotten how much fun cycling is and so much quicker than my usual walk to work.

FiByTheIcySea - congrats on getting through the 90sec bursts!

mrsdepp - sorry you had abad day.I dont think you have fallen off the programme.I have all the confidence that you will be fine next time.
I have got new shoes. Did manage to go to a running specialist shop and they assessed my gait.will report back regarding it.

good littleblepills that you managed to go for a ride.Just recovering from my night shifs. Have to see when I can run this week

mrsdepp sorry you had a bad day - were you properly hydrated? that can make a huge difference. I expect that most of your energy was taken up trying not to stab shout at your DH

I've just been for a 5 mile bike ride which went quite well so at least I'm out and about - not as good as running but I did enjoy it more than I expected

nextmrsdepp don't feel bad i'm not surprised you weren't able to concentrate. After my 1st of wk 2 tonight I can totally agree with mood/will affecting performance. Glad to hear you and your dh are speaking again.. maybe just think of this last one as a practice for the real one?

Well, sorry to say I had my first "failure" this morning - after the triumph of last week, too. Had a huge row with dh last night which culminated with him sleeping on the sofa; didn't get out until 10.30am, when it was really hotting up, felt really lacking in energy, just didn't have my mojo. I managed the 5 minute and the 8 minute runs, but didn't have enough in the tank to complete the last 5 minute run. Walked home feeling really miserable. It just goes to show how much this thing is linked to confidence; I found I just couldn't run while pissed off and unhappy! Of course, now I'm really annoyed I've fallen off the programme. Grrr.

I'm sure it will be fine next time; me and dh are speaking again at least!

Glad you are still sticking with it, all of you. Best of luck Fi for the rest of week 2.

oh me oh my how come running in bursts of 90 seconds is sooo much harder than bursts of 60?!! but I managed it with sheer determination :-)

Bad news littlebluepills, what a pain. I too am studying your list of shin-splint causes - I can certainly strike off running too much too soon! And the hills, fortunately.

As for the stretches, personally I don't do anything apart from the "brisk 5 minute warm-up walk". But when I walk I try to do it in a stretchy kind of way, if you see what I mean. But I'm amazed I haven't really been very stiff or had any aches and pains.

Just downloaded my next week's podcast and noticed that I'm back to 8-10 minutes for the next two runs. Robert was just toying with me last week!!

Might go out tomorrow, but a little concerned about heatstroke!!!

oh no littlebluepills two weeks! but at least it's not forever even though i'm sure the next two weeks will feel like it! going to make sure I behave after reading your list of causes so I can hopefully avoid them.

Woo hooo!!!! (for Fi doing her first week)

notanidea have fun shoe shopping - it makes such a difference

So I went to see the sports physio this morning......

and I do have shin splints - so I have lots of exercises to do and no running at all for at least another two weeks

however she has said that I can go swimming or cycling (dull dull dull) so I may have to dust off the bike later

basically she said the causes/risk factors are:

• tight achilles tendon
• not stretching properly before
• running too much too soon (got told off for doing more than the 30 mins)
• running up and down hills (we did agree that this was totally unavoidable in this area)
• not having proper running shoes

so by the time I get back running I should be on the same timescales as shinyandnew so at least I will still have company on here

nextmrsdepp mine is also stunned.. when i casually dropped into a conversation that I was thinking of doing the couch to5k he was so taken aback he swerved while driving.. luckily we didn't crash or hit anything but looking back I maybe should have waited until we all got out of the car 1st

Wow, well done on the first week, Fi - great that you can already feel an improvement! Week 2 will be a breeze - you just wait.

Glad you've sorted the trouser problem - I have a great pair of capris now too - it somehow makes you feel fitter if you are wearing nice sporty clothes (daft really).

It makes such a difference that your dh is supportive - mine is stunned, quite frankly (after 15 years with a couch potato)!

Anyway, feeling a little "jaded" now after my early start......have a lovely weekend everyone!

yay i've done my 1st week!! I can see and feel some improvements in my body already.. upper thighs are a bit less wobbly and i found the 60sec bursts not as long as they felt at the beginning of the week
dh most impressed with me despite him having to go slower than his normal pace to run with me
notanidea the £10 capris were great! V comfy, didn't slip or fall down at all. good length too.. long enough to hide my knees but not so long to make me totally overheat in our warm evenings atm. glad i bought 2 pairs now
right off for a bath.. anyone else make it out?

Fi report back regarding your capri. My ankle aches a bit-- may be time for a visit to local centre which measures and advices on shoes.I want the gel shoes...............

should have refreshed before posting. nextmrsdepp 20mins!!!! absolutely awesome & getting up so early to do it too mucho respecto bet you're still dancing!

ran out of time earlier and wanted to say wow nextmrsdepp half a stone lol!!! at the teenage guitar band tuning up with the tv on.. it does indeed sound dreadful!
dh wants to come out with me tonight so organised my mum to come 'babysit' the dc's when she's free later. just got to wait until 8.30ish and i'm off for final run of my 1st week! I popped into sports direct this afternoon and got some black capris style running lycra n something leggings USA PRO with 70% off. bargain at £10 as long as they don't fall down.. with the high lycra content i think they'll be ok.

OMG! Pinch me! Did I just run for 20 minutes this morning, or did I just run for 20 minutes??!! I am SO pleased I managed it! I had to set off at 5.30am, but at least it was nice and cool, with not too many people about to witness me puffing and blowing up the street. I had a few moments where I thought I might flake, particularly in the last couple of minutes (come ON, Robert, tell me it's over!!), but I kept going, then danced about in the street whooping like a loony when I finally made it.

Whoever designed this programme must know what they're doing - if you take each day as it comes you can achieve great things, I think!

notanidea - yes, I have lost half a stone, but I've been low-carbing too (no spuds, bread, pasta, sugar etc) and that has made a massive difference to the old muffin-top. Night shifts must be hard to work around??

Keep running all of you!

littlebluepills my bra is doing a fantastic job keeping my boobs from jiggling all over the place and I LOVE the gel shoes they are so squishy inside they feel great from the moment i put them on i have one small hitch.. my trackie bottoms keep slipping down though so this afternoon i'm off to buy something that doesn't! must be V frustrating to not be able to run how you'd like but V sensible to do as you're told for the moment!
will back on after next run tonight :-)

Just finished the last run of week 3. I am doing night shifts this weekend. I will have to do the next week next tuesday or wednesday.

Do you really loose half a stone in 4-5 weeks.Well done next Mrs Depp.
I think I have lost a bit on the waist.

notanidea - week 4 isn't too bad versus week 3, actually. But some of the music on the podcast is dreadful - listen out for the last track which sounds like a teenage guitar band tuning up with the TV on loud in the background. Takes your mind off the running at least!

But it's week 5 that seems to suddenly escalate. I'm hanging onto your theory, thelittlebluepills that it is easier to keep going for 20 minutes than to stop and start again after 8 minutes.

DH is back from his business trip but off again at 6.20am tomorrow, so if I want to get my run in I have to be out of the door at 5.50am. Gah! Better put down the glass of Pinot Grigio.

Cheered by the fact that I have now lost HALF A STONE!! Hoorah!

thanks notanidea - I too was panicking about the escalation in times but just take it one session at a time - I figured that someone has obviously thought about it quite scientifically - I mean has anyone actually had to stop running at any point? I always thought I would have to and never did (I didn't count stopping ten seconds early when I was running up very steep hills though!)

ShinyAndNew - Welcome aboard. Did you manage your first run?

Mrs Depp- Well done. I am planning for the week 3 run3 tomorrow.
Excellent that you could run 8minute. I was wishfully thinking one minute increase every week.What happens in week 4 and why so much of escalation in the 5th week.Panicking a bit.
Hope you get well and get running soon the littlebluepills.

thelittlebluepills - thanks for the encouragement! I must say, I still felt OK after the first eight minutes; it was the second one that killed me (and the 28 degree heat.....!). I still can't quite make out why there is such a sudden escalation, but, hey, I'll give it a go. DH finally gets back from his business trip this evening so I'll get out later, or tomorrow morning. Sorry you can't get out, it must be so frustrating.

ShinyAndNew - did you get out there? Did the dog enjoy it?

Fi, Rugby - keep it up! Wow, we'll all be lean, mean running machines before long!!