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

Fi has your bra arrived?

Thanks for the tips thelittlebluepills, I like the one about running backwards (well, not literally, although that would certainly take the boredom out of it ).

Actually, I'm not at all bored yet doing my route - we live in quite a posh village so I get to nosy at all the gorgeous houses and gardens I never see properly from the car. Also, I found myself sort of meditating while I run, thinking about stuff I need to do later etc. etc.

Luckily there aren't too many hills round here (well, we're on the top of one), otherwise I probably wouldn't have got off the couch!

Might well look into the running shoes, but have been fine so far, no aches and pains, so we'll see how we go. More pressing is the need for some decent running trousers/leggings!

Anyway, that's Week 3 done!! Went out this morning, and it all went well. Fingers crossed things continue as well for Week 4. I still can't believe how brilliant this programme is.

hello all! well done to everyone for keeping going - I'm on week 6 and all was going well except now i think i may be developing shin splints in my right leg

things I have learnt so far:

• vary your route so it doesn't get boring (maybe even running a route backwards) - this really helps motivate me as when I do route i haven't done for a while I am pleasantly suprised at how much easier I find it compared to the previous time

i have found a fab website called the good run guide where you can map your route and it works out distance, pace, and climb rate (it's important for me as i live in a rather hilly area) it's free for a trial few weeks then £10 a year - i am a bit of a results freak so it was worthwhile for me

Definitely definitely get a decent pair of running shoes from a proper running shop who do the video treadmill thing - shops like Up and Running, and the sweatshop Ihave found to be really good - they were also really nice, knowledgeable and very encouraging as I was worried that being a novice it might all be a bit perplexing for me

Well done NextMrsDepp on not getting put off by the drizzle! I'm impatiently waiting on my bra arriving.. hoping it'll arrive tomorrow

Well, it was indeed drizzling this morning, but I was very proud of myself, got out there and did the run. Managed OK!

Well, hoping to do run 2 week 3 tomorrow first thing, just hope it isn't tipping down with rain and DH doesn't beat me out the door. DH likes a morning run too (although he is a retired athlete, so no pootling about with Couch25k for him), but only one of us can go out at a time and we're starting to clash schedules!

FiByTheIcySea - funny what you said about trainers - I also had none for years, and only bought a pair when I was due to try "Go Ape" - didn't think I could swing through the trees and down zip-wires in a pair of flip flops!

I'm going to start as soon as the bra arrives & I've got some kind of shoes. I don't own any kind of trainers at all as I've just lived in crocs & flip flops for the last few years! So I haven't got anything to even have a go. I had a feeling they might be pricey places..

going to restart again this friday- cant get of work before 10pm this week

Hmmm... I've been thinking about new runners too. I have a fairly new pair of cross-trainers which I'm using at the moment (thought I'd wait until I got properly into the running before making any rash investments). I think it is definitely worth getting your running style analysed if you are going to do lots of running, or if you know you have an abnormal gait (flat-footed etc), but such places aren't cheap. I am in the "wait and see" camp at the moment.

anyhoo moving swiftly on away from my sagging boobs has anyone been to a running shoe shop that watches you run to work out which shoes to get? there is one i've discovered about 20miles from me.. just wondering if it's worth going?

I know but at least you don't have the possible worry of giving yourself 2 black eyes which after my bf for this last year has made that a very real possibility now!

Wow! Feeling quite inadequate with my 36Bs!!

I've ordered one of these it's the only 32J bra I could find. Hoping it'll be enough! the shoes should be easier as my feet are normal size at least

Go for it, FiByTheIcySea, just control those knockers and you'll be fine!

Love to hear how you get on.

Hi everyone can I join you?

I have always dreamt of being able to run but due to having huge norks I kinda thought i'd never be able to. But I've made the decision the other day to just go for it anyway so c2-5k here i go (after the sports bra i've just ordered arrives and I've got to buy some running shoes!)

Really keen to get started although i'm wondering if i'm still a bit crazy to try it with my body shape

mamalovesmojitos - let me tell you, I was the biggest couch potato going. This morning I did the first of the Week 3 runs - I kept going for 3 minutes which I have never managed in my LIFE before! (had to do it twice, in fact). The best thing about Couch25k is that you start off gently but it has really built my confidence just being able to keep with the programme.

Having said that, I did feel the burn in my calves, which I didn't in the previous two weeks....hope Week 4 won't be a challenge too far.....

Glad there are people to talk to out there - I really need the support to keep going!

oooh, i'm tempted to begin this tomorrow morning. but scared, as i never exercise. i really want to be able to run 5k - it would be such an achievement. well done ladies for getting started.

Im just about to go into week two tonight (if my one and only pair of jogging bottoms dry!!)

I have stuck to the 'regime' but really felt on my last run of week one that I could have done a bit more (which is a good sign??!!)

Hope you dont mind me gatecrashing, but I think that if I have others to 'report' back to, im more likely to stick at it.

Where are you all?? Clearly too busy running to go on MN!

Well done for getting started notanidea - I was worried I was all alone on this thread! I just did the last run of wk 2 this morning - I got up a bit late so it was a bit hot and sunny but I kept up the pace. On Monday I'll be starting wk 3 - terrified!

Hey I did my first run day before yesterday after figuring out how to download it.I am going to run my second run. Got a bit of backache as it hilly wherewe live.It is gone today - did I do anything wrong?

To download the Robert Ullrey podcasts - try this link.
You just right-click the relevant podcast to download onto your PC, then move it onto an MP3 player (I don't have an ipod either).
They are brilliant, no faffing around with stopwatches, good music too.
Give it a go notanidea, and I'd love to hear how you get on - trust me, I have never run before but am really enjoying this.
I've just done the first two runs of Week 2 in between massages and pedicures at Champneys - and was still able to keep to the intervals despite having a bit of a cold this week.

I want to join as well.Can some one explain to me where I can download this podcast. I have not done any running in the past but I want to give it a go as it has been impossible to get any exercise recently.BTW I dont own an ipod or iphone - does it matter?

Just did the last of my Week 1 runs; actually a little harder work than the other two as I came down with a cold yesterday (of course! Bank Holiday weekend and a week off work! Calling all virusses!)
Still felt great to be on to Week 2.
Off to Champneys on Tuesday for 3 days of R&R, but hope to get a couple of runs in.