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

Kiwi, I'm sure Carli will make you run 3 different runs in weeks 5 and 6 too - including those nasty long ones :o

nobiggy yes my weeks definitely tend to overrun... I can only exercise in the evenings, and have been trying to go to the gym a couple of times as well so 3 runs in a week is fairly optimistic.

Just did w6r3 though which is 25 MINUTES; ran 3.75K and can't believe I actually managed it, didn't walk at all!! there must be something to this c25k programme after all...

Failed to get out for a run this morning - dp got up with the DDs, so I thought, if a lie in looks a possibility why spoil it

I'll try and get out tomorrow during pre-school.

Are anybody else's weeks about 10 days long? Can't seem to fit three runs into 7 days!

I much prefer Carli's selection of tunes!! Ran week 4 this morning and almost completed the second five minute run. Not bad since I haven't run for a week. I'm going to try week 5 tomorrow... dd at pre-school so no excuses .

Rawbert will start telling you to increase in stages when the coolrunning programme does - all the "c25k" programmes are based on the same thing as far as I can tell. First 4 weeks - same thing 3 times. Weeks 5 and 6 - 3 different runs. Weeks 7-9 - same thing 3 times.

raffi... tell me what do you do about the three runs in each week? I noticed the link to cool runnings on that website and had a peek at the programme which seems to increase the running in stages. Up until now I have used Rawbert and just run it three or five times each week or two . I know others are doing this as well. Does anyone do the progressive runs in a week as suggested by coolrunnings and, if so, how?

Should just say, I did Robert up to the end of week 6 and then found it a bit uninspiring once you had no more breaks. Lots of my friends loved it and used it all the way - i guess we are all different.

I felt very disloyal to Robert changing, but I feel that it give me more of a spring (singing along to the tracks and knowing most of them helped!) especially as it was now solid running.

I'm downloading Carli now the tracks seem more familiar! But... the dialogue is exactly the same as Rawberts???

I haven't been out at all again this week... kids and hubs seem to conspire against me (ok, really I don't insist that I need my time to run). It's amazing to see you all progress and fly past.

I like the Carli podcast (think Pink, Christina, Rocky!) they are here running into shape.

I found kiss my black ass ones a bit gobby but that is me!

Did another parkrun today - in less than 29 minutes. I am really chuffed! Counch to 5k really works - could only run for 60 sec a few months ago.

good luck sybil :)

DG, I told myself I would do 30 mins, but when I got there the Scissor Sisters had just started, so i figured I would have to get to the end of the track before I stopped.

So good to hear of all of us getting there in terms of weeks. I am going to do one last RRobert on Tuesday. I just want him to say, "way to go" one more time. Wish me luck.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

thanks loler you are only a week off!

I love walking breaks - so sad for your loss

I did w6r2 yesterday; then looked ahead and discovered I have NO MORE WALK BREAKS; oh heavens. Thank goodness the weather is finally improving (it has been very very hot and humid over the summer; although I have only been running at or after 8pm it has still been quite 'heavy' outside). 25 minutes is just such a long time to be running for though!!

good luck with w8 nobiggy, I don't even want to think about that extra 3 minutes. Let alone sybil's 32 minutes (why 32 by the way?).

Enjoy your w5 loler :)

Panzee good to hear that 5.2 not too bad - I'm there in the morning. Had a lovely run when 'working' from home (though did do extra work in the evening to make up for it) - I really enjoy the time away from the house and everyone else, really is a perfect burst of me time.

I loved rawbert to start but dumped him weeks ago in favour of songs with words, seems to make the time go faster?

When you do your 32 min run do you time it/run to an ipod track list or have a set route - how do you keep yourself going? - have much respect for you~!

Struggled today, not sure why. Little slower than Tuesday, but only 0.2 miles shorter over the 25 minutes.

On to week 8 on Sunday I think.

Just back from 32 m run! Am actually enjoying it now after my initial reservations. Have left Robert for good, though I may have to do the week 9 run as a one off just so I can hear him say "way to go" one last time.

How is everyone else? "Take good care, and I hope to run with you again"

Did w5r2 today, 2 x 8 minutes. Seemed impossible at the beginning, but it was fine. Didn't stop, just shortened my stride and slowed down when struggling. Although to be honest it was only the last couple of minutes of the second run that were really really hard! :)

30 minutes, sybil, very cool :)

Jareth, good luck - if you take it slowly, your leg muscles should tone up which takes some of the strain off your knees (I think; something like that anyway)

w6r1 today, after a few days of being too busy - actually felt quite good just because it wasn't 20 minutes in one go!

Jareth, find the pace that allows you to complete the runs, and sort out your breathing (don't pant!) it's really discouraging if you have to give up on a run.
Also, you don't need to be hammering your knees before you've built up some muscle and bone strength.

Stick with it, it really works. There are more benefits than I have time to type here right now.

When I started I couldn't run for 1 minute without feeling like I might die. On week 5 now and can do 5 minutes reasonably comfortably. Believe me if I can do it, anyone can! :)

Jereth I am the same ,have downloaded an app for my phone and did week 1 yesterday,I do a lot of dog walking but it made me realise how unfit I am ,I feel pretty ashamed that I cannot even run for 1 minute without feeling like I might die .
Ialso worry for my knees etc so have decided I will get some decent shoes I am not 21 any more and hopefully it will give me an incentive not to give up.Feel worried that I will not have the willpower to make it ,but I suppose that is up to me.

Welcome Jareth, good to have you on board.

I'd recommend Rawbert's podcasts to help you for the first 6 weeks as then you are saved from poncing about with stopwatches etc. I find my lovely new running shoes stop my knees from hurting but I didn't splash out on them until I was sure I was going to do it as they are £80. I just wore normal trainers to start with and they were fine. I would just take it very slowly and congratulate yourself for doing any of the running, as I found the first couple of weeks very tough. I like it now though.

Loler, you sound as though you have had a tough time. Let us know how you get on on Thursday. I love working from home to sneak these things in but think this will be off limits for me for a while. You'll be back on the 20m in no time.

Am going to do a 5k with some of my running friends from school. Oh god. They are all better than me. I have til Dec to get a little faster.

Have just been directed to this by the lovely MrsDepp... I have a shed load of weight to lose and have never ran before (I fear for my knees)

any help and encouragement muchly appreciated!!

Well done nobiggy.

I've lost it again (may just have to do my favourite week 4 shouty run again!!) Had monster hangover and about 3 hours sleep so no run on Sunday, husband done a bunk all week. Planning on 'working' from home on Thursday so hope to squeeze one in then. Panzee I hoping seeing you race ahead (haha pun intended) will motivate me!

P.S have done the 20 min run before the summer holiday - scared me but I did manage it but I think I'm procrastinating (sp) to avoid doing it again!