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Original poster

The Couch to 5k 2011 thread :0)

979 replies

dobby2001 · 01/01/2011 20:38

Thought i would start a new thread so al those wanting to start or return to running in 2011 had somewhere to post Smile

I have NEVER tried running before so very very nervous about starting, but thought couch to 5k sounded a good method of getting into it.

I am off to bluewater tomorrow to buy running shoes - any recommendations???

OP posts:
midtowner · 21/01/2011 03:22

Hello all,

I've had a few days off, so went out at 6.45 this morning to do R1W2. It was really cold, but a nice start to the day!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 21/01/2011 07:02

Well done midtowner - it is a good feeling when you've done a run!

sybilfaulty · 21/01/2011 07:43

Well done to everyone who has braved adverse weather and injuries to get out and about.

Am about to do week 5 run 2. Yippee!

LIZS · 21/01/2011 15:09

Will go for w1r3 in a bit. Very cold though so hope it doesn't make me chesty. Think I'll stick to round the block in case.

LIZS · 21/01/2011 16:31

Been, done although my lower calf/ankle felt a bit tight towards the end.

MarniesMummy · 21/01/2011 19:17

APB Dobby!

Where are you, are you ok? Come and tell us how you're doing.

In a few minutes I'm off to do w3r1. (I figured better to just get on and do it rather than dread it).

RatherBeOnThePiste · 21/01/2011 20:02

Hope it went well MarniesMummy - I am redoing W3R3 tomorrow and it will be better than yesterday!!

RunningTap · 22/01/2011 16:38

I'm starting Couch to 5K this week, I've been doing a few little runs, about 20 mins of running and then walking. I'm not sure if I'm kidding myself that I will manage it. I've got the run podcasts, just waiting for some new headphones to arrive and then I'll start.

I'm a bit worried about the trainers I've got though, I've bought some adidas running shoes but the were only about £30 and worried they won't be up to the job. I'm running instead of the gym though because its cheaper so expensive shoes are not an option. Are any of you running in basic trainers? They seem to fit well but they aren't as good as some of the expensive ones I tried on.

Any tips for me starting Cto5K?

LIZS · 22/01/2011 16:45

Mine are pretty basic - got them in an Adidas outlet. If I keep it up maybe I'll splash out.

RunningTap · 22/01/2011 16:55

Thanks Lizs, thats what I was thinking. If I stick to it then its more of an investment and they can be my birthday present or something. I just don't want to do myself an injury! They must be reasonably ok though, they say they are running shoes. I tried on some lovely ones though, I think that was my mistake because now I know what mine are like in comparison!

MarniesMummy · 22/01/2011 17:54

Hi Runningtap Grin, good to have you on board. I think you may find that you're very close to achieving what c25k sets out to achieve (as I think it aims to get you running for 30 mins or 5k). Right at the start of this thread there are sites given for podcasts but one of them does podcasts for 5-8k and 'a good solid'10k. I'll repost it for you when I get a chance (unless you find it first).

I am a big stupid idiot!Sad
I've got an injury [stupid numpty emoticon]!

I was doing w3r1, so did the 90 second run nd then the 3 minute run (both of them up my local EigerWink). As they were uphill I took the 3 minute walk slow and steady and found that 3 minutes passed really quite quickly, I could have chatted all the way along and I wasn't out of breath when I stopped (to my suprise I found I was only a couple of meters behind where I would have been normally at that time into the run).

I carried on with the run and when I got to the next 3 minute run (I went for it as I figured that I was now a) running on the level b)managed run 1 ok c) it was the last run of this session.

I've torn a calf muscle SadSadSad! I've been limping a bit all of today Sad.
So now I need to let it heal. Anyone got any alternative medicines that may help, I really want to get back out there. I also need to improve my warm up.

So far my warm up has been the 5 minute brisk walk at the start of the session and nothing else.

What do you ladies do? Any tips on warming up/stretching websites?

I am such an idiot.

RunningTap · 22/01/2011 19:51

marnies Re-reading my post it might have sounded like I ran for 20 minutes and then did some walking - I meant I did about 20 minutes total and in that 20 minutes I ran for a short while and then walked for a while etc. I don't really believe I'll ever be able to run for 20 consecutive minutes! Hmm

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/01/2011 19:58

Ouch Marniesmum- what shame. Hope it improves soon.

I am rubbish at advice about running and stretching really, I'm sure someone will be along soon. I don't really know what I'm doing!! I do know that I don't really take the warm up overly seriously, I just sort of briskly walk along.

Anyway I'm really glad I redid W3R3 tonight as Wednesday was all wrong. Much better, although still an effort Smile

I shall be moving onto Week 4 on Monday. Gulp.

midtowner · 22/01/2011 22:29

marniesmum, that sounds painful. I'm afraid I don't have any advice on warm up, I just do the brisk walking like rahterbeonthepiste. I went out this morning for W2R2 and it was -10, so I didn't hang around to do any stretching - I had to keep moving to stay warm! I'm so pleased that I started C25K - I would never have gone out this week if I didn't have the structure to stick to. rahterbeonthepiste good luck with Week 4 - isn't that where it stars to be hard work? runningtap welcome. I just have regular running shoes from a sports shop and they are fine for me.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/01/2011 22:36

Gulp Midtowner. I fear you may be right, I'll let you know if I survive!!

midtowner · 22/01/2011 22:40

I'm sure you will! As I'm a week behind you, I'll look forward to hearing how you get on Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/01/2011 22:44

I've got maclover a day ahead of me and Sybil a week ahead. It's good to see what's coming isn't it?!

Midtowner -10 must have been a bit of a challenge though!

LIZS · 23/01/2011 13:08

Did Wk2 r1 this morning. Took dd with me and tbh it isn't much of a run more of a gentle jog and I tend to lose track fo time/repetitions especially as 3.5 mins doesn't easily fit into 20 ! However we went slightly further than last Sunday so guess we're heading in the right direction.

maclover135 · 23/01/2011 17:24

So ... Wk4D1 today - not overly successful - it definitely felt much harder! Found both of the 5 min runs really difficult and had to walk part of the way. Not helped by a bit of an ankle injury. Still, it made the 3 min runs feel easy! I'm glad that I went out but feeling a bit sorry for myself for not completing the runs. TBH 'running' is still a bit of an exaggeration! Think 'plod' Wink. 20 mins continual running still seems a long way off at the moment but at least I'm going in the right direction. I'm going to keep repeating this week for as long as it takes to feel comfortable before moving on.
RatherBe - hope your run goes better than mine.
Marniesmum - I've been using a chinese remedy called wood balm (I think) for my shin splints. Feels and smells a lot like 'deep heat' but seems to be helping - apparently ballet dancers swear by it.

MarniesMummy · 23/01/2011 17:32

MacloverGrin, I'm off to check, but I think I have some. I bought it from a Chinese medicine shop a while ago. Hope I haven't chucked it out or it's gone off.

I've been focusing on warm up's and guess what? I'm more confused now than ever.
Yes, you should do one, but what exactly seems to be open to debateConfused. I think I'm going to start doing one once I'm healed and just keep on trying to find out what's recommended.

Maclover, 5 minutes is a bloomin' long time but I bet you'll do better on the next run and I'm sure a plod is all that's expected of us for now otherwise what is the next 5 weeks about. Hang in there!

Right! I'm off to look for this balm.

MarniesMummy · 23/01/2011 17:36

Yay! Got some. Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/01/2011 19:29

I plod too. Sometimes I'm worried that someone walking is going to overtake me!!

5 mins is a long time Mac, you did well to go. I think our 'running' style/ experience sounds quite similar. I'm onto week 4 tomorrow so I shall report back. Oh Lawks am not relishing it.

sybilfaulty · 23/01/2011 19:38

my heart sinks when I see someone walking as it means I have to overtake them otherwise I am not really running. I had a very satisfying run yesterday when several people were slow enough for me to overtake them and several others got out of the way and went into shops etc! Very good news.

I am going to do my 20m run in week 5 tomorrow. Only 1 more week of Robert then I am leaving him and hitting the camp tracks again. Woo hoo!

Well done to everyone who has been running this weekend. As Robert would say "way to go!"

Keep at it everyone. It'll be lighter in the ebenings soon so much much easier.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/01/2011 19:55

I absolutely know what you mean about overtaking!!
It is a massive jump at the end of week 5 to go from 8 mins to 20. I will have to have oxygen ready.

Good luck Sybil!!

Original poster
dobby2001 · 23/01/2011 21:05

Thanks for the PM marnies mummy, i had meant to post last night but things got in the way.

I am afriad i have been a complete failure and will have to start again Sad Firstly work got in the way and more recently i have been expeiencing alot of pain in my achillies tendon so felt it best torest.

Hoping to get back out this week though.Wish me luck Grin

Marnie hope u are feeling better soon and well done to all those who are ploughing through the weeks - 5 mins sounds impossible right now EnvySmile

OP posts: