The Couch to 5k 2011 thread :0)

[dobby2001]

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

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???

Well done cubscout! I'm just back from W4D1. It felt cold again this morning - checked when I got back and it was minus blooming 6. Just when I thought winter might be coming to an end.

Ratherbe, C Park is great for running when it's not too crowded. When are you coming to NY? We should have a run together!

Geraldine, hope your leg feels better soon. Well done on the tax return! I like the idea of an "amusing" fleece

How amazing to run alongside central park!!!! Think I'm vicariously living out my running fantasies through MT and ratherbe! Spain sounds good too- hmmm I just about remember what being warm outside was like!

Can't run until weekend now as dd1 now has chickenpox so I hope I can still run!

My gear is scraggy bottoms bought years ago from sainsbury, a 'proper' long sleeved running top (sale item- cost a fiver), ancient thin fleece and a 'proper' Nike thin cag from charity shop. However feel quite good especially as husband said I looked hot in it on Sunday! Granted it was v early and he was just awake but still am pleased, smug

ha, well for amusing, read "unfashionable"

Crockpot, oh no! How is she with it? We all had CP last year and it was fairly miserable, though it did mean a week in bed for me. Although I felt like crap, there is something to be said for not actually getting out of bed for an entire week...

Sorry to hear about the Chicken Pops (as mine used to call it) Yorkshire. How miserable for dd1.

Well I was just about to moan how blooming cold it was here until I read MINUS SIX! I have to say I am soo looking forward to warmer weather

I am going for my next run tonight - wk2 run1 i kinow I should be weeks ahead,seeing as I started this blooming thread but i have so little (as in none) prior running experience, unless you count treadmills in the gym 20 years ago, that I amtaking it veeery carefully to make sure what i do is acheivable and (eventually) enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next run most of the time, its usually circmstances that stop me.

I wish i was running by somewhere intresting - I live in south London an our local park has had 2 attacks, one sexual in the last week, both times folk being pulled into park from outside so I prefer the safety of padding up and down the grid of my local streets - convinced i will bump into folk I know as i do my huffing,puffing drippy nosed attempt to keep fit,but mirculously not as yet

As for attractive garb, well I am that middle aged lady as on checking most of my gear is from M&S!! seriously strap em down sports bra,tshirt,joggers and fleece all from there in my defence sports bra was best i found for large norks when i did circuit training last year, rest of gear bought on spur of moment when i bought shoes as on special offer. Have also been using my cycling jact as has handy mp3 pocket that fleece jacet dosent, but sadly this is less attractive as cycling jacket for folk with slimmer tums than mine so rides up rather unattractivly when i run - just as well its dark...

Gawd I HAVE painted an attrative picture havn't I !

Dobby, I am with you on the taking it slowly. I think that's fine actually, doing something is better than what we were doing previously. I don't seem to get off week two without injury, so can see myself staying on it for ever!!

I am lucky as I cross a river on the way back from the school run, so I just continue running along that one way, then back towards home. However, when I have run along the streets it does feel a bit more interesting, which helps a little with taking your mind off how knackering it is...

Oooh guess what? I went out for my W2 1st run and I LOVED IT!! twas a bit tough in the middle but i managed all of it without stopping early and it was over ealrier than i expected - not counting down the runs like last week! Felt so happy at the end of the last run i was smiling like a complete idiot walking down the road

Cant beleive how differant my ability to run is in just a few sessions! Learning to breathe properly and slowing right down has alot to do with it, plus the support here oh and the lovely Laura on the podcast

i love Laura too Dobby!!

i just started w3 and was grinning madly when i got home too,the family think i'm a loon!

Well done dobby and Tiffany!

I want Laura!!
Who is she ?!

She's the lady on the nhs podcast who tells us to stop/start etc!! She has a nice voice and is very encouraging and sympathetic, but I don't feel I can let her down by stopping even a few seconds early!!!

Poor little dd1- only 2 and half. She's just gone to bed after a morning of nic jr and chocolate cake for lunch! (am a soft touch!) She's thoroughly miserable with it. Dd2 (9 months) had it a few weeks ago and in comparison wasn't that bad.
Dobby take care on those mean streets of London and stay safe.

Well done Dobby and Tiffany!

Rather here is Laura, I run with her too!

I am also feeling ridiculously pleased with myself. I've just done w4r1.

I ran for 5 minutes...twice.
I went out at about 12.30 and had to run past the local secondary school. I was really pleased that I was not worthy of most people's attention. Only one boy looked and smirked but since no-one else barely noticed I was there I assumed he was the ony idiot in the crowd!

I ran up my local Eiger with only one 90second walk! I feel so pleased with myself.

I don't know exactly how far I've run but from mapmyrun I think it's just over 2K.

I'm Soooooo happy!

Yorkshire - I really fell for your DD. People tend to assume that chicken pox is fairly easy to get through but it can be really awful. She's lucky to have a mummy who's so lovely to here through it all.
(If I didn't feel so happy in my post run condition, I think I'd like a slice of chocolate cake and bed!)

Anyone else out today? Good running if you are!

Oh no, Crockpot, hope she gets well soon. Bath with lots of bicarb in is very, very soothing. So is ibuprofen/calpol/piriton combo. Sympathies, mine had it bad, and it was awful.

Well done Dobby! W2 does seem a lot less traumatic as the runs are longer but theres less of them!
Tiffany, how did you find w3 in comparison to w2?

I put some woodlock on my leg today, am expecting miracles. Going to hopefully start again at the weekend or next week. Sigh.

Marnie - teens smirk irrespective of what they see, he was probably not really looking at you. I love teenagers because they are so random.

Sorry to hear about spotty DD. Hope better soon. X

Running later although not too inspired today. It's Week 5Run2 which goes up to 8 mins. I think I'm at the same point as cubscout.

Well done everyone for sticking with it!!

Gerald I'm actually finding w3 easier than w2. Think it's cos there's less stop/start

Well done everyone sounds like everyone is doing really well :o

I did week 3 run 2 today after nearly a week off (due to poorly DD) and it went really well despite the long break feeling really positive. Looking forward to week 4 already :o

O
My
Giddy
Aunt

W5R2

Am
Knackered.

It is run 8 mins, walk 5 mins, run 8 mins. I did both runs but they were veeeerrrrrryyyyy long indeed. The next run is 20 mins no walking which I honestly don't think I can manage yet. I mean at the end of 8 mins today I couldn't have gone on for another 12 IYSWIM?

So should I do this last run another couple of times? To get my stamina going? My legs felt heavy today! It seems such a big jump.

What is the verdict of my lovely fellow runners?!

Piste I have found it very reassuring to repeat wk1 for a bit, although some of that was due to injury. going from 8 mins to 20 sounds a huge jump too, i would be very afraid!!

Marnie well done for 5 mins i am not jealous

Agree on the bicarb for the pox, hope she is better soon crockpot

There is a forum on the NHS website for the couch to 5k podcast, perhaps its worth checking there as to how folk have coped with the sudden increase? Sadly i dont think there are any guest appearances from Laura though - I imagine her to be very neat and pretty with a swishy pony tail when doing her runs!

< wails "I want a swishy ponytail when I run" wails even louder >

Dobby I think you are wise to consolidate at a certain level before pushing on. The last thing any of us need or want is to be put off. I think I shall see how I feel tomorrow but may well repeat the last run.

I always put my hair into a swishy pony tail for my runs!! Always!

I want a swishy ponytail too.

Will put it on my list of rewards for when I finish C25K (or just take of my woolly hat).

Piste - There's comes a point when you're going to have to go for it. I'm not saying that point is now, but if you don't do it you might find that the thought of it is too much and it stops you doing it.

Does any of that make sense?

I think repeat what you've just done 1 more time only (if at all) and then go for it.
I think this massive run after the biggest prior run being only (ha! only) 8 minutes, is there to teach us something about what we are capable of.

However, I agree with Dobby, canvas opinion from posters on a few C25K sites.

Girtlush - I think I'm enjoying it more too because there are less runs to do (even though they're longer). That and the fact that though I may feel totally spent after a longer run, I don't feel nearly as spent as I did on W1 during the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th runs! (Where there 8?)

Oooh, swishy ponytail yes please. I'm keeping mine down to keep my neck warm.

We've had an ice storm overnight. So instead of snowy streets, we now have completely-covered-in-an-inch-thick-layer-of-ice-streets. I tried to do W4R2, but because it was so slippery didn't do all the running - at one point I was going uphill and had to haul myself along by holding a wall . I only fell over once.

I poured myself into borrowed DS's running tights. They are fab, they have a fleecy lining so very cosy. I also borrowed his waterproof golf jacket, so I looked even better than usual

Yorkshire, hope dd is better. ds 1 relieved the tedium of CP by playing join the dots on his tummy and legs in biro. it took days before it washed off properly

marnie, rather and girt, well done, keep going!

Just done w3r1 and didn't manage all the second half runs. Found a path that takes 90s and another for 3 mins so that makes it a bit easier to time. Full of admiration for those ahead. I assume even a little will do some good (yet to lose weight ) but can't imagine 5 mins, 8 mins let alone 20 !

Well done LIZS and Midtowner.

Your post made me snigger a bit Midtowner at the thought of you hauling yourself along the wall instead of running.

Folk like me wouldn't have even tried, your determination is inspiring!

Is anyone (like me) beginning to think that rest days last too long? I'm 'd at myself.

Also, LIZS I realise from what you've said that you vary your route. Does anyone else do different routes?

I just do the same one everytime. It's not an easy route by any means but I was wondering on my last one if I should be varying it.
My thoughts are that I'm learning to run, my route is challenging and doing the same route means I can track my progress for myself (iyswim). If I should be varying it could you also tell me why please?