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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
MarniesMummy · 06/02/2011 15:13

Rather is spot on Yorkshire. I myself felt like I was behind schedule however it's not a good way to look at things. We're learning to do something and there is no prescribed rate at which we learn (especially when there are so many other factors that have an impact on what we are able to do).

In my case, I decided to focus on what I could learn about what held me up to try to minimise the chance of it happening again and reduce the impact should it happen again.

I'd also like to point out what a monster sized bit of crazy you are for putting yourself back into it at week4!!!!Shock
I mean, come on, anyone other than the likes of Paula Radcliffe would balk at that!
Don't be so hard on your body!
Week 3 sounds a much more appropriate place to begin (even if you just opt to do one run from it and then move on).

Don't be downhearted Yorkshire, you're my double 'ard lady who runs AND pushes two children aroundGrin and long may you continue to be!!

When you go out next, good warm up, go slow (preferably sans enfants), lovely hot bath to soak in and one of these babies Wine should you feel the need. We'll get there!!

Rather - when I read your list I find myself thinking 'I do that too' (except the spitting, I just can't do it). Hope you're not spying on me. (Actually you can't be as you've made no mention of 'When my trackies randomly start to fall down, I save my Blushes by undoing my hair, using the bobble to tighten my trousers and then try to knot my hair without stopping my shuffle!).

Skip - Welcome, welcome. Cheap trainers are fine but whether they are fine for you will depend on how you run. If after a few runs you find you've got pains in your feet it may well turn out that you're not getting the support that you need from them but you'll only find that out by running.

Good luck with it!

justaminute · 06/02/2011 19:32

Hi there. I managed to get to week 6 last year but then I got freaked by a bloke who I'm convinced was following me and I didn't go out again ....until today!

I've gone back to week 1 to ease myself back in gently. Last year I used a stop watch to time the runs/ walks but I treated myself to a nano at Christmas. I have a techy question - what headphones do you folks recommend? I found the earbuds uncomfortable and they kept falling out. dh has some addidas ones that sit over the ear but I couldn't get on with those either. Do I just have odd shaped ears? Confused

Strangely looking forward to run 2 - will try and read this thread properly, I've skimmed through and seen lots of motivational stuff and kicks up the bums Grin which is what I think I'll be needing at some point.

YorkshireCrockpot · 06/02/2011 19:42

Thanks guys- yeah I need to stop being hard on myself. I am seriously premenstrual too (tmi?!?) so am a but wobbly! I need to take my own advice as well.

Hello all who have joined- let's all finish this thing together and support each other so we don't give up.

Rather- your lists always makes me chuckle.

My headphones are ancient, at least 10 years old but they work. Old fashioned head band style. Can't stand in ear ones and they always fall out.

girtlush · 06/02/2011 19:48

Marnie, just spat wine on the computer reading about you tying your trousers up :o

Welcome, justaminute and skip. Shock at weird man following you justaminute no wonder you stopped. Good luck for this time :o

yorkshire, running at all is a massive achievement, but trying to run week 4 with a buggy is something else, especially after a week off. Don't be so hard on yourself. Like Marnie said maybe repeat 1 of the week 3 runs first :)

cubscout · 06/02/2011 19:56

Chin up Yorkshire. I think it's fine to repeat a run or a week if things feel tough going - I've certainly done it. And remember its still winter...horrible weather, and anyway, we are all in awe because of the extra weight you have to push! Just think how easy it will feel when it's just you.

Hello to new joiners - yes we will all finish.

Midtowner - I'm a morning runner and I just have a coffee and banana, then a nice breakfast when I get back - usually starving. It's just enough to get me going.

Who's out tomorrow? I have the day from hell on Mondays - usually very busy at work, don't get home till 6, out again at 6.15 for one of ds activities. I try and run while he is doing his thing, otherwise I can't fit in 3 runs. I'm off Wed and Thur so usually try and do the end of the week on one of those days.

Keep on running Grin

midtowner · 06/02/2011 21:02

cubscout - I'll be out tomorrow morning. I've been making either a fruit and yoghurt smoothie or banana milkshake the night before and having that before I go out. I had porridge yesterday and waited an hour or so but felt as though my stomach was too heavy.

Onwards and upwards - lovely sunny day here, so lots of people out i the park, not all of whom were particularly fit. I could blend in with some of them quite nicely Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/02/2011 21:08

I shall be out tomorrow evening, once the sun is over the yard arm.

FreudianSlippery · 06/02/2011 21:16

Hello there... Blush

Dobby recommended this thread so I'm checking it out. Never run really, though I'm starting to feel like I could IYSWIM, as I've lost about 10lbs and just feel that bit lighter! Despite still being nearly 15st...

Am going to google/check out AppStore etc...

dobby2001 · 06/02/2011 21:34

Hi Freudian and all our new joiners! Grin If you google couch 25K there are a range of apps, some free others paid for. A number of us are using the NHS podcast. If you read through the threads here you will see we are all at differant levels and have differant amounts of time we are able to put in, so please try what you can, when you can. I am only doing week 2 at present although in theory i should be much further on - i dont want to do damage though and taking it slow because i is big!

good luck and let us know how its going Smile

OP posts:
FreudianSlippery · 06/02/2011 22:13

I've found the podcasts and schedules... What I'm wondering is, is it better to start straight away or get my general fitness better first?

FreudianSlippery · 06/02/2011 22:17

Also is it possible to do it without the podcast running? I REALLY hate headphones etc. Can I just time it in my head?

justaminute · 06/02/2011 22:23

Freudianslippery - I started out by using a stopwatch to know when to run/walk. I enjoyed the peace and quiet - it gave me time to think. Having said that I've now got a nano. I'm giving the NHS podcast a go, so long as I can find some headphones that don't fall out as I run.

MarniesMummy · 06/02/2011 22:45

Justaminute - My headphones are the in-ear ones that came with my phone, I wear a beanie to stop them falling out.
What is it with blokes? On the last power walk I did on my own (not realised it was till now but Hmm wonder why?) I was power walking up this fairly steep but really long hill (a good 10 mins plus) when I could hear heavy footsteps behind me. I did the usual and thought I'd put some distance between me and the footsteps so sped up, so did the footsteps. Basically I power walked like I've never before and these footsteps were going fo it too, they never caught me up though. Once at the top and on the main road but no longer alongside the woods I stopped and looked behind me where this idiot walker bloke puffed up to me, and announced that that was the fastest he'd ever power walked and that he thought he could catch me up! I could have f**king punched him at the point. I'd thought I ws about to become a statistic on a crime report! Grrr! When will they ever learn?

Anyway, rant over. I'm out tomorrow cubscout. DD's are at school/nursery so I'll be out during the school day. I'm (sort of) looking forward to it.

Freudian - Hi!! Go with whatever you feel is comfortable. I'd be a bit wary of 'timing it in your head' though. Sometimes when Laura announces that I've 'only got 60 seconds left', it feels like a good ten minutes! Maybe I shouldn't judge everyone else by my own standards Blush but it wouldn't work for me.

GypsyMoth · 06/02/2011 22:50

swtill windy here,but went out anyway (should be a rest day really,but took the chance as had childcare)

w4 r1.....5 mins runs with 3 mins. was ok. managed them all,but feel i may repeat this week as i'm feeling i've met my match!!Grin

off to buy a beanie hat tomorrow,and hoping this wind dies down,hair everywhere!!

GypsyMoth · 06/02/2011 22:52

freudian....welcome!! so i convinced you from the other thread?? i'd start now,i have lost weight as i've gone along and it gets better and better. i feel heavy,but get used to it and pace myself accordingly....go for it....your fitness really does pick up quickly!!

sybilfaulty · 06/02/2011 23:02

Welcome Freudian and all other new people I've not said hello to. I would just get stuck in, and I'd really recommend the podcast to avoid fannying with a stopwatch. When I started I didn't realise that 1 min of runningn could take so long! I also like the company of having someone tell me to start and stop.

I am out tmorrow if I can leave work earlyish.LAst run on week 6, then back to my own music. Hurray!

Keep on running everyone. Only 22 days of Feb left before it will be warmer, daffs will be out and we'll be on our way to being running machines. Great stuff.

ClenchedBottom · 06/02/2011 23:48

Hi, I've just read this thread right from the beginning!
Can I join, please? Today I did W1 R1 of the NHS podcast with lovely Laura. I am very unfit, and have never done any running before. I just about managed to get through today's session (how daft does that sound!? - I only had to run for a minute at a time, and I went very very slowly!) and am a peculiar mixture of proud that I managed to do it, and terrified at the thought of ever having to do it again.......
Hope to do the next one on Wednesday, have a complicated week with work, kids, DH away on trip etc.
So, please tell me I can do this [pathetic and anxious emoticon] Smile

midtowner · 07/02/2011 01:42

Hi clenchedbottom and freudian - welcome. In a few weeks you won't believe how far you've come. Everyone on this thread is lovely and very encouraging, so go for it!

FreudianSlippery · 07/02/2011 07:40

Right in that case what are some good headphones for running? I'll ask DH if I can borrow his nano and running arm strap thingy, and get the NHS podcasts. Must get around to downloading iTunes on the new laptop :o

girtlush · 07/02/2011 09:21

Good luck to everyone who is out today. I'm hopefully going for week 4 run 1 this afternoon.

It is currently driving rain and gail force winds Hmm so am trying not to talk myself out of it :o

I did Davina's kick fit yesterday, as it was supposed to be a running day, but Dp was working so I had the Dc's all day and couldn't get out. I felt like i needed to do some exercise Shock It also didn't nearly finish me off like it does normally so my fitness levels are definetley improving.

MarniesMummy · 07/02/2011 13:24

Go Girtlush and Clenched bottom!

The weather really sucks at the moment, fortunately it was almost sunny when I went out this morning.

W5r1 done.

Feel quiet and calm but am doing my best to not pick the children up in the car. Must walk! Stop raining!

girtlush · 07/02/2011 13:49

Good on you marniesmummy. Just done week 4 run 1.

OMG I did not know that 5 mins could take so long :o

Unfortunatley i miss read the instructions on my app for week 4 and thought it was 1, 3 min run and 1, 5 min run, so after the first 2 runs i was thinking blimey this is easy for week 4 Blush only to be faced with 2 of the same which I was soooo not prepared for Blush

i did manage it however but it was more of a limp than a run and I now look like a beetroot :o

YorkshireCrockpot · 07/02/2011 14:02

I tried davina a few years ago and she killed me- couldn't walk the next day! Well done!

Off out on weds to attack week 3 again (no buggy!) just hoping the wind stops by then, I was nearly blown over today.

That man who powerwalked behind you marnie needs his head checking- stupid arse!

Usually like to run first thing, then I know it's done for the day and I have a shower/ brekkie after so i think on weds eve will do a crockpot tea so we can all dip in when we're all ready.

Have you done your run wheesht?!

YorkshireCrockpot · 07/02/2011 14:06

Girtlush Grin bet that was a shock!

girtlush · 07/02/2011 15:48

It was Yorkshire I was swearing at the woman who tells you to run by the end of the final 5 mins. I must have looked like I was on day release from some kind of institution Grin