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???

Hi all,

can I join you? I've done a bit of jogging before but absolutely nothing for the last 2-3 years. I've got the trainers and I've downloaded the podcasts so I just need to go bra shopping tomorrow then I can do the first run. I'm really nervous, I think I'm going to find out exactly how unfit I am these days .

I'm really hoping this will help me lose a bit of weight as well getting a bit fitter as we are planning to try for DC2 this year and I can't bear to have obese written on my notes. Did anyone who's done it before find they lost any weight - I know I'll have to cut out my crisp and pastry habits too .

Gulp. I have bought the app!
Does anyone else really believe they will need to work towards level one?

Can I join too? Started last year but had to stop due to minor injury. Now just need to get some proper trainers as I have a marked pronation.

I'll join too if you dont mind. DH and I are trying for #1, need to lose some weight and try to get fitter generally to help the cause

Hi, I'm a large norked (34HH), large girl who's been power walking with friends for a few months.

I can run downhill or on the level for about 1.5 k but can't run uphill.

My new years resoltuion is to do a 10k run before Dec 31st, via C25k.

I start on 11th Jan when my youngest starts preschool.

I'm asthmatic and really suffer in cold weather and generally (when power walking) find myself struggling to breathe. I used to breathe through my mouth so felt dehydrated as well as unable to breathe.
I've managed to up my fitness so that I breathe using my mouth and nose but my breathing is very shallow.

A freind told me about power breathe and though expensive if I find that I can't progress through the stages easily then I will invest in one.

I do want to lose weight by doing this but am unprepared to do a 'diet', they make me crazy and I always end up heavier than I began. What I've been doing since the summer is hacking off my bad habits.

Only done 2 so far.

1. Not eating ice cream by the litre, (I don't buy it, unless we are eating at someone else's house and it can't come home with me).
2. Not eating anything other than fruit or veg after dinner (southerners last meal of the day in pm)

I'm hoping that eating less and better and running will sort me out.

Sorry this is long but I'm hoping that if I become unenthusiastic half way through then I can come back and read why I'm doing this.

I'm really keen to do this and hope that you are too so we can all have run 5k in about 9 weeks time.

BeligerentGhouls (Run Manchester schools -fab name btw) I don't have an MP3 player. I've downloaded Robert's podcasts and have them on my phone, but if that malfuntions I'll probably burn them to a disc. (Tres old fashioned!)

On trainers, although you do need to visit a running shop new balance are a good but cheap brand. I had an assessment in a running shop (and then snuck off to Decathlon and got their runing advisors to recommend trainers that did all the things my feet had been assessed to need, a little unfair on the running shop but has saved me £30-£40!)

Can I join too?? I have joined the Women's running network as feel happier to go out in a group

Marking place!
How's the C25K on a treadmill? Don't think I'm up to embarrassing myself on the streets just yet

Have started WK1 - and was pleasantly suprised that was OK, but I do jog very very slowly in the running sections.

Bit sore in the hips but nothing too bad.

I think if some of the weeks seem like a big stretch from the prior weeks then repeat the prior week. I do remember how thrilled I was to run for 20 mins for the first time and if I can get there again I will be thrilled and then some.

Thanks MarniesMummy. I looked at trainers today but got scared, so am going to drag dp along next week with me (he Knows About These Things). :)

evening folks welcome to everyone who has joined us since yesterday
Well I visited the running shop at bluewater today and was really pleased I had, as I was there for almost an hour having my gait and stride analysed and trying out loads of differant trainers on the treadmill (with more analysis )to see which gave me the best support. I would say if you can have this done it is worth going as it turned out my feet were differant to how i thought and trainers i might have chosen without help turned out to make my slight overpronation worse even though they were in the same support bracket as the ones that were best, just differant brands. I possibly could have saved some money online but having had all the above done for free plus thirty days no quibble returns policy if they dont suit when running, I felt happy spending £50 on my Asics gels - guy even knocked off £5 as I had given them a max £50 limit The shop does have other branches btw here

Also picked up some half price nike capri pants for when i am running in the spring and a lightweight fleece jacket in Marks for running this week

just need to find the sodding data cord to upload podcats to phone- anyone seen it???

St Lucia, I used to worry about being seen running, but to be honest there are so few people really looking and taking it in, IYSWIM, that I just don't really think about it. I have bumped into numerous mates / colleagues / school parents and no one has died laughing or from shock. Run when you want and don't feel you have to stay on the treadmill. We are all out there with you.

Talking of which, I am going out either tomorrow morning or Tues morning. I am back to work on Wed and the kids are back to school then too, so tomorrow and tues are still sort of holiday. I am looking forward to some wine tonight so I'll see how I feel. But I am looking forward to running, which is the main thing.

Glad there are so many of us. Plenty of support.

Hello all - i have started coach to 5k too - I'm using podrunner intervals here and have made it to week 2 this week! I did it a couple of years ago but then got out of the habit after i finished. So back to square one and starting over again.

Thanks Dobby for the heads up on the NHS podcast. The music is much more my cup of tea.

Roll on the 11th!!!!!

Well done on your new runners Dobby! Sounds like they're a good shop, I'll ber them in mind for my next pair!

Also a good site too Sam, I think it's really reassuring that so many of you have done it before and are up for doing it again.

I makes me think that there's hope for numpties like me.

hello ladies, i have to run a ten km race thing this summer so i'd better get started...
have done couch to 5k before, but the music was SO shit. does anyone know of any apps or downloads etc that have nice, fun, poppy choons rather than the ghastly trance stuff?

Have you tried Dobby's NHS site (further up the page), it's more jangly guitars.

am listening to laura now... but it's really recognisable stuff i'm after. you know, a spot of eye of the tiger and all that. surely someone's geeky dh has put one together? i physically cannot spend five mins on a power walk listening to some old keech. running is the only time i get to be alone, iykwim? i can't waste it on weirdy unbillable music. there is a business idea there for someone, just to make a programme that will rifle through people's music and s

slot in the correct bpm to the cto5k

Not sure if this is wht you are after - but if you google running playlists there is quite a lot of ideas - found this 80s pop mix.

Hi ladies. I started running last April - went from doing no exercise at all to running without stopping for 30 minutes by end of summer. I am so proud of myself

Anyway, I'm not just blowing my own trumpet, I'm on here to say to you beginners that YOU WILL DO IT! Even though 5k sounds like flying to the moon - YOU WILL DO IT! And you may even enjoy it

The following tips helped me:

• Don't go wild. Take your time. If something really hurts, stop. Try again tomorrow. Or the next day. Just don't push yourself. Not worth it.

• Proper, professionally fitted running shoes and a good sports bra in your correct size are non-negotiables. Shock Absorber bras are fab.

• Set yourself short-term goals. My first goal was to run without stopping for 3 minutes. This seemed utterly impossible when I first began, but I did get there and was beside myself with pride when I did

• From the very beginning, even if you're running for only a minute at a time, remind yourself that you are DOING IT. YOU ARE ACTUALLY RUNNING! This gave me a real boost and kept me motivated to keep up my training.

• Lady Gaga is a fabulous running companion Ditto the Beatles. But listen to whatever you fancy. Nothing too up-tempo - you will be running too fast to try to keep up with it

• Completely ignore anyone who is rude enough to cast aspersions on your plans. I had a couple of neg-heads questioning whether I could do it and whether I would keep it up. Eff 'em. They are just jealous

You should feel very proud of yourselves - remember to enjoy it! You are about to learn a new skill for life that will see you through good times and bad. Go for it!

Hello everyone- starting tomorrow morning! Argh! Need to get fit desperatly and hopefully loose a bit if my mummy tummy. Used to go to the gym (well ok for 3 months then I got a cold and couldn't be arsed) when I had free time ie pre kids so have got all the kit, just need to dust off the cobwebs.
App downloaded, songs imported just need to get out there now.
Good luck to everyone doing this and let's keep motivated

hah! that is a bit more like it... but not quite so 80s, arf. but yes, will noodle around there some more, thanks. although really it's specifically a couch to five k programme with decent choons i am after, now that i htink of it.