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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 · 10/02/2011 23:09

Yes, I'm usually a New Yorker, but over here for a couple of weeks for training, work and half term with my lovely boys who are at school here. Am having a lovely time catching up with friends. Not missing dh too much yet, as we had our obligatory "one of us is going away for a week or two so we may as well have a tiff before we leave so that saying goodbye is not too difficult" arguments on Tuesday night. It's taken us the best part of 15 years to work it out Grin, and it happens with monotonous regularity Grin.

I'm with friends in SW19 who have just given me a route for tomorrow morning, as long as it stops raining. Then I'm off to Towcester for a few days. Such a jet setter aren't I Smile? Oh, and it's blooming W5R3, all 20 minutes of it Hmm. I will be channelling rather and cubscout.

midtowner · 10/02/2011 23:13

ps happy, tell me more about the 5k at the end of March. Is it in NY? A girlfriend of mine did the midnight 5k in Central Park, and we've been talking about finding another one to do together. Where in NY are you? You can probably guess form my name where I live Smile

midtowner · 10/02/2011 23:14

from I mean Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/02/2011 07:14

Well Midtowner, I'm not too far from you, as I am Richmond way. Enjoy your stay and have a great HT with your DC.

I completely relate to the 'row before' scenario. DH travels a great deal for work and we do likewise!

midtowner · 11/02/2011 09:31

Morning piste (I noticed that's what you've been calling yourself - how rude of me to have been calling you rather Smile). Glad someone else gets "row before travel" syndrome Smile. Can't wait to see my boys. Even though we phone, email and skpye plenty, I'm at the point where I want need to give them a big hug.

I did it! 20 mins, including a horrible hill (my friend's husband does marathons and triathlons, so thought nothing of it when he gave me the route last night). No traffic lights, so no opportunity to have a breather either Grin Grin. Very pleased with myself and feeling like I've joined the cool girls at the back of the class Grin.

cubscout · 11/02/2011 17:53

Well done midtowner - and with jet lag too! Very impressive. Not to mention a horrible damp drizzly day. Had to laugh at the 'cool girls' bit though. That's certainly not me in real life!

Hope you've got lots of nice things in store this week with your boys. How old are they?

How's everyone else doing? Sybil have you got out yet? What about you ladies inching up the distance stakes?

I've had 2 days rest and I'm quite looking forward to getting out tomorrow morning. Week 7 is 3 x 25 min runs. Really hoping Wednesday was not a fluke and I can repeat it.

Keep running, keep positive, keep happy Smile

justaminute · 11/02/2011 19:56

cubscout - Week 7!!!

I was meant to be doing week 1, run 3 tonight but I have somehow 'lost' the week on my nano - I'm struggling to get to grips with itunes etc - I'm a novice with all this new fangled technology. Anyhow, not wanting the moment to escape me I did run 1 week 2 Smile. 90 seconds of running feels a hell of a lot longer than the 60 seconds of week 1. However I managed to really push it on the last 2 runs and felt like a proper runner Smile. feeling very chuffed with myself but still faint at the thought of week 7!

cubscout · 11/02/2011 20:33

But the programme is very good and by the time you get to week 7 you will ne ready - honestly. I tried not to look ahead too much, just focussed on the week I was on and the next.

Good luck with week 3. I net you surprise yourself.

GypsyMoth · 11/02/2011 22:15

finished week 4 now......week 5 on sunday as cant run tomrrow!! over halfway......what happens after week 9??

midtowner · 12/02/2011 00:21

Well done ILT.

Hmmm, good question about what happens next. I guess we either try to get faster or go further? Or we collapse back on the sofa with a large bar of chocolate to celebrate our graduation?

midtowner · 12/02/2011 00:33

cubscout, my boys are 13 and 9. I am so looking forward to seeing them. We have lots of nice things planned for half term. I can't wait to see them Smile.

Enjoy your run tomorrow.

cubscout · 12/02/2011 09:29

Well done ILT and good luck wth Week 5.I enjoyed that week as I felt I was really getting somewhere.

Midtowner - we are the cuddly supportive lot on this thread! My ds is also 9. It's a lovely age.

I went out this morning and repeated a 25 min run - pod cast skipped to week 8 in the middle though so I had to keep getting the phone out to check time and distance. The last 5 mins were hard, but I am so amazed at the difference just a few weeks can make.

Don't know what happens after week 9. I would like to be able to work up to 5 miles and then just keep doing that 2 or 3 times a week to stay fit.

Maybe we could all have a big meet/ run when everyone has got to week 9 Grin. There are a few of us in the South East. Or maybe persuade partners to let us get off the NY....

YorkshireCrockpot · 12/02/2011 09:38

MT- bad person?!?! Ignore them. They don't know you! Love MN for stuff like this thread but hate it when strangers decide to judge others views/ choices because it doesn't fit in with theirs. Plus they say things that they would never say to someones face or if they knew them.
Bet you can't wait to see your dcs and I bet they're so excited to see their super runner mummy! Hope you have a wonderful time with them.

Anyhoo just come back from a week 4 run and as Mr toad would say I'm pooped! Couldn't quite finish off the last 5 mins but I'll keep on til I do. Happy though as now the snowdrops are coming out! Yay! Start of spring soon!

If you guys are the cool girls then I'm in detention for not paying attention!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/02/2011 09:38

Lol - you plonker Midtowner! You enjoy half term with them. Are your boys still at the same school? DD is 13 and has just had a bunch of CE boys join her school.

I am running later, I had two days off as I couldn't get to it yesterday. I imagine once we get to the end we have to maintain it by running maybe twice a week? It would be silly to get that far and then not maintain.

Good running everyone!

YorkshireCrockpot · 12/02/2011 09:42

Think after week 9 we are smug runners and can take over the world? Or I've seen couch to 10k........
You londeners should so meet by the way! I'd like to but am stuck in the midlands.

cubscout · 12/02/2011 09:50

Or we could meet you in the middle Yorkshire. Though I quite like North Yorkshire myself.

Good luck today Piste.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/02/2011 10:00

After week 9 I shall just run to Yorkshire!!

Livinginoz · 12/02/2011 10:32

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking after posting at the very beginning of this thread, as I didn't start until 3 weeks ago. I'm on week 3 run 3 tomorrow morning so will stick with it now!

I've entered a 5k in Sydney on 8th May! Everyone where we live seems to run so I'd be letting the town down if I didn't keep on!

sybilfaulty · 12/02/2011 12:07

After much prevarication, I am off out now. DH is cooking lunch and kids (5, 3 and 2) are colouring so I have no excuse. I am going to try the 25 min today but may have to cop out and just do the 2 x 10 m as I haven't been out for a week.

My stuff from the Stroke Assn run came yesterday so I have to do it. My dad has had several strokes and is lucky to be alive.

I have a quieter period at work over the next few weeks so am going to try to get lots of runs in. Plus the weather is much warmer here (SE London).

Keep on running everyone Smile.

sybilfaulty · 12/02/2011 12:08

Sorry, half my post is missing. It would be great to raise a bit of cash for the stroke people as well as getting me off my fat bum. So everyone;s a winner. Trouble is the actual running of course, but I'm sure I'll be OK.

sybilfaulty · 12/02/2011 13:05

Well I managed the 2x10 m but didn't quite feel up to the 25m. Tomorrow or monday. I think as well as I was overdressed as I had my long sleeve windproof thing on and my windproof jacket, so I'm so bright red and sweating like a beast.

Am off for a shower and a Brew.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/02/2011 16:30

Just about to find my trainers Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/02/2011 17:13

Am doing my final check list.....

Trainers on - tick
Sports bra on - tick
Sporty looking clothing on - tick
Podcast raring to go - tick
Last wee squeezed out - tick
Nightfall - no tick

It's staying light for longer my fellow trotters. 10 mins I reckon and I'll be off Wink

midtowner · 12/02/2011 18:36

piste you always make me smile Smile

Thank you all for your kind words - you are a lovely lot Smile. Ds1 moved to senior school in September, as ds2 started at ds1's old school.

sybil and livinginoz, well done for entering your runs.

And you are all welcome to come and run in NY!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/02/2011 18:57

Phew then. A few years off from CE worry then!!

Last part of my tick list.

Warm up walk - tick
Run - tick
Keep running - tick
Run a bit more - tick
Check that the time is nearly up - tick
Find it is NOT - sigh and tick
Carry on running - tick
Run a bit more - tick
Cheer when the cool down is announced - Grin tick
Collapse - tick

Hooray!!

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