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 HappyPotter
For me, I think I've been able to do the big runs by just not giving up. Heard something on the radio recently that if you think you can't do something, then you probably won't. But if you think you can,then you probably will. Well, it was something like that,and it struck a chord with me. So I've tried to be quite strict with myself at not giving up half way through. I don't think if you saw me towards the end of a 25 min run that you would think it was my general fitness level!

I'm still puzzling how to fasten my sports bra - glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds it challenging! I can't fasten it at the front and swizzle it round because it's too tight (although I'm pretty sure it's the right size) and plus it has an extra fastening bit high up between my shoulder blades.
May be I need a helpful young manslave to keep around the house for when DH isn't around!!!

Hello all!

I've had to work too hard so far this week to fit in a run - but am not starting until 9 ish tomorrow so plan to go out first thing. So I've had two long walks instead from my hotel in Lancaster Gate to my office near Trafalgar Square. I was feeling quite envious of all those out for a run this evening when I was on my way home.

All this exercise is going to my head - am even thinking of getting a Boris bike for an hour on Thursday morning when I have some free time!

Ooooo DH uses Boris bikes when he's in London, his London base is V near Buckingham Palace and he cycles from Vauxhall I think. I've been on one too for a laugh but only went up and down!

Enjoy!

Just worked out ( well Mr Piste did ) my distance tonight and am quite overexcited! I ran 2.83 miles which is 4.56 k. So really making progress. I am delighted!!!
[still knackered emoticon]

Ooooh that's really good! Well done!

Trying to work myself up to w7 r3 today. I finished work early on Mon and went straight out for a run before picking up ds. Like Piste, I'm also noticing I am going just a little bit further each day. I definately have a pain point about 10 mins in where I want to give up but like Corrie, telling myself off sternly and self belief have got me through. Not to say that increacing fitness isn't playing it's part!

Its also really motivating knowing that in reality, I only have about 1/4 mile further to go to reach the magic 3.1 miles/5k

Well done sybil - do you mean you did a 10 min run after the 25 min one...

Dobby - how are you? You started us all off but have gone a tad quiet. Everything ok?

Wow, you are all doing so well.

I managed w2r3 last night ? quietly pleased with myself for dragging myself out in the rain. On the NHS podcast Laura gives the tip about concentrating on your breathing she says ?in time with your left foot count four to breathe in then count four to breathe out? I tried it but was nearly hyperventilating. I struggled to count, run and breathe ? just can?t concentrate on more than one thing at a time . I think I?ll just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other and hope the breathing just happens
I?m intending to give blood Friday pm I guess it won?t be a good idea to run Friday evening will it? Dh is out Thursday so I?ll have to wait until Saturday to run again which seems an age away ? I think I?m getting addicted.

I am humphing around today and generally feeling sorry for myself. Have a foul eye infection and my eye has closed up it's so swollen. Clearly not running today, my eye might fall out! Knocking back the antibiotics and now annoyed that I've got to take time off again! Argh!

Hello everyone I am still here and reading with awe at all your acheivements - am sooo jealous!

Truth is I have been really struggling with a combination of minor injuries, a heavy cold and consequently a real problem with motivation.

But being a -stingy- practical person I figured that I wasnt going to quit having bought expensive gear I have also decided i am going to try running in the mornings as i recently bought one of those dawn simulation alarm clock and have been waking a good 20 minutes before usual feeling really relaxed and in a good mood so I thought it was a good idea, with the days getting lighter to make use of that "window of opportunity".

Tried it for the first time this morning, did wk2 and despite having not been out for 2 weeks it was Ok - had to stop a few seconds early on last two runs but literally only a couple of footfalls before Laura was saying stop so not too bad.

I am determined to get better at this and healthier but i think i may be having to take the more scenic route to the rest of you

Dobby looks like I'll be meandering along with you!

Yorkshire - do take care that your eye doesn't fall out though!

Evenin' all! All this talk of Boris bikes (sounds like this exercise is contagious!). DP likes to use BB's when he's in the smoke. I just don't get on with cycling at all. I'm happy to walk (or even shuffle) up the steepest of hills but the most meagre of inclines sees me off the bike which I then push up the hill.

Love to watch cyclists though.

So tonight I reran w5r3 and kicked the Eiger into touch. It was really hard to make myself run slowly enough (did I just say that???) but when I got to the top I had enough puff to run up the hill again. Crazy! The other bizarre thing is that despite going so slowly that I felt I was in danger of rolling backwards down the hill, I made it to the top faster than if I'd been running faster. I guess that I'd been starting faster, running out of breath and then running slower and slower despite it requiring more effort! Anyhoo! I'm very happy that I did it and I do think I learnt a lot about pacing and being in control of my breathing. (Still can't do Laura's instruction on breathing and footfalls though!)

Yorkshire and Dobby I feel for you as it seems a lot that's beyond your control is getting in the way. Don't let it though ladies! Keep at it.

Managed W2R1 today. Back to thinking I'm the world's least fit person......
Tell me honestly, is it normal to wonder during the running stages if I actually usually walk faster than that anyway???

Well done marnie - woo hoo! I hate hills.

I hadn't been on a bike for more ears than I care to remember until last summer. We hired bikes at the beach where we were staying as it was just a tad too far to walk into town for bottles of wine milk and bread, and I was amazed how much I enjoyed it.

Lots of runners in Hyde Park this morning. Next stop (Friday morning) - my parents' village in Yorkshire. No doubt they will worry from the second I leave the house until I get back.

I worked out my walk home last night was 4.9k - there is no way I could contemplate running that far!

dobby and yorkshire - hope you feel better soon.

Sorry to anyone I've missed!

Just starting this with friends - are there other ones couch to 5k downloads besides the NHS ones with Laura on? Perhaps with different kinds of music...

Welcome LittlePushka,

I have the cool running podcast off the internet, and put my own music/podcasts on it.

Clenched bottom - I don't know much but I think that last nights run taught me that all isn't necessarily as it seems. You may think you're able to walk faster than you can run during the podcasts but you are probably running faster.

Just keep going, I think the beauty of this c25k plan is that by just doing what it says on the tin (however badly you may think you're doing it) it'll pop you out the other end a runner!

It's magic.
Don't question yourself and your abilities too much, have faith in yourself, you can do it!

Ditto for you too Midtowner, you say that distance is impossible but you're not so far away from that distance now.
Yorkshire? That sounds near me, I think you should find yourself a big hill for your run. Or maybe not eh!

Littlepushka - Womens Running Network have beginners classes that take you up to 5k. I much prefer running with a group of people their website is www.womensrunningnetwork.co.uk, there's new classes starting all the time so might be worth emailing them if there's not one currently in your area.

CLenched - when I bought my running shoes,the woman in the fancy running shop told me that speed comes with time as your body gets used to bouncing your 8/10/12 or whatever stone up and down as you run. The important thing is to keep going. I am as slow as a snail but I don't care. For me, the important thing is to run and not walk, so every run if I can do a little bit further running rather than walking, I am on track.

I am going out tomorrow morning and I am literally planning to do 300m more running than last time. That's all. But in 5 runs, if I increase by 300m a time I should be able to run an extra mile (well, nearly).

I am going to do a 5k on 20 March and my goal is to run it all. When i did my last one, undertrained and out of shape, I had to run and walk. This means for me, a 5k where I run all is a huge achievement, even if it takes me 40m. I think 5k in 30m is actually quite fast anyway, so maybe I'l aim for that next time .

We will get there, clenched. It's only Feb. Just keep on going out and it will get easier. If you had seen me do my first few weeks, puce and barely able to breathe, you would never have thought I would be able to run for more than 2m without stopping. But I can now and so can you.

Well done to everyone who has been out. Keep on running everyone.

MarniesMummy and SybilF - thank you both for your kind words, it really does help!
Yesterday was grim, but I'm pleased that today I'm not in a heap as a result of it, so things could be worse!

Have people got big running plans for half-term? My PIL are visiting, so I face the shame of staggering in and out of the house in my running gear whilst they're around, but they're ok really. I'm sure they'll be politely encouraging!

Clenched I have driven a new 5k route today so I know what I am aiming for. At the moment, I can run about 3.5k and walk the rest. Still 4 weeks to go though.

Half term. Hm. I am running tomorrow, Sunday, Monday if I can get up before DH goes to work, Wed and then prob not til the weekend. I am used to looking like a tit as I pant round so have no shame now.

We are away for a few days at half term and I'm not sure if I will get to run. I'm taking shoes anyway but we're staying with friends and it might be a bit rude! I'm planning to do w8r1 on Sat before I go (up to 28 mins) then see how it goes.

Hi Littlepushka. I'm using Robert from coolrunning.com - I quite like him now! But I'm going to make my own playlist for longer runs.

Clenchedbottom - you pil maight be quite supportive! I live in a largish town, but the number of people that casually say 'saw you out running yesterday...' I don't even see them! But actually most people are quite kind. And you'll hear it from lots of us - you will be amazed at what you are achieving in a few weeks.

Happy half term to all, keep running.

hello you lovely people! Thanks for the coolrunning.com and the womens running network tips. off to check them out now.!!

Hello everyone. Well I didn't end up biking this morning, as I have been working extremely hard, and the temptation of a bit of a lie in was too great. But that means I have to run tomorrow, and it's the 25 minute biggie - aaaaargh!

Marnie, my parents live near the top of a hill, but the village itself is in a dip IYSWIM, so the only way is up whichever way I go

I will report back in the morning...