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???

Thankyou everyone, i think if i keep checking in here i'm likely to stick to it. All your progress should keep me motivated.

Thanks for the lovely welcome

sybilf - does it really get easier at week 4/5???? I'm about to start week 3 and really anxious about the horrors lurking beyond it!

Hi Kate, Clenched and anyone that I might have missed.
Yes it does get easier, I'm not really sure how but it does and you said Clenched, the thrill post run is tremendous. It's the rest days that irritate me now.

I wonder about people seeing me but I've found that the more I stick at this the better my confidence is. I'm not saying I'm any less red faced or sweaty but knowing that I'm a runner now (grin) feels so good that I don't care!

Please keep the music recommendations coming, I'm going to need some pretty soon (all things being well). I think I'm going to try the Simths and the Strokes and see how I fare (unless someone already has and wants to tell me not to bother). Also some Mamma and the Pappas (I think a bit of California dreaming can only help right?)

I agree it does get easier as you chip away at it.

I am simply not a runner, that seems ludicrous really, like we are talking about someone else ( !! ) but from Week 1 where it was an effort, I am onto Week 8.

It's such a clever training system. I can very clearly remember doing 90second runs alternating with 3 minutes and I simply couldn't do it. I had a total disaster. But I suppose it's sticking with it, building up stamina and strength. I also decided early on not to Look ahead on the expectations because that was too scary! I just worried about the actual run I was doing at that time.

I'm so glad I started this and the support here is brilliant < Piste hugs everyone > truly. So cheers everyone!!
And just keep going - just keep chipping away!

Hi everyone, and welcome to everyone newly joined. As you've heard from the others it really is a fantastic training system. 8 weeks ago none of us was finding it easy and whilst I would not say it's a breeze all the time I can say I am enjoying being a runner...

We have had a lovely relaxing time in Spain. I ran once and did find it hard going but we were in the moutains so hills plus altitude. It was wonderful to run in the sun and I can't wait for spring now.

Now for the big one - I'm on to week 9 on Saturday and going for the full 5k. I can't believe it! To celebrate I'm going to make a playlist of my own music although will miss the lovely Robert telling me I'm doing great.

There are quite a few of us nearly at the full 5k - how are we going to celebrate? Come on, we need some ideas!

I can vouch for the addictive nature of C25K. I haven't been out since last Sunday (too busy, and now have a horrible cold) and am champing at the bit . So I am going to put my running gear on and walk down to the village for a paper as a warm up, and if I feel OK I will go out for a run when I get back. My parents have taken the boys out for the day, so I should be chilling out, but instead I want some exercise!

And I could not have got to this point without the support on this thread

So my walk turned into kind of a run - I did the warm up and the first half of W7R2, but by that time I had been up three hills and was severely out of puff, so I walked a bit and ran another 5 minutes or so and had a longer cool down . I covered about 4.6k altogether, so not too bad on distance .

midtowner - 4.6k sounds great, well done!

Afternoon everyone. Must confess, I'm having a wobble today. I went out earlier and did W3R1, found it hard, but did it. Anyway, I got to thinking - if I'm finding it hard to run for 3 mins now, how quickly does it move on? So I did that daftest of things and looked at the next couple of weeks, which look really scary! So instead of feeling good about managing to get through W3R1 without collapsing in a heap, now I'm in stress. I can see that this is silly as well as rather a shame - DH is horrified, he's being really encouraging and can't undrstand why I'm suddenly down about it. but I can't snap out of it! Argh!

Sorry please excuse typos, symptomatic of my general

Don't look ahead Clenched (I think it was piste who said that a little while ago and she's right). You're doing great just by getting out into the fresh air and giving it a go. By exercising regularly you are building your fitness so you will be able to progress. We've all had wobbles when we've thought we weren't going to be able to do the next run, but amazingly, it's all do-able! Just focus on getting out there every couple of days and do the best you can each time.

I didn't actually run 4.6k, that included the warm up and cool down as well . But it was better than sitting on my bottom eating chocolate biscuits (which is what I've been doing since I got back ).

Bad run for me today alas. Was up for about 1 1/2 hours in night and just could not get going. Did about 15 mins then my bottom started killing me and my knee hurt, so I ran and walked the rest of the way. I need to have another go. Saturday I think.

Undeterred I am looking forward to my nexgt outing. Hope everyone is doing well. Keep on running everyone.

Today wasnt the day Sybil. Hope you recover quickly.

week 3 done - yay! strangely looking forward to week 4. I braved running in daylight today, I saw a nice sunset and was only slightly embarrassed to be spotted by the neighbours.

Clenchedbottom - keep with it.At the start of this week I found the 3 minute run hard but by the third run of the week it has become easy much more manageable. At the start of the week I was willing Laura to tell me to stop but tonight I was surprised how quickly the time passed.

Aches and pains - do they go away??

My knees sometimes twinge - a sharp little pain right on the front of the kneecap. Not constant, not bad enough to stop me - just the occasional "Ouch".

I'm prone to a bad back, and it seems to seize up a bit on the mornings of my rest days, but come workout time it's limbered up again. Will it get stronger do you think?

Ankles get a bit achey at the end of the runs - I assume they'll harden up too?

Hi everyone, I see we have some new runners - dobby waves madly at new folk I am still around but finding it hard to get out to run at the moment. I promise I have not given up, just only managing once a week so sticking with week 2 for now.

Am off to Butlins tomorrow for 3 days so will be swimming and generally running around after DD so am going to pack my trainers in case i get some time to myself for a run around the camp - -wish me luck!

Calamity - yes aches and pains do go away, it felt to me sometimes That my knees were bruised inside but I am not getting that anymore. my knees do still feel very tired after though.

What sort of trainers do you have? I only ask that because the peopleon here who went and got advice and got trainers designed for running talked of huge improvements in terms of aching ankles etc

I suppose we are using muscles that haven't been used for a while and they are protesting!!

Ok I'm hesitating to post about this because you're all very focussed on the actual running part........ but........ at the risk of sounding most peculiar, I have noticed a physical impact of the programme, after less than 3 weeks. Erm, I seem to have developed a corner in my bottom....... I don't spend much time looking in the mirror, especially at my bum! - but glanced in a mirror earlier as I was hanging up a towel after a shower, and there it was. I have to say, I'm pleased that it shows that already the programme is having an impact..........

....... But I'm not really overjoyed - I mean, a corner ?????? I'm hoping that it's a step towards something slightly more shapely! And I'm definitely not imagining it, DH has confirmed the existence of Bottom Corner. He's managed not to laugh so far......

Ooh knees!! I'm convinced I have weak knees from doing too much gymnastics and dancing as a child. Any twinge in them and I convinced I'm about to fall in a heap - hasn't happened yet though! At the moment, I'm wearing some nike trainers that are apparently good for starter runners. They cost about $100 and are quite comfy. My dh and I always buy nike trainers as they seem to last a long time.
I did my w5r1 today of my c210. On the podcast I use that meant running for two and a half minutes then walking two and a half minutes for 68 minutes. I was pleased as I covered five miles in that time. I've still got no idea how on earth I'm going to be able to run for a significant chunk of time. I think I've got some psychological block to pushing myself too hard and making an effort - I think my body goes into shock if it feels a sweat starting to come on!!
I was more aware of the music that seem to fit my running speed today, so here are some ideas for those of us with a slow and steady plod...
Rockafeller Skank and Weapon of Choice (these two last for ages as well), Chelsea Dagger (Fratellis), Mr Brightside (Killers), City of Blinding Lights and Angel of Harlem (U2) , Sex on Fire (Kings of Leon), Come As You Are (Nirvana), Cradle of Love and To be a lover (Billy Idol), Like I love You and Rock Your Body (Justin Timberlake), Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas), Gyrate, Stories and Things That I Need (Eat), Professional Widow (Tori Amos), Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes?)
I also like running to Town Called Malice but I'm not sure my knees can keep up!!!
Keep going everyone!!

happypotter - wow, 68 minutes! (faints)

Gosh!
68 minutes!

I was about to beguile you with tales of how I ran my run in reverse (Laura's suggestion, I hope she doesn't tell me to rob a bank or anything ) and I was a bit miffed as I stopped twice, once for about 1minute (less probably but...) and once for about 3 minutes so when she said slow down I thought 'Nah, I'm OK actually and carried on running, all the way home, which is 5.6k!!!
I was/am very pleased with myself but 68minutes??? I'm impressed.

Actually Happy is there a podcast for c210k? as I think my next step (once I've done c25k) is to run 10k regularly! I's appreciate any links (am lazy so-and-so!)

Clenched Bottom - Here's hoping the corners eventually round themselves off! But your right, I noticed my shape changing very quickly once I started.

Kate - My aches went away after a few weeks, be kind to yourself though. I wouldn't ignore them without consideration just incase they're warning signs that you need to change your shoes or other bits of kit. MT is right!

Am off for my dinner.

68 minutes good grief! Well done Happy!

Marnie, there's a Bridge to 10k to follow on from C25K (it's the same as C210K, but you start half way through) - I was looking at it yesterday .

Clenched, I feel as though I've firmed up a bit since doing this. I was also trying to low carb, but that hasn't really worked over the last couple of weeks as I've been living out of a suitcase/eating hotel/my parents' food. But my Dad commented that I was looking slimmer "bony" last week. Back home on Sunday, so I'll get back into a better routine without jaffa cakes on tap .

Kate, I think it was piste who suggested you check your shoes. I went and got some trainers fitted when I started, as my old ones were giving me blisters. According to the guy in the shop I have a high arch, so he sold me some saucony ones (never heard of them before) - I had bought some New Balance ones which gave me blisters from a trainer shop, so went to a proper running shop this time.

Congrats on the corner!

Oo I love the Black Eyed Peas!! Seen them live twice recently < preens >
Ooo and i love Chelsea Dagger!! Good choices !

Just done W8 R2 ( 28 mins ) and nearly died. Well I didn't but I am knackered now that's for sure!

I didn't run the whole 68 mins!!!! I'd give myself a medal if I had done. It was five mins walk warm up, then two and a half run, two and a half walk, twelve times, then cool down. I must admit, the podcast has really small steps in extra running but the shortest session has been 46 mins and the longest 72 mins so far. Week 1 was 30 secs run, 4 and a half walk, week 2 was 1 min run, 4 mins walk and so on, adding 30 secs to each run. I've just had a look -
week 6 - 3 mins run, 2 min walk (session length - 73/58/63 mins)
week 7 - 4 mins run, 2 min walk (session length - 68/62/62 mins)
week 8 - 5 mins run, 1 min walk (session length - 69/57/63 mins)
week 9 - 7 mins (eek) , 2 min walk (session length 71/62/58 mins)
week 10 - 10 mins, 1 min walk (session length 53/51/55 mins)
week 11 - JUMPS TO 25 MINUTE RUN - CAN"T BEAR TO LOOK ANY FURTHER!!!!!!
The last week (13) is to run for 40 mins/about 10K

I've no idea what pace the other podcasts go at but I'm in week 5 and still only running 2 and a half mins at a time. I'm useless at links but will have a go. Watch this space!!!

www.sportsshoes.com/products/saucony/shoe/

These look like some good deals on my shoes!