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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:
CalamityKate · 25/02/2011 23:59

W1r1 I mean.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/02/2011 08:43

Happy potter - I'm on a C25K app and am running 28 mins now. They started at week 8.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/02/2011 08:49

I was a total non runner and yes definitely I found my prgress steady, surprising myself on occasiOn. I was really intimidated by the 20 min run that is introduced fairly early on but was amazed that I could keep going. I still can't quite believe that I am on a thread discussing running though. That seems mad!!

dawntigga · 26/02/2011 08:55

Wants to come back and read this from the beginning.

Doesn'tEnjoyRunningButIsFarToFatTiggaxx

midtowner · 26/02/2011 09:22

Tigga, once you've read the thread you will be out running with us :)

cubscout · 26/02/2011 09:38

Ladies,sorry, I'm going to shout again - I JUST RAN THE FULL 5K Grin. I feel brilliant, on top of the world and can't quite get my head around it!

I have a nice route running to a park, then around a lake and home. I judged that if I did a slightly longer warm up walk, it would be 5k to my front door. Did the run, Robert got to 'congratulations you just ran 5k, checked my phone app which said 2.9 miles....aaaagh.... so I had to run around the block once and ended at 3.1 miles at the top of my road. I have to confess I had my eye on the phone for the whole of the last 0.2 miles but you know what - I realised I could have gone on a bit too.

The training program is amazing, and a huge thank you to everyone here - honestly honsetly I don't think I could have done it without the support, encouragement on here, and the incentive of reporting back, particularly when it felt like hard going. So keep on everyone who is in the early stages, come on those like Midtowner, Piste, Marnie and Sybil who are just at the 5k mark.

Going for a strong coffee and a little lie down...

sybilfaulty · 26/02/2011 09:40

Come on Tigga, get your trainers on!

I was laughing as I ran on Tuesday. When I was at school I would do anything to avoid running and I was rubbish. Could not keep going for more than about 2mins. Fast forward 25 years and I am itching to get out there again!

I have a very inspiring friend whose husband buggered off with a younger woman 2 years ago. She started running about a fortnight later and has done several 10k races and is now in training for a half marathon. Her body is so good. Still got a shape but nothing wobbles where it shouldn't. Now got a fab new man to boot. When she started, she said she couldn't run 1m. Fabulous.

Am going to try to do the run I cocked up on Thursday. Wish me luck.

Happy Saturday everyone.

sybilfaulty · 26/02/2011 09:42

OH wow, cubscout, that is wonderful, congratulations! Awesome! Our first graduate. You have inspired me.

I am a little way off being able to run the full 5k but hope to get there by this time next week.

Well done again.

CalamityKate · 26/02/2011 10:14

Wow Cubscout - congratulations!! I dream of running that distance!!

I keep having flashbacks to a very strong memory I've got of when I was...ooh, maybe 9 or 10. We went on a school trip to the beach. I remember it was warm, but not particularly sunny and we were mucking about just at the water's edge, where the sand is wet but firm. I remember running away from a classmate who was chucking seaweed at me and what really gets me is the memory of feeling like I didn't weigh a thing - it felt like my feet were hardly touching the sand and I remember laughing with the sheer exhilaration of it, running faster and faster, skimming the sand.

OK, I'm never going to be that light again but I really want to feel that exhilaration again - just getting a kick out of MOVING, you know?

CalamityKate · 26/02/2011 10:19

Oh and another "ache and pain" question - regarding backache.

Now I've had a bad back for years - nothing specific (I've had X Rays and stuff) - just I suspect years of poor posture and mucking out stables/humping hay bales/standing on concrete floors for hours working in a factory.

So the day after a run, it's quite achey and sore, and in fact yesterday before my run I was worried it was going to prevent me from managing the time.

But in fact, during and after the run it felt brilliant - no pain, and far more flexible!

This morning it's sore and stiff again, but not too bad.

Anyone else suffer with their back? I'm assuming that if mine was actually being damaged by the running it would hurt DURING, surely? Do you reckon it will get stronger over time?

cubscout · 26/02/2011 10:23

What a lovely memory Calamity. Stick with the programme and you will soon be feeling a great natural high. When I started I could barely run at all. Now, I seem to have found a rhythm and pace that suits me and while I will never be the most stylish runner, who cares - I am a runner full stop!

Good luck for later sybil - also midtowner you're out today too.

midtowner · 26/02/2011 10:38

cubscout shouting back at you WELL DONE YOU DID IT!!!! CONGRATULATIONS Grin Grin Grin. So excited to hear that you've done it!!

I ran the same route as the other day, and did all of it. I could have kept going a bit further as well, so that's good.

I read Marnie's comment about it being a mental challenge before I went, which really helped me - every time I thought "I can't do this, because I didn't do it last time", I told myself that actually I could Smile.

happypotter · 26/02/2011 14:14

Cubscout - that's amazing!! Well done!!!

ClenchedBottom · 26/02/2011 16:57

Wahay Cubscout, that's Grin Grin Grin Grin

I hope you're suitably chuffed with yourself!

So, well done from me - maybe dunk a Biscuit in a Brew and plan a celebratory Wine for later?

MarniesMummy · 26/02/2011 18:39

That's FANTASTIC Cubscout, I've been itching all day to log on and see how you've done.

I'm so pleased for you.Grin Grin Grin
I bet that coffee never tasted so good.

So?
What's next Cubscout? Have you got any plans you'd care to share?

They really need a bottle of bubbly picture, if they did...

This is for you [bottle of bubbly]!!

MarniesMummy · 26/02/2011 18:43

Oops! I forgot, I did w7r2 (properly) today.

No stopping. Feel happy but my legs are sooooooo tired. Not really sure why that should be. I'll see how I feel after my days rest and maybe take a second if I still feel tired.

Good luck anyone who's out tonight or tommorrow!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/02/2011 19:13

Well done Cubscout. You are amazing and are setting the standard for us all.

I'm up to 30 mins on Thursday got one more 28mins left on Monday. That should mean im running 5K on Thursday but I shall have to take DH's gps to make sure. Grin

We really are getting there! Well done Cub, and well done everyone!

cubscout · 26/02/2011 20:57

Thanks to you all. It's so exciting that many of us are so near - Piste, I will be thinking of you on Thursday.

I did catch myself thinking' maybe I should aim for 10k next'. maybe, or maybe I'll just work n style over 5k. Still, if anyone wants to join me....

McDreamy · 26/02/2011 23:51

Right I have just made a running playlist and I am going to start W1D1 tomorrow. I HAVE to do this! You guys are amazing, fantastic achievements, well done.

McDreamy · 27/02/2011 00:03

Are you ladies loosing weight with this plan? (I'm hoping I will). How many of you were complete non runners before you started?

midtowner · 27/02/2011 00:30

McDreamy, great to hear you are starting tomorrow! I don't think I've lost much weight, but I have certainly toned up with the extra exercise (the friend I am staying with tonight, who last saw me in December, said they thought that I'd lost weight since then).

cubscout, I'm tempted by the bridge to 10k, but am not sure where I'll find the time - I normally run before work, but will have to get up even earlier if I'm to do an hour each time. I'm also part-way through a Masters (one of the reasons I've been back in the UK this week) and am struggling to fit everything in.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/02/2011 07:38

Good luck McDreamy - go for it!
There are plenty of real non runners ( including me ) on here, but everyone is chipping away and taking it one run at a time.

I'm def toning! And poor Clenched now has a corner in her derrière!!

Good luck everyone!

ClenchedBottom · 27/02/2011 16:21

McDreamy, if you picture your typical 'never jogged other than to catch a train' type person - then they probably look like me..... I am definitely in the 'complete non-runner before I started this' category.
My aim is to improve my fitness rather than lose weight specifically, although I guess I'm hoping that I might lose a little weight along the way. I'm only in week 3, and am seeing a difference already - notably the infamous corner which has appeared in my bottom. Yes, really, a corner......
But don't let me put you off!

Right, so today I got through W3R2. I ran a different route, as I suddenly realised that I'd gone exatly the same way for all the other sessions. Not sure how it worked, as then the second 3 min run coincided with a slight hill that I struggled with, but I did get through it. Am alarmed to think that there's only one more W3 run left (that should be Wednesday) so on Friday I ought to be starting W4 - when I worked out that after W3, running for 9 mins in total on each session it then jumps to 16 minutes in total I panicked a little!

sybilfaulty · 27/02/2011 16:55

After failing to make it out yesterday, I am just about to pop on my running kit and zoom out for a quick half hour round the block. Well, I won't be quick but I will be there and back in a flash. I love running in that it only takes you 35 mins to do half an hour of exercise. With swimming, you have to drive, change, shower, swim, shower, dry hair etc etc so it takes ages.

See you later.

Keep on running everyone.

sybilfaulty · 27/02/2011 18:20

Hurray! Back on track today. I ran the furtherest I have ever gone without stopping (2.7m) and, whilst bits of it were sore, it was eminently doable. My 5k race is in 3 weeks time. I reckon I can do 8 runs before then, and I am cautiously optimistic that I will be able to make it round without either dying or stopping.

Hope everyone else has had a good weekend and has run well if you have had a chance to pop out.

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