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???

sybil!
Bum twins!!!!!!
I am honoured...... and greatly amused. It is indeed from the side that the distinct corner on my bum is most visible, something has Definitely Happened to the muscle underneath. Maybe we should start an elite club? - Although DH has pointed out that 'Bum Twins' sounds like the title of a really dodgy film!!!!

W2R1 done!

90 whole seconds of running! I know, it's feeble compared to some of you but it's a big deal for me!

My poor running partner has had to drop out for a couple of goes - she's hurt her shoulder and today her physio told her that although she can keep running, she mustn't run again until she's got a shoulder support thingy. So she persuaded her 16 year old daughter to go with me instead!

It was easier than I expected, actually, although I think I might have to get some knee supports; they've been a bit twinge-y and I don't want to have to stop.

The main thing is I'm REALLY enjoying it! That is amazing to me

Bonzo - welcome!
I like the Shock Absorber bra, although I need help to fasten it! I would really recommend the NHS choices couch - 5k programme, it's been good so far for me and I'm a beginner. I think take things steady and stay relaxed about it and...... oh I don't know really, a proper runner will be along soon with some proper advice, I just tend to witter on about bottoms!
Good luck with it, anyway.

Bottoms are good! My DH is a runner and he has a square bum! (phoar emoticon)

Bonzo - not sure that my bum is phoar-able, but hey, I'm working on it.....
I do just worry that I lower the tone on this thread!

CalamityKate - well done! I think the very best thing is how much you're enjoying it, as then you'll be keen to keep going. I must admit that I'm still only at the stage where I enjoy the fact that I've managed to get trhough a session rather than the session itself, but even that is keeping me going anyway.

Sorry - wasn't suggesting that I wanted Bonzo to be phoaring at my bum, I phrased that badly!

Thanks Clenched! Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy being out of puff. I hate that feeling and it's the reason I've always worked very hard to avoid most exercise.

But the first minute or so, when I'm running and still breathing easily, and my legs don't ache feel GREAT, and I'm assuming that that magic minute will stretch into 2, and 3 and so on as I get fitter. I find it really exhilarating and I'm guessing that when I'm fit enough to start thinking about picking up the pace a bit, the extra speed will be even more exhilarating!

Hmmmm, maybe I should have taken some "before" pictures so I could see if there is any change in my bottom so I can join the club .

I'm back home, I should have been out today but am shattered so I've set the alarm clock for 6.15 .

Hey are we becoming addicted? Getting up extra early to fit in those runs? Midtowner, I have often thought of setting my alarm extra early to fit in runs - I am better in the morning and dh is often away/working late so tricky to get out.

Big welcome to all newcomers - tigga, bonzo, secretlemonade and ample. Good luck with the runs. My strategy was not to look ahead more than 1 week and the times when I felt I could push myself a little more, even if just a few yards, I did. I started to feel really good about week 3, just the getting out and regular exercise no doubt but who cares!

I've decided to stick at 5k for a couple of weeks and concentrate on getting out regularly. Then when anyone is ready, maybe we might tackle Bridge to 10k? Come on - sign up here...

Oh can I join? Just finished week 2. Running with dog and so far so good for us both! Our local park has a running track (3.6km) with distances marked but I haven't ventured there yet - want to look a bit more like a "proper" runner before I do [smile}

I am a very foolish woman .

The alarm (on my phone) went off at 6.15. Dragged myself out of bed and got dressed. Wandered into kitchen for a drink thinking how dark it was, checked wristwatch and realised it was 1.30 am - I hadn't changed the clock on my phone back to US time .

Went back to bed and had several coughing fits before sleeping. I don't think DH was very impressed

When it was really 6.15 I went out and did W8R1. Very pleased with myself, as I made it to the Park - a few pages back I was saying it was too far away. I had Tom Jones on my ipod and felt like I was going quite fast.

cub, I'm tempted by B210K, partly because DH, who did/does no training, can run a 6 mile circuit of Central Park in 55 mins - I've set myself the goal of just getting round the circuit with him (which we often walk in about an hour) by the summer.

Welcome dubaipieeye (great name)!

I am beginning to feel like a proper runner, as I bought myself some nice running gear (in the sportsdirect.com sale - 30 quid for 2 teeshirts, a long sleeved top and some running tights) to replace the scruffy old stuff I was wearing, and an armband for my ipod (a couple of quid from amazon.com). So I blend in better with the other runners now, even though I can't keep up .

If anyone had told me three months ago that I'd be getting up early and dressing like this to go and exercise in the cold I'd have told them they were bonkers!

Midtowner, you are funny. I know what you mean about looking like a runner. I feel in my tights and windy jacket that I blend in, even if I am slow.

Welcome dubai, good to have you on board.

Am out tonight for a run with my fast friend. It'll be a sprint for me but she will barely work up a sweat. Nice to have something to work towards though.

My new year resolution was to run 10k by the end of the year. I have my race in 3 weeks so will see how I feel then. I may stick at 5k for a few weeks or months to try to build a bit of speed. Well, relatively. Once I can run 5k with ease, I think I'll try to go a bit further.

Keep on running everyone.

Running tights??? I want running tights. I don't know what they are but they sound like I need them in order to blend in.

Everyone is doing really well. I'm also another one who is spending way too long looking for anything that resembles a corner in my butt.

I did my w5 d3 yesterday and for some stupid reason thought it would be a good idea to up my speed for the last 30 secs of each two and a half min stint. Clearly wasn't a good idea as I was knackered after half an hour and my knees are uncomfortable today.

I was reading a book that someone in the UK sent me via amazon (Running Made Easy) and they mentioned sometime about the 'ten min' mark and that even experienced runners can struggle for the first ten mins then after that the run becomes easier. Is that something that those of you doing longer runs find?

Midtowner - what do you do about breakfast when you go for an early morning run? I've thought of heading out first thing before dh leaves for work but worry if I don't have breakfast then I'll pass out somewhere. Funnily enough, just this morning I've arranged a Central Park running trip with a friend coming over from the UK. He is uber fit and done the whole Iron Man thing so I'm hoping he doesn't struggle to keep up with me!!!

Hello can I join you? I started running 4 weeks ago and have entered into an 11k in 4 weeks time!! Its with the school and I really want my lazy ds to see that exercise is good for you, that is if I don't have a heart attack whilst doing it.
I am only up to 4 miles now though and I am slow, it takes 40 minutes to do it.
Need your help, 4 weeks to go, eeek

10k! Eeeek! Are we ACTUALLY discussing that possibility? Gulp! Need to get to 5 first! Once I graduate then I'd be up fir it- after a few weeks/ months of getting super good.

Weighed myself today and have managed to put ON 6 lbs since I started! Most dis-chuffed. However I tell myself it must be muscle.... Particularly in the bum region.

I'm just starting to feel like a runner too or at least I was until a superfit very young thing lapped me twice the other day !

Believe me I would have preferred a 5k if there was one but the uber fit mums at school have made it 11, darn them. Everything hurts and I can't stop eating but I have to do it now my son knows about it. Help !!!!

tulip - 11k, ouch! Erm, I guess you need to really carefully structure your remaining 4 weeks, but you need someone a lot more knowledgeable than me to advise you on that!
Good luck, anyway!

I'm out tomorrow at some point for W3R3.....

Calamity Kate - You're spot on, the ache kicks in later and later until you realise that you can run without it kicking in. That'll happen to you really soon. After that you'll become aware that it's become a mental battle and that's when the fun begins. I think this programme makes you feel good all the way along. Stick at it Kate, you're doing really well. Happypotter - I agree, on the NHS podcasts, Laura says that 5minutes are up and that you should be in a good rythmn. I totally agree with her, despite the fact that there are many gradient changes on my run if I don't have control of my breathing after 5 minutes then I know that I'm going to struggle and I've come to realise that focussing very hard on my breathing and making sure it's totally under my control is worth it and from then on however fast I choose to run I'll keep my breathing under control. It turns out that some things about running are quite interesting little puzzles (I'm sure that everyone has their own particular little puzzles) and I'm completely up for solving them and being a good runner. Cub and Midtowner - I'm up for Bridge to 10K. I want to check that I am running 5k in 30 minutes first. I've decided to change my route to one that's through the parks near me (for seeing if I can run the distance in the time only). I'm not worried about how long I take going up the Eiger and Eiger-like hills, I'm so proud of myself for learning to run uphill! All the most beautiful runs are in the Peak District (as opposed to Sheffield streets) and now they're on my list of places to run in the nice weather!!! Yay!!!! Yorkshire - I'm betting (from you running the initial stages whilst pushing two children in a buggy) that you're a fairly normal size lady and so I'm not suprised that you've put on weight!! Not an insult honest. I'm, (and I'm going to be totally honest with you all, but if you tell anyone I'll have to kill you) I was a very, very large size 20 when I started c25k (the sort that most people would call a size 22 equished into a size 20). I am now a (large) 18, yet I am only 5 lbs lighter. Usually a dress size equates to a stone, or so I've read, so muscle is the only explaination. Midtowner - I want my new running kit too! I've been saying to myself that I can't have it until I've proved I can run the distance in the time (that and the fact that each week that passes sees me a little slimmer). I'm not running tomorrow as I'm power walking but I may run before or after it depending on how I feel. Failing that I shall run on thursday.

MM- well done for dropping a dress size and conquering the eiger! Yeah I'm a "normal" (whatever that is!) "average" size 12/ 14 so wasn't doing the running to loose weight, just a bit miffed that during a training programme I've put it on! Have I mentioned my recent cake habit......

Has anyone moved from a treadmill to outside? Is it really different? I'm expecting it to be much harder. Do you all run with an MP3 player? I've been running while listening to radio four up until now.

Ran for 20 minutes today which makes me about week 6, I think. Felt quite good but I have blisters on my feet now.

YorkshireCrockpot - I've put on about 4 pounds already feeling a little

Tulip - 11k why 11k? I think uberfit mum is being a bit of a show off ambitious to expect that from new runners. Good luck sounds like your doing really well so far!

Midtowner, thanks - I thought my name was a little geeky and was thinking of changing - but now I shall "wear" it with pride! Ta.

Would love to join club running tights but as we are about to move into freakin hot weather summer here I shall have stick with shorts. Seeing myself in them is also an incentive to run like the wind!

R1w3 tomorrow. Am alternating with 30 day shred. Madness!

Madness but effective - there is a vague outline of a six pack under my mum tum!!

Walked about a mile, The Cub had his legs walked off and actually asked to go back to the car at about half a mile round. It was closer to a third of the way round but I'll take a mile to be conservative.

AchyCalvesInAPleasantWayTiggaxx

Hi all. Have just read the whole thread. Can I join? I'm on week 4 - did w4d1 and it was fine. The first 5 minute run was pretty dreadful but after that it was grand. Trying not to think about next week's 20 minuter. I have never been a runner but have signed up to do 4.3 miles as part of a marathon relay team on 2nd May. Which will be 3 weeks after I finish c25k. I may well have to walk some of it! Life is really hectic at the moment and might have to run at work at lunchtime to fit it in at all tomorrow. Either that or pre breakfast but that all depends on dd2 allowing me to escape (she's 9 months and loves her early morning breastfeeds!)