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 everyone and welcome molly. Great to ehar there are a few takers for 10k.

I am still not quite managing 5k in 30 mins, more like 35 if I'm measuring distance accurately. I'm happy sticking with that for a few weeks and getting into a rhythm.

Definately think it's time for me to treat myself to some running gear . I'm off today so after jobs and a run of course, I'm getting down to Sports Direct.

Regarding weight loss - I am a quite slim 9 stone. I have put on a bit of weight since starting, but some clothes definately feel looser. I googled a bit, and yes, muscle does weigh more than sat!

Good running everyone - Piste - where are you now? You must be near 5k? Let us know.

Hello!!

May I join?

I want to get back into running having just had a baby, and not having run since being pregnant. I ran a lot for the year prior to being pregnant, but think I should probably start again from the beginning.

Won't promise that my schedule will go exactly to plan, as things are pretty complicated with our little one, but will be good to at least do some exercise and I think it will take my mind of a few things.

Right, where are my trainers?....

I typed a long reply last night, but lost it when the server shut down.

happypotter, these are my running tights

www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-run-capri-bottoms-ladies-457021?colcode=45702190

When I run in the morning I tend just to have a berocca/juice or a coffee. Sometimes a banana. A runner friend told me that it was more important to be hydrated than fed. I make up for it when I get home though!

marnie - well done on dropping a dress size already. I'm firmly of the view that it's how we look in our clothes that matters rather than what the scales say.

Welcome to new runners! glad your ache is pleasant tigga! tulip, hats off to you for doing an 11k!

Yes, where is piste?

cub, you'll have to post what you bought from sports direct, my new favourite shop

gormers- welcome!
(try looking in the cupboard under the stairs for your trainers????)
and congratulations on your new DC!

Nice tights Midtowner :-)) I'll have to get myself down to Dick's Sporting Goods and find some. I'll try going out first thing after some water. I can't eat breakfast until I've been awake about an hour or so.

After a false start last night (waiting 10 mins in freezing temp for my pal to appear then too cold to run) I am off to have another go. Have to wait until the school run is finished or I will bump into too many people I know.

I have added "Xanadu" to my ipod for extra camp power.

Wish me luck. The sun is out though so I am hopeful that it won't be so terribly cold.

Very quickly - i DID IT! 2.7miles in 30 mins. Still haven't got the magic 3.1 but am more confident. Was on verge of giving up yest. Why are the first 10 mins so bloody horrid? Everything hurts and I don't like it at all. Perversely I get faster as the run goes on.

Well, that's W3 finished for me then...... and oooooh it was cold out there! I came back with earache from the cold wind and a bleeding scratch on my hand that I hadn't even noticed because my hands were so cold! (That sound overly dramatic - I think it was just a bramble, but it was a surprise anyway!)

Hope to start W4 on Friday. W4! That sounds serious!
Although I'm still finding it hard, I'm waiting for the stage where the struggle is mental rather than the mere physical stress of dragging myself around!

Ooooh sybil - well done!
Sorry, I took a phonecall halfway through my previous waffle and hadn't seen your update. 2.7 miles is really good! Here, have a

It is always much harder at the beginning of a run, so many times I've been on the verge of giving up and going home , and then had a fab run once I'd finally got into it!

Now, not sure about having to locate my trainers so much as trying to locate an appropriate sports bra! To give you an idea, the pre-preggers sports bra was 32FF, so you can imagine what it may be now with breast-feeding boobs!! Old ones really don't fit anymore and i'd probably do myself an injury without one - I don't think a nursing bra will cut the mustard! Maybe I'll just have a walk today and do some shopping before first attempted run!

Ah, now somewhere on this thread sports bras were discussed. I like the Shock Absorber running one, but remain utterly incapable of fastening it by myself A friend who is ....erm well endowed in the norkage department really likes a Freya sports bra for running in (well, I think she wears other stuff too but YKWIM!) I should think with breastfeeding bosoms then really good structural underpinning is required, otherwise it would hurt!

Fantastic sybil! It's annoying isn't it when you're run 30 mins but not quite done 3.1 miles. I went out today an it took me 33 mins to do 3.1 miles, so I'm a couple of minutes faster today.

Funny about the 10 min pain barrier isn't it? I definately suffer this too - I just want to give up. Now I'm more aware of it I cope better, but usually until I get to the halfway mark I feel pretty dire....then I perk up a bit. I'm going to play around with a music playlist to keep me occupied better in those first 10 mins.

Didn't get to sports direct today so going to try tomorrow for some new gear.

Clenched - it will on;y be a couple more weeks before you're battling the 10 min barrier.

Hi gormers. How much of a runner were you pre baby? Some of us here are still shell shocked at actually managing to do it at all - it's a whole new experience!

cubscout - thanks. But eeeeeeeeeeeek!

Just got back from w5 d2 and I did it! Woo hoo! Ran two lots of 8 mins and I feel sooo good. Really pleased with myself but the mahoosive 20 minuter is next.... Gulp! Need to sit down with a

Will join the running tights club when I graduate- my sainsbos joggers will be knackered out by then.

Piste ... where are you?!?! Dobby is AWOL too...

Keep on running everyone and good luck to those off out on a mid week run

Yorkshire - well done! Remember to focus on how good you feel now for having done 2 lots of 8 mins, that's wonderful! Here, have another - I'll even throw in a to dunk if you like!

Yes - the shock absorber one specifically for running is great isn't it, I'll have to look into how big they go - do you think they do 32DoubleScaffold??

Cubscout - I was running about 5 times a week, with the long run being about 10k, but never managed to get past that distance for some reason. I built up over a year from nothing, and loved it!! I used the Running Made Easy book last time, so know that the walk/run method really flippin works doesn't it! Looking forward to getting back into it, but think it may be painful to start off with.

I have missed a run. I just couldn't get to it. Life conspired against me!
But I went out on W8R3 tonight. The last of the 28 min ones and it was hard work. Also the air was too cold for me really. I also didn't have time to do the 5 min cool down. Consequently I only managed 4K. I need to speed up but at the moment it's a matter of getting through the time.

From now on I'm on 30 min runs so I suppose I just keep doing the same thing but hopefully improving!

And I think I too have a corner

'Only managed 4k' - Aaaah now Piste, you know that 4k is still really great, don't you!!!!? especially in this cold!

So then, how do you feel about your corner? (Although must admit, am intrigued if you just have the one - I do have one on each side.......)

what's this about corners on bottoms? I have a very large definitely round derriere. Do I want corners? Are they a good thing? i'm most .

Did w4 r2 tonight. three quarters of the way round I had thoughts of missing w4r3 and jumping to w5r1 as I was finding it easy but the last 5 minute run changed my mind.

Well done everyone! Off out tomorrow morning, have phone correctly set on NY time now, so no more middle of the night surprises

Sybil - am liking Xanadu. I've just done a genius playlist based around Mamma Mia. My music library is such that it includes some U2, Van Morrison and REM (Shiny Happy People) alongside James Taylor and Tom Jones and The Green Green Grass of Home. It should wake me up anyway .

It's going to be cold here tomorrow as well.

Well. My legs used to start getting progressively bigger until they incorporated my backside. Now my legs go up and then there is a definitely corner as my backside joins my legs!

There will be no photos!!

I am working at home today but may sneak out for a quick run before the nanny gets back with the kids. I cannot believe that I said that! In the olden days any sneaking out I did was for a fag.

Piste, you have a corner too! We are the corner club!!

Ah, now I understand. Thank you