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???

Well, I wrote yesterday off as a blip and did W3R3 this morning! :)

Feel so much better having done it, took a different route to motivate myself, was hard getting going and the last 3 min run landed on an uphill which was badly timed, but it's done now.

Thankyou for all the encouragement, it really does help :)

Piste - I meant the other one - the tall gold one (not that I am either ).

Sennen and dubai, well done for cracking it! Sybil, hope you had a good run .

Hi Sal and Sennan. Disaster for me today. I think I had Piste's lettice legs, and only managed 2 miles, MP3 shut off, I suddelny realised I had not eaten since 7am and I just gave up . Why are some days harder then others? It is such a lovely bright day too.

Never mind - onwards and upwards. I'm wobbling about 10K now, think 5 might also be my limit!

Sal - I find that keeping moving for a while after I stop running and doing some stretches helps. Also as you get stronger, your legs will ache less.

I caught up with this thread in the queue in Starbucks and Midtowner - I laughed out loud - a sort of guffaw at me thinking you meant the wheelie bin from star wars but you meaning the elegant golden one. I am so sorry!!!!
I'm still tittering actually!

I'm off out for week 1, run 2 later on today. I felt like abandoning it as it's so cold and windy but this thread has given me some good motivation and i'm up for a run now - thanks!

At least you were in the queue and not actually drinking your coffee, piste - you would have spat it everywhere!!

W2D1 this morning. Was lovely although weirdly notice the extra 30 seconds, think I make the mistake of trying to run too fast sometimes and then knackering myself after only 90 seconds!! However, all in all a good run - I'm really enjoying being back out there.

GOrmers, at the start I was sprinting and then wondering why I could not do 90 sec! Take it easy. Slow and steady wins the race (very slow in my case....)

I am out at 7. Do you think I can do the 5k again? I am going to try. Have my period though so the knicker arrangements get even more complex.

Lol at complex knicker arrangements.

evening all, I am a new girl, please may I join. I hear my friend strawb is in da house. I am going to do Race for Life and want to run it (5k) and the furthest I run at the mo is my sprint up the stairs at Cannon Street Station for the 5.06 so help meeeeee

I started at the weekend with two fast paced walks, took 40 mins but not sure how far it was. I have dodgy knees so got to take it easy. The second walk was interspersed with jogging for a couple of mins then more fast walking. I walked to school and back which is nearly two miles and did a lunchtime walk of about half an hour yesterday. No time to get out there today but tomorrow lunchtime out again and the weekend will consist of some jogging rather than walking (I hope).

I have bought good trainers but my legs are aching !

Welcome Kbear, good to have you on board! You will get there. We are all at different stages, some fast, some slow, some lithe (like your mate Sal), others (like me) less so, but all running and trying to get fitter. Have you tried a podcast? Some of us have done / are doing the NHS one ("Laura"), whilst others have Robert on coolrunning.com ("Rawbert"). There are also apps you can buy to put over your own music.

Take it slow and steady. You will get there.

5k again for me tonight - hurray! 38m though - boo! But I am menstrually challenged and overpanted. It was very warm tonight too which took me by surprise.

Keep on running everyone.

supersal....do i reconise you from the LC threads?? i've lapsed....and find a run easier on a few carbs...the difference is amazing. going to get back on the wagon soon..

well.....MY NINE WEEKS ARE UP!!!!!!!

oh,i miss Laura already!!!
but,i'm done....so,is it 30 min runs every other day for life now....or what?? feeling lost and lonely already

but boy,am i PROUD of myself....

lol sybil @ 'overpanted'!!!

New girl here - can I play? :)

Read through the entire thread last night, and flipping heck you lot are brilliant! Buoyed up by you all, I downloaded the podcast, and dragged my friend out this morning and WE DID IT! Yay!

I thought I'd never manage to run 60 seconds as I'm so unfit and an absolute beginner with big norks, but tis done, W1R1!

Oooh tis a lovely feeling to have managed it ..... I seem to have more energy already. Long may it last!

Keep at it, SluttySlut - I'm only just ahead of you; I'm off out for W3R3 shortly and I struggled massively with 60 seconds on W1! It really does work though - oddly enough my second 3 minute run on Wednesday was easier than the first. It's amazing how quickly your body adapts!

That said, I'm a bit about the likelihood of me managing 5 minutes next week. But then I said that about 3 minutes, and I've no doubt I'll be saying the same throught the whole programme

.... and you know I never, EVER thought I'd say this (I've always HATED exercise) - but it IS sort of addictive

its very addictive,and all i talk about these days. boring everyone i think

running apps
running tracks
distance
running shoes
running locations
pace
running clothes

and on and on i go!!

Did W3R3 earlier. Wasn't too bad but could have been better. DS2 wanted to come on his bike but we kept having "discussions" about which way to go. Ended up going the way he wanted, which resulted in going down a hill. Which meant that my second 3 minute run was UPhill. Which didn't work very well at all - I had to stop at 1m30s BUT when we got back on the level I did another 2 mins so I don't think I've done my programme too much damage.

Never taking him again though! Running, I have decided, is for ME. Hurrumph.

Hello, can I join in too?
I'm an old MNer with a different name (was Pruners for ages) but I don't know many of you at all!

I did w2run2 today (I've got the Get Running app) and can really feel myself getting better. The first 2 runs are hideous, the middle 2 better, and the 5th is the best. I'm knackered by the 6th

Can I ask if anyone has found a difference in their sleep? I've started waking in the night, at about 3.30am. I can't think that I have any worries - no more than usual - so I wonder if it's something that happens with exercise?

That's how I feel CalamityKate - am already thinking God only knows how I'll manage 3 mins but I didn't think I'd manage 1 minute and I did. I guess you just have to go for it and give it your best shot. You're doing really well, nearly W4!

It does indeed seem to be very addictive and I've been boring the pants off everyone at dinner about it ILove, talking about buying some proper running shoes and kits and blethering on about podcasts and the like.

Unfortunately the kids are all enthused now and keen to tag along but I've had to decline their kind offer. Maybe one day when hell freezes over when I'm fit

Hello to everyone new on this thread!
I've turned into a running bore too but I can't (and don't want to) stop myself.

DP spent an hour or so looking for fell runs for me to enter! (I do actually plan to complete at least one before Dec 31st).
I think I'm going to sign up for a 22mile fell run for 2012!

So I did w9r1 and ran for 30 minutes last night. I've no idea if I did 5k (or if I actually went the distance I thought I did on w8r3) as the GPS on my phone is/was doing silly things.
There's a weekly 5k run in our local park so I may try to see if I can do that tomorrow (they time you).

Anyway, this morning it took me about 90minutes to get out of bed (no exaggeration, honest). The children were nearly late for school. I had a head as if I'd had a skinfull the night before and I ached like crazy. I'd done my usual warm down and my shower then bath routine. I have no idea why. DP says the 'hangover' was because I didn't rehydrate properly, but the exhaustion?...

I really feel like I have a little knowledge about running and we all know what a dangerous thing that is. I think I'll do some proper seaches re. post run aches and pains and see what I can find out.

Piste - I think a 4th category of legs should be added after my experience.
4) Kill Bill legs - legs which don't go anywhere at all without at least 90 minutes of coaxing!

I'm out tomorrow so will post again after, good luck to all of you out tommorrow (and those of you toughing out the rest days!)

Love the Kill Bill leg category!

Well I'm onto W9 R3 tonight and then after today I'm going to work out a 5K route and then just do that. Hopefully i will have my sturdy springy goat legs tonight!

We also have a 5K run every Saturday but the timing doesn't work which is a shame because it would be great and they time you etc.

Am so impressed to hear how you're all getting on!
well, I've had a really snotty week. Was glum on Wednesday for missing my run, as I was to have finished W4. Yesterday I decided to go out anyway and just see how it went - well, it didn't really. As soon as it started to get challenging, my lungs threatened to explode, and my legs felt like lead. In the end I did a brisk walk with about 9 minutes of running in total instead of the 16 a W4 run would have involved. Bit of a downer, but I guess my body needs a bit more longer to fight off this horrid cold.
will see how I feel tomorrow, but an really diappointed to be 'off the pace' of the programme now. Never thought I'd feel like this!

A huge well done to all you 5k ladies, that is so utterly fabulous! - And if it's 30 mins instead of 5k, that's still fantastic. I think that's where I'm aiming, to get the 30 mins possible and then gently work on distance over time. Sounds good, but I couldn't run for 5 minutes yesterday!