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???

I only run in the dark too because then I'm invisible!!

Someone will be able to tell you about having running assessed it's not something I've had done. We do have a running shop though near here that will do it. I'm SW London if that helps?

I've skived off this morning too- not due to hangover though but cos if the rain! It was peeing it down first thing and I refuse to start out in the rain. Planning on going out this afternoon when dh gets home from his mums then he can run later. Hate running in the dark- I'm a big wuss!

Morning all!

Pumpster, there are some other ladies on this thread who started out at your size. I think pretty much all of us have noticed that we've toned up as we've gone through the programme, so hopefully your trousers will start to fit better soon .

Having a rest day here today. HAve good runs supersal and Yorkshire

Peskey we are at the same stage and tho I've not found the whole shebang too bad so far I am very intimidated by week 5 - it seems like such a huge leap. I'll think of you as I attempt it. W4R3 tomorrow - then onwards!

Well done everyone else and hello new people. x

Oh and I made the mistake of NOT running in the dark yesterday and my flippin pelvic floor decided to give way. Tena Lady n'all. Most embaressing!

So much to read, well done everyone!

Unfortunately you won't be reading much about my runs for a few more days - so I missed one last week due to a horrid chesty cold, tried a run too soon and had to downgrade radically..... and now I had a really yukky bladder infection. Spent lots of today waiting for an appointment to see the out of hours GP. Have antibiotics, but am unlikely to be running for a few days. And I'm so gutted! I'll have to completely re-do W4 I think, and I was due to be starting W5!

So I'm afraid that I'm wallowing a bit; do you think swimming in self-pity counts as exercise?

Aw clenched, you poor thing! Of course you are allowed a few lengths of the pool of self-pity. Have a and a or two too. I guess is out of the question with your anti-b's, or I'd give you one of those as well.

oH Clenched, you poor thing - make sure you drink lots of water and don't go back out there til you are all better. The roads will still be there and you will feel better running once you are properly well.

Sympathies, Dubai, on the pelvic issue. Mine isn't great either and I have a bit of splashdown from time to time. I think it feels worse than it is as your downstairs is very, er, sensitive.

No running since last week as I've been at work but am going to try to pop out tomorrow afternoon

Keep on running everyone.

W1R2 tomorrow after work - excited but desperately hoping I can do it. I want to run before I can walk iyswim, and am desperate to be out there with you W5+'rs! Just got to bide my time and keep going.

Night night all :)

feel at a loss now my time is up!!

i have a log on my iphone now,so going to up speed and distance with each run,as not making the 5k mark in the 30 minutes.

other than that,i'm just aimlessly running 30 mins every other day now

all the newcomers......i love your enthusiasm. well done and keep running!!

Me too Tiffany. I'm off the end of the programme but we should think of something to keep us targeting something. For me it would be building up speed, being able to cover the distance in a reasonable time. I intend to continue running with two day breaks in between as that seems to suit me best.

We shall need a new thread before too long. Who's going to be Head Girl?!

I'm off out today in the grey/cold/wind - the weather is atrocious here for March. I can't seem to wake up this morning but I keep telling myself that the run will feel better than my fuzzy head currently does. I'm on W2r3 today.

It's really strange but my skin, usually really dry and needing lots of moisturising, has suddenly become much smoother and feels healthier. I wonder if it's the exercise. (I've been swimming a bit, too, maybe it's the chlorine or something.)

Not me, I only do sulky emo at the back .
I'm not running this week as I still ache (though not nearly in the same league as I did last friday).

My next run will be on saturday, they've got a timed 5k run in our local park so I'll give that a go.

Well done if you've finished the programme or just started.

So? Grindleford gallop next year anyone? It's only 22miles!!
Clearly I'd briefly misplaced my marbles in my last post. (Maybe I'll watch the race next year).

Lol at sulky emo.
In my heart I'd be captain of the netball team, not head girl!

Did W1R2 tonight but we were freaking out as it was quite sunny (but freezing), and were worried about people laughing at us pootling along at a snail's pace. Luckily the only people we saw didn't convulse on the pavement in gales of laughter, but merely nodded good evening.

My right calf hurt though - felt a bit tight and crampy - do you think it will disappear as I get fitter? I did stretch afterwards (in a fashion) but not before, just did the 5min brisk walk.

Also I desperately need some new trainers but can't afford much at the mo - £50 ish - would be grateful for any recommendations please.

Happy running for those of you out tomorrow. :)

W4R1 - DONE!!!

Can't tell you how thrilled/amazed I am. I struggled to run for a minute on W1 and I just ran 5 minutes! Twice!!

It felt great. I still feel great. Can't wait for Wednesday

Oh I can't wait to get to that stage CalamityKate. Tonight during one of my one minutes, I just felt I'd like to run for ever, twas a great feeling! One day ...

Well done you, I'm out again Wednesday :)

i have downloaded an app...this is where my addictive personality comes in.....it gives time/distance/route/calories burned!!!

so i will up it by a minute every second run. 31 mins tonight

not actually doing 5k which is disappointing,so will be upping my pace

calories burned.......a glasss of and some choc...

Honest SluttySlut, I was sooooo unfit. The "Couch" bit of Couch25k was invented for me. But I've been astonished at how quickly (but relatively painlessly) this programme gets you fitter.

I know exactly the feeling you mean - I was actually beaming as I ran this evening and I never EVER thought I'd enjoy exercise!

And and and..... my resting pulse rate has already dropped - it's always been quite high (90 odd, even lying in bed) but it's now down to about 75 which is another way to tell you're getting fitter

Evening all. Well I set my alarm clock this morning for 6 so I could go for a run, but forgot to switch it on . I woke up at 8 and was almost late for work. So will be going tomorrow instead.

clenched and other poorly people, hope you are starting to feel better.

tiff - I like the sound of your app. I ordered the shoe chip and a chip holder to attach it to my trainer laces.

well done calamitykate! I love the mental picture of you beaming!

sluttyslut - I find my aches come and go. To start with it was mycalves, now it's the backs of my thighs (still hurting from Saturday!), and other times it's the tops of my inner thighs. I tell myself that it's a good thing, as I'm using bits of me that don't usually get used .

at 'invented for me' CalamityKate - my sofa has an imprint of my bahookie on it - you could cast a fruit bowl from it! That's encouraging to know that you feel fitter quite quickly though, and will check my pulse rate. Am such a novice when it comes to exercise ...

at you running round Central Park Midtowner, but sorry you missed your run. We came to New York last summer, and I could barely run from shop to shop, never mind Central Park! One day though .....

You're absolutely right about it being a good thing, using bits that don't normally get used - maybe that's all it is for me with calf, might be something else on Wed.

Off to work now, hope everyone has a lovely day, thanks for your encouragement :).

Sluttyslut - just make sure you stretch really reeeaaaallly well after the run - for longer than you think you need to, about 30 seconds for each stretch (each limb). You shouldn't stretch cold muscles before a work out, so stick with the warm-up that you're doing, but make sure that you're really warming up, you do need to start getting the HR rate up during the warmup, don't be too gentle!

W2D3 yesterday for me, and finished with run up a massive hill - and survived! On to week 3 tomorrow.

Have a great day everyone!