Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
AitchTwoOh · 06/01/2011 09:13

remember it's jogging that you are doing, not running, dobby. i would say aim to complete the minute, at whatever pace is necessary to do that, so if you are finding it tough for the last 20 secs, slow right down from the start. and look at it this way, at least now you know that exercise is needed, iykwim? fwiw i remember the first time i did c25k my lungs were absolutely burning on those minutes, and i was BEGGING my (obnoxiously fit) pal to tell me that the stopwatch said 60.

maclover135 · 06/01/2011 17:12

Dobby I felt the same way on day 2 too. Like you, this is my first attempt at running. I did day 3 yesterday and it don't feel quite so bad. I'm going to act on advice from above and repeat this sequence a couple of more times before attempting week 2 and the longer runs. Keep going!!

cubscout · 06/01/2011 17:25

Well, I've spent a fortune on new trainers after a consultation and runnng on a treadmill to analyse pronation problems. This spurred me on to get out again today, and what a difference Grin. I could not believe how much easier it was to jog with proper support.

IloveTiffany - have you got good shoes? Only ask because I injured my ankle last year because of poor fitting, unsupportive shoes. It might be worth investigating.

SevenAgainstThebes · 06/01/2011 18:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/01/2011 19:38

Just done week 1 day 2 yyyaaaaaaayyyyyy

It was fine, and I seemed to go quite a long way, but I think I will need to maybe get proper shoes, as it does look the way forward. I am currently running in a pair of old nike air things which seem ok, but I am not sure. Maybe I'll see how it progresses. How indecisive was that??!!

I do have a quick question though. What does everyone wear to go out on these early stages? I am getting cold on the walking bits, and I realised today that gloves would have really helped. I wear running sort of legging things and a hoody.

SevenAgainstThebes · 06/01/2011 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarionCole · 06/01/2011 20:00

I'm going to join in when I've got rid of this sore throat / cough etc. Did C25k a couple of years ago and it definitely works if you stick at it (which I didn't, clearly!)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/01/2011 20:27

Is your running top a baselayer/ cold top? I'm def going to wear gloves though on Saturday.

MarniesMummy · 06/01/2011 21:00

Rather Usually I wear either tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt with lightly padded jacket. If I think it is cold I add base layer thermals and a hat (I hate having head freeze if I sweat).
I try not to be too warm as ultimately I sweat too much as for cold hands, for some strange reason my hands always tend to get really hot when I run/walk as I tend to clench them into fists so I just 'open' my hands to keep them s cool as I need them to be.

Dobby don't get downhearted. Everyone's advice sounds good. It is said that you have to do something 7 times before it becomes a habit. Tough it out, run slowly but don't give up until you given your all for 7 runs, you never know by then you may begin to enjoy it.
Maybe you could focus on say putting your heel down first as you run which will not only help to distract you but also prevents you having running injuries which you're more suceptible to if you put the ball or side of your foot down first.

I did my week1run2 run today complete with uphill start. I stopped running about 10 seconds before the end of my second run Sad (on a bloody steep bit even by sheffield standards!!) I was upset as I was so close to finishing the 60 seconds that I did all of the remaining 6 runs ok Smile.

Also, on some of the bits where I was almost tripping over my feet because it was so hard to run (on week1run1), though I wouldn't win any awards for running style or speed, I did at least manage to jog them without looking like I was having a near death experience Wink.

So my run was uphill and finished on the level. It wasn't that bad, but my breathing was bad (i.e. mouth breathing/panting). I don't care, I made it!

SevenAgainstThebes · 06/01/2011 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
dobby2001 · 06/01/2011 22:07

thanks for all the lovely words of encouragement folks, the good news is that in terms of recovery, i ache so much less than i did after my first run - i even ran up the stairs earlier when last time i could barely get out of a chair Blush

I am going to run after dropping DD off at school tomorrow morning as its my day off - well admin day officially but i can spare the time [grin} will report back.

I dont have a cold exactly,just a bit snuffly but i have ongoing sinus problem i take a daily steroid spray for so not unusual - might go to gp if continues to be a problem though Hmm

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/01/2011 22:20

Cheers Seven, my DC have stuff like that for school rowing so I could borrow until i get my own.

Go Dobby - hope it's ok tomorrow.

MarniesMummy · 06/01/2011 22:27

Just having a good look at the sweatshop website and came across this lunacy.

Call me a tight wad, but I'm gonna need a lot more product information to convince me to buy not just one £20 hat but a pack of 5 for £100!!!ShockShockShock

You don't even get a discount for buying 5 of them. Why would you need 5 ofthem? Who has 5 heads?

Mad, crazy, bonkers-ness!!

GypsyMoth · 06/01/2011 22:47

thanks cub....will see about trainers!

might repeat week 1 again too.

Catilla · 06/01/2011 22:49

Today's constant rain didn't help with my plan to get out...but when DH got home I decided I'd been too sedentary all day and it had to be done.
Then he undermined my plan to go back to the start of c25k and told me I should be able to run 1km at least. Why is it different for men?? Do they just have different pain thresholds, or natural fitness? Or is it the macho thing that's become a learnt behaviour since childhood? (My Dad used to go for a run about once a year and go several miles, coming back looking and sounding dreadful!).

Anyway I compromised and started with Week 3 Day 1. Because I've struggled in the last year or so to pick up again from 5 min runs, I think I'll try to work through the structure and not skip any steps, and hope that cements my stamina/tolerance/motivation!

I can thoroughly recommend Radio4 comedy anyway - the Now Show Christmas panto was great for my run!

Good luck everyone!

AitchTwoOh · 07/01/2011 10:34

am not going out today, it's slippy again and i am hacking up great gobs of catarrh anyway from this cold.

souverian · 07/01/2011 13:13

Can I join, please? I've just completed Week 1 Day 1 of C25K, and am feeling very proud of myself (given that there's a picture of me covered in Toblerone next to the OED definition of 'couch potato').

It was actually okay, verging on enjoyable, but god, I am scarily unfit Shock

Roll on Sunday and Day 2!

maclover135 · 07/01/2011 19:54

Hooray - managed to do week 2, day 1 today - and in the rain too! (I know that if I allowed the rain to keep me in today then it would always be an excuse.) Loved running in the rain and the hot shower afterwards! Also, found the longer runs easier than I was anticipating (Thanks Seven for giving me a bit of a nudge - am really pleased with myself that I could rise to the challenge Smile).
Beginning to feel the addiction now - roll on Sunday and day 2!!

Good luck and happy running to everyone else.

SevenAgainstThebes · 07/01/2011 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarniesMummy · 07/01/2011 22:15

Well done Maclover.
Good for you for doing it in poor weather too!

I'm pleased at your comment about the longer runs not being so bad because I really am beginning to dread them and I haven't even done w1r3 yet, I'm off to do it tomorrow morning.

We had snow too Sevenagainstthebes, I'm hoping it'll rain tonight and it'll all have disappeared by tomorrow morning. Unless it's really bad I'll still go.

Sadly it'll be the end of my running until next thursday as DP is in the USofA. Don't know what scares me most; being responsible for loading the dishwasher, hving to make my own cups of tea or 3 and 5 minute runs!!

You may all have to give me a kick up the proverbials on thursday to make sure I get out and do the run.

Bring on tomorrow!

GypsyMoth · 07/01/2011 22:18

ds1 who is 11 came with me tonight as 'bodyguard'...he loved it! last day of week 1 and it felt easier,but i think i'll repeat it anyway

WheeshtWillYe · 08/01/2011 05:58

Mind if I join you?

DS is now old enough to go in the jogging stroller so I've run out of excuses & need to get off my backside.

Catilla my dh also seems to think C25K starts off too easily & likes to make out that I'm a bit crap for doing 90 second runs. But I'm running AND pushing 2 kids FFS!
Give me a break!

Anyway, I'm on Day 2 of Week 2, trying to run with the kids twice a week & once on my own. Like the idea of listening to my i-pod but then I'd miss my two-year old's motivating remarks about daddy running faster than mummy. Grin

Of course, asking you lot to help get me out the door won't help my other NY resolution which was to spend less time on MN....

TechnoKitten · 08/01/2011 06:36

I'd really love to do something like this - everyone who lives where I do seems scarily fit (they are all into cycling, kayaking, running, climbing etc) and I feel so crap in comparison. Plus I need to lose at least 10kg (would love to say baby weight but baby is 3!) and think running would help. DH is also terribly unfit and is going to join in for some mutual motivation.

Question is - is this something that someone who doesn't exercise at all could do? I would love to start running and then maybe as I get fitter I could start cycling to work again which I really enjoyed (even though I had to get off and walk up the hilly bits).

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/01/2011 09:36

Techno kitten - yes this is for you! It's designed for absolute beginners to build up strength and stamina. Get your shoes on Grin

cubscout · 08/01/2011 10:32

H everyone. Week 2 day 1 for me and managed fine although a bit achey. The thread is great for a bit of mutual support.

Techno - definately, the program is for beginners! Just take it slowly. I had not run at all befor last year and the idea frankly horrified me, but you will be surprised how quickly strength and distances can build up.

Weesht - I am seriuosly impressed at you jogging with a stroller!

Dobby - aches any better?