The Couch to 5k 2011 Thread continued : Let's Keep on Running :0)

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

More space for us to talk about our progress on the C25K programme, the highs, the lows, the hills, the rain, our pelvic floors and our choice of running music!

All are welcome on this international thread, stay with us and enjoy success

< Piste passes out celebratory glasses of wine to all runners >

Everyone got one?
Cheers!!!!

Have just got back (I set out at 9, in case anyone was worried I was running all night!). It was great but I was rubbish. Ran 2 x 11 min miles, with about a 5 min walk in between. 4 weeks ago I could run 3.1 mils, but your running fitness sometimes tails off when you haven;t been out for 2 weeks.

Everyone is doing so well. It's easier now it's warm and light. Cannot believe I used to head out at 6.30am for a run in the dark in freezing temps.

I listened to as I went round as it came on after Xanadu. Hilarious but kept me moving.

Keep on running everyone.

Sybil I know what you mean about the daylight/warmth. I can't believe that I was going out in the snow and ice back in Jan/Feb either, I remember the morning when I was clinging on to walls to stay upright if I'm having a bad run .

Good old Boney M!

Have missed a few days, as have been on holiday (and eaten far too much too!). I realised though that I actually did Week Two, rather than Week One, so am going to try and start Week Three this evening. I suspect that I won't cope and will end up back doing Week two again but it's no loss, I suppose and deffo better than the nothing I was doing before. I've been trying to buy some capri trouser things but so far I've looked in 3 shops and none of them had a size 12. Grrrrr.

Much better tonight. Much easier! Phew!

WELL DONE SUPERSAL!!!!

supersal! fabulastic! well done you - 20 shrieksome minutes! Am a bit alarmed at the prospect of being wobbly and/or sick though.

I'm going out tomorrow morning to do W5R2, the 8 minute jobby. Will report back if I survive.

Wasn't the marathon inspiring today?

Hi I'm back again....... Went off on my residential course, then visiting family for a few days. Only managed one run whilst I was away, which was W5 R2, and it didn't quite work out - I couldn't do the second 8 minutes, stopped at 7 - but I'm not too down about it because I'd completely got out of a routine of running for various reasons, so actually think it was quite good (for me!) to be able to do that much. I plan to repeat W5 R2, probably on Tuesday as DH is away tomorrow, then make a real effort to keep at the 3 runs a week routine because that made such a difference for me. Unfortunately that does mean I have the scary horror of a 20 minute run looming at the end of this week - I'm terrified!

Anyway, really good to read about how you're all doing.

I picked up some new running clothes yesterday, and was pleased to have to buy a size smaller than I would have done in January! (capri style pants and a short-sleeved top - from the unofficial sponsor of the Couch25K, 'Sportsdirect'!) - Although I do still feel in need of a belly and bum bra when actually running......

W1R2 done today. Never knew a minute could last so long and 90 seconds could go so fast!

Hope it gets easier I think I may be stuck on week one for ever -anyone else just done week one over and over? haha

Sure it will get better...

Tuggy - I felt the same as that in W1, you'll be impressed at how you are able to gradually build it up, honestly you will.

Hi all. Welcome newbies. I got a stitch in my first attempt at 1 minute running so just keep plugging on. I'm now just doing 45 minute runs with 5 mins warm up/cool down. Haven't quite run 5k yet but did 15 minute mile pace for 45 minutes today so getting closer. Still losing about 2.5 lbs a week. Only another 3.5 stones to go. Have nearly lost ) since dd2 was born last May. Have a few days off work so planning to just run alternate days 45 mins at a time. Will try 60 mins next weekend. Good luck everyone.

W2r3 done. I am most proud of myself. My knees starting hurting tonight whilst running. Does anyone think proper running shoes would help ease my knee pain or have any other suggestions? Thanks.

Tuggy - I am not much further on than you. Last week on w1r1 I was desperate to have a rest on the benches at bus stops I was passing. I also got the worse stitch and actually couldn't do the fourth 60 second run .

Now just completed w2 and none of the sessions have been anywhere near as bad as that first one.

Supersal - 20 minutes. Congratulations.

Clenched - you are panicking about the 20 minute run and I am in terror about completing a 3 minute run on Tuesday!!

Happy running everyone.

I had knee pain until I got proper shoes in about week 3. Not had any since. I knew then I'd stick at it as I was already getting the buzz at the end of a session. Investing £80 was an added incentive.

Thanks molly. I am due back out tomorrow.. Knees particularily my right one is really sore today. Good to hear you get a buzz out of it.

My knee was really painful a few years ago. Went to my gp who thought it looked a bit swollen until he asked to see my other knee and then concluded they were just fatboth were swollen.

Also, don't have a spare £80/£90 at the moment and scared to go out on this knee again. I think I will see how it feels tomorrow.

Everyone enjoy your running.

Another option with trainers is get checked out at a specialist running shop and find the ideal ones and then go and buy them on eBay. If you get last season's colour they're usually about half price that's what dh usually does.

My local running shop has got wise to people doing that, if you don't buy trainers following the assessment they charge you £10 or£20, can't remeber which, for it, refundable if you go back and buy some subsequently. Still might be cheaper on Ebay though.

Well done letsgetloud! I had a bit of a dodgy knee before I started running so invested in new shoes quite early on, and thankfully have had no problems. Went to our local running shop for them and they were properly fitted etc. - was quite alarming spending that amount of money on shoes sans heels and pretty bows but I'm glad I did.

Did W5R2 this morning and am really pleased that I managed the 2 x 8min runs. I still think that the jump from 8mins to 20mins is a mistake challenge though. But will give it a go and see how I get on.

Well done Molly on losing weight (and on running 45mins!), I'm beginning to see a difference even now at W5 - that and eating less rubbish sensibly, seems to be doing the trick.

supersal - well done! I agree this thread is great for keeping track of what you've done and the support is fab. Knowing other people have done it, and that it is doable, even for a beginner keeps me going. Thanks everyone.

SluttySlut - I thought the same, re: the jump from 8mins to 20mins. In fact I thought there was no WAY I'd do it - but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Nowhere near.

However, I'm due to do 30 mins tonight for the first time and I suspect it's going to be FAR harder to jump from 25 to 30 than it was to go from 8 to 20!

Oh Calamity that's good to know :). How did you feel though when Laura said, 'that's 8 mins done, keep going, you're doing fantastic only another 12mins to go, you can do it'?!

My right calf was giving me gyp today but it seemed to improve after about 2-3 mins, but my legs wanted to give up every time I went from running on the lane to the grass verge to avoid kamikaze boy racers traffic. I've been finding if I focus on the pretty hedgerows, birds, horses, little black cat that runs along beside us for a bit, clouds, sun etc., rather than how many minutes I've got left, then it goes quicker, and easier.

Good luck tonight, I know you can do it! Report back!

Good plan supersal, I'll remember that on Wednesday and let you know how it goes. I will be extremely smugtastic if I do it!

Happy running in the meantime everyone :)

Evening all, Week 8 Run 3 tonight, 28 mins. With 60s to go on this one Laura tells you to see if you can speed up a bit for the finish, I did that on R2 the other night and it felt good, so tonight I tried to do it with 2-3 mins to go and overdid it, had to stop with about 30s to go, my legs just turned to jelly.

Thinking about the jump from 8 mins to 20, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, I am doing the same circuit most of the time and I really get into my stride at about 10 minutes (after a nice downhill bit that starts about 7 mins!) so it was easier than I thought and I felt so good afterwards. For week 8, I mapped the run and found that 28 mins was exactly 2 miles, which is a great milestone too.

I'm enjoying reading all your posts, am still a bit confused about who is who though but sounds as though everyone is doing really well.