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!!!!

I don't have Laura, SluttySlut. My running mate does, so she tells me when we're halfway but that's it.

I got it wrong; it's not 25 minutes to 30. It was 28 tonight, which I managed but tonight was a hard run again.

I have realised that I need to eat a decent meal a couple of hours before a run. The best runs for me have been when I've eaten properly beforehand. My legs seem to need the fuel, otherwise they feel heavy and tired really quickly.

That said, the best part of today's run was the last couple of minutes. I seemed to get into my stride, get a second wind and actually managed to sprint for the last 30 seconds or so, which felt GREAT!

Well done to you sprint finishers. I'm usually on my knees by the end! I was also very scared by the 20 minutes. Dh came with me for moral support and about 5 minutes in he checked his watch. I was so irrationally angry! But it was ok and nowhere near as hard as the first time I did 5 minutes.

Hi, I'm checking in with a pathetic plea for kindness, support and a kick up the bum....... Went out last night to repeat W5 R2 (as have missed lots of sessions and need to get back into regular running) - on Saturday when I did it for the first time I didn't quite make it, as stopped with 1 min to go in the second 8 min run. So, I figured I needed to do it 'properly' before the horror the horror of the W5 R3 20 minute run. Anyway, it was a disaster, my legs felt like lead from the outset. I managed the first 8 min run but after the 5 min walk I just couldn't settle back into running and had to stop after 4 minutes and I was irrationally gutted! DH very sweet and has thought of 1001 reasons why I could do it (ranging from, "I don't think you've eaten enough today to fuel you" to "Everyone has an off day" and "Stopping to cough up green phlegm wouldn't have helped") but despite his best efforst I feel really down.

So, kindness, supportive comments, then kicks, please!

Sorry, 'Couldn't' do it, of course.....

Oh dear, how frustrating ClenchedBottom. I hope it doesn't put you off, your DH is right about everyone having an off day, I have had a few, but it has generally come right the next time, fingers crossed it does for you.

Clenched, whenever i have a bad run I really have to force myself to try to put it behind me. Not easy, of course, but tomorrow is another day and will be better. Even my running pals who do 1/2 marathons say they have days with legs like lead and no energy. I have had so many bad runs which are followed by good ones that it really doesn't matter. You went, you did some running, not as much as you'd like but next time you'll do more. You didn't sit on the sofa, girl, you were out and at it.

I see your corner and i am proud of it. So shoudl you be. Next time will be better. Promise.

Now, sit down, feet up and have some , or, in 3 mins, some .

WhoKnows and sybil - thank you both, I do feel a bit better about it now, and am starting to rebuild my running mojo.

sybilf - am considering a G and T, if that's ok? I think it fits with your suggestions!

and of course, pmsl at sybilf's pride in my bottom corner.........

Aww Clenched, don't be despondent. You're doing so well, and like sybil says, you went out there and ran. Have no practical advice for you, some days just seem to go better than others for no apparent reason. Don't know if eating helps or not, I've been running between 7 and 8 in the morning on an empty stomach (can't get up early enough face breakfast, sometimes I have a banana though), but it doesn't seem to have any bearing on spring lamb legs/leaden legs.

Keep your chin up, have a wee glass of , tomorrow's another day :).

Will be thinking of you tomorrow on W5R3, the evil 20 min one - thanks all for your positive comments about it - will bear those in mind as I sprint limp to the finish line .

yy to G & T. Large one please :) Glad you're feeling a bit better.

Hello all

Not checked in for a while - back in Blighty for one week and I have a stinking cold! Not much running getting done and I am scared of losing my new found athleticism ...

Feeling very proud of everyone especially Sal - I know how scared you where of that 20 mins - amazing job! X

Ah clenched. That's rubbish. But everyone has bad days. Sometimes my legs just won't go at all. But then I remind myself that I'm still doing more than most people (smug emoticon) and more than I could 3 months ago. You'll have a better day soon.

Good one for me this morning. Drank about half a bottle of wine last night so felt a bit shabby this am but not too hideous as drank lots of water too. Did a different 5k route, ran the first 3k without stopping and then had a walking breather for Xanadu then ran the rest of the way home. Felt in a good rhythm and very comfortable (comparatively) today. I can see my corner returning as well.

All rooting for you Clenched and pride in your corner remains.

Well done to everyone achieving new distances, lovely to hear.

Welcome back Dubai, sorry abou tthe cold. How long are you here for?

Keep on running everyone

You all seem to be doing so well. 20 minute runs and beyond. Excellent.

I tried to do w3r1 last night (only 3 min and 90 second runs) but my knee became so much worse. Really sore today and with four kids to run around after I am not sure I can keep this up.

Going up and down stairs all day to get cardi's, vests, shoes etc. is just agony.

Think I might just give myself a few days rest and see how knee and I am.

Well done to all who are keeping at it.

Hurrah! Managed the 20 minute run this morning - it was hard going though at times, especially the third 5mins - thought my little chubby legs were going to give way . And trust me, there was no sprint finish!

letsgetloud so sorry to hear abut your knee - would a knee support help (not tried one myself so don't know how effective they are)? We repeated W3 as the friend I run with had sore knees that week too, but they've improved a bit now. Have a rest - can you pay kids a penny a go to get things from upstairs for you? Mine will do anything for money - I once gave them a penny for every dandelion they picked in the garden, cost me a fortune in the end!

Hello dubai hope your cold has gone, and you're enjoying being back.

Hope you're feeling bit better today clenched.

Happy running everyone!

Yay SluttySlut! Well done!

Had another awful run earlier - but it was soooo much warmer than usual so I'm blaming the weather! My legs were like lead. I thought a few times I might actually trip over - I just could NOT lift them any higher though.

Oh well. Onwards!

I had heavy legs here too this morning and had to do my last mile as a walk / run combo. My wee legs just could not get any higher either.

Tomorrow will be better.

Supersal - that's me! Sore knees and bad runs but I'm still going. Just did my 2.5K run and will keep going. I thought after Easter I might put myself back onto the C25K podcast as I think I need to!

You are all doing so well. Pisty is proud of everyone

Hello everyone.

Well....... I still didn't do it (this is W5 R2) - it was a bit better than last time, think I got to 6 mins on the second (8 min) run, but then I just hit a total wall - I don't think it helped that I was on exactly the same route as last time. Hmm. I'm veering between absolute doom and thinking that it must all be helping my general fitness anyway. DH has suggested doing W5 R1 next time to build my confidence again. I guess that having missed quite a chunk of time, my underlying fitness hadn't been maintained at the (admittedly still low!) level that I'd originially thought when I re-started.

It's hard not to feel really disappointed in myself though, I'm not good at not being able to do things! (Sorry if that sounds prattish, I hope you all know what I mean!)

Anyway, happy running to everyone else, especially those suffering with colds, bugs and aches and pains. I shall raise a to you all later.

Clenched.... I've missed two chunks of time since I began and both times I have lost stamina frighteningly quickly. Keep going though. You are doing so well.

I haven't run for over a week now, I had just completed week two and was really enjoying it but I twisted my ankle and could barely walk :-o

I think I will be ready to go back to it in a few days, should I repeat week two a few times do you think or go straight for week three?

Aaah, thanks Piste. I will keep at it, I will (repeats manically whilst sitting in corner twitching....)

Clenched I had previously got to the magic 30 and after my cold induced hiatus I went out last night and 30 mins nearly killed me - I STAGGERED the last few minutes...so I would say that going back a bit and building stamina is definitely a good idea. You can do this

Sybil I am back for four weeks - the weather is so lovely here I have just been dying to get out running again...fingers crossed for a better performance tomorrow!

I had a bad one this morning too, was meant to be 28 mins, managed 10, oops. It was the first time I had run in the morning, the sun was blazing, it just wasn't going to happen. I started running in the afternoons while the DCs were at school, switched to evenings when the weather turned hot, but just not managed it since Mon, thought i'd better fit one i. this morning before going away for the weekend but it was not to be. My route has the sun behind me or I am in shade in the afternoon evening, it was full in my face this morning, think I had better stick to evenings. On the plus side i took out my earphones and had a lovely walk home listening to the birds and looking at the flowers so not all bad. Probably won't post again till next week, Happy Easter everyone.