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!!!!

Hi everyone, sounds like there's lots of progress being made here. I went out today and those first 10 minutes were such a struggle. Even the slight incline of the hills around here were torture. I echo the statement that those first minutes are hard work and because I know a few of you go through this, it encouraged me not to give up. I took a break, had a stretch, changed to slower music and then I was off again.

I soon found my stride and enjoyed it so much I tested myself to just keep on running. I ran for 6 miles, just under the 10km. It did take me an hour and 20 mins, so quite slow, but I did have that little break after 10 mins. I'm not too bothered about the time at the moment, just amazed I managed to run for so long! 7 weeks ago I struggled with running for 1 minute.

So like the others have said, you really CAN do it. Couch 2 5k works. On that note, I find the ben does life video a hugely encouraging. Apologies if this has already been mentioned but if you haven't heard of it you should google it "my 120 pound journey".

My goal for this week is to try to do other long runs on Tuesday/Thursday and concentrate on my eating. I am very overweight and think my running would be easier if I was lighter. I've half heartedly been doing low GI but I'm going to actually follow the diet this week.

Good luck for the week ahead everyone.

Well done sweetboysmum! That's brilliant!

Well done sweetboysmum. Fantastic.

I did about 3 miles yesterday - so slow. Had my heavy legs on. Kept trying to spur my legs on but they were having none of it. Wasn't even that breathless when I finished as couldn't run fast enough to get breathless. Dh came with me and was just walking. I'm blaming the fact that dd2 was up most of saturday night. Next run on Tuesday - hope it's better.

Hi All,

I'm a running newbie. Well, really I'm an exercise newbie. I hope you don't mind me barging in joining in on the thread.

I have been an exercise decliner for years but had several pointers in my life and finally a 'moment' in January and I decided to do something about my body before it got too old! (am 43 and a big half). So, I started 30 day Shred and have continued from there. I have now lost lbs and inches and put myself in the healthy BMI range. I have started the Bupa beginner to 5K programme and did my (first timed mile) W2R3 yesterday. I am almost enjoying it.

DH is has been an exerciser for 30 years or so and is super-supportive and runs with me. Without pressuring me I know he really enjoys running together. It makes it much easier less hard than doing it on my own.

Sweetboysmum wow, thats an inspiring post - being able to run for so long after 7weeks!

Evening all. Had a horrid run (W8R2) this morning with a bra full of paraphenalia (iPod, phone, keys, inhaler), wasn't in the mood as was running alone for the first time. If I had a hat, I would take it off to all you solo runners - how do you keep motivated? I was scunnered halfway through the run, and almost gave up. In fact I walked up the hill today. Bleugh. Feeling despondent :(.

Welcome thread newbies, I'm not usually so whiny - honest!

sweetboys mum - wow! from nothing to 6 miles in seven weeks? I am .

Please don't be despondent we all have days like that! But there is definitely a window of opportunity here for you to invent the Runners' Bra with compartments for all accessories - keys, phone, puffer etc. You could go on Dragon's Den and make a fortune Slutty!! ££££££££££££££££££££££££ Think what you could spend your quillions on

I couldn't run with anyone because I would be too embarrassed at how crap I am!

squillions!

Evening all - I did it, week 9 run 3, was a bit nervous after a week and a half of no running, so I went slowly but it was fine, phew!

Regarding the solo running, I have never run with anyone, I find enough excuses not to go as it is and if I had to match up times with a friend I would probably never get out. I also worry about mismatched pacing, most of my friends that run have been doing so for considerably longer than me. I like being out on my own and just looking at my surroundings, I have largely stuck to the same rout over the 9 weeks and it has been lovely watching all the gardens burst into life.

Welcome to Jellibelli, I am slightly older than you (months not years) and started the Couch to 5k in Jan, haven't been brave enough for the Shred!

Slutty - I had a run like that about 3 weeks ago (it was Good Friday) and the next one was fine, hopefully yours will be too.

WhoKnows - BLOODY WELL DONE that's brilliant. You must be so proud.

Well W2R1 done, was harder tonight, hope it's just because I was late to bed last night. Will catch up properly later

Piste - Promise to share my squillions with you when my Compartmentalised Humungous Norks Bra goes into production - you've really cheered me up! I think I was just a bit nervous being on my own out in the countryside at 0710 this morning, kept looking over my shoulder - wouldn't have had the energy to outrun mad axe men .

WhoKnows - thanks for the encouragement, will go again on Wednesday with all your positive comments in my bra head, and that will spur me on. Luckily my running buddy and I are well matched pace wise ie. slow steady. Well done on W9R3 - hurrah and congratulations, have some !

rowrow - well done, maybe it'll be easier next time - at least that's what I'm hoping.

There's also no way I could out run a mad axe murderer, I'd just have to face up and tell them to get on with it really.

Ah very well done everyone! I am taking an enforced break due to a stomach upset. I am trying to find the silver lining in the hope that it may involve some weight loss without having to try...

W1R3 may just take me a little longer but I'll get there and onto W2!

Axe murderer? I couldn't outrun Austin Powers on that steamroller!

W3 R1 done. Felt like hard work.

Had to go on my own for the first time as DH had an early start at work and I have Pilates this pm when he gets home. It was harder to resist the temptation to stop midway through without him watching. But I did resist and managed to complete it all as it said. Phew! that's the running done till Thursday - hurrah.

Does it ever get easier and you don't finish with heavy, wobbly legs? will I ever look forward to it? Or declare "that was fun"?

W2 D2 last night went pretty well. Felt like I got a second wind during the final running interval, so ended on a good note. Really loving Mark Ullrey's podcasts.

Jelli - My DH is similar. I can see that he is secretly v excited that I might have caught the running bug and he's keen to take me to a race in July (Black Rock 5 in Kinghor, Fife). I think he's like to run with me regularly, but tbh I LOVE running by myself. That's one of the main draws to me at the moment - getting out of the house and being alone with no one to talk to and no one to think about but myself.

Actually I feel a bit bad as one of my mates has just started C25K too, and has been suggesting running together. Feel a bit mean brushing her off, but it's also the logistics of meeting in a mutually convenient place and not being able to go ahead (or fall back ) at my own pace.

I'm so unsociable!

Ran 5k for the first time on Sunday and off for another run tonight - a trial for the Heroes run we're doing on Sunday. 5k in a superhero outfit complete with hat and cape...oh the joy!

Well done everyone! Hello new people! Keep up the good work everyone and thank you for the thread, it's been a god send.

Ooh I just had THE nicest run!!

We usually run on the roads/pavement but today we went to the country park. After the roads, the grass/tracks were like running on rubber. So much easier on the legs! A few uphill/downhilly bits but apart from one KILLER hill which reduced me to a puffing, practically-jogging-on-the-spot, sweaty mess (but I kept going!!) they weren't too bad. We saw rabbits and a deer and a fox and it was just lovely! I feel great now!

It's me, slutty with the capacious bra. I'm a failure! This is the first time I've not gone Mon/Wed/Fri in almost nine weeks :( Just couldn't be bothered this morning. Oh I am sooooo cross with myself as if I'd just got up and got on with it, I would have felt so much better all day. Still I suppose I could go tonight ....

Calamity your run sounds fabulastic, and hope you get out later supersal and don't wimp out like me.

Love the name change
and you're not a failure

That's called Life!

Ouch!

Pisty, does the name fit the brief? - hmm I'm thinking pants now as well. Big granny pants with pockets and hooks for hanging things off and storing Swiss Army Knife in case of MadAxeMurderers and the like. Shall I ring Lord Sugar now? Oh no, not got time, got to go to work, how dull. Would rather stay here and discuss new lingerie range.

See you later, have a good day!