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 did it! First run. Was really easy! I was so surprised, but I must be fitter than I thought! Really looking forward to going again!

W5R3 done. My word, that was a bit of a leap. 20mins at a time - more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Quite wobbly now.

Week 6 - Bring It ON.

whoknows can I ask you what sort of trainers you wear? I am also wide-footed/high arched.

sal, good to see you again. I'm toying with shredding, but after my exercise ball experience last week (it only stopped hurting yesterday!) I'm not sure I can handle it

Well done Kate. You're right about it being more of a mental challenge.

I'm waiting for it to cool down (in the 20's here) before I go out.

Well done Kate, that's great, you're get on so fast.

Slutty I don't blame you for waiting for it to cool down!

I'm just debateing whether to repeat W4R3 and complete it or go straight on to week 5. The running was feeling good both Thursday and Saturday, it was just my foot that ended it. I'm quite looking forward the 20 mins run but I'm worried about it too. Still no rush, I'm going to wait a couple more days before I think about trying another run, I getting inpatient about it though reading about how well everyone is doing .

Does anyone use imapmyrun on android? I've trying it a couple of times and it's come up with nothing at the end which is frustrating, I don't know if the problem is with the app or if the GPS in my phone is just rubbish.

rowrow - I use mapmyrun.com, but I map the route after I've been, or to plan where to go, rather than as I go along IYSWIM. I did have the nike+ipod app, but it was telling me that I was running a lot further than I was going - I think I must have extra-short legs/stride, as it only counted the steps. No GPS malarkey.

Hi everyone. Been ill and missed a few days, then went out and did W4R3 and couldnt manage it. I just felt terrible and lacking in energy - obviously not quite 100% well yet. Think I'll wait a day or two and then repeat that run another couple of times before I attempt W5.

Hi Nimpy. Sorry to hear you've been poorly. Don't overdo it!

Yowsers it's hot here. I waited until sunset, but it didn't feel any cooler than it had all day. The weather thing on my laptop says it's 29 degrees C, after a high of 30 !

Running along 5th Avenue was the best bit, as I kept getting blasts of cold air from all the air conditioned shops . I managed 5k, but didn't bother timing myself. I have a very sore heel and have self-diagnosed tendonitis .

I'm going to have to start going out early in the morning to beat the heat. It has suddenly come on so I wasn't able to build up to it as I'd assumed I'd be able to.

Do you like my new name?

- I love it sweaty! 30 deg already, yikes you'll have to make frequent trips to good old blighty this summer to cool down. I wish I was coming there though, mind you we didn't decide till the last minute last year so there's still hope ... shall we house swap?

Poor wee Nimpy, hope you're feeling better today. It's no fun when you're ill. I was dreaming of my run last night.

Yoohoo supersal we missed you - hope your internet back up and running soon. :) at singing DD.

ok I need to get back on to this. My knee seems to have recovered from skiing now and I need to lose some weight. Has anyone had a break then resumed ? Where should I start ?

Hello all C25kers - I'm a long, long time lurker, infrequent poster, so apologies for crashing in, but I've been doing this and was feeling really motivated using my app of Mr Ullrey (Laura didn't load on my phone!). But I've got to Week 9, doing 30 minutes and need some advice.

I keep reminding myself that 9 weeks ago, 1 minute felt like hell. And now I can keep going for 30 minutes. But the first 10 minutes feel like hell, the next ten I can just about manage, and the last 10 feel like hell! I keep going, but can someone tell me....does it get easier? And what keeps you going once you've done the C25K? What plan keeps you motivated?

But despite my own little worries, a message to all those doing the first few weeks - it's amazing, you will get to running 30 minutes without a break, even though you think doing a 5 or a 10 minute run is an uphill struggle!

Everyone on here has encouraged me to start this so I did W1R1 today and I feel stiff this evening. I'll never be able to do much more than this... I don't know if I'll even be able to do week 2. But I'm going to try anyway.

Don't worry Gettingolder you will be able to do it, really. I never thought that I could get on with running but I've made it to week 4 (missed a couple of runs because I've got a sore foot) and more than that I've actually started to enjoy it.

I didn't run today but did the same intervals as W4 on the rowing machine just to keep things ticking over so hopefully will restart on W5R1 in a few days time.

Poor you Nimpy hope you feel better soon it's no fun being ill and run down.

Have you considered doing a race Pombear or looked at the bridge to 10k that has been mentioned? I think you need to look at setting new targets maybe think about increasing your running time or distance. I'm sure the others will have better advice.

Hello all - welcome back LIZS

Welcome pombear - you're right about the first ten minutes being awful, then the middle ten being great and the final ten awful again .

I've tried going further and going faster. I'm not built for speed (never was, even at my fittest teenager days), so I'm going to try to bridge to 10k (I've been out a couple of times and run 10k, so I know I can do it, but I like to have a PLAN and follow it religiously ). Not sure when I'll get round to it though, and it's presently so hot that I can't imagine going very far or very fast.

I waited until 8.30 tonight and it was still 29 degrees. I didn't finish my run, and it took forever to get my breath back. Maybe because I had a go at the exercise DVD that came with my latest new toy balance ball last night, which nearly killed me . I don't know how you shredders do it.

We had the excitement of a tornado warning this afternoon, and there's now some spectacular lightning happening outside so maybe I got home just in time

I tried the first c25k run this week and it was OK - only thought I was going to die in the first two runs. My main problem seems to be motivating myself to go out and do it after I get home. And stiff hips the next evening. Not sure I'll be able to do the later weeks - or that my brisk walk is brisk enough....

Hello from Norfolk. Had great hol. Lots of running.. lots of wine too so bit oit of condition but got my 3 runs in. Hurtay. Hope you all well .

Hi - I've finished C25K last week and only found out about this thread today!

It's great to see so many people doing so well. I would have loved this thread when I started. It feels like a killer early on and during those those 90 second jogs it's hard to believe a few weeks later you'll be managing 20+ uninterrupted minutes and then...

What do most folks do after C25K? I used to run before children but don't have the time to do the distance I used to. Would like some other options. Is there a thread to keep people going or is post 5K talk welcome hear too?

Welcome SuchProspects - there are a few of us who have graduated who still hang around this thread . The other runners thread looks a bit hardcore for the likes of me.

Hi SB thanks for responding. Yes the other thread looks hardcore indeed! I've never got into races so that talk leaves me a bit out of it. Run to stay fit (love being able to run for a bus and not feel out of breath - even pushing a double buggy ) and weight control really.

What do you do now running wise?

Well, have been out twice in the last four weeks, so not doing very well really at the moment, I was worried that is would happen once I finished Week 9. However, back from holidays and hopefully will have a fairly good routine going again from this week. I ran last night and was fine for 20 mins but then couldn't manage a step further and walked home, so this weeks goal is to do a 25 min and then a 30 min run and then decide what to do next.

Pombear and SuchProspects sounds as though we are in similar positions regarding wondering how to carry on. So far the furthest I've managed in 30 mins is 3.7km so I want to build speed and distance rather than time next I think. A friend has recommended the Runkeeper App for iPhone, so I tried that yesterday, it tracks all your distances and times, allows you to use your own music and has a voice that tells you your speed every 5 mins. I couldn't get on with my new armband for the phone though and had to carry it (I used an iPod shuffle for the C25k so hadn't taken the phone out before).

WKWTTG - That's very understandable and I can see me doing the same if I'm not careful. I'm thinking a definite goal would help me - have you considered something like a 30 min 5K as an aim?

In the old days when I wanted to increase my pace I used to increase the time/distance I was running significantly then drop the distance back to run faster. Worked well when I could afford 90 minutes to work out whenever I cared to!

I'm doing most of my running on a treadmill now, so I set a pace I can manage and then push it up in increments. If Runkeeper doesn't work out is that an option for you?

SuchProspects 5k in 30 mins was exactly what I had in mind, it is just working out how to achieve it. The Runkeeper tells you how many minutes per km you are doing every 5 mins which is helpful, I was thinking in terms of intervals, ie 5 mins faster 5 mins usual pace and building up. A treadmill isn't an option for me, I have let my gym membership lapse and in any case I lose my balance on them! Also the thing I like best about running is being out in the fresh air. Perhaps I need to do as you suggest and increase speed while dropping time a bit.

Hello everyone. I did W5R1 today, and it felt so good doing 3 x 5 minute runs. Just pissed off that my iphone lost the gps signal so I couldn't check how far or how fast I ran. Might have to refrain from tucking it into my bra next time . Really looking forward to the next run.