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!!!!

W5R1 done! The foot held up ok, so did the rest of me just . I'm not looking forward to the next run though 8 mins is sounding really scary.

Hi all, been absent for a week as after I did W4R1 last Monday I came down with an awful cold and then a chest infection so didn't go out at all after that last week and have been really ill over kid's half term hols.

Anyway I decided to go back out this morning and have decided to do week 3 for this week again just to get back into it after the break last week. I just felt that if I didn't go out today chances are I'd never go back out. Didn't go too bad though!

Well done to everyone on the progress so far, I'm so jealous I should be starting week 5 myself this week

Hi Fellow Runners,

W7R1 completed this evening. 2x 12 minute runs, and when I finished I had almost enjoyed myself! This was an enormous relief as it has been quite a chore for about 3 weeks now. Hurrah! DH distracted me with his news from work very successfully tonight .

I can't quite believe that little ol' me (who couldn't run for a bus 2 weeks ago) will be running 5k in five more runs!!Eeek!

Hi all - new and old. Haven't been about for a while as life got all complicated with work, dd2's birthday, trips to a&e with dd1 and dh being hungover and until tonight I hadn't been out for 2 weeks. Had a great run today - 30 mins and felt fine (ish). Fwiw I still feel like vomiting with every run. Back on track now (hopefully). Stuck to my diet despite lack of running so no real harm done. Will read bits I've missed properly now and post if I have any wisdom to share (unlikely)

That would be "couldn't run for a bus two months ago!"

....must proof read before posting........

Hi everyone - I was running quite a bit last year, but then let it lapse. These days, I'm trying to work my way up BUPA's C25K program again.

Last week, I ran 3 x 12 mins. It felt good, but I haven't been out since. I hope to come back to post here my next 3 x 12 min run soon.

Hi there can I join? I am a very very lapsed half marathon runner and I would love to get back into some serious running later down the line and maybe even, whispers train for a full marathon next year.

I know I have one in me.

I haven't run properly in over a year so I am at ground zero running wise.

I live in Ireland, work full time and have two dc, elder one has special needs (down syndrome/autism), and she keeps us busy and serves mostly as my excuse not to run much!

I also get kind of sabatoged by my dh, who subconciously puts up obstacles when I start getting into the serious running component of my training, so I just give up. We've had a big talk about this and he is promising to be fully supportive. Hmmmm...we'll see.

Anyway, didn't mean to give you all my life story, just some background into why it's so damn hard to make this commitment with a busy family life/work life going on. I'm 45 now and feel that I need to do this for myself so I'm doing it dammit.

Another new one here. I'm very envious of anyone that I see running so am going to give it a go at six tomorrow morning!

I tried to do the C25k a couple of years ago but gave up as I was so very unfit and got discouraged.

I'm less fit now but have a plan!! I know that I can't run for a minute so when it tells me to run I'm going to run for 20 steps (this may kill me) each time and build it up from there. Good idea?

So while the rest of you are trying for 5k I'm trying for a minute!

I ran this morning 5k in 33 mins. Didn't think I'd make it 5 mins into the run but just kept pushing it the half way point and then counted down to keep me going. So really pleased with myself. Will try to do the same on Friday and then up the pace a tiny bit next week.

Milliner - 20 steps sounds like a fine plan. THe trick is to just keep going out there three times a week. It doesn't matter where you start. And it doesn't matter if you don't quite manage one of the sessions, or have to repeat a week. You're stil going to be better than you were - which is real achievement. Good luck.

That last was for lilibet. Very sorry, posting from my phone.

Hello everyone

WElcome new runners! Good to have you on board. I am always telling myself that ANY running is better than none and so if you can only do 2 mins instead of 5 or whatver, that is time exercising and not on the sofa. I ran really well on holiday but have not been out since I got home for various boring reasons. I'll try for tomorrow morning before I take the kids to school.

Keep on running everyone. Loving the thread

I went out

I looked like this

and I made a bit of a mistake because I can't add up. (is this the time to point out that I work in the finance department of an NHS Trust, no wonder we're in such a mess)

I realsied that I needed to know when I was half way so that I could turn back and go home, (how do other people do this?)I totally miscalcualted this as I thought there were only four runs.

Anyhow, by running backwards and forwards across the top of the street I fitted in five and then I went home as I was so knackered and I couldn't breathe properley.

On the bright side I ran 100, yes 100 steps each time - go me!!!

So I have planned a longer route for tomorrow and am going to try and do 80 steps each time and see how that goes.

Thanks for the warm welcome Sybil :) Very excited to be starting this process.

Off to get my new running shoes this lunchtime. Have to run on a threadmill so they can access my gait.

I've had knee issues in the past.

Congrats Lilibeth, that's excellent work!

Lilibet Congratulations! 100 steps when you thought you could only do 20 is brilliant.

You can work out half way in different ways, some people just go by time, so turn around at 15 minutes (or 10, or 5, whatever is half way to the goal), others go by distance so turn at the half way point on a course of known length, probably be the easiest is to turn around after you've done half your running so if 10 repetitions of running 80 steps then walking 1 minute, turn around after the 5th run.

I used the Get Running iPhone app to follow the program and it tells you when you're half way through. But it may not be much use for you at this stage as you have to be comfortable with the set program, you can't modify it. If you like music while you run you could get a play list together that lasts for the amount of time you're supposed be out and insert a loud reminder at the halfway point.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes have you been out again? Did the run keeper app help?

I started a thread for new starters, but seems this is the place to be! I started this a few years back, and failed (sore knee!) , then end of last year started training with DHs personal trainer for a few months, but he then moved away. I carried on, jumping in at about week 4/5 (3 & 5 min runs) but lapsed for the past few months. I had a really dodgy american trancey podcast too - anyone recommend a decent one for an MP3? I want to start at the beginning again, and see how I get on

Hello one and all, and welcome to everyone who has just found us! Look forward to catching up on your runs. I'm currently stalled on W8R something or other I forget now ....

I've been AWOL for over a week now and no one has missed me, due to bloody BT internet failure - arrgh no MN for over a WEEK! - and no running due to stupid foot - and poorly kids as well , so do I win?

Have been on treadmill a couple of times but foot really hurts, and I much prefer running outside. Feel like I have really slipped back ... am gutted that I was doing 28mins and now NOTHING .

Going to catch up on everything now, I'm not normally this crabbit, honest

Hello everyone, I feel a bit daunted posting here! I'm VERY unfit, I weigh a lot and find running really uncomfortable, I feel like my legs can't take the strain IYSWIM. No false modesty here, I would struggle to run 100 yards, but can happily walk for miles.

Are there some people who just don't suit running? I've had a look at the Couch to 5 plan because I'd like to have something to aim for, and I couldn't do week 1! I couldn't run for 60 secs. Any suggestions?

Evening all,

Hello MissHonkover, welcome to the thread. Someone was posting a little further up (hello Lilibet ) about similar worries and has counted steps instead, I've also done this a couple of times when I found my Ipod was out of charge and I had no podcast to listen to. I am also overweight (about 3 stone) and mid 40s, I have never run regularly before, but I started the plan in Jan and finished it a few weeks ago. Things that have helped me are as follows:

A decent sports bra
Decent running shoes from a proper running shop, which unfortunately is a big investment if you aren't sure you are going to stick it.
Finding a route that is largely flat but with a few nice gentle down hills in it
Going extremely slowly
Tying my hair back, having it flopping is unbelievably annoying

Maybe get the Week 1 podcast and on the first run see how many steps you can manage by counting them, stop when you have to, then try and do the same amount in the second run, you might surprise yourself!

Lilibet - I agree that not knowing when you are hlafway is annoying. I fairly quickly found a circular route of about the right distance which helped.

SuchProspects - thank you for asking, I have been out twice more, not altogether successful runs, but I am not feeling discouraged, as you said to someone else it is all good exercise and gets you off the couch. On Tues I was ready to go when DS (7) asked to come with me on his scooter, we went fairly steadily for 20 mins but chatted a lot, took a few short cuts and had to keep stopping to cross roads sensibly instead of my usual legging it between cars, so it was great fun but not too strenuous. Tonight I set out on my own and went too fast to begin with and got puffed out, but managed 25 mins with a few little walking breaks, I hadn't set up the runkeeper properly though so my timings etc were all out, I obviously need to spend a bit more time getting to know how the app works. I think my music tracks are a bit too fast as well.

oooh MissHonker read my post, I think we may be in the same boat

I am actually looking forward to six o'clock in the morning and this time I will stay out for 30 minutes!

Thanks for the warm welcome and encouragement everyone

Hi everyone W5R2 done, the 2nd 8mins was hard, I was sssoooo slow by the end but I did it, can someone give me a pep-talk for R3 please, I'm really worried about it. Foot was a bit sore after last nights run but it felt more like it had been rubbing which was wierd because it hadn't and it's been fine today.

Hope your foot gets better soon BearGrylls, I was so cross at missing last week, and more than a little sorry for myself too. I did manage to slip on the stairs last Friday and bruise my toe so badly that I spent two hours think it might be broken, on top of the strain and bruise on the other foot but you definately win.

Well Done Lilibet that's really good you've done really well!

MissHonkover try doing smaller intervals like Lilibet, count steps, run for 30 seconds or between lampposts, some thing managable and then work up. I don't think it matters how small you start if you can do it and build on it.

It's good to see more people joining, welcome to all the new starters and the false beginers too.

Whoknowswheretimegoes - I'm also in my very late mid forties and about three stone overweight

Hello! I had to miss a few days this week as I pulled a muscle in my quads - so three days off. But I went straight back in at W7R1 and it was fine. Well, it was bloody hard actually, but I did it. Hurrah.

Glad everyone else is doing well. So many newbies - hard to believe I was one 7 weeks ago.

rowrowrow I bet you LOVE WkR3 - I did. You don't think you can do it, but you can. If I could do it at 7 months postpartum and 4 stone overweight.... When I got to week 6 I was almost disappointed at taking a step backwards after that.