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!!!!

Snorting at the name!
Was supposed to go this afternoon but gave blood and it was a bit cor blimey as it was 33, and the room was oppressive and airless. So I'm going tomorrow lunchtime instead. I need a running caftan to cover my Embarrasing Holes. Failing that I maybe need new running trousers.

Hi everyone, new to the thread. I'm supposed to be doing W3R3 today, but it's so damn muggy! I feel exhausted just getting through the day in this heat.

Hats off to you pistey, I am rubbish with blood and needles and veins and stuff.

Giving blood is so easy really... and my friend B says you lose a pound in weight, so all in all a bargain!

I've only ever done it once. I have low blood pressure so it took ages to come out. I get faint enough with simple blood tests .

Next time there is a blood drive at work I'll try to go along. I have plucked up the courage a couple of times in the UK, but each time it has been too close to having been overseas so they haven't wanted my blood. Maybe the Americans won't be as picky

Maybe you should give it a miss Sweaty?!

Encyclogirl thanks. I saw you on another thread somewhere about unsupportive DHs. I am impressed and admire your determination. I am hugely grateful as my DH is very supportive of me starting to run. He has been suggesting for years that I exercise and now that I am he has not even murmured "I told you so" and even bought me a (too small ) running top to celebrate me finishing C25K.

I am genuinely envious of your enthusiasm though as I am still waiting to get a runners 'high', so ofen it's quite a chore to get done.

Stick with it - by the end of July you'll be doing your 5k !!!

Nimpy don't be disheartened. You've just had a duff day that's all. What would you say to anyone else on the thread if they'd said what you did? I bet you'd be much more forgiving of them than you are yourself? Just put it behind you and tackle it again - you'll get there.

That's right Jelli, that was me. I am literally retraining my dh to support me. He swears he doesn't realise he's being unsupportive, but he is so obstructive, and then of course I lose interest and give up. I did feel a bit guilty yesterday though. I came back from W3R2 and he was online buying running leggings for me!

He said I should have some nice stuff to run in as clearly I'm really doing it this time (aka, I won't be talked out of it this time!).

I definitely get into a headspace when I'm running, it's a lovely empty feeling. You'll know it when you get it

Wow end of July? That soon? That's only next month!

I know just what you mean about head space!
Well I finished the C25K programme a long while ago and have now settled into regular running. At the mo this is on a machine but I will go out again when I can.

But yesterday I had legs of lead and zero energy. My calf muscles also felt so tight. So it wasn't too good and I will hopefully do better tomorrow!

I still find it funny that I'm running. Me. Running!

I will look for the door into 'headspace' this morning - but not too hard incase I frighten it away!

Pistey I find that too Me! Running!? No, it can't be. It makes me laugh too.

I am on my way out for my Tuesday run now ( just checking what run I need to do on the Bupa website, not popping into MN for a chat or anything, putting off the evil moment.......). It was all a bit odd. i had bookclub last night and I was making and taking salad and I had an extra chore to do too. I had calculated that I would JUST have enough time to do everything after work including my run. But the salad recipe that should have taken 5 mins took much longer as I had not noted that all the ingredients were listed as being finely diced - so I had to frantically chop. BUT I missed my run!!! and I then found out that I had been looking forward to it, which I didn't know that I ever did.

Is it just me that has this relationship with running?

Jelli/Piste, I went out last night and ran in the city, unusual for me, I live in rural south west Ireland, but I work in Cork city. I ran along by the river with lots of other runners and was thinking in my head "Shit, I hope they don't realise I've no right to call myself a 'proper' runner"

It's surreal that I'm now running 'properly'. I've trained for 10ks, and halfs before, but that wasn't for life, after each event I immediately stopped training. For some reason this time I feel like I'm really doing it.

I too have a weird relationship with running. I think we have to just accept that we are...you know... people who run. LOL!

I'm going to my home town tomorrow for a 4 days and already I have 3 runs planned in various locations, and I feel quite excited about it.

I'm moving on to W4 today. I have so much in the tank after 3mins I really feel ready to run 5mins.

Hope your run went well Jelli!

I've just written a long, chatty reply and blummin' MN has gobbled it up and spat it into the ether!!!!

In brief, my run should have been hard but wasn't. I didn't see any 'headspace' but maybe I'm looking too hard!! It was a beautiful morning for a run though and I did enjoy it after all.

Hope you all enjoy your runs today.

Hi all, it was a lovely morning today wasn't it. I only had a short run this morning, as I had a late night last night and had to be in work for 8 am, but wished I could have done more. What you are all saying about being people who run (who me?) really resonates with me too. All far too weird for my liking. I mean, I was always fairly sporty at school, have played squash, tennis and been a gym member at different stages of my life, but never imagined I'd be a runner, especially in my 40's!

encyclo - I know what you mean about planning runs - I'm staying with my parents this weekend and there are two routes I've done before when staying with them. I'm already looking forward to getting out in their village [bonkers emoticon]

Am going out with my BFF of 20+ years tonight, so may not be running in the morning

Has anyone tried a Parkrun? I am thinking of doing one of the Leeds ones on Saturday if I can muster up the courage

They do a park run near me, it's 5K and you register online then they put up times. Is that the sort of thing? Sadly for me the timing doesn't work with other commitments. But it looks v good. I've seen people pace setting with placards so you run with the right one ie 30 mins.....

Go for it sweaty!!

Hmmm, not sure if I am brave enough. I'm seeing a friend on Friday afternoon who has posted on FB about her Park Runs so I will pick her brains. I will be the one pace setting at the back

Well, after a week and a half break (although I did a lot of other exercise) I decided to go out and try for 5km (previously had been stopping at 30 mins and had only managed 4k). Did the 5 fairly easily by using a nice level route, it took 40 mins, which is quite slow, but I really enjoyed it, so I think I am going to keep doing 5k and try and get it down to 30 mins. Have been following the thread a bit half-heartedly, but glad to see everyone making progress.

Wahey!!! Finished today!!!

I can now manage to run for 30 mins VERY SLOWLY . Going back to start from week 4 tomorrow, but upping my pace (am running on a treadmill so it's easy to monitor my speed).

Just feel like I've really achieved something, even though I've only run 3K (and let's face it I could walk that fast) but the idea of running for that length of time is still amazing to the old couch spud that I used to be.

Keep on running everyone - you're all doing great. And if I can do it, anyone can

Wow Sherlock what an achievement! I am so impressed. Congrats on finishing the programme. Doesn't matter about the speed, you RAN for 30 mins that's incredible!

Whoknows, you are where I really want to be, God I'm so impatient to get there.

Sweaty I'm 45, to find my inner runner at this late stage is pretty unbelievable really.

I'm back from W4R1. A bit ahead of schedule, but I feel really strong and able to keep pushing on. I have some residual stamina from my previous runnng I guess. I wore my Great North Run 09 T-shirt to remind myself that I can actually do this.

Loved it!

Lol sweaty
at the park run I see, at the back are women in their 90s with zimmers and walking sticks and frustrated looking parents with 2year olds pushing those little buggies. I'd like to think we were all faster than that!!

Well done everyone!

Am going 2start my c25k later 2day when DP is home 2 look after DD!! I'm looking 4ward 2 it- but it has been 18months since I last ran anywhere!!

Just got in from W2R2 (10K) and almost enjoyed myself again!! I have run without DH for the last two runs and I run slower without him BUT I haven't had that tight feeling in my chest either. It may be because I am increasing in stamina (fingers crossed) or it could be because I'm just slow!!

Hopefully he will run with me again on Sunday for my three mile continuous run as he'll help with getting a better time! I'll find out then whether I get the tight feeling back.

I had tired feet tonight! I ran yesterday, due to bad planning, and again this evening, and now my feet are sore. Not sore with blisters but tired muscles sore, on the top of my feet! most peculiar. I believe them when they say take the rest days now!!

Just for the record I'm a late runner too at 43 (just!) and have avoided exercise for almost 30 years, being a bit of a sofa dweller!

Jelli, I am sufficiently old enough to have forgotten exactly how old I am . I managed to knock a year off earlier on by mistake

You are doing 10K