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!!!!

• And it's worth it too!

Just did week 5 run 1, much easier than last week, but I have difficulty imagining running for 20 min in four days' time

I signed up for a 5k, the weekend after next, back when I thought I would have the nine weeks finished by now. I still intend to do it, by using the w6r3 podcast, recovering a bit and running to the finish line. I don't think there is any chance now of me running the whole 5k!

Unwind - you may surprise yourself. In my case I?ve found it?s a mind thing. As soon as I stop running my legs feel dead and I just can?t start again but if I keep them moving (even if it is a snail?s pace) I feel like I can run for ages. I haven?t actually tried the running for ages bit as soon as Laura says stop I do as I?m told .

I do think that a lot of it is psychological - having never done any exercise that I could possibly avoid before now, I find it incredible that I can keep going. I am sure I could run longer than Laura says, especially on the last run, but am being obedient for now. I always find the first run the toughest.

I keep thinking of Eddie Izzard, and that if he could run all those marathons, I can surely manage five minutes

Well that's week 2 run 1 done, quite hard in the middle but I did it! I really need to get some proper trainers though, my poor knees are still hurting.

W7 R2 today. Went to the running track around a local park. Didn't realise how hilly it was. Finished my 25 mind but twice I really thought I'd not make it. Once my entire body hurt. My legs are burning tonight! I have a 4.3 mile run in 5 weeks so I really need to get my distance up but even today I'm managing about half of that.

Unwind, you will surprise yourself - that 20 minutes is easier than you think! Molly, well done for keeping going.

I had a freezing 30 min run this morning - it reminded me of the early weeks when there was feet of snow on the ground here. There was just a sprinkling of snow from last night. As someone said further up the thread it took a good 10 minutes to get into my stride, but I handed off a 4WD that threatened to run me over just as "Mr Blue Sky" came on to my playlist and I was off up a hill on my springy legs (could have been the adreneline (sp?) of course!).

supersal, glad your ds had a good time. I hope there are no photos with an English lady of a certain age with a gammy knee in dodgy running gear in the background

Hello again everyone - I bought my shock absorber bra, got all hyped up then caught tonsillitis

2 weeks later and I'm better and fired up. I managed my first run - week 1 run 1 - yesterday. It was great. The podcast really helped. Here's to sticking to it and getting somewhere. Hurrah!

Hi all, no posts from me for a few days but jut caught up with all your posts and am glad to see all is going so well for you all out there.

W3 done and dusted now & did w4d1 yesterday. The end of the 2nd 5 mun interval was tough but just about kept going.

Got new running shies on Tues - OH and I both went to get fitted - first time he's ever been properly fitted, despite now running for a year or 2. Needless to say he's now a convert to a proper fitted shoe after just one run!

Well our little family did a 5k fun run this morning! DS in his pushchair, DH pushing, me and the dog running behind! Sadly part of the race was on the beach (doesn't sound that sad, I know!) and the pushchair got stuck!! We had to a) carry it (and just at that point the dog decided to take an, ahem, toilet break - much to the hilarity of other runners) for a bit and b) take a slight detour off the sand but I think we still ran 3-4k and we were the second family to finish (slight cheat notwithstanding!). My legs felt good and so did my "puff" (if that makes sense) but DARN the HEAT...the car said 26c as we left and it was 9am...ouchy. Also the damned pelvic floor let me down towards the end...and as the dog was the only dog running (she had her own number n'everything!) the press wanted photos at the finish line. I tried to hold my water bottle to cover my shame but I am really hoping not to end up in the local news with dark patches on my running pants! Major

Our time? 44mins. Not bad when you consider all the drama!

Well done dubai, my dubai, doggydubai and babydubai! That does sound a drama, but a good story nonetheless . Surely in that heat any dark patches would be assumed to be sweat [hopeful].

I don't think I could cope with such heat. I used to live in Asia in hot and humid climates, and it just wiped me out.

my dubai = mrdubai!

Just finished wk 6 run 1. I think I must of run faster than on my 20 min run as despite being 18 mins, my route wasn't long enough. Will have to try and extend it a bit on Sunday.

Hopefully that means I,m getting closer to running 5k. I feel like I'm never going to get there at the moment. My pedometer says I'm only running 2.3k I don't know if i'm running far enough or if I'm so slow it will take me an hour to run 5k

Maybe map out a 5k run (or runs) and keep trying to increase the distance covered, aiming to run the full 5k by the end of week 9?

Just catching up with everyone. I had planned on doing a run this morning then got distracted by a zumba class. I think I had finally found my niche. Will head out again on Sunday but, as I'm sure Midtowner will agree, it's a bit cold again here.

Loved the story dubai. I'm sure you'll look lovely in the photo. Hats off to anyone that can run in heat. I've no idea with how I'll cope with the humidity here in the summer. I moan about running in the cold, moan about running in the hot weather, if this keeps up I'll only run outside for two months of the year!!

happy - admirable English understatement there. A bit cold = bloomin freezing! 3 degrees c just now (6.45 pm), forecast to be -3 overnight

i'd like to map out a 5k run,good idea. i tend to run out of village tho!

took my run easy tonight as have alot on my mind. used the usual ap so was surprised to find i was almost up to my usual pace

girt.....i'm not doing 5k yet,but i break the 30 mins down to 3 blocks of 10 mins.and try and run faster for last 2 mins of each block....find i'm picking up speed this way on a usual run

Hi

I am a brand new runner (to be). I have crazily agreed to do a 5k run with friends and in 2 months and currently do NO running at all. I cycle and roller blade regularly but have never had the urge to run.

So I've gone out and got a better sports bra and a new "fit kit" to motivate me. I've downloaded some new tunes and plotted out a few starter routes and tomorrow I plan to begin.

I've been told to start with w2r1 for 15 mins - but I don't know if that's good advice. What pace/time did everyone else start? How long did it generally take you from starting to get to the 5k?

Just catching up, you've all been busy :) Hello zest!

Did W3R1 on Friday morning, found a nice flat (tish) route in the countryside in the next village, it was lovely to be out in the fresh air in the sunshine. Thought I would never manage 3mins but surprisingly I did and am sooooo pleased. Was alarmed when I read about the leap from 8mins to 20 though! Shriek!

We'll do it together supersal! I must admit, I did a double take when I read it and thought, 'That cannot be right . Surely that must be a typo?', but it is unfortunately. Seems such a big jump - mind you I thought the jump from 60secs to 90secs was a big jump . So it's W5 that you do that then? Towards the end of W5 I'm hoping praying.

I keep thinking of Eddie Izzard unwind, and thinking of what he endured and it sort of keeps me going - wish the DVD of it was out, I'd like to watch him again.

Well done on your race dubai, sounds eventful . And in that heat! If I had a hat on, I'd take it off to you ....

Hello everyone on this lovely Sunday! I am going to go later and am hoping my knee is not bad again. I feel like I have somewhat fallen off the running routine as it has been a week. Gulp. I'm going to try a 30 minute run not even aiming for 5K. I hope to manage 30 mins of very slow trotting. Wish me luck!

You are all amazing and doing so well xx

OK I have done w3 run3 - on to week 4 tomorrow.
The third w3 run was certainly easier than the first! In that I didn't want to collapse in a heap and wibble to myself.
It's taken me 4 weeks to do 3 weeks of the programme though - hmm at myself. But at least I am doing it

One thing I have noticed is my clothes are fitting better already. No notable weight loss, and I haven't measured myself, but everything feels slightly looser. In just 4 weeks of not being particularly strict about exercise and not changing my eating/alcohol habits (). That is very motivating.

Piste how did your 30 mins go? I am slightly in awe of all you lot who CAN do 30 mins! I am 1/10 of the way there, hey ho.