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!!!!

Prunnhilda. If you stick with it, you will be able to do the distance. I am such a non runner and am never ceasingly amazed by this training programme. I am soon to go but feel a bit fraught actually. I don't want it to hurt like that again. ( feeble ) my DH can't run any distance because it hurts his knees so he does ergos and gym.

I will let You know How it goes. Gulp.

Ok. Well I did a short run very slowly so about 2.5K and think I will just build back up. Happily no knee probs though it really aches now but def not hurting. I feel really out of condition! It was last Sat when I had probs.

Do feel more relieved that it was ok.

Had such a lazy week! Done lots of walking and buggy pushing with DDs but no running. The furthest I've run in fact is to the cupboard to have cake
Need to get back at it except dd2 refuses to sleep and dh is working..... More cake anyone?!

Unwind- it's totally psychological I'm sure and I've been in awe of eddy izzard since those marathons he ran- masses of respect for him! About a gazzilion times more impressive than climbing killimanjaro or walking across the desert a la other slebs for comic relief. He deserved to get more recognition for it. I'll shut up now and put the kettle on!

Rather- glad your knees on the mend, you'll get back to being speedy Gonzales soon

Hi everyone, please can I join you? I started running last October but stopped when we got the snow in December and didn't start again . I've literally just picked it up in the last couple of weeks - I wanted to follow the C25K programme and downloaded the free app to my Desire but it switches off when the phone goes to sleep so I've been running without anything. I've no idea how far I go but I alternate running/walking for 25-30 mins.

I have a few questions:

• Is there only one C25K available? Someone mentioned an NHS version - is this different?
• I'm going to treat myself to an ipod so I can download the running app and some music to run to (if I can work out how, that is . Is the nano or shuffle best for running with? I'm a complete technophobe and have never used an ipod before.

Everyone on this thread is doing so well, I hope I'll be joining the ranks of the runners soon!

Hello SoftKitty :) I downloaded thr NHS Laura podcast from iTunes (free) to my nano and I love it - I don't love the music, but I like that she is blethering away in my ear, egging me on, and telling me when to start running, when to stop and walk etc. It's invaluable - I'd really like an iPhone so I could download my own music and put the chat over the top, but no can do at the mo. Not sure a shuffle would work though, as it plays things randomly. Am looking forward to being able to run for 30 mins and download my own 30mins choice of music - already planning a bit of Proclaimers, Mr Blue Sky, Sex on Fire :)

Glad you managed to get out piste - hope you don't have any more problems with it.

And Yorkshire, did someone mention cake? Mmmmmm .....

Evening all, hope everyone is doing well. Piste, glad you got out today.

I had a swift 30 mins around the block this afternoon - I have an OU assignment to get in so have spent most of my weekend with my head in a book. The run was great, I felt really energised and far more cheerful afterwards. I think I was a bit faster than usual, as I was home before the cooldown finished (usually I am not quite home). It was still chilly, but not cold enough for hat and gloves.

To those of you worrying about the longer runs - don't! By the time you get to them you will be able to do them - half the battle is getting into the routine and doing the programme, and you are all doing that already

Sluttyslut - I have Mr Blue Sky on my running playlist too.

Hello Kitty! Welcome. I have an ipod nano with one of those arm band thingys to wear it while running and it is great - sooo easy to use. I second slutty that the NHS podcast is great - at week four I got a stitch and Laura (the narrator) said JUST AT THAT MOMENT "it was around week four that I started to get a stitch". It made me carry on! Towards the end of the programme (I have just done W6R3) the music gets a bit repetitive but I am determined to get to thirty mins with it before swapping to my own music. I think about my new playlist while running

And to Sal and the other poster who was worried about the longer runs. I was terrified but just but your faith in the programme - it works and I ran 25 mins today! Am still in shock but feel great.

Getting out midweek is becoming a problem (work issues and dh wants to go out too ? grr) but I got out Friday and Sunday evening so week 7 is now ticked off. I managed to run a little further with each run so I?m v. pleased.

Seeing me doing c25K has given dh a shove to get back into running. Many moons ago he ran the London marathon, since then he?ll go out for the odd 30 minutes but nothing too strenuous. 5 weeks ago he decided to get back into it and yesterday ran a half marathon in under 2 hours. I?m very proud of him but 13 miles in 5 weeks puts my 2.5 miles in 7 weeks to shame!

Piste ? Now the clocks have changed how are you coping with running in daylight or are you going out really late?

Oh BUM I flaked out a bit today. Started w4 run1 and the jump from 1.5min/3/1.5/3 to 3/5/3/5 was too much. On the second 3 min run I started feeling too dizzy and my eyesight blurred so I knocked it on the head and walked home

However - I think the problem was fuel. I hadn't eaten nearly enough breakfast. Had only had a coffee to drink: not enough liquid. Will learn for next time. Swimming tomorrow and back to w4 on Wednesday.

Since all the more 'advanced' runners say it's possible, I know it is!

midtowner - I love Mr Blue Sky - the minute I hear it, it cheers me up!

Just got back from W3R2 but am quite tired tonight. Second 3min just about finished me off and I kept getting crampy pains again in my right calf which was annoying - was having a chat (whilst huffing and puffing) to my friend and wondered if maybe it was because I wear heels to work, and then came in and was out in running shoes within half an hour? What do you veterans think?

We found a lovely place to run the other day in the next village with convenient parking - or so we thought. Got there today to find signs everywhere telling us not to park or we would be clamped hung drawn and quartered:(. Still looking for the perfect (non-hilly) spot ....

Hope you're feeling better prunnhilda - W4 sounds hard .

at us driving to chosen spot! It's just that we're fed up of hiding in hedges in our own village when we see someone we know .

at supersal and sluttyslut. I have from time to time contemplated taking a cab to Central Park instead of running all the way there for 5 or 6 minutes in the park before it's time to turn back again and run back home .

do it midtowner!

midtowner I was in Bryant Park on Saturday morning, enjoying the (cold) sun and a hot choc by the fountain. I saw a number of runners heading up towards Central Park and I kept thinking 'Ooh, I wonder if that's midtowner!!'

I think going back a few weeks and changing my podcast has helped me get back into the swing of things. I love Laura but I'm really missing being able to have my own music going on. Am also now doing Zumba twice and week and Hatha yoga twice a week and feel really good for it. I must admit, that I feel the 'Zumba' in my legs the day after much more than I do the running.

Happy running all!!

Have eaten more cake and done no running - dh working v hard at mo. Both DDs are in nursery tomorrow and Thursday so rain permitting I can
go out to try to continue week 7. I've been thinking that when I'm a super runner then I can take the car to go to the other park and nature reserve for a change of scenery so strawberry and slutty you're not alone.

Lol justaminute! Well I still prefer the anonymity of running in the dark but went at about 7 yesterday. I think I have to realise that unless I want to run at midnight, I'm going to have to get to grips with being seen!!

Week 2, run 2 done - MUCH easier than week 2 run 1 which I thought was really hard but i've done my normal route in reverse so a steeper hill to run up but far shorter than the one I was doing which was long and gradual, seems to have made for a better run.

You're all doing so well...

I have FINALLY bought some trainers and really want to get started - but I have been feeling ill since Friday. Hopefully I'll be fully fit tomorrow and can get out for a little go!

I haven't got an MP3 player though - do I just walk a bit then run a bit and do it for twenty mins?

Aww hope you feel better soon BelligerentG - new trainers will make you run like a spring lamb . I'm meant to be doing W3R3 tomorrow bit it is forecast rain - not run in proper rain yet, only drizzle ...

I've been using the NHS Laura podcast on my iPod and can tell you what the first three weeks are like but I'm sure someone will be here soon who can fill you in on the rest. Oooh I was struggling to remember what I did on W1 so googled and have found this which gives you a breakdown.

bluebump - me no likey hills :(

piste - yy to midnight runs under cover of darkness for me too

Piste - I worry more about my lack of technique when running in daylight but I think I like it. Did w8r1 tonight. 28 mins was much tougher than 25. I felt every incline, even dropped kerbs were an effort . If I've plotted my route correctly I did 2.75 miles so on track (sort of) for the 5k in 30 mins. I now know how much further I need to stagger to hit 5k. I think I may cheer when I make it, energy allowing.

Belligerent I was just trying to work out how to do a link (bit of a technophobe) and see Slutty has beaten me to it. It's the exact link I was going to do - great minds think a like Slutty

Thank you both so much. That link is really helpful.

Hello girls

Great to see some new faces. Welcome to you all.

Alas I have been either ill, busy or working since my 5k a week ago and have not been out at all. Things are quietening down now, so perhaps tomorrow would be possible. i have strangely missed it which I didn't expcet to but it's not a good idea to go out when you are under the weather, is it? (or perhaps I am just lazy).

Proclaimers sound good. Newbies, if you are buying team songs could I recommend this ?

Keep on running everyone.

Arse. Try again.

May I commend to you?