The Couch to 5k 2011 - Part 3 : Keep Holding My Hand So We Don’t get Separated!

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

Yet more space for us to talk about our progress on the Couch to 5K programme, the stuff we wear and the music we listen to! New runners are warmly welcomed - come and give it a whirl, you know you want to! There has been a lot of success on this thread, both in the UK and internationally, moral support is abundant, and there is always a kick up the arse for anyone who needs one!

If we stick together we will enjoy success, I thought song lyrics were appropriate so in the words of Gwen Stefani..

Run, running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side
Me, I'm the one you chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most

Running, running, as fast as we can
As fast as we can
Do you think you'll make it?
Do you think we'll make it?
We're running, keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated

Be, be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me...

Good luck everyone x

We DH has a kindle. He travels with work a fair bit and it's fab for that as he can carry a whole library with him and just download anything if there is anything new he wants needs. I love the feel of books and was quite anti when i met 'kindle girl' (he prefers her company to me at times ) but now I have come to appreciate her and her screen is surprisingly good and easy on the eye. She's my friend now and to be recommended if you travel with books as she saves so much space. Most of the time I read at home and prefer proper books but she has her moments.....

I have eight long finger nails and two stub ends for thumbnails but feel inspired to find some 'nail garnish' (to quote DD when aged 3) to put on today. But, I think we have plans to sort out the dumping ground attic today - deep joy! I may have no nails left by later.....

Bear have you actually seen an I Run in the flesh, as it were? It seems good in that it is pink and reasonably cheap compact, but is it robust enough for DH regular running I wonder?

Linzer well done on getting up so early, and on a Sunday, on holiday! mad woman alert and well done on your time. Hills are such a nuisance aren't they? I get knackered going up and stitches coming down. What fun!

I have been for my run this morning. I did it - I completed all 6 miles (almost 10k) without stopping except to negotiate a large patch of nettles blocking the path and they 'got' me anyway. I was a bit slow but I don't care. It will come. I have 3 more runs left on the programme and then I'm free to just run. I am hoping to enjoy it more when the goalposts stop moving away from me..... Amazingly I don't feel too knackered either! Maybe even slightly energised she says from the safety of sitting in front of the computer. We saw a deer today too which was a treat.

Am slightly concerned about Sweaty too - perhaps shes followed some more riders and is currently running to Montana to follow them back to their ranch......

Have a great day everyone

Morning my lovelies! I wish I was in Montana, but no, sadly we came back from the Isla de Encanto to NYC yesterday. It was grey and rainy when we touched down, which made it even more grrrr to be home. Luckily I have pistey to look forward to next week - I PM'd you last night but am worried it might not get through if your threads are playing up.

I left my running shoes behind, along with some of the boys' outgrown clothes - the rental owner said he'd donate them to a local church. The shoes had lost their bounce and I decided it was time for some new ones . I will go tomorrow at lunchtime to the running shop who sold me the last pair, the anticipation will help me through the first morning back at work .

I'm off around the corner to see the nice ladies at the nail bar to sort out my toes (which are looking a bit worse for wear after 2 weeks on the beach) and will catch up properly when I'm back. I'm usually a deep red, but will try out a team purple today

Well done to all of you who have been out running today.

I had such a crap run...

How can it be good, last time it was really good, then today it was really really bad ? Everything ached, my hips, calves, thighs, even my head. I managed 2K and had to call it a day. I had my lead lined legs on too. It was all wrong. I'm not sure what to do

But I am vairy much looking forward to seeing you Sweaty! I have ordered a special outfit so you recognise me.... I will look fab You won't miss me.

Hope your team purple nails look... well... purple

Thanks for all the motivational words. I don't think I'd have even brought my running gear over if it hadn't been for you all and your encouragement; this thread is a great motivating force. I went shopping today (quite a novelty to be able to go on a Sunday) and bought a running magazine, so feel like a proper runner now! Was slightly at the prices of the magazines, though.

Glad to hear you're safe and well, sweaty. And v. exciting about new running shoes. Does anyone know how often you're supposed to replace them? I was wondering whether it would be too extravagant to get some new ones when I'm in London at the end of next week. I don't actually need any as I've only had them for about four months, but I couldn't find anywhere that did gait analysis - or even give me decent advice - in Austria so I just bought the cheapest (but not cheap by any means) pair. Then again, the ones I have atm are quite comfortable.

Well done on the 6 miles Jelli - I'm so exhausted after 5k (had to have a lie-down when I got back this morning!) that I can't even imagine running that far. Yes, I probably am quite mad, but tbh being back at my parents' doesn't really feel like a holiday, just a change of scenery.

WhoKnows I know what you mean about running being a necessary evil, although I do enjoy going out (until I've been running for a couple of minutes) and coming back home; I just need to work on the bit in between! I'm also worried that if I stopped running for the whole nine weeks, I'd be back to square one when school starts again - or at least find it very difficult to get back into it again.

Bear No white van men in sight, thank goodness. One of the advantages of living in Austria is that builders take absolutely no notice of you and I've never had a single comment when I've been out running (although having my headphones on helps me to feel invisible, in any case).
Free nail polish in this month's Elle too btw; they only had grey in our local WHSmith, however, which I just can't imagine looking very attractive.

If liking the covers of books makes you shallow, I shall join you in your shallowness. I like the idea of a Kindle in principle and can see how it would be great when you're travelling, but I like the look of "proper" books more.

sybil Well done on your run too. I only ever see athletic looking men when I'm out running (or maybe I just don't notice anyone else ), who make me feel very slow and pathetic - I do see women out running too, but usually later in the day after I've done my run.

Oh no, Piste - I take back that glare and shall hand over some / instead. Sometimes runs are just crap for no particular reason (I gave up on one after a minute once - I forced myself to get going again but it was just awful), but I think it's all par for the course and you're still improving overall, so don't beat yourself up about it. Just think how much you've improved since you first started running, when you probably wouldn't even have managed to run that far (2k still sounds very impressive to me).

Love the outfit, though - also ideal for running on cold winter days.

Darling Pistey, we all have good runs and bad runs, so please don't beat yourself up. Today was bad but tomorrow will be better. You ran, you did 2k, you didn't sit on the sofa and drink wine but you were out there! Not as far as you might like but tomorrow will be so much better. DOn't be sad. You are a runner and some days are good and others less so. You are our head girl, so you have to keep going. Play up, team! You can do it!

I hope you have a glass on the go, and that you will have a bette run tomorrow.

Pistey! Do not despair! We all have good days and bad days, admittedly my bad days have been outnumbering my good of late, so I know exactly how you feel. Sending you an big unMN hug.

Have got to go out now, but will be back later with something motivational for you, and to read all the lovely news about kindles, running and nail varnish from Jelli, WhoKnows, sybil, sweaty and Linzer.

is for Pistey, there's nothing you can't do .... as the song goes. You'll have a better day tomorrow, I'm sure :)

Oh BUGGERATION! I've written a really long post to all of you with lots of drivel, and it has bloody well buggery disappeared. Arrrgh. How very annoying.

Arrrrgh.

Hope everyone is well (my other post was much more exciting than this), and you're all having good days!

Grrrrr.

Evening all,

Well, managed to get out this morning, the DCs have got tennis camp every morning this week, I will be going to work Thur/Fri but otherwise it is the ideal opportunity for a run. Even better, the tennis club is very close to a big playing field with a nice level path that is almost exactly 1k in diameter.

Anyway, I managed my half an hour, but it was nowhere near 5km (in fact I didn't even look on my phone at the end) as after the first 2 and a bit circuits I started having to do some walking intervals and it was downhill from there. My lungs can take it but just not my legs at the moment, my calves get all stiff and achey. So Pistey - I know how you feel! I think I will go again tomorrow, but need to do some stronger stretches first. I also think I probably need to do some strength training for the legs, lunges and stuff. Oh and lose some weight!

I started the MyFitnessPal app again today for weight loss, I know there are threads for this as well, but I can't keep up with too many long running threads. Has anyone else on here used it?

Got to go, am in the middle of making the DCs tea. Waves at everyone else. COuld I just say, that if I wasn't on this thread I suspect I would have totally given up by now, thank you all for your encouragement, it really helps!

No running for me (it should be a shredding day) today I thought I'd just pop in to let you know i've bought Marie Claire for the nail varnish say hello.

Pistey you know you have up days as well as down days as you've been kind enough to give the rest of us 'the pep talk' when we've needed it! It's another day today, and another tomorrow. The running will be better and you'll lose those lead legs and all your aches. Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself a dodgey run.

Linzer I think shoes should last around 500 miles.

Thanks Jelli - I have a year or two's life left in my shoes then. Still, it's a good excuse to go to London (obv. the only place in the UK where you can have gait analysis done ) next summer. I'm sure the main reason that DH is joining us in Britain this summer is the fact that he decided we could combine our visit with a couple of days in London - I think he misses it more than I do, even though he's Austrian.

WhoKnows Well done on the run. I was reading in Women's Running today about the importance of stretching and strength training, neither of which I do (although I still stick to the five-minute warm-up walk), so I should probably start thinking about them if not actually doing them. Apparently strength training helps you to run faster, although I can't remember why exactly.

Love that song, Bear - and always makes me laugh.

Am planning on going out first thing tomorrow so really must get an early night tonight (have been spending far too much time online in the evenings with DH not here to complain about my MNing). I may also paint my fingernails in readiness.

Linzer - that version is really funny, I've not heard it before - it did make me chuckle . Maybe if you're going to London anyway you might as well have your gait measured/ have a look at nail polish while you're there. Good luck in the morning with your run - what's this strengthening malarkey then? I always stretch afterwards but strength training has passed me by. I might buy that magazine tomorrow. Does it come with free nail varnish?

WhoKnows - this thread keeps me going too, was thinking of you all when I was huffing and puffing this merry morning. Kept thinking, keep going Bear, keep going, your virtual running buddies will be willing you on. It was lovely weather for a run, the wind in my hair, no rabbits to be seen only fluttery little birds, and the odd car. I was the opposite to you this morning, it was my lungs, not my legs that failed me. Was quite breathless in the last minute, but I did manage a hill today. Only did 2k in 23 mins so that is VERY rubbish but it's 2k more than I used to do.

Jelli - I am in awe of you and your 10k. You are AMAZING! Result on the Marie Claire purchase too - maybe I'll have to buy that instead of a running mag . Re the iRun - haven't seen one in the flesh but since seeing one mentioned on a thread on MN, I've convinced myself that I need want one. Especially since they come in pink, have speakers for your iPod and fold up. Trouble is I keep watching them on eBay and thinking maybe they are an impulse purchase which is a NEED, then gets used a couple of times, then gets dusted sporadically (in my house), then goes on eBay iyswim? at nail garnish and kindle girl!

Hope you manage to get out and get some new running shoes sweaty, and your nails are a pretty colour (that was so sweet of you to leave your stuff behind).

And as for the Kindle - thanks for all your input and info everyone, I think it may well be on my wishlist from Santa. But till then I will have to be a good girl, and not follow Jerry Hall's instructions .

Sybil and Pistey - hope all is well with you two, have been wittering about you all evening since I saw the news from London. Stay safe. Shred, don't run.

Happy running tomorrow everyone, night night.

Pistey - don't worry, you'll get your oomph back and be twice as good next time you go out.

Linzer - like jelli says, I think you are supposed to replace running shoes by distance run rather than time iyswim. I remember a friend posting on FB that he'd got through 2 or 3 pairs training for last year's marathon. I am nowhere near 500 anything . Hope you are having fun with your DPs.

Do you like my new nails? Not sure if they are purple enough

YES! YES! YES! Team Purple! Gorgeous sweaty. How can it be so cheap though, they are £10 here :(

Time for me to hop on a plane pre-Christmas methinks!

Right ...

A new day, a new run, it cannot be that bad again, I will be despondent no more, I have courage. I am a runner, I can run.

Brave words! I find it much easier to give others the old pep talk, but it is harder when it's to yourself!

Thank you everyone for kind words, I felt a bit teary the other day tbh. It was like my body was saying, "Running? You having a laugh? I don't do running no more..."

I am going later. It will be fine. It will be more than fine...

Bear - we will have to arrange a meet up, then I can bring you as many OPI purples from their comprehensive palette of gorgeous colors for every mood, style and season. I think you are quite a long way from me though.....?

Fab song pistey - hope you had a more than good run today. We need you here. You know the other day when you thought we had run away and left you (not that we would be so mean) - well that's how we will feel if you even think about not doing running no more mate.

That's a great song Pistey, I think it is on my iPod :)

Hope you managed to get out there for a run today, and are feeling more positive. Like sweaty says, we need you here! My turn tomorrow morning ....

Can you imagine if we all met up, sporting coyote costumes, running shoes, BGBra's and purple nail varnish? One day, one day ....

I'm SO glad you and sybil are ok, thanks for your pm's. Was worried about you two with all the trouble in London - it is terrible, absolutely frightening and I just can't quite comprehend what is happening when I switch the news on. People must be scared stiff. Stay safe runners. Stay safe Londoners.

Technically, I haven't actually been yet
But I am going....I really am.....

GET. OUT. THERE.

NOW!

Well on your treadmill that is. Don't run outside in case it's dangerous.

"Sorry, what was that Bear?.....Can't hear you over all the sirens.........."

Hi Everyone,

I am just off out for my run so I needed to pop into MN to procrastinate check on the online plan to see what I have to do today runwise..... I will be going immediately after The Archers have finished. Oh Gawd! Its a 45 minute run. Ho Hum! Dh is away too so I am on my own, I better not 'phone it in' like I did last night with my shredding.

Thoughts to you London girls. Be back later to report on the run.

Good luck Jelli !

Well I have been and it wasn't pretty, and I really don't feel too confident at the moment either. But I did it. I ran for 30 mins - did 3.8K so well off any pace, but blimey did I have to work for it...And the thing that got me there and running was the thought of you lot on my tail

Thank you Jelli, well according to the radio news at 5.30, we are on high alert now and there is certainly a siege mentality going on now that wasn't there earlier. There is the sound of sirens in the air... My brother and his family currently live in Tokyo, and my poor SIL called from Tokyo because according to the news coverage there, we are all burning.

But we nothing if not hardy us Londoners and actually I'm more cross than anything. This is not protesting, this is violence for the sake of it.

Well done on the 30 minutes Pistey; that's great. I had a really hard run a couple of weeks ago and only managed 3.2 km in half an hour IIRC. Whereabouts are you in London? I was thinking about phoning DH and asking him if we really do need to cancel our trip (as we've just agreed to do), but high alert doesn't sound good. Thinking of you and sybil and anyone else in areas affected.

I was really looking forward to going to London at the weekend, but now I just don't know what to do. I wish we could wait a few days as I really hope that everything will calm down in the next day or two. The problem is that we need to cancel the hotel by midnight today if we don't want to lose any money.

Jelli Hope the run went well. Am very impressed by anyone able to run 45 minutes as I'm on the verge of collapse after half an hour.

Bear It says in Women's Running that "strong muscles and a stable core are great assets in the quest for speed, so try to include one or two strength-training sessions in your weekly routine." The magazine also includes an upper body workout but I don't know whether I can be bothered, but sadly no free nail polish.

sweaty According to my Nike app, I've run for a grand total of 64 km since I first started using it so still a few km to go before I have to go to London for the shoes.

Went out this morning, pushed myself slightly harder (I thought), seemed to be running slightly faster (I thought), but still 31.5 minutes. I don't think I'm ever going to break through the 30 minute barrier.

Pistey I am glad you went for your run. It is all progress, even if slow at present, and just in a different universe to wimping out and sitting on the sofa. As we all know 30 mins is no mean feat! Stop doing what I do and moving your goalposts! Celebrate what you can now do.

The riot stuff just seems unreal here. I agree that it will be violence and looting for the sake of it and nothing to do with the original protest.

Linzer I reckon that if you cancel your hotel you'll be able to rebook again for the weekend if you change your mind.

I am back. The 45 mins was quite hard work and a bit boring. I timed the first 5k (as I have landmarks) and managed it in 31.10 so not bad. No wildlife tonight except two wheeled and two legged varieties. My inner thighs have ached whilst running ever since I rode last week on holiday. I hope it wears off soon - it's quite literally a pain. I am almost looking forward to Thursdays (W7 R2) run as its shorter to rest me up for my fictional Big (10k) Race on Sunday. I'll be pleased to go back to doing 30 minute runs when i fall off the end of the programme afterwards. The longer ones seem to take soooo much longer.

For those of you looking for some strength training I heartily recommend Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. It is what set me on my way to being slimmer, younger feeling, warmer, energised and able to run for 6 miles!!!!. Don't be scared - it really works and just takes 20 minutes....