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

Well, I've done it! Am not sure whether the DC were a help or a hindrance, but they were certainly a distraction; I almost tripped over DS at one point. Lots of "Mummy, am I doing this right?" "I can't look at the moment!" DD1 has just asked me if I want to go to bed now that I've done some exercise! She and DD2 have decided to go straight on to Level 2 and have got hold of some exercise mats from somewhere - although only DD2 is still going...

Well done Linzer no way I would have managed it with DCs under foot.

This is a running thread so keep up the running, ladies. I'm a running beginner so I need you all to keep me motivated by running

Sorry Bssh, it's all the fault of pesky work and the ridiculously short school hours here. I'm having to spend virtually every child-free minute working this week; the only reason I managed to fit in the Shred was that I could do it with the DC around. I'm missing my runs and promise I will get back into it next week and not talk too much about nail polish.

BsshBossh!

I am running.

I am also a beginner.

Consider yourself motivated

I was wondering if we should start a separate thread for the Shredding, otherwise it is a bit of a thread hijack and probably boring for all those not doing it? Quite happy to start one, if the other shredders agree and if I can think of a snappy title.

That's fine by me, WhoKnows. Maybe I should also start a separate one for discussing nail polish.

good idea re the shreddie threddie

but let me know where to find you....

Linzer - I already post on nail varnish threads very frequently. I will think of a title and start another thread later, will post a link on here.

Well done piste and Linzer for doing the shred. I have yet to get out running meant to go today but was raining heavily here, but did day 4 of the shred.

Thanks, WhoKnows. Yes, I do lurk quite a lot on S&B (including nail polish threads) as well. Probably not a lot of call for a nail polish thread specifically for runners, though.

...unless doing a bit of jogging on the spot on the wii fit with ds counts?

I'm sure it does, GettinTrimmer - I've had runs where I feel like I've been doing little more than jogging on the spot. And it's certainly more running than I've been doing.

Hello everyone!

I've been busy sorting the DCs out ready for school (un MNy hugs for Sweaty) and had to go away with DH for a work do (yummy dinner ) but I am back now.

Glad to hear the new runners are doing so well - keep up the good work and remember what great things you are doing to the inside of your body as you get fitter.

I should be running myself tonight but I am feeling pretty flakey about it and feel like phoning it in. Oh dear! I need some inspiration. DH is away again so I will have to run alone. I think that the mystery cycler spooked me quite a lot as I am trying to think of a route that doesn't go down my railway line or is on the hills. I think I shall just go out the door and just run about the village for half an hour - although it doesn't feel very structured....

I think I will buy another copy of 30DS (my friend has mine) and join you in the Shred - I do have some purple weights although they are 3kg and make my arms ache so I have to use my smaller pink ones for some exercises so I am qualified . I think it might be a good idea to have a separate Shred thread as we'll be heading off topic otherwise although there is a danger we might miss some important nail varnish conversations .

Help!! I am having a bit of a wobble weight and exercisewise . I think it is because I feel fat at the moment and the initial exhilaration of losing my weight and inches and BMI (not boasting but drawing a picture) has worn off and I am familiar with the reflection from the mirror. But why do I feel a bit blobby (and can't be bothered to exercise)? On my way home from work I tried on some size 8 trousers at Tesco, one pair were too small and the other fitted fine but were a manky colour (sale), so it is all in my head. Is it watching Gillian et al on the DVDs do you think? With no very little visible blubber. And my running is getting slower not faster.

Having said all that, we were staying in a city !! at the weekend and found a sports shop with a sale on and all the bargainous clothes we found were goodies for me! Perhaps I should unpack them and see if that helps. I have not been one for clothing retail therapy in the past (great norks dwarfing my reflection put me off) but my new shorts, water repellant jacket and long sleeved wicky t shirt might do the trick!!!

So perhaps I am just feeling a bit PMS and bloaty. Right! Off i go to see if the shopping does help..... Will post back later.

OK, here is a nice new Shred Thread.

Shred Thread.

Jelli - speaking from the point of view of size 16, I think anyone who can fit into ANY pair of size 8 trousers can't be particularly blobby, don't know how much weight you have lost but BIG RESPECT. I lose my exercise mojo fairly regularly and the longest I have ever stuck to a weight loss plan is 4 weeks, so I know how you feel, but I'm sure you will turn it round again. Especially with new clothes. I think I am going to need some to do the Shred, I have only got a couple of sports bras and pairs of leggings and my laundry cycle won't be able to keep up.

GettinTrimmer - do you feel as though you are making progress with the Shred, is it getting any easier for you?

BshhBshh - quite right about keeping up the running, all this rain really doesn't help though.

Those of you with waterproof running jackets - do you get all hot and sweaty in them, or are they breathable? I hate hot and sweaty, and don't mind getting wet TBH, but I've got my Iphone to think of!

Thanks Whoknows.

For the record I am 5ft 1 and age 44. I started in January at 10st 4, bust 40 waist 32 hips 40 and now I am 8st 12 bust 36 waist 28 hips 35. I Shredded, did Six Week Six Pack, then started C25K (and found this thread and a certain bunch of mad ladies ), finished that and then completed the 10K programme whilst doing Jillian workouts on 3 of my non running days. My pulse has dropped to around 56.

I have done pretty well but feel a bit bleurgh and wondered if anyone had pychological insights as to whats going on in my head. My running is just getting slower and slower too, but I know that is in my head because if I see anyone I speed up quite comfortably.

I know I am tired from some late nights and a couple of long drives and am missing DH and will try to celebrate just what I have achieved. I think I may need to get my hair recoloured too.

So, I was a bit flakey in that I just ran 2 of the 3 miles I had intended to do but I will forgive myself as long as I get a grip on Thursday as it was dark and late and I am hungry and tired. The clothes did help though and made things slightly exciting for the first 5 minutes!

whoknows My new pink running jacket is breathable and didn't make me hot and bothered. I hadn't noticed till you said but I don't get hot and bothered any more - i just sweat - how cool is that?!! I am officially pleased with myself. Thanks!

That's fantastic Jelli I am seriously in awe. I'm 44 too, but 5'5", so 10 stone 4 would be pretty reasonable for me, I have been in excess of 12 stone for as long as I can remember, although I have lost 3 pounds in the last month with MyFitnessPal. I also started c25k in Jan and have achieved evry little compared to you, it sounds like doing th Shred again cold give you the kickstart again that you need.

jelli thank you for the hug. Much appreciated! I stayed at work until 9.30 tonight, as that was better than going home to an empty apartment. DH will be back on Thursday night . DS1 has emailed to say all is well, DS2 goes back tomorrow and has perked up since acquiring a new (reconditioned second hand) PSP. Massive resect to you for your weight/inch loss and fitness gain. Perhaps you have just reached a bit of a plateau with all your achievements and need a change? I love your running jacket by the way.

whoknows thank you for the new thread - I will see you all over there. Shred has come at a good time for me, it has hardly stopped raining for the last two days.

pistey and linzer hope you are not hurting too much.

I'll be back here when I next run to see you Bssh, GettinTrimmer, wolef and vanimal

bear hope you are OK and angst is receding

Yikes. Listening to you all, I know once I've done the C25K I'm going to feel like I need to do the Shred.

I used to be an astanga yoga junkie, I'd practice 3+ times a week (6 days a week at one point) and was properly ripped. But gradually life got in the way, and these days I'm a lot more doughy than I'd like to be. I want my biceps and rock-hard stomach back but I kind of hit a wall with astanga yoga and don't want to go back to that. So I need something else to jolt me out of my laziness. Maybe the Shred is it.

But I figure I'll try and hit one target at a time, so running 5K in >30min will do for now...

Hello! Hope you Shredders come back to report running expeditions . I completed W3R2 today but the last 3 mins were hard as I was running through a stitch. I seriously felt like giving up just as Laura said, "That's it!". DH (a serious 45 minute runner) says he runs through a stitch and 9 times out of 10 the stitch disappears. What about you ladies?

Bssh Someone else on here was talking about breathing from the belly when you get a stitch, so I tried it.

I imagine all the air I breathe in is going down to my belly, below the ribcage, and let my belly expand rather than my chest/upper body. After about 30 paces the stitch starts to fade. Not sure how it works, maybe it's by flexing the muscles that are cramping, but it seems to help.

That's what I try to do as well, Wolef - I think Laura recommends it around Wk 6. Breathing in and out deeply right from the start of my run definitely seems to help, although I still get the occasional stitch. Although every instinct is to stop, I'll just keep going and keep telling myself that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Last time I had a bad stitch I forced myself to run through to the end, and then beat my PB on my next run.

Jelli You've done amazingly well so far, and I think it's quite normal to hit a plateau and feel less motivated every now and again. I felt quite flat after my race but realised I just needed a new goal to work towards, which was 5k in 30 minutes. It took a while to get back into running again, but the encouragement on this thread really helped. I'm feeling motivated again now but lack of time is the problem; I'm really itching to get out, but it will have to wait until work has quietened down. At least with the Shred I feel like I'm doing something.

Snap, WhoKnows!

I liked you idea of going back to the C25K interval training to speed up. I'm really slow too. But I need it to stop raining first.

at your lack of stitches WhoKnows and shredded. I've had them even when I haven't been running particularly fast, so you're probably just in better condition than me. Actually, I still have no idea what causes mine - but shallow breathing definitely doesn't seem to help.

It would be perfect weather for running here - warm but not too hot. Sigh.