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

It has been nearly two weeks and it cannot be put off any longer. I am going out for a run. The school run traffic should be over by now, but I am still likely to be seen by far too many people I know taking their children to kindergarten. And I am wearing shorts. It's nice and warm out at the moment, which means it will probably be too hot for running, hence the shorts (I'm not sure I've ever worn them anywhere where anyone knows me before).

Go Linzer! Go Linzer! Go Linzer!Go go go!!

Am having a running day off today but wil either go at crack of dawn tomorrow or will forego my beloved swimming so I can pant around the park in my quest for corners / fitness.

Happy Monday everyone.

Too hot, too too hot. Really didn't enjoy it all that much, but I still managed just under 30 minutes so was quite pleased, as I was expecting a much slower run.

And who needs interval training when there are so many people about? I speed up as soon as I see someone and then slow down once they're out of sight, which happens at fairly regular intervals. Managed to avoid actually seeing too many people I know by turning my iPod up high and looking straight ahead, although I couldn't ignore someone waving at me from the other side of the road. It turned out to be the father of one of DD2's friends; both he and his wife are "proper" runners (i.e. capable of running 30-odd km) so I immediately upped my pace, but suspect I didn't fool him.

Enjoy your day off sybil and good luck to anyone who's running today.

Well done all you "old-timers" who are getting back into running again. Hope for us newbies.

I'm back from my W4R1. Boy it was hard. I sailed through the first 3 min and 5 min run but half way through the second 5 min run I had to powerwalk for about 30 seconds just to catch my breath before I finished. The last 3 minute run was fine though.

Can't believe that was 16 (minus 30 secs!) of running! I'm very proud of myself and trying not to think ahead to the dreaded 5th week!

16 mins of running, I mean.

Well done Linzer and BsshBosh!

Shredded, i have this shock absorber one which has two fastening straps at the back

The M&S one has 3 fasteners at the back and you have to pull it over your head too. You wouldn't wear it as outerwear, it looks like a bra, but as I have no desire to reveal my wobbly tummy to the world that is not a problem for me. It isn't too bad on the mono-boob look either, it looks reasonably normal under clothes.

Well done Linzer and BsshBosh. My legs are slightly achey today, not stiff as such, but slightly tender on the ankles and knees, not used to this amount of exercise, if it gets any worse I will cut back the frequency of runs a bit till I have finished the Shred (have been doing runs every other day). Which is a shame because I'm feeling very motivated at the moment.

Thank you for the bra advice .

DH returned from the running shop yesterday with new trainers (which he needed), 2 pairs of shorts, 2 short sleeved tops and a long sleeved top. He now has almost as many running clothes as I do . He then announced he was going to do a half marathon , and invited me to do it with him

W2R2 just done. It was hard, very windy tonight and my legs don't know what's hit them with this and shredding.

Tonight's speed in the running intervals averaged 30:43 / 5km, I'm not sure whether to push myself through the programme quickly or stay on each week till I've hit the magic 30 mins/5km mark. Worried that if I push on through the levels too quickly I might fall back on speed again, this is quite a step up for me.

It sounds like a good idea to stay on each level until you can manage a "5k in 30 min" pace, WhoKnows - I know I would be tempted to push on as quickly as possible to complete the programme, but you know what FlyLady says about crashing and burning.

Have just worked out that if I'd been able to run this year's 3.35k at my fastest pace, I would have come second in my age group and would have won a medal. This is a huge incentive for me to keep pushing myself to be able to run 5k in 30 mins comfortably and win a medal next year - as is the fact that my neighbour has decided she wants to run next year too (not sure if she'll do the same route, though; there are a number of routes of different lengths, up to a half-marathon) as I cannot be beaten by someone who only ever exercises on an exercise bike.

(Must point out that only eight women in my age group did the 3.35k this year, so getting a medal isn't quite as impressive as it sounds!)

What am I missing here?

What is a mono boob??!!

well I sort of get the ideaaaaaa, but specifics please, we are amongst friends!!

It's that thing which can happen when you wear crop top bras under clothes and are more than about a B cup in size. Not really a problem under sports clothes but not good if you want to say wear your sports bra to work to facilitate a quick change later for exercise.

That won't affect me, then.

it does me! Not enormous but the right bra makes a huge difference to my appearance. I made the mistake of going clothes shopping in one once, it was only after I had tried on about 5 tops that all looked awful on me that I realised why!

I have very little left post-DC. I wore my normal bra once by mistake when I went out running, and hardly noticed the difference. Have just realised I didn't put my sports bra on for the Shred today either - ditto. In fact, no difference at all.

I can't run in my normal bra not even for a bus (although I never catch a bus....) - 'everything' goes wild and participates in some wild windmill effect.

Just about to go out for my run. I worked out last night that over my last three runs, I've run approx. 30 seconds slower each time so must make the effort to keep up the pace today, otherwise I'll be slipping back under the 30 min barrier.

Oh yes, tis very uncomfy when I'm just out playing on the green with the DCs and DS wants me to race him to the other side. At least I can keep up with him now though!

Still slightly too hot here for my liking, but my run is done - I did run slightly faster than on Monday, but not impressively so. It felt like a much better run, though.

shredded I know what you mean about not being able to get racer back bras off. I've got a top with an integrated crop top underneath and it's a nightmare getting it off after my run; I start to feel quite claustrophobic! Still have it on atm in fact as I'm delaying the moment. But feel very hot, sticky and sweaty so really am going to take it off NOW...

Hi all. Am feeling sorry for myself as just scalded my blardy foot draining broccoli for dinner. Grrr. Never happened when I was eating shite ready meals. Am still running about 4 times a week. One interval to try and push up speed and 5k twice and a longer run, 10k yesterday. Still very slow. Best 5k is just under 33 mins and 77 mins for 10k. But enjoying it which is the important thing. The motivation for me at the moment is the desire to get better. I have done parkrun a few times and have entered an actual 10k!! I'm also thinking about joining a running club. No one is more amazed than me. My weight loss has completely stalled but I'm eating more carbs so I can run. I plan to go low carb for a month once my 10k is over to try and shift this last stone. Will just do about 2-3 runs a week then about 30 mins at a time to stop me getting unfit again. Can't be low carb and run any more than that. It's all so complicated!
Well done to you shredders! My pelvic floor wasn't having any of it when I tried it. Keep meaning to do some arms and abs work in the evenings but never have any energy by the time the non-sleeping baby finally settles.

Ouch Molly

And Linzer - you and me both on the bazoomerage front I need to go and be measured cos I've lost eight over the last couple of years. But I'm too

Well done on the run, Molly - I just can't imagine having the stamina for 10k. I'm on the verge of collapse after 5k as it is!

Pistey I know, it's depressing isn't it? Despite the fact that I've lost weight post-DC, my ribcage seems to have expanded - making my bra size even smaller. Still, at least I can wear strappy/strapless dresses without worrying about bra straps showing now that I can get away without wearing one.

Molly - ouch, hope your foot recovers quickly. I'm not sure what is happening to my weight, our scales are really unreliable, must get some new ones. I have been noticeably hungrier late mornings since I started Shredding first thing, but am trying to counteract any nibbling then by cutting back in the evening.

I've discovered a running club based just up the road from me that runs at times that suit me, when I've got my speed up a bit more I think I'm going to join that to keep myself going through the winter.

linzer - I hope you managed to escape your running top. I read your post yesterday morning, but then my internet went down so I couldn't reply. I had a mental image of you all day struggling out of your vest