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

Oh shucks NellVarnish!Thanks for that SPECTACULAR display!!! It"s made my day and made me feel all warm and wanted!!!

sybil Yes, I definitely have to remind myself to speed up. Was reading in a running magazine about how easy it is to get into a rut of running slowly, which can make running feel like harder work than it actually is. A couple of friends who've seen me running over the last few days have commented on how fast I was running, but I don't think I'm particularly fast - I just tend to speed up when I see people.

bafana Well done on your run.

Was it on this thread that someone mentioned you don't really need to carry water unless you're running for an hour or longer? I never get thirsty when I'm running, no matter how hot it is, but have never run longer for half an hour. (Actually, I rarely get thirsty full stop, although I do have a glass of water when I get home if it's particularly hot outside - I know I should drink far more than I do).

WhoKnows It's amazing how good it feels to run a different route, isn't it? (Says she who has run exactly the same route for weeks and weeks - partly because I know it's exactly 5k.) Sympathies on running with thinner and fitter friend - 800m of that was enough for me. Sticks for legs, I tell you!

Well, I have been on a spending spree. Tchibo/Eduscho (am sure one of them used to exist in the UK) have running gear on sale this fortnight, much of it purple. I have bought myself a lovely purple hat (nicer and more purple than it looks in the photo, and I hope I look less scary than the model), some gloves (sadly black), a berry-coloured "performance shirt", some more running trousers (black, but with a purple stripe at the bottom), and a purple thermal collar. And a new running jacket, almost exactly the same as my old black one apart from the slightly larger pocket - which means I can now fit my iPod into it. Oh, and it's purple.

Ah Linzer. That's where I've been going wrong then, running too slowly. It will be easier when I go faster. If only.

I am seriously impressed with all your purpliciousness at '"performance shirt", and I do like the little Kälteschutzkragen, not to mention the beanie. You will be a picture of purpleness next time you run. Don't forget your nails too!

Babycham - glad you liked it! It is very pretty saved it from another thread like the geek I am because I knew it would come in handy.

I've nicked your thing Bear

We used to have Tchibo Linzer, but they all seem to have disappeared now. Was a strange concept, a bit like Lidl without the food.

What, the well done thing Pistey? I wish I could remember what thread it was on so I could say:

??. ?"°?.?"°?.?°" ?.?°"? .??.??
?"°?.?Thank you very much!"?. ?°
.?? .?° " ?.?° "?"°?.?"°?. ??.?"

to them!

WhoKnows - I saw one in a Sainsburys once (not near us though).

Apologies for massive x-post earlier; I didn't intend to ignore anyone!

WhoKnows Yes, I used to think it was a very strange concept too (coffee shops that sell a changing selection of goods) but they do have some good products - although lots of stuff that you can really live without too.

Nell I knew I'd forgotten something - the nails! Really must get round to doing them this weekend. They're a bit flaky atm though, so I've been giving them a break. Love the term purpliciousness - I really must try to slip it into conversation more often (if only I knew more people to speak English to).

babycham Yes, I could never imagine doing the next week, but somehow you manage it, and then you manage to run a bit further, and somehow you're running 30 minutes by the end of the programme. Was talking to a friend earlier this evening about how I'd only started running in April and could hardly manage a minute back then; I can't quite believe how far I've come. I was always hopeless at PE at school (last to be chosen for teams, etc.); I think the fact that my best ever grade was D1 - 1 for effort, D for achievement - probably says it all! So the fact that I can probably class myself as a runner (even if a not particularly long-distance one) now feels like a huge achievement.

Hello. Can I join in?
Ran W3R1 today, which I found hard going. Don't know how I'm ever going to run for 30 minutes, when my legs feel like they're going to fall down after 3!
But anyway, thanks for inspiring me to start running. Always hated running in school and amazed to have even made it to week 3. I'm hoping if I just keep going at some point it's going to get easier. :)

Hello maybetoday.I"m new on here and about same stage as you so good to have you on board.

Wk3 will get easier....I used to run years and years ago and loved it but I also hated running in school.It"ll be worth the effort building up to it.

Morning couchees and shredders. Am at work giving flu vaccines to all and sundry. Grand craic. No running today or yesterday as big 10k tomorrow - over 1000 women running/walking etc. So as there are walkers i know I won't be last :D

Groin stain entirely settled within 72 hours of my last 10k blast no excuse to pull out of this one
Did parkrun last Saturday and managed 5k in 32.09 so still not under 30 minutes - actually not at all bothered. I'm improving which is the main thing

vv impressed by the artwork nellvarnish
well done on 5 minutes vanimal It was harder work getting to 5 minutes that it has been since then for me so you've done the hardest bit

well done on your fab progress bafana babycham bsshbossh

welcome to the thread maybetoday I hated running in school and avoided all exercise for years - anyone who knew me then would be amazed at the metamorphosis into running bore - I'm amazed myself

If I can do it anyone can. Off to stab the hordes - will post back if I survive tomorrow

Hope you enjoy tomorrow mollycuddles.It is my goal to enter a 10k next year.I did one many years ago and want to see if I can improve on 2nd to last.....!

Molly hope your 10K goes well tomorrow.

Welcome maybetoday

Dh has just said to me (it's still Saturday morning here!) "Shall we do the shop this morning and go for a run this afternoon?". That's the first time he's made such a romantic sporty suggestion in the 16 years since we met .

W4R3 completed this morning. For the first time during W4 I managed to complete/run all runs. Yey! Last run is this Monday before our holiday so I will do another W4 run to ensure I power through all 3 and 5 minute runs again without pausing to walk a little. It may take me longer than many of you here but I WILL make it to 30 mins of continuous running eventually (not in 9 weeks though!). I really look forward to my runs and aside from illness, haven't missed a run yet; always want to get out there

molly good luck for tomorrow!

bssh I struggled today with w4r3, although I think it was coz I ran yesterday, and I really should take a day off inbetween!!
Well done you for nailing it!

shredded - and who says romance is dead

waves at maybe - I only joined 4 weeks ago, unbelievably I could hardly run the length of myself at that point!

I bought myself an new sports bra today, after trying on about 15. I hate bra shopping, so this one had better be right!

Just got in my email from Aldi, and their specials focus on running stuff this week , I think I may invest in a running jacket!

Right, am lying on the sofa watching the Karate Kid with the children, I suppose I had better go and warm up the soup that i made earlier, hope everyone is having a fab relaxing weekend.

Bafana

Evening all, good to hear about everyone's progress. No Aldi anywhere near here unfortunately, but, inspired by the thread in most active about gym wear has inspired me to order £60 worth of running gear from sweatshop.com, think it's time I upgraded from old tee shirts and leggings. I invested in a hi vis mesh bib last week and feel much more like a proper runner with that on!

My legs are really stiff after trailing after running with my friend yesterday, but hope to get out again tomorrow.

oops, inspired twice there.

Hello all!

Well done Bssh, glad you have not set off yet as we're now having a mini-heatwave and my clothing advice was completely wrong. T-shirt weather today (24 degrees c, and hotter forecast tomorrow).

DH and I ended up going out separately. He fell asleep on the sofa after lunch, and it was too hot for him when I was ready to go at 3pm. With hindsight it was probably too hot for me too. Anyway, I walked to the park, and ran 10k around the park and walked home. I used my Garmin to measure the 10k to the last centimetre . Honestly, if anyone had told me 6 months ago I'd be doing that I would not have believed a word of it. No sign of DH now, so guessing he's gone for his run.

I hope the new gear looks good WhoKnows, and that your soup was tasty Bafana. What was it? I made celery and bean today to take to work for my lunches next week.

I invested in this Jillian DVD this week for a change. Will report back when i've had a go (I thought there might be some good stretches)

shredded - 10K? When did this happen?! I am so far out of the loop now since I stopped running. Well done, that is fantastic!

Welcome maybe - I've been here for a while, have got as far as W8 but will be starting from scratch again soon, as I have lapsed.

Best of luck tomorrow molly, hope it goes well.

Don't worry Nell, it's not a regular thing .

DH has been running the park loop in about an hour for the last few months, and has decided to work his way up to a half marathon. So not being one to be outdone, I decided to see if I could do the park loop as well. It's only the third or fourth time I've ever managed it.

Well done Shredded. I'm hoping to get out later when DH gets home from work.

The central heating is on, that means it's back to winter nails, so brights on the fingers again. I have broken away from the purples and gone with this Double Decker Red

Oh that's all right then sweaty. Don't want you overtaking me when I come to NY to do my Christmas shopping wishful thinking

Ooh, Christmas shopping in New York - now there's an idea, Nell.

Lovely shade, WhoKnows. I really need to redo my nails. Should really go for a run as well, but I'm having the day off today as we're celebrating my birthday (although it's not till tomorrow). Will go for a run first thing tomorrow to celebrate a new decade.

10k, shredded? And at 24°C? Let us know how you get on with the DVD; I definitely need to do something on top of running but think the Shred might a bit too high-impact for my knee.

That red is faberge WhoKnows, I like it mucho. I've got a China Glaze one on, an autumnal hue called strangely IV 77004, but it's really lovely on.

Makes my hands look all groomed and elegant unlike the rest of me.

When I win the Euromillions rollover on Tuesday Linzer, we'll all pile on a plane and go and see thesweatyshreddedone. Birthday treat . Hope you have a great day tomorrow!

That is nice Nell, I have never really tried coral (convinced it doesn't suit me because orange and yellow don't, but I often see people with my sort of colouring looking lovely in coral lipstick, so I probably ought to try it). My fingers feel very jolly in the red after a summer of bareness or nude shades. I will wear this one over Christmas I think.

I have unfortunately got to sign myself off sick for a few days, I have developed sciatica (I get a bout every now and then). My back has been getting gradually achier for the last few days and I have been ignoring it but can do so no longer. So it's off to the sofa with a load of cushions and a cuppa for me. As for Shredding .

Actually some gentle stretching is probably what it needs, sitting up at the computer isn't, so I'm going to sign off for now.

Linzer - hope you have had a lovely day and happy birthday for tomorrow.

Thanks WhoKnows and Nell! Have just been enjoying a glass or two of Sekt (cheap champagne) but don't want to overdo it before the first run of my new decade tomorrow as long as it isn't pouring with rain like it was today.

Fingers crossed for Tuesday then, Nell. I am so impressed by all the different nail varnishes that you manage to apply; I took my Vivid Violet off around a week ago and just haven't had time to try out anything new since then. Plus my nails are all flaky so I'm torn between wondering whether I should be giving them a rest or trying to cover them up again as quickly as possible.