Couch to 5k 2011 Part Four: Post even if you haven't run!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Yet more space for us to talk about our progress on the Couch to 5K programme, the stuff we wear, the music we listen to, the gadgets we use and our nail varnish.

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!

Some of us are on our second time round now, so don't worry that you will be behind, just jump in whatever stage you are at.

DH is doing a 15k tomorrow morning . He hasn't run for 2 weeks, so has prepared himself by drinking wine, eating a takeaway curry and some cheese. I will report back if that turns out to be an effective strategy .

shredded I reckon they're all true, except for the breaking sweat part.

Yes do report back with details of mr shredded's mad dashes to find a loo along the route achievements.

Interesting mental image of jet-propelled Mr Shredded.....

Still no running here, my cold has turned into a right stinker, I do not feel at all well (the bottle of wine I drank last night has nothing to do with it of course).

Re-did my glittery purple nails this morning though. Go for some Christmassy Red Linzer - if you can't wear it in Christmas week when can you?

Aw poor WhoKnows, tis horrid. One of mine has been poorly, the one barking like a seal, and I have got to admit she is really suffering not to mention getting on my nerves with the constant barking. [horrible mother emoticon]

Other news, ran round Scotland yesterday but having a day off today to paint my nails a bit like this. Not entirely sure if links work on phone so we'll see. It's basically red and White stripes a la candy canes. V pretty and quite easy to do on your left hand.

Sounds like an excellent plan Shredded. I would do the same myself if we could actually get takeaway curry here, albeit leaving out the 15k bit.

WhoKnows Sorry to hear your cold has got worse. I won't lecture you on the advisability of drinking wine when you have a cold, as I woke up with a sore throat this morning and have just drunk a medicinal two bottles of wine (with two friends, I hasten to add). I went for ciate Dangerous Affair in the end, but three nails are already chipped.

Nell Sympathies on the poorly DC; I've had two of them here this week. Did you see my question about the Caitlin Moran book yesterday btw? I've just finished another book so feel able to add to my to-read shelf again.

Well, Mr Shredded's ultra-taper did the trick - he did the 15 k in one hour 18 mins and a bit. He's been looking at the results gloating about all the younger men he beat (and ignoring the older ones who beat him). It's very entertaining, since DH is the mildest mannered janitor you're likely to meet, so all this chest puffing is a bit out of character . The boys' motivational tactic was to shout "you're old and you're fat and slow" as he came round the bend , I was more supportive .

WhoKnows, sorry you are poorly not hungover, and Linzer, sympathy for DD and for you for having to put up with the noise. Seriously though, I hope all poorly people get better soon. Loving the candy cane nails.

Not much extreme sport for me today, just a dozen bungee jumps and some white water rafting to pass the time in between coffees.

Where are you all? Out running I expect. Especially you Nell, I expect you have been round the world a few times since you last posted. I'm starting to feel a bit better today, still got a very chesty cough though. Hoping to go out and run to John O'Groats tomorrow (from Hampshire). And back of course.

My nails are bare - what shall I do? Choices are silver, metallic green, bright red or black pearl. Had enough of purple glitter for now, it is a bugger to get off.

How on earth do you get the stripes straight for candy cane nails BTW?

WEll done to my shredded

< adds non curry eating to list of reasosn why im so slow, along with tasteful beige nails>

I am not runnimg as its icy compacted slush here. Will be gone by tomorrow i forecast

Aw sorry WhoKnows, I went for a wee walk last night and didn't get back till late. By the time I'd finished the Shred I was ready for a nap.

Ok, candy cane nails - easy peasy but a little fiddlesome - Sellotape is your friend. Paint them white, let them dry completely between coats and be patient unlike me. Then stick your thin strips of sellotape on, on my thumb I put two strips about 2mm wide. Stick it down into the corners as well (some will hang over the edge but you need this to pull it off). Paint your red glitter all over your nail, do a coat and then another straight away for maximum glittery redness. Then, when the glitter is still wet, carefully but firmly, pull off the sellotape and you should have a candy cane nail! I did my ring finger and thumb as I cba doing them all, and they look very festive if you don't look too close. You're right though, glitter is a bugger to get off. Just do your Double Decker Red with white stripes.

Sorry you are still poorly, hope you feel better soon. Maybe you should get out in the fresh air tonight for a bit.

Kristina, the very person! Have you heard of ginger wine cordial up there in my homeland? When I was wee my granny used to make it for the weans - it came from the Co-Operative. My friend is up there at the mo and said she'd bring some back but I'm not sure if they still sell it? Do you know perchance?

Linzer thank you so much for the book! So looking forward to reading it - you didn't need to you banana, but thank you, it was very sweet of you.

Ah, a little bit like those tiny sticky strips you can buy for french manicures. TBH I think I might be a bit old for this sort of thing [mutton emoticon].

Nooooo! You're never too old for glittery nails! Especially at Christmas! Although I mst admit when I was at the doctor's this morning he gave me a funny look when the glitter caught his eye.

Yes, the technique is the same, only you use bog standard sellotape.

Kristina? Kristingle I meant. Was distracted by talk of nail varnish.

Nell, sorry if my chrismas name is confused you

If you mean this stuff, i saw it in Lidls last week ( that well known scottish store)

Or you can make your ownrecipe

I have of course been far too busy running to post over the last few days, but am just taking a break in between marathons to catch up.

Glad to hear you're starting to feel better, WhoKnows. Which colour did you go for in the end? My Ciaté polish started to chip after just one day - definitely not as good quality as China Glaze. I shall do my nails again tomorrow night all ready for our trip back to Blighty.

Kristina Hope the slush has gone now and that you've been able to get out.

Nell Gosh, that was quick, I only ordered it on Friday night. Must give those candy cane nails a go, although I'll need some white polish first. I still haven't got round to getting any for DD2 - such a shame Tipp-Ex won't do instead.

Still bare Linzer - I forgot last night. Think it's going to be silver though.

No running (been at work all day and still barking like a dog), will try and get out (with a box of Kleenex under my arm) tomorrow.

Went out fpr run today. Very proud of myself for braving the slushy ice. Rubbish time though

Hope all you sick people are feeling better

I have had a lovely exercise-free few days, both real and imaginary, because I've been working too jolly hard. Including staying up late tonight putting together budget figures, so could not even quaff wine as I worked in case I made a mistake. Half marathon training firmly on the back burner. Was taken out to a v posh French restaurant for lunch today though, so it's not all doom and gloom. And my boys are here, so it's all lovely.

Nell, I liked your short walk.

WhoKnows, hope you feel better soon.

Linzer, have a good trip home.

Kristingle, well done on your icy run.

Ahem.

I have been running.

Winey.

I know!

Good grief Pistey, do you have a temperature or something?

shredded, this is the book that spurred me onto take a little stroll the other night ... Glad you've got your boys back.

Hope everyone's in the Christmas spirit and getting better, and well done to those runners amongst us.

I've been out today, managed to run about 1km before my lungs just gave out on me so I walked back, better than nothing I suppose, but definitely no PRSP.

Killed two birds with one stone, however, painted my nails just before I went out so they had time to dry in the fresh air. They are silver. I have been looking at my red polish and decided stripes might be a bit ambitions, but might try polka dots later.

That sounds fab WhoKnows, well done on your run, tis certainly more than I've done. I've got carpet lungs at the mo.

Kristingle I forgot to say thanks for the ginger wine tip off but nay, sadly it's not the one. I suspect the Elf & Safety lot have taken it off the market due to it's sugar content. Like ye olden day Fruit Shoot.