Couch to 5k 2011: Part 5 - Polished and Ready to Run

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Yet more space for us to talk about our progress on the Couch to 5K programme, the clothes 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! Although this thread has been going for a year now some of us are re-doing the Couch to 5K, some of us are relatively new, some are doing half marathons already, we are a good mix and would love to hear from anyone who would like to run with us. Just jump in whatever stage you are at.

I met FaceCrack! She is real and has a real name n'all

We didn't run together because I am so slow, but it was nice to meet a virtual running mate. She did a great time or (from memory)36 mins and I did about 44. But given that I am an old gimmer and old enough to be her mother with ropey achilles tendon, possible bursitis in my hip and low iron levels... I was pleased just to run the whole thing without walking at any point.

It was very funny at the start - I was in the joggers section and everyone ran off at a pace way faster than me. Decided to dig my heels in (literally and plod at my own pace and got over-taken (it felt) like thousands of people. Amusingly I started overtaking some of the same people within about 200 metres!

My aim now is to improve my time and learn how to push off on my bad heel.

Yay! Well done Kew and FaceCrack!

good idea about shopping shredded. I need some sport socks, I keep borrowing DH's and they are far too big. Shame Ive got everything else though. How many running tops does one person need?

Well done kew. You obviously had the right idea about slow and steady. I wonder how many of those that overtook you and you overtook later had to walk some of the way.

Well done face too.

they were already walking at 200 m FB! Lots of the younger women who were "joggers" were doing mad dashes for 200 m then walking for a while. They got it done but man it looked exhausting!

Ummm, well, as a result of my running addiction I have maybe...

2 vest tops
2 short sleeved tech tee shirts
2 long sleeved tech tops
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of running tights
2 skorts
1 running skirt
3 sports bras
1 running jacket
1 fleece hat
1 running gloves

that I've paid for. Not that I wear them all at once! Hat, jacket and gloves were purchased by DH for a half marathon we did back in January (I was wearing his non-waterproof golf jacket up to then). I try to do Jillian on non-running days, which is my excuse for having several bras.

Plus

1 vest top from the charity I run for (I emailed them to ask for it, it was free but I would have made a donation if necessary. I wear it every time I do an organised run, and regularly remind people about my just giving page ).

Several tops from runs I've done through my local club, which I guess I've paid for indirectly through entry fees. These range from long sleeved tops to short sleeved tech tops to hideous tee shirts that I wear in bed.

And I have a garmin watch, and a water bottle that straps to my hand. Who knew you could spend so much .

I met Kew. She's also real and everything! She was lovely and friendly too.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Managed 36min. I started with Kew and also got stuck with lots of walkers so it took me a while to find my pace while I got pissed off with the walkers. I'm looking for another race to run now!! My mum pushed my DD around the track and did that in 50min which I thought was impressive.

shredded wow that is an impressive list.

Great results FB, Face and Kew you have inspired me to get back out there regularly again. not much running, like none, for me since Tuesday, i am not sure I am eligible to post here really!

I did Jillian today and that was fun. I think I most enjoy the Post Run Smug Phase when I exercise, especially when it lasts all day!

I don't have as much stuff as Shredded

I use DHs copious collection of shitty brown tech t shirts 100s of the buggers...)
2 Tech long sleeve shirts
A water-resistant running jacket
2 pairs shorts
2 pairs long legs
1 shockabsorber bra
Gloves
I just wear a baseball cap as it keeps the rain off my face and beany hats pull my earbuds out, grrr!

So all in all I think I need to go shopping to catch up with Shredded but first I need to run more again

I have:

5 running tops (2 long sleeved, 3 T-shirt style)
2 running leggings (s'ppose I could get another pair, but with 3 DCs the washing machine's always on so Im never without a freshly washed pair)
2 Sports bras (see above)
1 Running coat for rainy days
1 pair of running shoes

I will get gloves and hat etc when it gets colder most probably.

I did want a garmin watch, but Im not convinced anymore, with mapmyrun and using my ordinary watch for timing, I dont know if I can justify speding the small fortune for 1 though I am watching a few buy it now's on ebay just incase the car gets through its MOT easily in a couple of weeks

I also have a running water bottle and I have an armband for my ipod.

I think for winter too Id like one of those hi-viz vest things you get to go over clothes so I have more choice in tops I can wear black and hide the bulging belly

jelli - you go shopping, then it makes you go running to justify the expense of the stuff you have just invested in

your comment about long legs (leggings?) made me smile, I thought to start with you meant you had long legs, and I couldn't work out why you had two pairs [short of sleep emoticon]!

Lol Shredded! Long legs I definitely don't have, I'm only 5ft 1in if I stand up tall! Yes, two pairs of long leggings. I used to have a pair of capri length leggings too but DD swiped them. Perhaps they are what I need to shop for.....

Ps I quite fancy a coloured running bra so in theory on hot days I could just run in it and not need another top on top IFSWIM? But I don't think I am brave enough, yet......

About to start C25K again. Started a couple of weeks ago and got to W3 but then got busy and no time to run. My question is, can you run 2 days in a row? Or 3? Or is it important to have a rest day inbetween each run?

I don't know if its important bench, but lovely Laura says a rest day in between is important so I did as I was told.

I also had to restart after getting to week 3/4 and took an enforced 10 week break after a calf tear - then ran a 5 k this weekend after doing the programme in full the second time.

I was told that you need a rest day in between because every time you exercise you make little tears in your muscles so you need to rest so they can mend. This is how they become stronger. Obviously it wouldn't kill you to go out 2 days in a row every so often (I know I have a couple of times), but its best not to. If you have to I would make sure on the first day you went out early and late on the next so there is a good 24 hours between them. HTH

I wouldn't run 3 days in a row though

Thank you. I will see how it goes!

Doing the 2nd session of week 1 this afternoon. Not looking forward to it. Slept funny Monday night n can barely move my neck

Hi can I join?

I have just started running into shape podcast, it's meant to make me run 5k on 9weeks.

I'm on my 3 rd session but started it last week. So not exactly in a week!

It's only 20 mins, do you think it will help me to loose weight? Or just improve my fitness? As I know that I am meant to have a rest day in between, so can't exercise on the other days!!

I really need to loose one stone! Ad tone up, so wondering what benefits everyone else has seen from this?

A couple of tears ago I went to the gym 3times per week and notice I became toned very quickly but I did 2 body pump classes per week and 1 aerobic! I can't do that now ad I have a bad back and I worry about legs etc getting too big with body pump!!

Hello everyone. Well done on all the running. I've been away running children's holiday clubs so haven't done any running for about 3 weeks. And the heat finally got to me so that put me off too (it's not been getting below about 25 even at night).

I'm hoping to start again tomorrow so I think I'll go back and run week 5 again. I hope that I can manage it .

Movingforward I've been doing the NHS c25k and have done 5 weeks but over quite a few weeks longer (IYSWIM). I've lost about 2kg but have definitely toned up a bit. I'm not sure you'll loose tonnes unless you diet too but you should firm up a bit.

I didn't lose any weight until I got as far as the 20 min running straight. Have lost a little since then (not much) but it does make me slightly less likely to snack on crap... I think I consider myself an athlete and my body is now a temple!

But people do keep asking me if I've lost weight and telling me how I look good (compared to before) so I guess its having some kind of effect.

Hi Movingforward and welcome. I think whether or not you will lose weight will depend on your fitness now and, of course, your diet. It will definitely get you fitter though! I have done the running as well as Jillian Michaels DVDs and I have lost over two stone over the last year or so (two active periods of weight/inch loss with a big gap of maintainence in between), so unless you are fit already, you'll likely see a difference. Once you are up to your 5k you might like to think about doing some weights/circuit work to balance the cardio.

Well done Kew

Just come back from a 3miler so I am eligible to post again

Movingforward I mean you could add in the weights/circuits work into your week, doing it on your non running days.

Hi everyone and welcome newcomers.

I have lost a bit of weight, but Im also following the Paul McKenna way of eating. I did read (I think on MN) that losing weight is only 20% exercise, the other 80% all depends on your diet. The thing I have noticed though is that my legs are thinner. I no longer have to push my calfs in when zipping up my knee high boots. Thats about it. Nobody has commented on me looking better, but then again I dont really see anybody too rarely to notice a difference on me (only my parents, but they never comment if I change my hair colour)

Im thinking about other exercise to complement the running, but I dont know what. There's swimming or cycling or zumba (or similar) I suppose, but I never have any spare change to afford swimming, zumba etc and I dont have a bike. I have downloaded an app for my ipod touch for abs workouts (this is my main problem area) so might give that a go. 10 mins 3 times a week must surely have some effect? Though I hate sit-ups, but what I can't see any other way of toning my belly.

I've done it! I've done it! I'VE DONE IT! I went out running the night before last!

Not very far, and not very fast but tis a start!

And in other news ... I have NO NAIL VARNISH ON ... and I've BROKEN A NAIL!