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.

IFAS/Shandy (what do you like to be called?!) - I usually run first thing and have either coffee or a berocca and a banana before I go out, then something like porridge when I get back. If I'm really organised I make a banana milkshake in the blender the night before (I find it easier to drink that eat first thing). DH reckons it's bad for the heart to run on caffeine, but has not produced any proof of his theory . An alternative I haven't tried, but DH has been doing before setting off on a long run, is to have one of those running gels with some water just to give him a carb boost (some of them contain caffeine, which blows his theory ).

It's all apparently to do with being able to access enough glycogen to feed your muscles, and Neil's commuting experience a perfect example - you are supposed to have enough stored for about 30 minutes of exercise, but then your body has to start converting fat into glycogen, which is when you start to feel awful (sorry to sound such a geek - I looked at this in a fair amount of depth before a half marathon back in January).

Linzer - glad you are still working through, and that you are seeing the doctor about your knee. Let us know how you get on. And a few days in Vienna sounds heavenly - all that coffee and cake as well as a running shop!

Ishall - well done. C25K is such a great programme, anyone can do it. It's all in the mind.

Jelli - good thought on the swim coaching. I am old enough to be my colleague's mother and not sure if I want to reveal my lumps and bumps in a swimming costume to her . Swimming is really expensive here - as you can imagine pools are few and far between. The triathlon she is doing means swimming in the ocean . The other jelly people have numbers in their names so I still reckon you were first.

Oh, and thanks to Neil I have downloaded The Archers Omnibus. I stopped listening after Nigel's untimely demise but have been sucked back in .

Shredded I am in bed listening to the Archers podcast as I type. Am several weeks behind, though (I always listen in bed but keep falling asleep while I'm listening).

Thanks for the replies & tips. I shall have a banana! I have porridge every day, so will have that when I get back.

And call me what you want. Just don't call me Shirley

Fortunately for me I don't know anything about shin splints, so I can't help, sorry.

I didn't run today. Or Jillian. But I did dig for a while, does that count a little bit? We did mean to run this evening but we were digging for too long (prep for new lawn, deep joy!) and it was time to come in and feed the DCs.

I run/exercise on an empty stomach in the morning, even our long Sunday runs and I feel ok, but we don't really run for more than one hour. I think a banana sounds like a good idea.

I am also an Archers fan and am also a couple of weeks behind. Small world!

Shredded don't worry about colleague, her 20 year old body will be wasted on her as she will still be full of self doubt and self criticism at her age and won't appreciate it anyway. Go and grab the free tips!!

Linzer full marks to DH, cake and gait analysis, perfect! Hope it goes well with the knee, do let us know how you get on.

I am off work for a week and a half and actually have DH and both DCs home together all at once too, so, hopefully a good week coming up. Hope everyone else enjoys it too.

I started to get sucked in last time I was in the UK - I was driving north on the Friday night with the episode when they had the open meeting about the new dairy, with Roooooth getting all passionate about cows needing to be outside eating grass.

I managed to listen to 7 or 8 episodes last night as I just couldn't sleep, so I'm only about a week behind now. Although I've just remembered that I've got three or four podcasts to download so it's probably still more like two weeks.

At any rate, I'm glad I wasn't planning to go for a run this morning before DH left for work (he left about 20 minutes ago) as I just couldn't manage to get up when my alarm went off. Will try and have an early night tonight and go tomorrow morning, though.

Jelli Enjoy your week and a half off. It's only the DC who are home for 1.5 weeks here (not even quite that, as they're back at school next Wed), although at least DH is off on Thursday and Friday and I'm hoping it will be a quiet week for me work-wise.

Shandy Sounds like a good plan; that's probably what I'd do.

Shredded of you running for two hours and enjoying it. I don't think I've ever enjoyed more than about five minutes of a run (I felt like I was getting "into the zone" at the end of the first 7 minute interval yesterday, but it didn't last unfortunately), although I do of course enjoy the PRSP.

Neils Yes, gait analysis seems to be key to solving a lot of problems. I am already quite excited about finally having it done, not having realised you could get it done here for months. I bought my running shoes at a ridiculously expensive sports shop, where they just asked me how often I went running and on what surface, and then watched as I tried on the cheapest pair of trainers (?100) with DH sighing in the background as he didn't think I was going to stick with it.

Went running this morning. The plan was to go on DH's hill run which I have done the first 2.5ish miles of before, before turning round, but this time pushing on a bit further. Anyway we were chatting so I just continued to what turned out to be 3 miles and then I thought I'd just see how I got on as there was yet another hill in front of me. Well, in the end I just kept going to 4 miles as there wasn't a satisfactory turning place till then, but that fourth mile was all uphill! My head got a bit feeble towards the end but I did keep going. And then ran the 4 miles home again, making a total of an 8 mile run. I have never run that far before, so I am a little surprised! But it does mean that an 'over DH's hill' run should be possible before long, hurrah! It's quite a big hill and has a TV mast on it!

DH said he was "uber-impressed". I was a little bit too. Shredded even more impressed with your snow run half now!

Just got back from a lovely run, a perfect sunny evening for it. I decided to head off in a different direction to usual, over to a nearby village (only about 1.5k away), circuit of the village and back again. I've only ever done this route by car before and hadn't realised how hilly it was, I've had a really good workout, had to walk several sections. I took a shortcut back through the woods, which cuts off the last uphill back to town, you skirt the edge and get lovely views across a valley and sight of the first few bluebells. Only 5.2km in 52 mins but I did enjoy it, which isn't always the case for me.

Well done on your long runs Shredded and Jelli

Be careful WhoKnows, we will suck you in too and before you know it you will be an Archers addict

I refused to listen for years because it was something my mum listened to, but once you're sucked in there's no way back.

Went to see the doctor yesterday, who did a thorough examination but said he didn't think it was really anything to worry about as there's no swelling. He explained what was probably happening and got out a model of the knee joint, which the children were fascinated by - it had something to do with the knee cap moving, but I'm not quite sure I took it all in. He said I should try to get out more regularly but not to push myself, and has recommended running on softer surfaces (I'd love to run by the river but just couldn't cope with the dogs). He's also prescribed a knee brace and I'm going to get some properly fitted running shoes when we're in Vienna, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that those both help.

I have also entered for our town run in June. I've decided to do the 3.3 km around the edge of the old town again as a) I don't want to overdo it, but mainly b) I want to beat last year's time.

Noooo! I used to listen to Radio 4 in my old car driving home from work, I always knew I had stayed at work too late if the Archers came on before I got home!

That's good news Linzer, hopefully the brace and gait analysis will help you get it strengthened up.

Thanks NeitherShredded, I went for a run on half a banana and an oatcake this morning and it was fab! 30 mins from 6.30 - 7.00am and it totally set me up for the day! Loved it!

(there are a lot of exclamation marks in my post ....!)

I seem to run better on an empty stomach, although I haven't done an early morning run yet. I ran tonight (about 2 hours after dinner) and had evil acid burps. Note to self: don't eat a tomato based meal before running. Grim

I haven't weighed myself, but the running has defo improved the tone of my legs, hips and arse. The belly hasn't changed, but then I haven't changed any of my (bad) eating habits. DH has actually noticed the arse shrinkage, and he is usually oblivious to such things - afterall, love is blind

I was a slacker yesterday and didn't manage any proper exercise but we did clear and start decorating a bedroom.... Just did Jillian this morning so no running for me today (I hate having wet feet when I am running - pathetic but true!)

Hope you are all getting some running in though

Well, I had an OK day yesterday; did W3D3 after having cycled to the swimming pool and swum for 15 mins then cycled to the running track.

Was working on swimming technique, turns out I've forgotten how to breath, and apparently relearning means swallowing half a swimming pool; so I had chlorinated water repeating on me for the run...

I seem to be keeping on top of the shin splints; still a little soreness, but not getting any worse and maybe a bit better.

My challenge tomorrow is to remember the pattern of Run/Walk distances for W4D1...

No running again for me this morning but I did Jillian 30DS L3 which was much easier than it used to be! I did go for a brisk dog with my pal though, straight afterwards, with talking which is always a gentle but good exercise. That will do me for today. Am getting plenty of arm work done this afternoon while we hang wallpaper!

Hoping to get out for a run tomorrow though. How are you all doing?

Lol at chlorinated water repeating on you

I ran last night and upped the running reps, and it actually felt ok. I have also noticed that my recovery time when I have finished is so much quicker than when I started. It's nice to see those little changes.

I truly do think that if a real proper couch potato like me can do this, pretty much anyone can. I have a horrible feeling that I will become one of those horribly annoying evangelical runners [bublush]

What's your wallpaper like jelli ?

BTW I went for a dog walk with my friend yesterday

I was a couch potato too I like so yes if it worked for me it can work for anyone. I believe the disrespect to do it and make the change is the key but elusive ingredient to change.I am secretly an evangelical now about exercise and diet.I try quite hard to keep schtum though! So I hide it well, I think!

We are just repapering a small spare bedroom so it is not an exciting paper but [http://www.lauraashley.com/wallpapers/lille-pale-cobalt-stripe-vinyl-wallpaper/invt/3453440/ it suits]] the room. Last bit to finish this morning. I think DH is feeling lazy today so he might try to avoid exercise this morning. I shall laugh if I have to talk him into after all these years! I think it will be a DVD today though for times sake. Perhaps I'll get some sprints in later this afternoon.

That'll teach me not to preview.

wallpaper

Sorry, disrespect should be desire [bublush]

Oops, I really meant to run today, but we're all out of routine with no school and work and I have completely forgotten about it and spent all day baking. I'm stuffed full of hot cross buns now and DH is going out shortly so that's a fail from me. I will definitely try and get out tomorrow.

That's a nice wallpaper Jelli - I like plainish walls myself so that would be about as exciting as it would get in our house. We are emulsion throughout at the moment.

Well, W8D1 done today! Hurrah! Going to go out again tomorrow, so that'll be three runs this week. Makes up for the chocolate I've eaten!

A slightly TMI question but do people ever weigh themselves during their period? I did today and I was 4lbs heavier than normal . It could be the aforementioned chocolate (but that would be a lot of chocolate! But I am on day 3 of my period & whilst I know about pre-menstrual water retention, I wondered if it was current-menstrual water retention.

Or am I clutching at straws ?

I don't really think about it Shandy, I just weigh randomly when I remember. I can't see my weight going anywhere except up this weekend though.

Hi, After seeing a link on another thread Ive decided to join you. Im not running just yet as I need some bits and pieces (drinks bottle and Hi-Vis top) first, but I have a question.

In regards to running shoes, I dont want to pay out a huge sum of money that I can't afford anyway so is there anywhere I can get some that are cheap? I have got some normal trainers which I can use at first as I will be walking more anyway, but obviously I would like to have the proper gear.