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.

Hello 2ombieSlayer, I've found the best place to get cheap stuff such as hi-vis vest is Sports Direct but for running shoes it's tricky, if you go for gait analysis as I mentioned on the other thread you are looking at £70-£90 for the shoes. I'm not sure how much cheaper pairs cost, but obviously that's a lot of money. On the other hand, if you buy cheap ones and are uncomfortable in them, or worse, develop an injury, you will be worse off still.

Some running shops will do the gait analysis for free you might be able to find the recommended shoes cheaper online, but I think a lot of them are wise to this now and charge £10 or £20 if you don't buy.

I suffer with back problems and after I started Couch to 5k last year in old trainers one of my knees started playing up at around week 4, after having the gait analysis and new shoes I have not looked back. Kind of depends really, if you have no pre-existing injuries, are not overweight etc you are more likely to get away with cheaper shoes in the short term, but I honestly think it's a false economy longer term.

I agree with what you were saying, just would like to get some proper running trainers for cheaper. Though perhaps I should buy them as a motivation factor.

Hi Zombieslayer and welcome. I would agree, if you can possibly afford the shoes get them rather than the water bottle etc. You can probably manage without a hi-viz jacket, at least till you have a birthday [buwink]

Well, did L1 6W6P with DH this morning and then went out for some sprint training. I suspect my upper quads will ache tomorrow but am slightly nervous about which other muscles will be groaning at me too!

Nice paper Jelli. I have never wall-papered, it gives me the fear. I love the look of it, I just imagine I would be shite at putting it up [bugrin]

Hi Zombie, I would agree with what everyone else says about the shoes. Most people swear by Asics Gels, and I think places like Sports Direct sometimes sell them.

I have no idea Shandy, just ignore the scales would be my advice [bugrin]

What is L1 6W6P? [buconfused]

I plan to run again tomorrow to help reduce the impact of the chocolate consumption!

Well there's no way I can afford to pay out £70 on a pair of shoes ATM so will have to wait a bit yet, £6 on a hi-vis top and a couple of quid on a water bottle is easy. Was hoping I could find a cheap way of doing it. I will be back in a bit, but for now good luck to you all, hope you achieve your goals. :)

Morning all!

I will pop back later to catch up with everyone's news properly, but just wanted to say that DS1 and I ran our 10K this morning. He was a lot faster than I was, but didn't get a chip time. Mine was 1:09, which was slower than my last one, but since I didn't have a great night's sleep (DS2 was up with tummy ache) and I followed DH's wine and curry plan last night, it's as good as I deserved

Oh well done Shredded! That time is more than respectable, you should be pleased! It's funny how we move the goalposts isn't it? I don't suppose (sorry I can't remember) it was that long ago that you weren't even a runner and now you've just completed 10k in a fine ol' time. Well done again!

thanks in regard to wallpaper, we have finished now but I should be up here painting, we realised yesterday I hadn't glossed the back of the door...

Moveit 6W6P is a Jillian Michaels DVD. I like it and I like to do her circuits DVDs as I believe they work well with the cardio heavy running. I tend to run one day and DVD the next.

Shandy I am a daily weigher. I do it daily as I am forever fascinated as to how much it bobbles up and down. Also if I weighed weekly, I could catch a day when it was low and then the next week catch it when I was high and the high might be higher than the low and that would be BAD! I prefer to see the bobbling.

Thanks jelli . You are right, I don't think I could run 10K this time last year.

I have checked my time, and I was only 23 seconds slower than the last 10K I ran - so if I hadn't had to make a loo stop I would have PR'd!

Hi

Is it ok if i join? I have stumbled across the couch to 5k whilst looking for some fitness advice. I had actually seen the threads on mnet before but always thought that c25k was an mn club or something !

I would love to take up running but feel i would need to be eased into it, so I think this is the right place for me. I want to get fit, but my main motivation is that I really want to lose some weight. The only exercise I do at the moment in walking with the pram.

Would you mind if I ask a few questions? I am going to get some running trainers, seen some cheap asics online, but could I start today with just my basic trainers or should I really wait for proper running ones? Also how do you all keep to the timings or is this something that's on podcast? Also are there any good apps for this?

Thanks

Hello and welcome buzzgirly! Of course it is OK for you to join . C25K is fantastic for getting people running, and this thread is great for chatting about it when we aren't too busy talking about nail varnish, music and food

Many of us are evangelical about getting your gait analysed before starting to run so that you gan get the right trainers to suit you - especially if you are after losing some weight - you are putting a lot of pressure on your joints. I also recommend a decent sports bra (shock absorbers are supposed to be the best, I ran for the first year or so in some cheap nike crop top bras from sports direct - just make sure you get the high impact ones).

The NHS couch to 5 k app is (a) free and (b) has all the timings of when to run and walk on it.

Good luck!

Despite not posting I am still here. I have been out several times with the W1 podcast and have completed it twice, tho got to the last run about 4 times. If I meet someone / the dog starts chasing something / the mp3 player runs out of juice (who knew they need recharging? ) or whatever then I just have another go the next time.

By the time I get to run 7 my legs are quite tired so I shall stick with W1 until I feel competent with it. Just trying to build up a bit of stamina.

I still resent not hearing the birdsong but have tried timer and distance markers but find I go too slowly without the music beat.

I am just swinging by to commit to doing some Jillians NMTZ then going for a short run. After my sprinting on Saturday, and a day that didn't go to plan yesterday, my legs are a bit sore this morning so I will take them for a gentle jog. I shall report back......

Morning all,

Honu - definitely stick to what you feel comfortable with. Once you get to continuous running you can do it without audio. I use my phone to track my runs but quite often don't bother with my earplugs and just have it on me to track the time and distance.

Jelli -take it easy.

I had a nice gentle jog yesterday too, and think it might have to be like that for the foreseeable future, as I am having a few problems with my pelvic floor. The last half mile of my run on Monday my lower abdomen got very full and achey feeling, like period pains, I am taking that as a warning that I need to seriously step up my core strength/pelvic work as a priority. I went for a gentle jog last night concentrating on using the muscles in that area and it was fine but it was barely more than a power walk, I think that is safest for now. Just as well I am not looking for personal best times at the moment!

Oh! Whoknows I've had that. It's quite uncomfortable isn't it? I got it a reasonable amount during the middle weeks of the C25k programme but concentrated on holding it all up while I was running and it did help. Until I learnt to do that it really was quite an unpleasant sensation. Sympathy coming your way.

I did do the first three circuits of NMTZ with DH and then left him to the rest of the DVD (he has a calf injury atm) and went out for a slow 20 minute run. Boy it was hard work (DH reminded me I am premenstrual) so that will be my excuse. It was a nice run but verrrrry slow! And who made my legs so heavy?

DD has sold her Easter egg back to me and I am eating it. I have had quite a clean diet for a while now and sadly Maltesers are not as nice as they used to be. I think after I have got rid of eaten it, I will be abstaining from milk chocolate in the future. Bizarre!

Honu I am not familiar with your podcast (I did something different to most people) but for what it's worth, I didn't feel competent with any of the weeks. I managed to do them as per the plan, one week per week as it were, but it always felt like I only just did so and couldn't have managed much more at all. I went through the weeks and then immediately did the 5k to 10k plan and it was only about week 4 (halfway) of the 10k plan that I began to feel remotely competent doing the 5k.

Sorry I find it a pain editing on the iPad...

Anyway Honu, don't be afraid to push yourself was what I was attempting to say. The programme will sort the stamina up for you, you 'just'! Have to be determined to complete each run. Lol! Oh and ignore the neighbours attempts to chat while you are running, just give them a cheery wave and keep going - they'll understand.

Good luck and keep going.

Hi all, may I join you? I'm a serial starter of c25k and have begun on a couple of occasions but only get as far as week 4 then something happens, illness, injury etc. Well this time I'm determined. I started week 4 today using Rundouble on my Android and I was knackered. I was getting to the end of the 5 min runs wondering when it would end and really can't see me getting to the end of next week when there's a 20 min run!!!! Does it get easier or am I kidding myself? The other thing I don't know is my timing, if I'm going too slow or too fast. I've been checking my pace etc on the app but no idea if it's good or not??? Anyway just looking for some moral support so hope it's ok to jump on the thread.

Hi All... Did W4D1 last week; managed to figure out it was 400m, 800m and 400m running each followed by half the distance as walking then an 800m run. That was after a swim and a cycle ride so I was pretty happy with that...

Unfortunately DS then brought home a stomach bug from somewhere so I haven't been out since; hoping to get back on it to tomorrow.

jelli which 5k to 10k program are you doing (getting seriously ahead of myself now )

Itcouldbelupus I'm about at the same point you are (but doing the distance version rather than the timings) and slightly sceptical as to whether doing 3.2k at the end of next week is really possible!

Equally if someone had told me I'd be running 800m reasonably comfortably in 2 weeks time when I was at the end of week 1 I'd have been a bit sceptical; so I guess we'll see...

Evening all! Everyone's working very hard! Most impressive.

I've managed to do W8 this week but definitely struggled with it. The heavy cold / flu I had until a week or so ago really knocked me for six & whilst I can finish the 28 min run, I am knackered about 20 mins in!

But went swimming today & did 40 x 25 meters in 35 mins no problem. I can totally see how the running has improved my stamina in the pool. Which is fab!

Hoping to get 3 runs in this week. Good luck out there everyone!!

Itcouldbe and Neilsboar I did the Bupa 5k plan followed by their 10k plan when I started to run last year. I chose their 5k plan as it didn't have a big jump in it duration wise, ie no big jump to 20mins which was too scary for me. But i don't think it is available as a pod cast, although I believe someone programmed the runs into some device [old fogey emoticon].

I went through the c25k plan in the straight 8weeks and followed straight on with success with the 10k plan, so I do recommend them.

Anyway, welcome Itcouldbe and no, for me it took some time for it to be easier. Last week I ran 8miles with DH, of which I would guess almost 4miles was uphill and DH and I were discussing that it even so it was less difficult than the 8minute runs I struggled through (about week 4-5). Stick with it and keep pushing, no it may not get easier but you CAN do it and that feels fab. Good luck.

Hello all

Sorry to have been absent for so long - I've done no running to speak of recently, but finally have some properly fitted running shoes! Our mini-break in Vienna was great and the gait analysis was definitely one of the highlights (but don't tell DH ). I was annoyed but not surprised to discover that I've been running in completely the wrong type of shoes for my feet (can't believe I spent ?100 on them ) but now have some lovely new Asics Gels. They cost ??? but DH was surprisingly understanding and if they help with my knee problems, it will definitely be worth it. And at least I should be able to find some cheaper somewhere else when I need to replace them.

I also picked up my knee brace from the medical supplies shop (I had to have it fitted and everything); it's very tight (and virtually impossible to get into and out of) so will hopefully be more effective than the ?5.99 one I bought at Lidl. Fortunately it was covered by my health insurance, as I dread to think how much it would cost otherwise. (My elbow brace, which they wouldn't cover, was over ?60.)

Unfortunately I haven't been able to try out my new shoes yet as I haven't been feeling too well since we got back home (nothing to do with the late nights and amount of alcohol consumed, I'm sure ), but am planning to go out on Wednesday when the DC are back at school.

jelli I've programmed the Bupa C25k runs into my iPhone - it's good to be able to listen to my own music, although I'm starting to get a bit fed up with it now and need to update my running playlist. I also miss NHS Laura's encouraging words, if not her music or the sudden appearance of a 20 minute run.

Welcome to all newbies and waves to everyone else.

Hi Linzer,

Good to 'see' you back! Sounds like you had a fab trip and are now fully equipped for a successful summer's running, here's hoping eh?

Thanks for reminding me it was you that programmed your iPhone, I just couldn't quite remember who it was. I borrowed DH's Mp3 today for a change of music, so I guess I need to update my music selection too.

Hello - not been here before so hi! i am new to running and am so sad that today i finally managed a 28 minute run without almost dying (outside!) but wah! i have hurt my ankle. did it on Friday so rested for two days as only very minor but now it is worse. so just as i was getting better i'm going to have to stop for a week aren't i?! i am so frustrated! its taken me 7 weeks to get to this stage.

and all cos some bluddy dog attacked my blameless hound (which was on lead) and i shoved it away with my foot, pulling something i think. i was mid run and anxious not to stop so shoved horrible dog and reprimanded owner pdq. huh.

so i am hoping for some understanding and advice on how long to take off - a week? pain round ankle feels like a sprain but isn't as i didn't go over on ankle. think i maybe pulled a tendon or summat trying to get nasty dog away... any advice welome!

Hi and welcome bluepaper. How frustrating about your ankle - I'm no expert, but a week's rest sounds likes a good idea. If you start running before it's healed properly, you'll probably only end up putting yourself back in the long run.

jelli I know that WhoKnows uses the Runkeeper app too (the app I programmed the runs into), but I think she may be using a different C25k plan. I was looking at running albums in the iTunes store yesterday so that's given me a few new ideas for tracks to add to my running playlist.

There hasn't been much nail polish talk recently. DH booked me in for a surprise manicure before we went to Vienna, but it was cancelled as the beauty therapist was ill - however, I sort of felt obliged to paint my nails so am currently sporting No. 7 Temptress. It's definitely past its best, though, so I'll be back to OPI Nail Envy soon.