Couch to 5K- the first day of the rest of your life :)

[cinnamongreyhound]

Come and join us if you're thinking about starting, have started or have finished and are loving running! Lots of support, advice and general cheering on for everyone. Find the old thread here.

starlight I started with joggies, a pair bog standard trainers and a regular bra - in my defence of my bra I am only a 30D so I don't have much to have to control. Then I just did 3 days a week, with rest days in between. I bought more specialised running gear and had my gait analysed for trainers when I got to about week 5 or 6.

Well done Cristiane - I love that running buzz. Open air and just in that zone.

Welcome StarlightMacKenzie! I didn't get anything in the way of special kit to start with (just in case I didn't stick with it, plus I was in China for the first four weeks and couldn't get anything in my size if I'd wanted to). I remember running around the running track on campus with my big billowy summer trousers safety pinned up so that I wouldn't trip over them!

When I got home I got my gait analysed at a running shop so that I knew what type of shoes to buy (didn't cost me anything) and then went online for a decent pair of runners (I'd recommend getting a decent pair of runners). I've been enjoying seeing how cheaply and low tech I can go with this new hobby of mine. Just got a couple of pairs of running tights (read ordinary leggings) from tesco as I didn't have any running kit. I used the free NHS podcasts too as I don't have a smart phone, but started making my own playlists after week 3 so that I could listen to my own music.

So that's me just back from PgW1R2. I went online yesterday and found a competition site where people had to get well known songs and edit them down to no more than a minute long. So I did my own week one playlist and I must say I did find it more motivational listening to that than the music in the NHS poscasts. Twice around the lake (total 3.9k ish) again in 30m55s including warm up and cool down walks. Happy with that. Will I be brave enough to Parkrun this weekend?

I just got running trousers from sports direct and a reflective jacket, they were in the sale and cheap.'after a few weeks I invested in new trainer's and have got some more running trousers. Already had sports bra tho I do need to get another one.

I think running is one of those sports that can be as cheap or expensive as you make it!

Can anyone tell me where to get trainers that fit me? I have NEVER had a pair that I can wear despite them feeling okay in the shop. I have a wide but short foot but the main issue is the back bit of the heal of the trainer rubs against the back of my calf as all of me is short, including where my calf starts.

For some reason the back part of the shoe seems to always rise up.

It would have to be cheap 5. The plan is that instead of taking the bus 3 miles to the gym, then running on bikes and a treadmill, I will save the money for a treat and simply run to the gym and back instead.

I would got to a proper running shop and get them to fit you and then go and find the shoes they recommend online as they will be cheaper online in most cases. If you are going to spend money on anything it should be on your trainers!! And a good sports bra.

Oh amend get the, to show you how to lace them, there is a specific way of lacing them that helps prevent rubbing, it has been linked on mnet, maybe on this tread actually, it made a big difference for me, no slipping or rubbing at all.

Oh and get them to

Wk 1 r 3 done :)

It is really helping having this to focus on when at the gym . And thank you for the advice about the incline , I put it at 1 today and it did feel easier .

I managed 2.2 miles in the 30 mins so I am happy with that . I am going to record the distance at the end of each week and hope it improves .

It was me who linked to it as I was recommended to lace them that way by the guy in the shop as mine were slipping slightly but fitted fine. this is a good picture that hopefully shows it well.

Injury feeling good today so hoping for a less painful run! My running buddy is shopping for a wetsuit for her triathlon and may not be back in time to run with me so could be a solo one. Bit worried it will mean I focus more on my hurty bit instead of chatting, need some good music :)

I know I am meant to leave a day between but it was such a gorgeous evening and again I am in London so no childcare responsibility so I did another run. Was lovely!

Will not run again till Saturday though.

I am just trying to work out how I will be able to fit this into a day to day routine... Will take a lot of planning (doesn't everything!)

How is everyone else?

Can I jump in? I just signed up to do a 5k race for life in 2 months and I will be on wk3run1 tomorrow, so nervous is a bit of an understatement! I really need some encouragement and egging on.

I must need my head testing...

w1r3 done whilst dd was doing an activity in a different bit of town so I got to run around different streets.

Starlight, I went to Sports Direct and picked some stuff up in their clearance section. I found cheap tops, trousers and socks. I also picked up a bum-bag thing for carrying my phone, keys and ipod.

So much inspiration on here :D completed week 1, run 1. Doing run 2 tomorrow. Yikes!

Well done everyone running, whether its week 1 or postgrad runs.

I'm really down tonight :( only managed 13 mins before I pulled up in pain. Still hurting now, don't think its worse than weds but I think being alone was part of it too but I also think the pain I was in after running weds was at the back of my mind too. It's made me realise just how much running means to me, much more than it did when I had to stop because I broke my foot!

Wow! Such a busy thread now!

Sorry to hear that cinnamon - hope you get properly over the injury soon - how utterly frustrating.

I did W4 D2 yesterday - really enjoyed it, but still struggle as soon as there's even the slightest hill!

And my knees still don't feel right so I'm going to the gp tomorrow to get a physio referral. If anything useful comes out of it, I will report back...

Hi all. Just looking for some ideas and an knew to the thread. Last week I ran 5k! Twice. Find it really hard going and am fricking plagued by stitches. I do 5 minute warm up and don't eat for at least an hour before - usually more like 3. But almost every run I'm having to pull up. Help! Also I think I would like to join a running club to keep motivation going - how do you find one?? Thanks and keep running (mildly addicted lurker).

Same as Silent. I have just got back from week3run1 and I had to stop twice because the stitches were like someone literally shoving a knife through me. Same happened the last few runs too

I do continue to finish, and would be fine if it wasn't for the stitches. Any tips?

I found in early days I wasn't warming up enough Lardy. Do you do 5 mins plus stretches? That helped for a while but now, no. Got my stitch at a mile today and ran to 2.25 miles suffering all the way. Grrr

Hi slientlurker and lardybum. I recommend parkruns - very friendly and very wide range of experiences. You'll also meet people there who are already members of a club. I fancy joining a club.

Sorry to hear your injury has had a set back cinnamon

Hello and well done to the new starters. parkrun party tomorrow with cake and we have a 40 min pacer so may try to do a 'fast' first lap... went out weds and thurs and swimming today :). Foot still hurting but will ibruprofen again
.

W4R2 done, again with a bit extra on the end. I am currently listening to the NHS podcast until the last run starts and flicking over to my "running" playlist and adding up the minutes of the tracks. Gives my remaining braincell something to think about. .

Enjoy the party tomorrow jchocchip and anyone else parkrunning. Another few weeks before i can run enough to do one!

SilentLurker, are you drinking enough? I make sure I have plenty of water beforehand. Keep your body upright when you run, don't been tempted to lean forward when pushing through it (especially uphill), and try to keep your hands lower, rather than up by your chest when you run. My dad used to run for the RAF, and told me all this about constricting your chest, might be worth a try!

aww cinnamon, poor you! Do you think it is worth maybe taking a full week off? Before I went to Montréal I had problems with my knee, tore a small ligament I think, with was causing a lot of pain. After a week off, it was completely better. I wonder if keep trying to run through it, it isn't healing properly?

I've been really busy this week with jobs and stuff, and only managed shorter runs. Did 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday, which I was rather chuffed with. I find it so boring on the treadmill, it's really hard to keep going! Out in the fresh air, I've happy to run for over an hour, but I struggle in the heat.

I could probably do with getting some proper running trousers or something - I'm still running in baggy tracky bottoms, and they are a bit warm.

Hi Silentlurker and lardybum, I have never really suffered with stitches (unless I have a cold) so can't really advise from personal experience. Being well hydrated definitely helps with running generally for me. This probably sounds stupid but try not to hold your breath, I sometimes find myself doing it because I'm concentrating on something. Found when I do get them the advice Laura gives on the podcast about pushing your tummy out while breathing helps and just trying to slow the pace a bit to get more oxygen where it needs to go.

Enjoy your parkrun party jchocchip, didn't run or volunteer at ours today as it is ds1's birthday and he had his part 11-1.

Well done Umbongo, glad to hear you're still progressing well.

I had 10 days off before I started trying to run again Chopstheduck, it feels a lot better today and it's getting towards the 4 weeks the internet says it should take to heal so hoping it will be better soon. I am totally torn between keep going to keep fitness and mobility and the feeling that I am doing more damage by trying to run. I just don't want it to heal and be tight/short because I've done nothing and injure it all over again. I broke my foot in September (3 metatarsals and was strongly considered for surgery) and everyone said stay off it and rest but I am self employed and had to walk! After 10 days I got my cast off and had a boot that meant I could walk on my heel but was supposed to limit it. Walked 1mile+ a day and had boot off 3 weeks later, was back running a total of 7 1/2 weeks after breaking it and felt that keeping it moving really helped with healing but I also realise that this isn't a break so perhaps I need to treat it differently. Recommend these :)