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Original poster

Couch to 5K- join us if you dare, running is highly addictive!!

962 replies

cinnamongreyhound · 31/05/2013 21:51

Another thread for us long termers and a new one for those just starting. Whatever stage you're at come and join us for lots of advice and moral support.

Old thread here

OP posts:
Original poster
cinnamongreyhound · 02/07/2013 22:21

Sorry for lack of responses having a hectic week!! Will try and catch up tomorrow.

No chance to run since my race so I did 5k with the new dog at 6.30 this morning, was nice :)

Hope everyone is still going strong!

OP posts:
watchingout · 02/07/2013 23:14

Wow loads of positive messages!

Come on Nigellaellaella, see you in the morning Wink. The anticipation is far worse than reality then you start to enjoy it!

I'm due out early before the village awakes then on a train to London checking out Uni with DD. I'll be the one snoring with a red face in the corner...

TwasBrillig · 03/07/2013 00:20

Baking -that's an amazing feeling isn't it? I finally got that on wk 3 run 3 (the one I've recently done) and its ace! A week ago I was doubting wk 4 now I'm looking forwards to seeing if I can do it tomorrow!

watchingout · 03/07/2013 07:25

NOW I'm halfway!!

W5r2 complete and the endorphins have arrived GrinGrin

jellybrain · 03/07/2013 07:25

Hairtwiddler - thanks for the sympathy. Seems rest was what it needed, Its 100 x better this morning, no running today though and i might try a few yoga streches this evening.

Twasbrillig - It'll be fine - I promise. The first few weeks are so daunting then, all of a sudden you find yourself running wondering what the fuss was all about! Before you know it you'll be spending your rest days desperate to get out for your next run.

I found it helpful not to look at what was in store before I went out for each new session as I worked myself up into a panic with the 'OMG it wants me to run for how long???' and only peeped when it was all over and could say 'Yay, I feel awesome (if somewhat sweaty).

jellybrain · 03/07/2013 07:33

Twas - missed your last post, knew you'd start looking forward to it Grin

Cinnamon - I run with my dog and she loves it, very helpful in getting me going as she drags me for the first 5 mins until I can let her off lead and I'm sure it must help my pace Smile

yetanotherworry · 03/07/2013 10:27

Hairtwiddler, not sure what I'm going to do next. I'm doing the Race4Life this weekend and then after that I'm going to try a few runs with my own music and see how inspired I am. It would be good to try and do the full 5k in 30 mins so will work towards that. I ran this morning and manage 4.6k in 33min, although the last 3 min were downhill.

jelly, I find stretches when I get in from a run really help with the muscle strain. I also find it better to leave 2 or 3 days between runs rather than doing them every other day.

I'm feeling a bit envious of you runners with dogs... I feel I could do with some company at times to stop me getting bored which I know is ging to be my downfall.

hairtwiddler · 03/07/2013 10:37

I get bored too, but recently have been listening to radio 4 comedy podcasts or drama of the week. Really helps keep me amused and makes the run pass quickly.

Dingle · 03/07/2013 10:44

Oh fab, fab, well done everyone. So much encouragement and activity here! x

Rushed for time this morning as I am working this afternoon, thought to myself, YES, let's get my run done, quick shower then a bit of time to myself before lunch.

Got laptop set up in garage, started W4R2 podcast and rushed onto treadmill. Thought I would up my stats a bit and walk at 4.4 plod at 4.9mph, just a notch faster than my last run....

BUT about a minute into the 5 mins warm up walk by treadmill suddenly changed to 3mph and I nearly headbutted the wall...just as well I wasn't trying to run at that point. LOL.. continued walking and quickly reset it back to 4.4...then it happened again. Grin Feeling pushed for time and rather committed I worked through it, focusing very closely on the speed display. Then as I continued with the podcast the stupid treadmill decided to keep on upping the pace to 7mph and I had to run like a lunatic while I reset the speed!

As if that wasn't enough, halfway through my last 5 minute run, I accidentally pulled the cord out and came to a grinding halt!Blush I stuck with it as best I could and finished to the end, thankfully with no injury.

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 03/07/2013 11:49

Hi everyone can I gatecrash?

Just started a thread in chat but thought I best come to the experts Grin

I want to start doing c25k, I have good running trainers and some gym clothes and the enthusiasm... I just need an app for my phone. Can anyone recommend a decent one?

I tried to get the NHS podcasts but my phone wouldn't play them for some reason. I am on android.

Any other advice would be great :)

TwasBrillig · 03/07/2013 11:52

I tried wk 4 run 1. I' trying to be positive about it - I DID manage to run 5 minutes which I've never done before!

However I did 3, 5 , 3 and then had a horrible headachce and felt dizzy. I ran the first minute or two of the final 5 minute but couldn't do it all and walked back with the headache pounding :(

I was so determined to do it, but I'm trying to see it as a success I ran 12-13 minutes in total and last week was 9!

I think plan for 2 days time will be to try again with run 1.

gingerpinz · 03/07/2013 12:06

RunDouble has been great for me Coconuts.

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 03/07/2013 12:10

Ginger Is that the one that's free for the first two weeks?

Have you progressed beyond that and purchased the full version?

jellybrain · 03/07/2013 12:49

aLovelyBunchofCoconutsI'm using Runmeter it wasn't free but, it's very good measures all sorts of stuff pace, distance, calories burnt and there's plans for 5k, 10 k, half marathon, marathon etc.

jellybrain · 03/07/2013 13:01

yetanother You are absolutely right I do need fit stretches in. Think I need to take a rest for a few days.

Bakingnovice · 03/07/2013 13:06

Lovely I am using the zen labs app. It's v good.

Dingle - thank god you didn't injure yourself. I walk at 6-6.5 on the treadmill and run at 7. Is this mph or km? I'm curious.

'twas - good idea to go back to run 1. There's no rush and you've done 5 minutes now so know you can do it.
Hello to everyone else running.

I did w4r2 today just after shred. The first 3 min run was really hard and I don't know why. I stayed walking on the TM until I'd done 45 minutes. Really loving the programme.

gingerpinz · 03/07/2013 13:28

Yes, that's the one! I'm about to start week 8 and would definitely recommend it.

scarecrow22 · 03/07/2013 13:43

w2r2 today 6.30am light drizzle after 6 h broken sleep and I loved it. The podcast and this thread ate so invaluable. Thank you all Grin

gingerpinz · 03/07/2013 14:21

Well done scarecrow!

I am going to be attempting Wk8 Day 1 later when DH gets home from work. I am so so sore though...every muscle in my body aches after bodybalance on Monday and kettlebells yesterday and it is quite muggy here today too so am expecting it to not be much fun!! I am really determined to get to the end of the programme before we go away next weekend though but only actually have until next Wednesday that I can run because DH is away on Thursday and Friday and have no one else to look after the DCs, so will only actually get to Wk9 Day 2 but that's as good as really...and plan to run while we are away too, to try and get up to the 5k in 30 mins eventually!

Dingle · 03/07/2013 16:51

Bakingnovice it's MPH. Curious too...today I walked at 4.4mph which, if my conversion is right, equals about 7.08 kph. I "ran" (using the term very loosely!Grin) at 4.9mph which converts to 7.89kph.

We are on the same week, same run. Now I am wondering if I am pushing myself too much too soon...I don't feel I have got my breathing sorted out yet and I feel that am glowing like some sort of nuclear reactor afterwards!Blush BUT I still don't really do any other exercise in between runs. I simply haven't got around to sorting anything out. I certainly don't think I could have "run" after something like Shred.Shock

I am raving about this, not only have I lost 8.5lb, I have lost 2 inches off my waist. I did panic a bit though with my treadmill disaster, I wondered if it was broken at first but I must have hit one of the programmed run buttons. I pray it's all ok as I don't think I would be able to actually GO OUT RUNNING as easily or as confidently.

Both DH and me commented that the music on week 4 isn't as motivating, I might need to look further into other options.

Thank you everyone. xx

Bakingnovice · 03/07/2013 16:59

Dingle you are doing really well! I haven't lost an ounce. Are you dieting too? Or just the running? I'm doing fasting and haven't list a pound in 5 weeks.

I'm on the TM too and would be heartbroken if it broke. I'm not ready to pound the pavements where I live.

Dingle · 03/07/2013 17:08

I wouldn't say I am dieting too and I don't eat very healthily but I am trying to log what I eat on MFP, just to be more aware of my calorie intake. It's given me a daily calorie target of only 1200 which I cannot ever get near.

It is making me think about portion size and substituting a few ingredients to cut back on calories..and as I have IBS, it's also good for my to look at my fibre intake. I don't log religiously every day, but I would recommend it. It's great to log your exercising on as well. Smile

EeTraceyluv · 03/07/2013 18:40

did w5 r1 tonight-blimey..... but did it! Does anyone know a blackberry app which tell distance as well as time? I have no idea how far I do just how long it takes!

TwasBrillig · 03/07/2013 18:40

Oh yes wk 4 music is worse than the other stuff! I grew to like beautiful day and happy invigorating bits and pieces.

SarahWithAFringeOnTop · 03/07/2013 19:21

Blimey... gasp, huff, puff! Thought I'd try a different route today and not only did it have hills (a relative term given that I come from a very flat part of the country, but still), but I got lost and ended up running for a good 15 minutes longer than I intended (but including a couple of pauses while I asked bemused passers-by for directions) Blush
Now I am absolutely knackered and feeling a bit weird. Hope I haven't overdone it. Surely by now I should be able to run (i.e. jog gently) for 50 minutes or so?
Will give it a rest for a couple of days before trying my previous route where I don't think I can manage to get lost!