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

[cinnamongreyhound]

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

Been & had my gait analysed today & bought lovely new trainers. Now fully understand why I injured myself with my old trainers & highly recommend getting this done! Still struggling with my hip & knee so have bought a knee support & will rest til Monday which will mean I've had a week & a bit off the programme. I was just at the end of week 2 when I became injured. Should I start again from week 1, repeat week 2 or straight to week 3?

I've busy for a few nights (watching TV and chilling with the family) and I've returned to a what seems like hundreds of new posts.

Been for a little run tonight - didn't time it, just enjoyed it. I know the distance because it's one of my usual ones. Think I need to slowly start increasing my distance back up to 10k as I have a race at the beginning of September.

Well done on your extra long run sarahwithafringe and I'm glad that your gait analysis helped queenjellybelly. I'd be tempted to repeat week 2 and see how you go.

I was only just on w2 when i fell ill and didn't do anything for 5 weeks, I picked it back up on week 2. I'd see how you go queenjellbelly.

How much does it cost to get your gait analysed please?

Baking I suspect you are doing km/h, or a random treadmill setting.
Average brisk walking speed is 4mph / 6.5km/h tells me Wiki

watching were back on par now. When are you attempting w5r3? Been to aerobics tonight, and am thinking running tomorrow, swimming Fri. Do yuo think thats too much? Can't swim tomorrow, as I've promised to look after a friends 4 yr old, and think leaving DH with two 4 yr olds, and a 2 yr old to go swimming might be pushing my luck! I can run after her Mum has picked her up, but not swim!
Aren't we doing well - over half way

Dingle our localish running shop would analyse for free, and then get you to try on shoes they reckon for your stance. Then they re-analyse when you have picked the pair that feel the most comfortable. The didn't have anything under £65 tho, so in some ways its expensive, but cheaper than damaging yourself! It was also £15 cheaper on line, so in some ways I paid £15 on the shoe price to get the experience.

I need to have a definite routine for my runs so I can't make excuses so I go Mon, weds, and Friday mornings before anyone else stirs. And claim a lie in at the weekends

At the mo, I don't do anything else in between , although now want to be walking for the alternate mornings so I can congratulate myself on how much further extra distance I'm covering when running jogging. Also the dog gives the evil eye on being left behind, but I can't face running with a swinging poo bag...

Sounds like you've got a nice mix of regular exercise going, nextphase; I think your body would tell you if you were doing too much.

Just seen a local (single) dad out on his run with his two smallish DCs in front of him on their bikes

Dingle, I went to dw sports & they analysed me for free. The range of trainers suitable started at £20 but I ended up paying £39 for some New Balance ones. I also had some cushioned support insoles that were £14, so very reasonable I think. Huge choice in stock as well & woman there really helpful, not at all pushy. She also got me to try a size up, which should have felt strange as so much room at the front but they feel really comfy.

Just quickly checking in to report that I managed Week 3 Run 3 this evening. Very pleased as it was fine, easier than Run 2. Not sure if I'm ready for running for five minutes, but we'll see at the weekend. Got to trust in the programme...

ALovelyBunchOf.. hi there. Welcome! I'm onto wk 4 of couch to 5k and spent a good while fiddling about with podcasts, apps etc. in the end I got exactly what I was after in the form of two apps
Get Running (which is v similar to NHS podcast but without the "annoying" music) and
Nike app (to track distance/speed/calories etc).
I use both at the same time. You can play your own music with Get Running (although I couldn't tell you how as not done so myself.)

Nike was free. Get running was about £2 but worth that and more. It's brilliant! Good luck - let us know how you get on.

**

Yay Drama! The programme def works - you WILL be able to do 5 mins

Anyone know if Decathlon do the gait analysis? Seems like they are the best shop nearest to me (not going back to Sports Direct which DH has rechristened ...)

Watching, Don't know whereabouts you are but I'm told that decathlon in Ilkeston do it so assume other branches will too. I've also had sweatshop recommended for this. Can't comment first hand tho.

Hi Queenjellybelly good to hear about your gait analysis experience. I have been putting this off as I was concerened about being reccommended expensive trainers that I can't afford.

Has anyone had a gait analysis and the shopped around for trainers?

Hi All, not been able to catch up this week at all so well done to everyone who's still running and hope there haven't been too many hiccups along the way!

Feeling a bit guilty as I've been out every evening this week, Monday preparing for my role as parkrun director, Tuesday as shopping event at school trying to sell some of my Bodyshop stock and last night babysitting. Tonight I should be home but I'm going straight out once I've put my boys to be to run with my friend. Tomorrow evening is opticians for ds1 and vets for Cats jabs then I should be home :)

Week 4/run 2 done! I chose another route out of the village, and although it wasn't flat the slope was much more gradual than the one I chose earlier in the week. And it was much cooler, so I am less exhausted!! But I had to run on the road a lot as the verges are a bit unpredictable and I nearly fell over a couple of times. So I'm keeping an anxious eye on my shins, and I can definitely feel that they are tightening up a bit, so must keep on with the stretching

GUTTED!! Went out to do Wk 8 Day 1 this evening and had to pull up (and phone DH for a lift home!) only 6 mins in with pain in my calf.

Going to rest until at least Sunday then see how I feel and maybe give it another go. This happened, on the same route, much earlier in the programme and after resting for a week I continued and have been fine since, so am hopeful but still annoyed about today as the wee bit I managed felt good and I was looking forward to having done 28 mins! Ah well...

Just back from lovely run in gorgeous evening sunshine. Absolutely chuffed to report I ran 5k! Official proof the programme works. Took me 39 mins but I plodded on and am now very sweaty but beaming.

Ginger, sorry about your pain. Rest up eh? I was given a really good calf stretch to today. Both hands on a wall, lean into wall and do both calves at once.

My phone is rubbish once the thread gets bigger .

But hurrah for everyone still going and sorry to all with pains .

I managed Wk 5 r2 today and in 35 mins i covered 2.7 miles . I know i still need to do another half mile but for the first time I am thinking I will at some point run 5k . Very happy bunny

I'm also in new trainers, and on w5r2. It sort of surprised me that it wasn't identical to w5r1 but hey ho, I did it.

well done hairtwiddler that's great.

watching
I'm 12 hrs ahead of you! Enjoy tomorrow morning. I did all of it, and only walked half a dozen paces to get over the single plank of scaffolding which acts as a bridge over the stream! Can't beleive what a difference 5 weeks makes!

w6r1 sounds easier than w5r3!

That is BRILLIANT hairtwiddler Go you!

And thanks...planning a fair bit of stretching and walking over the next few days in the hope it will ease off to try again on Sunday. If not I think I will just forget it until after we come back from our holiday and just do some swimming next week and plenty of walking while we are away.

Congratulations hairtwiddler (where's the "medal" emoticon?!)

Nextphase - challenge accepted is it really 20 minutes?...

Believe, believe .....

Do believe! The 20 mins was a huge psychological step for me, and now I've nearly doubled that time. The programme builds stamina. Can't believe how well it has worked for me. The feeling of running non stop for the full distance has had me endorphin loaded all evening!

Well done!! I'm giving week 4 run 1 another shot tomorrow evening. Hoping the headache doesn't come back as I'm determined to do it. Will drink water in the day etc.

I'm doing w4r3 tmrw and really looking forward to week 5. But I can tell you now there is just no way on gods earth that I can run 20 minutes!!! Bricking it already!!

How many runners today? Glad of a rest day as i'm a bit stiff after yesterday's efforts. Having a proper rest. Bus to work instead of bike! Have a fab weekend, it's going to be glorious weather apparently!