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

I'm losing my confidence. Redid w6r1 and although my breathing and chest felt fine I struggled mentally. I don't know if its the weather or just me. I just can't see myself getting to the point of running for 20-30 mins.

Next - I have sausage fingers too. And beetroot red cheeks.

The beetroot cheeks and steam train puffing are standard for me tho. The sausages are a newer addition in my whole 7 weeks of running!

There were quite a few people saying w6r1 was hard going, and I really don't think this heat helps. Can you try w6r2? Think its just the 2 runs. Might that help?

Or, can you change the route (don't think your a treadmill runner?). I've got 2 routes I've been switching between, and after a switch its mentally easier, even if I've gone to the "tougher" route.

I honestly beleive w6/w7 is a mental barrier to get over. But you CAN do it - because I have, even tho I weigh 3lb MORE than when I started......

Baking, I'm struggling too but planning to change my listening for next run. I'm getting quite distracted by the "easy listening" music on the podcasts so have downloaded some radio shows.
Worth a go?

Also - you've DONE 20 mins already so you know you can do it physically

Did W6R2 tonight and struggled again, I think it's the heat rather than anything else...at last I hope it is. I can remember reading this thread in awe of everyone further on in the program and cannot believe I am now midway through week 6 myself.
I managed to stick to 4.5 walking & 5.1 mph plodding, burnt 348 calories and covered 2.9 miles.

I don't get sausage fingers but sometimes I do get itchy /tingly forearms. I just put that down to increased circulation.

I'M BACK!

I haven't run for a month due to sore foot, but I decided to go out for a walk this evening with perhaps a bit of a run, and managed 30 minutes running and 4Km which was about the distance I did on my first 30 minuter, so I'm OK with that. I was battling with the little demon on my shoulder who mutters "you can't run, why are you running, why don't you just stop and walk" all the way round!

I was about to give up and walk (it would probably have been quicker ) but I turned a corner and saw someone else running my direction. I was determined not to walk so I was at least running when I was overtaken. By the time she had overtaken me, I thought I might as well keep going til home!

Yes, I struggled with w6r1 too bakingnovice the little demon on my shoulder is very chatty and is determined that I can't run and shouldn't! I am still very bright pink - I matched my pink t-shirt when I did the race for life a few weeks ago (but I did it in a record 32 minutes with the help of my super-fit friend almost literally dragging me round!)

Who mentioned music? That's given me an idea. Going to put enough songs onto my currently empty iPhone to cover the time needed for w6r3. Usually run in silence, save for the Get Running app lady, but think I need to try something different to get me through a 25 min run! Worth a try...

the beetroot red cheeks and puffiness DO pass! I can remember once heading home as everyone was heading out on the school run, looking EXACTLY like that!

Tinasurrey - try the runkeeper app. You can set your own playlist and get it to chirp in at intervals with updates so you know how you are going. I use that now, keeps an eye on my speed for me, and I have a couple of running playlists on my iphone.

UmBongo! Lovely to see you back, and that was a fantastic time! I always speed up if I see other runners! I really should do parkrun now, but it's quite far from me and very early on a sunday morning so not got motivated to do it yet!

I struggled with w6r1 too! A lot did, don't know if its because you expect it to be easy because you've done 2mins or because you speed up a bit because its back to intervals or something else.

I struggled wirh one w7 run but it was heavy snow and i got lost, the next one was fine. I also had a wobble when I finished, found I couldn't carry on and was totally deflated! I had it in my mind that I had to get to a certain point in my route or 20 mins whichever was further and then built back up. Sometimes you're just a bit out of sorts, dehydrated, hormones all over the place, more tired and it doesn't quite go right but that doesn't mean it's always like that! I'm running up to and beyond an hour now usually once a week and had all the same doubts you all did. I'm never going to beat any records but love it.

Re sausage fingers, being well hydrated before you go helps to stop fluid retention in certain areas and make sure your hands are relaxed. I get swollen hands if I go for a stroll when it's hot but faster walk or run doesn't seem to have the same effect.

I struggled with w6r1 too! A lot did, don't know if its because you expect it to be easy because you've done 2mins or because you speed up a bit because its back to intervals or something else.

I struggled wirh one w7 run but it was heavy snow and i got lost, the next one was fine. I also had a wobble when I finished, found I couldn't carry on and was totally deflated! I had it in my mind that I had to get to a certain point in my route or 20 mins whichever was further and then built back up. Sometimes you're just a bit out of sorts, dehydrated, hormones all over the place, more tired and it doesn't quite go right but that doesn't mean it's always like that! I'm running up to and beyond an hour now usually once a week and had all the same doubts you all did. I'm never going to beat any records but love it.

Re sausage fingers, being well hydrated before you go helps to stop fluid retention in certain areas and make sure your hands are relaxed. I get swollen hands if I go for a stroll when it's hot but faster walk or run doesn't seem to have the same effect.

Welcome back UmBongo and well done!

Well no sign of this heat abating folks. Now very stressed about race for life on Sunday. It's at 11am! Running at the gym this morning. Should really try a practice run in the heat but can't face it.

hairtwiddler - I really dreaded the summer heat approaching, but honestly, it hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be. I loved running in the snow and prefer it colder as far as running goes, but I've surprised myself that I can still run in the heat. Drink LOTS before you go and I'm sure you will be fine x

Got to the gym, forgot my trainers!! Feel a bit daft now. Too much to remember this morning.
I'll go later. Need to get some work done now.

I went back. Did just under 5k on the treadmill. Was tough going and walked two minutes. Think the heat is zapping my energy. Enjoying my Neil Gaiman audio book though!

You'll be fine, hairtwiddler! I think the temperature is due to drop a little by Sunday.

Well done for going back - that's dedication!

I did RFL a few years ago without training in 34 degrees on a hilly course! The atmosphere will carry you through and remember you don't have to run it all. Probably be really hard to keep running cos people like me get in the way

I found it hot today-I still went out but went less far than usual. I didn't think it's worth trying to break any records in this heat.

However, I was thinking that when it cools down we should all feel mega fit after training in the heat!

hairtwiddler, they should have water stations around the race - just grab a bottle and pour it over yourself - I found it a lifesaver and kept me going.

Hi Ladies.
I used to run and looked forward to the day when I could "fly"....you know what I mean but then I had a small pelvic floor prolapse which I have managed to fix with a lot of squeezes but now I cant run cause it just causes things to go south again. Anyone had this experience? I do not want to insert anything to hold it up cause that defeats the purose of all my pelvic floor exercises which now hold it all in place perfectly. I have been told that running is the worse thing for your pelvic floor and causes a lot of prolapses when in the late 40s. I now bike and do weights. Any thoughts from anyone?

hairtwiddler, where are you doing the RfL? I'm doing the Cambridge one. Sounds like you and I will be the red-faced ones in the wet T shirts then... oops

I'll be doing it in Newcastle. Have a team of girls put together by a friend who had breast cancer two years ago. Looking forward to it as it's such an amazing atmosphere.

just finished week 7, 25 minutes, and only running 3.1km. how on earth am I going to get to 5km when im so slow?

Not to worry....just read an old running thread and it says that running is definitely the worse thing for your pelvic floor and can lead to pelvic prolapse in most cases so guess I wont be going back to it after all. Thanks anyway.

I did W5R1 this evening & I'm so pleased I got it done without too much trouble despite the heat. Slow & slower is definitely the key for me.

muddyprints I am desperately slow too, but I don't really mind. My aim is to get through the programme hopefully building stamina, then try to speed up afterwards. I might even try doing the whole thing again but at faster speeds. I don't know yet how I'll do it, but my main aim at the moment is to finish this. You are doing great - up to W8!

I really think the main obstacle with me is the mental side. Physically I feel fine, but my mind keeps telling me to stop! I watched a TV documentary a while ago (I think it was about cycling's Team Sky) and their sports psychologist described that nagging feeling as your "inner chimp" and said that he helps athletes to work on mentally putting their inner chimp into a box and shutting the lid so it can't nag at them and stop them performing.

So this evening on W5R1 I spent the first five minutes putting my inner chimp firmly back into its box, and after that it really did get easier. Definitely a case of mind over matter.

Rulesgirl I hadn't heard that about running & the pelvic floor (and I am at that crucial age too). Glad things have repaired for you. It's a pity you can't go back to running, but it wouldn't be worth the risk really. Biking's great fun as an alternative, and probably better on your joints as well.

cinnamon we'll be needing a new thread soon!