Couch to 5k- We do run run run, we do run run!

[cinnamongreyhound]

A thread for anyone thinking of starting, doing or completed the c25k plan!

The last thread had so many new people starting and working through the plan it was lovely. As well as those who had finished and working towards faster times or greater distances. Everyone welcome no matter age, fitness or ability.

Join us for lots of support, advice and gentle butt kicking of required

Old Thread

[FoundAChopinLizt]

Saying that, it will be hot, so be sensible.

[jussey17]

Celia I have found the shock absorber bra excellent it has a double back fastening I'm not aware of any movement when running (which given that im an E is amazing) other than my loll oping stomach, don't think they do bras for that though.
Managed first 20 mins last night (albeit with lots of downhill) v pleased.
Seriously impressed that others have got so far in the prescribed weeks I am on week 6 now but started in the snow. Nevertheless given my shocking fitness level at the start i am still happy with the rate of progress.

[DramaAlpaca]

Did W5R2 this morning before it got too hot. Really happy to have managed 2x8 minutes.

The really good thing was that I pretty much had the old inner chimp under control today. He had a little go at me at six minutes into the first run, but as I only had two minutes to go it was fairly easy to put him back into his box. He had another little niggle halfway through the second run, but once I slowed down he disappeared altogether. I think I might actually be winning this mental battle! It has really helped me to know that others have the same thing going on.

(Anyone who doesn't know about the inner chimp, see my posts towards the end of the previous thread!) or I can repost them here later.

Actually looking forward to W5R3 now. Didn't think I would ever be saying that!

[hairtwiddler]

Back from a 32minute run. Those chimps were behind me all the way! Paid no attention to any feelings of needing to stop, although I did stop very briefly twice for a stretch as I have an ongoing problem with stiff calves. I just kept steady tonight but was pleased with my plodding up a very long gradual hill and I had a big sprint at the end. I covered 4.3km and was overtaken quite a few times!

Mainly I think I kept going because I was so completely absorbed in my audio book. It's the new Neil Gaiman and it's very creepy.

I'll report back from the race for life on Sunday. The forecast is for cooler and a bit cloudy so much as I am enjoying these amazing summer evenings (not a fan of the hot daytime so much), I'll be glad if it's not 30degrees and full sun.

[bisley]

I like the chimps . I liked that Laura warns you that it's becoming more mental at these stages in the podcast. At one point in the first week 5 run I did realise I was obsessing about when I could stop and looking longingly at the benches I was passing, so it was good to have that prompt to stop thinking like that, and it did start feeling a lot easier.

Audiobooks sound a good idea. What's the latest Neil Gaiman? I caught the Neverwhere serialisation on radio 4 when it was on and loved it. Something to keep in mind for when I'm done with the podcasts.

Moving on to week 6 tomorrow morning :)

[hairtwiddler]

It's called "the ocean at the end of the lane". I got a free audible trial but probably won't subscribe long term. Back to podcasts after this and may borrow some audio books from the library. Wish I'd caught neverland. Missed it...

[jussey17]

Does anyone know of an app for measuring running routes at home not the ones where you carry the device with you, as i was amazed by hairtwiddlers accuracy and length of run.
Not quite sure how you guys can listen to books over yr breathing.

[hairtwiddler]

I use runkeeper jussey. There's an app i carry with me on my phone but you can also mark out your run on google maps when you get back. I really like it... it told me tonight by average speed has gone up from 7.5 to 8.2kmph in the last few weeks, so I feel I'm getting a wee bit better!

I'm actually not that breathless when I run. I have a good set of lungs for various reasons, I sing in a choir which helps, and my job previously involved working with people to improve breathing etc. I suffer from really tired legs though, and sometimes feel I just can't go any further.

[nextphase]

Evening Ladies,
Sounds like your all doing really well.

My chimp needs a stronger cage tho. w7r3 tonight, and although I went out fine, coming back was hard going, and the chimp got me walking to the next lamp post before picking up speed again.
So, what do I do on Sunday? w7 again, or move on to w8?
Suspect it was either the fact that I had salad for lunch, and hadn't had tea before running (normally eat with kids at 5, run 8, but ran before eating tonight), or because I did aerobics wed, and swam last night, and my body just needs a rest! Any thoughts?

Hair all the best for Sun. I'm about 40miles S of Newcastle, and its definitely cooling here.

[nextphase]

jussy I use mapmyrun.com

[hairtwiddler]

Nextphase I'm not sure. Week 7 is 25 mins right, and 28 mins in week 8? I only repeated once, after a disaster in week six. Try to move on and ignore that chimp I say!

[DramaAlpaca]

nextphase well done on fighting that chimp!

If you are sure you were running on less fuel than you needed for your run, you should probably move on to W8 & see how you go.

I'm a bit behind you (W5R3 next) but I know I get much more tired if I run on an empty stomach.

I like the idea of running to audiobooks. Might try it later on. At the moment I find it helps to keep going if I listen to music with a really strong beat.

[CeliaLytton]

jussey which brand do you use? Or can I get any shock absorber bra? Am scared of what running will do to my enormous boobs

W1r2 completed and feel proud of myself but my hips are really sore and uncomfortable, is that normal? Am quite overweight so they are having to work hard... Having to run in the evening as too hot otherwise and is really the last thing I want to do when kids have gone to bed and I finally get a bit of peace! When does going out for a run become more enticing than sitting on the sofa with a glass of wine?

[DramaAlpaca]

Celia I'm an F cup & have a Freya Active sports bra which holds everything down nicely so they don't budge at all when I run.

I used to get sore hips when I first started, but it has eased off over the weeks. I found using a shorter stride helped, in other words slowing down to a slow jog. Also stretching really well afterwards, and leaving two days between runs to allow my body to recover. I'm also overweight, but working on it!

You could always use the glass of wine as a lovely reward for yourself after your run. I do!

Well done for getting started

[hairtwiddler]

I wear a Royce sports bra with a bravissimo one on top! I am an H cup though!

[Slubberdelatrinae]

Morning everyone. Really enjoying reading everyone's progress particularly those who are much further along that me. It's very motivating seeing other folk's progress.

Just back from w2r1 in my new snazzy running shoes. Yes it does make a big difference wearing something appropriate on your feet. The lady in the running shop yesterday did a visible recoil when I told her I was running n my walking sandals
Talking of which I'm going to name check where I got my gait analysis and shoes from yesterday. When I get fabulous customer service I like to rave about it. So a big thank you to the Chester Triactive Shop, not only did I come out with some great new shoes and special double layer socks but I came out really motivated to keep at it. Not only did you sell me on the shoes, you sold me on running too.

And now more tea I think.

[LauraPashley]

Morning all please can I join?

Just did W1R3 last night, legs feel fine, but my fitness level is SO poor I feel out of puff at the end of the warm up!!

celia I also have to run after the kids are in bed - it is not the best is it?!! Tired, hot, other things to do, sofa to sit on....! My kids are very early risers too, so getting up before them is nigh on impossible!

Great news re getting new trainers, I must do that too! What brand did they recommend?

[Slubberdelatrinae]

Hi Laura, my new shoez are Saucony never heard if them but tbh I am so so glad I listened to the advice on this thread and went for a proper gait analysis and fitting. For a start I would have bought the wrong size as I needed to go up a size from my usual for spreading and other things wot happen to your feet when you run was trying to listen but was distracted by the treadmill.
The best bit about it, apart from having my toes felt like I was having school shoes measured in Clarks [reminiscence emoticon] was running with the three different reccommended pairs for my gait pattern and then running with one shoe from one pair and another shoe from another, a real compare and contrast.
If this whole running lark goes tits up at least I have a really well fitting and comfortable pair of trainers now for walking/exercise classes etc.

[Bakingnovice]

Thank you for the new thread cinnamon. So lovely to see new people and tracking old faces. Next phase maybe a rest day or two would help? Dingle well done!

I've got sore heels, I hope it's not plantar faciitis. I had two rest days this week and am doing w7r1 today and hope its not painful. I've got small hell inserts to put in my trainers. Any other suggestions?

[jussey17]

Thanks for the multimap advice nextphase and hairtwiddlers
celia I have a shock absorber run sports bra.

[Bakingtins]

I have a shockabsorber bra too and it works well not that I am anywhere near an F
Slubber I like the idea of bigging up good shops so here's a cheer for Up and Running in Bristol

[nextphase]

another thumbs up for up and running - this time up north.

[5madthings]

I have the shock absorber run bra its fab :)

Quick question i haven't been running properly for about six weeks, I was running 8-10m three times a week until then and have still been wakmg over seven miles a day pushing toddler and at speed chasing after five yr old on scooter! How much should I expect my fitness to have deteriorated? Do I go back to the couch to 5k program or just try a 5k run and then build up from there?

[scarecrow22]

Hello from the equally hot and humid France. Been off line nearly two weeks, with camper van and in a gite in Alps watching Tour de France. Bit too hot to relax with small baby but otherwise glorious. Best of all have had four amazing runs, all of week 3 and w4r1 yesterday. Was still in Alps and about a mile high in alt but managed to find a doable route by doubling back and forth a bit. I remember now how often I have some of my most magical moments on runs on holiday: I was running through an alpine meadow and semi forested track, snow capped peaks all around, and as I got to my turning point at highest point on track, stood on the rocks and turned to face the rising sun and took a deep light-filled breath. W3r2 I was in forest in the valley bottom, and a boy from one of the farms near our campsite ran beside me for the second half and then walked back with me chatting. He was only 12 but so assured and fit!

Also highly recommend good bra fitting - am a bf j/k cup and run v comfortably.

Well done to everyone getting out in that heat wave.

[Dingle]

WEll done ladies! You are inspirational, thank you.

W7R1 - I am still struggling and feeling rather low about running. For the first time, I feel a bit bored now I am running for 25 mins! Perhaps now is the time I need to sort out my own music - up until now I have just gone along with the podcast music but running on the TM may be becoming a bit tedious!

I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself, it's been a hard week emotionally. Said goodbye to all the little children at work who are about to start school, then yesterday went to my disabled DD's leavers assembly -OMG, so so heart wrenching. My IBS is all over the place, I haven't been to poo for days and put on 1lb!!!

On the plus side, I did manage to cover 3 miles again, BUT I need to keep motivated!