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

Wow Dingle, I'm nowhere near 3 miles and have finished week 7.

Your week does sound emotional. I'm finding running helping with that sort of thing...mostly! I've mentally written job applications and prepared for interviews on my runs. It really is the only thinking time I get, with small children!

Welcome IBlameThePenguins, Barbie1 and CambridgeBlue! I recommended taking the runnin parts slowly and not worrying what people think when they see you. Trust the programme as it works for so many people. I used the nhs podcasts but once running was more solid used run keeper and my own music. I know us endomondo and mapmyrun apps for distance and speed.

You did it and that's a good distance Dingle, I'm sure the next run will be better :)

I struggle with a cold SarahWithAFringeOnTop, always get stitches. If you feel you can walk then go with that in mind but I'd give running a go and perhaps run walk it if you find it too tricky?

What ever time you run in the winter it will be dark unless you have Childcare and you're not working bisley so mornings will still be fine, you may just have to adjust your route.

Move on to wk8 nextphase and make sure you've eaten before you go :)

If any part of me aches after I run its usually my hips CeliaLytton! I think they work quite hard throwing your legs forward!

Welcome LauraPashley, my first proper running shoes were Saucony too but I now have a pair of Nike. I went and had my gait analysed and could have had a second pair of saucony as he said they were working well for me but the Nike ones were in the sale I just couldn't justify the extra £35 as both felt good.

I reckon you'd be ok to do a 5k 5madthings, just take it steady!

I went out with my friend Friday morning at 6 and did 4.5miles. I then ran to parkrun and back as well as doing it so another 4 miles. I didn't wake up until 8.15 and as I was running towards the start they started so I'm pleased with my time of 28m27! Missing my longer Saturday morning runs, hoping to try and do 6miles tomorrow morning but with family/work/volunteer commitments I find it so hard to fit in!

Hi, im hopefully going to be cleared for exercise this week by my GP after DC #2 ans have a couple of questions of anyone knows the answer,

• has anyone started C25K after a CS and how soon after?

• if you run after your evening meal how long do you leave it to avoid feeling sick?

Many thanks

No ideas about c-section. I think the Dr clearing you post (6 week?) birth, you should be fine to start - why not ask the GP?

I won't run less than 2 hrs after eating a full meal. I try to leave it 2.5 hrs.
A small snack (e.g. half a piece of fruit, or some fruit juice) - I try to leave 30 mins, but not always, and dont actually think thats necessary.

well I am very pleased! Been stuck on w5 r1 for two weeks - a bit scared of the whole 8 minutes idea - and the heat was a bit... So tonight decided to bite the bullet and did it!!! In fact I did 9 minutes as felt ok after a 4 minute walk. Very very chuffed. 2 month ago I nearly passed out after a minute

Good for you Tracey! It's a great feeling isn't it? Amazing how much progress you can make in such a short time.

We are at the same stage -W5R3 for me tomorrow or Monday...

RedWelly, I started this after DC2 as well, and also had a CS (ELCS). I started at c 9 weeks: the first week I would say I could "feel" the wound inside after my runs, but was not in pain or even discomfort. Around week 2 that went too. I should say on plus side I ran quite a bit before DC, but I am also 42 so things don't repair so quickly!

I noted in my catch up earlier a debate in last week or so about whether we should run in 40s and risk of prolapse. I should tell you that the woman who runs my local buggy fit class insists you should never run within 6mo of giving birth. I have chosen to ignore her for now, but it is worth asking advice professionally.

Good luck!

Well DS, DD and I cycled to the parkrun this morning, did the run, had a chat with other runners and then cycled home. My time was terrible - 37mins. I ran with DD who was on go slow today... we stopped to restyle her hair, look at the rabbits in the park (and the deer), look at flowers, watch a duck land on one of the ponds etc.etc. For the first time since my knee started playing up, I was a bit frustrated and wanted to go faster. But then she was so happy at the end and I let the frustration pass - she won't be running with DS and I when we get to those rainy, windy and snowy runs.

eeek! may do r2 a couple more times!!
oo-er never heard of a prolapse risk before...I'm 49 and had my last dc at 41. I'm apparently v healthy - had one of those 'health checks' a few weeks back so hopefully nothing will 'fall out'

Well done EeTraceyluv!

Congrats on your dc redwellybluewelly! I would ask your gp when you have your appointment what they recommend or have a look on the nhs website about c25k, they have tips which may include something about cs. I run quite soon after eating and I'm fine as long as I don't run more than 30mins.

X-post pennygallops! A mum I know from school ran with her 6 year old ds this morning and he did a sub 30min parkrun. I passed them and he was crying and whining about his legs aching :(. She's quite competitive and I think she wanted a good time for herself and couldn't leave him behind so dragged him along. It's quite an achievement for him but he was sitting crying for at least 10mins after he finished. Hope it doesn't put him off in the future. We also had a 4 year old who cycled with his dad and finished under 30mins too!

can you explain the inner chimp please drama??

Finished week 4 and quite apprehensive about wk 5, especially run 3.

I'm considering buying a treadmill ( who said running was a cheap hobby?) as there's a 2nd hand one locally - it's an everlast one and they want £100. Are they any good and is that a good price?

Do any of you do the NHS strength and flex podcasts? Or other suggestions for something on non-run days, pref something I can do at home without asking for further babysitting duties from DH.

I don't think I showed my frustration to DD but I did spend some of my time running backwards and side stepping. We also tried a crazy horse gallop at one point. Quite humid here today and she's not keen on getting overly sweaty (quite a girly girl). I know she could go faster but she wouldn't enjoy it - my long term goal for my children is not Olympic athletes but a life long interest in keeping fit and active.

I hadn't heard of a prolapse risk (I'm 41), think I might read more about it. Since I started running (nearly a year a go), I've found my bladder control and IBS much, much better - sorry if that's too much info.

Bakingtins I looked at the strength and flex podcasts, but never managed to get into a steady routine with them. Might try again. I try to swim once a week and I like to cycle.

No problem Tracey!

This is a very general summing up, which I hope I have got right. I originally heard about it in a TV documentary about the success of British cycling's Team Sky, and I have now found out who coined the term "taming your inner chimp" so I can credit him properly.

Your "inner chimp" is a term that a sports psychiatrist called Dr Steve Peters has thought up to describe that nagging voice inside your head that insists you are tired & have had enough and that you need to give up on your run (or whatever athletic activity you are doing) even though you are actually physically fine and your body is able to cope perfectly well with the run.

He suggests that if you focus on mentally getting rid of the inner chimp by putting him into a box & closing the lid, you can concentrate on performing better physically because you have got rid of the mental obstacles that are preventing you from performing at your peak.

Dr Peters is credited with improving the performances of many elite athletes by using his mind model called The Chimp Paradox to help them to understand how they can use their minds to maximise sports performance.

It seems an awful lot of us on here have inner chimps, ranging in size from small monkeys to enormous gorillas!

Scarecrow your holiday run sounds amazing. I'm going away in a few months and for the first time in my life I plan to run along the beach.

So I did w7r1 today. 25 mins. As usual I started full of doubt that I would even last 5 mins. The gel heel inserts really helped and I really enjoyed my run. I think the coler weather helped. Was in a mad rush so cut my cool down down by a few minutes and am feeling it now. Very stiff legs. Does anyone stretch hours after the run? Is this safe? Going for another 2 day break now as I'm terrified of getting injured.

Oh, and I can finally say with confidence - I really think the programme works!

Glad you had a good run bakingnovice and I think the program is fantastic! Can you tell me a little more about the gel pads please, they sound interesting?

I have a naughty chimp - he tells me I need to stop and go an buy a packet of cigarettes! I've stopped smoking now and really do feel he difference - so I will certainly have a word with him and tell him to sod off Thanks for that, it's a brilliant analogy

Well I completed the programme yesterday with a good run after 2 'bad/tough' runs. Yay! Feel really good and have inspired DH to do it too he's just completed week 1.

However, now my heel hurts and seems to a spread upwards towards my ankle today . Any suggestions to what I can do. Seems such a shame that I've come this far then I can't run due to injury.

Marking place! I've been awol for a few weeks :( I am going to have to start again once I get my foot sorted out. Have had xray and have scan on 31st. Walked parkrun last week and this as gp has banned me from running. Planning on walking my 50th next week and then volunteering for as long as it takes to sort :( Did turn back and wait for a friend who has had a break and encourage her round and dh ran off at that point which was good as he hasn't done much running recently. I'm going to try and make lots of small gingerbread men for next week...

Waves to all the new starters. You won't regret!

Xpost babysocks! Well done for completing!
See your gp sooner rather than wait months like I did... Hope it feels better soon. Have you tried rest ice compression elevation?

Baby socks I have similar pain. I think it might be related to plantar faciitis. Like you I'm gutted that now I can run I might get injured! It's not fair. I bought gel heel inserts from amazon and they really help.

I was strangely unmotivated this morning and didn't want to get up for a run. I went at about 8.30 though and felt much better after it.

W8R1. 28 minutes with no breaks. I managed it better than the 25 minute ones really. My distance is still rubbish. Only 2.5 miles and the dog is still only walking next to me!

Much cooler here today, so much nicer for running. DH couldn't be bothered this morning so he has a 6 mile to do this evening.

I'm back
I joined the last thread but due to some rubbishy things happening in rl I stopped for a month.

so I'm back to the beginning and this morning was w1r1 for me. despite having to also push my rather large 2yr old ds it wasn't too bad. Looking forward to getting out again on Tuesday.

Did W5R3 yesterday! I still can't believe that I ran non stop for 20 mins It's been a lot cooler here this weekend and that has certainly helped, going for W6R1 in the morning so hoping that its equally as cool.