Anyone fancy starting Couch to 5K on Monday 5th Aug?

[workatemylife]

I have not run for YEARS. In the last 18 months I have lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise (walking), and, it would appear, breastfeeding. But I'm back at work, LO isn't drinking me dry any more, my diet is not all that it could be, and the weight is sneaking back on. I don't have the opportunity for long buggy walks with a gurgling baby to toddler groups and playparks, but I do try to cycle to work to get a bit of exercise, although probably not enough. A couple of friends do Park Run eack weekend and I'd love to join them, but at the moment I suspect it would be Park Huff and Puff before Collapsing rather than actually a RUN .

I'm planning to start a C25K plan on Monday next week, and would love some (virtual) run buddies until I feel brave / fit enough to run with real people as well. I've seen some positive comments about the plan on here, although I think I'm still a little about whether it is possible to progress like that through the weeks and actually get as far as a 5K. Still nothing ventured nothing gained.

I have running shoes somewhere at the back of the wardrobe, but might need to invest in some suitable clothing, and have a weekend of overindulgence lined up. So Monday is the day I think. First Monday of the month, and counting. I'll put a big ring around a late Sept Park Run on the calendar and start counting.....

Anyone care to join me?

By the way everyone- did you know Aldi are selling women's running gear at the mo? It's got black and pink on for the person who said they really like pink kit

Hey tinwe, sadly run twin no longer as I couldn't get out yesterday (was gutted as it was my first missed run) but went out this morning, for w3r2, was ok though I can't help feeling like ilove, that w4 seems quite a step up but I'm going to go with the programme and do it anyway I think, hopefully w3r3 will go ok...

Also, whoever pointed out upthread to remember there are less repetitions (ie from 8 runs in w1 to 6 in w2 and then 4 in w3) was an absolute lifesaver!

Oh and hope you recover quickly lurking and the massage helps a bit - how frustrating for you

No probs Dotty, I'm W3R2 now although will be doing R3 tomorrow. Pleased the reducing cycle info was helpful, made a big difference to me

Thanks, all, for your kind messages! My knee is so sore today that I can't even leave the house to go to the supermarket every cloud has a silver lining Am downing anti-inflammatories but can only take 3 of these super-strength ones a day. Hoping for a miracle cure on Monday ...

Good luck with your weekend runs, everyone. I will be cheering you on from the sofa

Poor you Lurking! You sound like you really need medical advice :(

I find it so hard to keep up with you all! I've done W2R3 and am feeling good about next week. The count to 4 breathing tip this week seems to have made it easier for me. Todays run was slightly adapted to fit into Parkrun, so did my warm up before it started and had to push on longer after the podcast finished. Whoever said they didn't want to find it only took them half way round, that's exactly what happened. I went last week but forgot my headphones so just did my own thing, but today I was almost at the halfway line but pushed on. The second lap at mine is easier because its shorter and I know I don't need to do it again! Going to have a long soak in the bath and get ready for Monday. (I can't actually believe I'm enjoying this so much)
Hope you start to feel better soon lurking, hope your massage does something to help get you aback out there.

I did week 2 run 1 today and found that it was better than week 1 thanks to the reduced number of repetitions. I am hating the NHS music though, but I don't think I can get anything else on an ipod as everything else seems to be an app, is that right?? If anyone knows if there is an alternative podcast with better music then let me know... I wish I had an iPhone now so I could get an app.

Have a search through the Podcasts, I think there was another type of podcast for C25k but I can't vouch for their music since I didn't download it. I know what you mean though, I'd much rather have my own music, but it'll just be a perk of completing the programme.

Sorry emsjy, don't know anything about Podcasts. I hated the NHS music too, found it didn't help my energy at all so I switched to an app on my iphone. If you don't find a better podcast do you have access to an android phone as they have good apps too I believe...

HAS ANYONE ELSE LOOKED AS FAR AS WEEK 5?! Just about to start week 4 on my next run so I had a look ahead. The runs increase each time (not over a week like so far) and you go from 5 minute runs to 20 mins by the end. So if all goes to plan I'll be running for 20 mins on 1st September... Hmmmm, can't see that happening!

Ah, thanks FourGates, I hadn't thought of acupuncture. That's a really good tip. If tomorrow's massage doesn't help I'll get an acupuncture session booked in. Or perhaps I'll do both.

Longing to be back out there! Who'd have thunk I'd actually be missing the running at this early stage

Hiya, I'm going to take a break from the C25k running because I think I'm trying to do it too soon after a CS. What I am going to do however is get 30 minutes of walking in every day for a few weeks until I've seen our NHS womens physio and had sone some advice.

Wishing everyone the very best of luck!

Sorry to hear that Red but a wise idea I think. Better to heal first than rush and injure yourself more. CS are major abdominal surgery after all. Long brisk walks are a great starting point when/if you do decide to start again too.

Just completed W2R2 and again found it quite tough at the start, but it got easier as I got further through the repetitions although part of my course is uphill, so that might have something to do with it!

I tried to concentrate on the mid foot landing again and it still feels strange, but I didn't ache after R1 and I did wonder whether it was the change of running gait and doing the stretches that were recommended in one of Tinwe's links that helped (I didn't do any stretches after the runs un W1).

Thanks for the Aldi info Tinwe, I'm going there on Wednesday and may well treat myself to some new kit, I think!

I'll aim to do W2R3 on Tuesday evening, or failing that sometime during the day on Wednesday, but I really prefer to go out ont he edge of dark to make it less likely to meet anyone!

Sorry your knee is giving you so much grief Lurking, and that you can get sorted and ease yourself gently back into exercise before too long.

And Redwelly, I think you're absolutely right to go down a gear while you recover fully from your cs, as the pulling is probably your body's way of telling you you're doing too much. Hopefully I'll still be here for another 7 weeks at least, so may see you back again?

Tinwe, I saw that and I'm a bit scared of week 5. I'm thinking if I have to repeat any it's going to be that one!
Redwelly, good luck for your future C25k once your fully recovered. Walking is great, I lost a stone over a summer a few years ago just walking 30mins to work then the same in the evening 5 days a week.

Rosina - I find the first bit of running each time hardest too and DH says that's well known (he's run a long time). Something about your body adjusting to the exercise?

Sorry everyone- just realised how negative my post re week 5 was... Must trust in the programme ... trust in the programme

Haha not to worry tinwe - pretty sure you're just echoing what we're all thinking! But yes, I'm def going to try and 'trust the programme'...

W3r3 done, on hols so running somewhere new, bit of a rubbish route today so need to look at a map for a better route on weds.

Hope all ok - and lurking that you're doing ok, red another one who thinks that sounds sensible, take it easy and take care of yourself. rosina hills are grim aren't they! Although at the moment any slight gradient counts as a hill to me!! emsyj did you find another podcast?

Keep going everyone

I haven't been out for the last week because my foot has been really uncomfortable when I run. It feels like it rolls and then my ankle gets really sore. Going to go to a running shop this morning and see if I can get a gait analysis done and get new trainers with better support. Only problem is I'm literally terrified because I can't run for very long and I'm worried they will laugh at me! My new sports bra is a bit tight around the back so I have serious back fat issues too. Not feeling confident at all right now. Want to crawl back into bed and hide!!!

what a shame that we seem to be losing a few people to injuries at the moment. But I'm sure it is absolutely the right thing to do. welly you need time to get over a CS, and those folk who are nursing other aches and pains need to take it easy too. I think I can just about buy into the trust the programme sentiments, but if I was finding it that painful to run (my only excuse is that it is a struggle to haul my unfit backside round the park. Nothing actually hurts apart from my pride). I'm horribly impatient about most things, including this, and while I'm sure that the 'no pain no gain' mentality has its place, there are some things that must just need some rest to get better.

We're all over the place on this thread and running on different days and different 'weeks' of the plan. It will be lovely to see the first people graduate but knowing that it won't be the same day for everyone makes it easier to slot back into the schedule after illness, injury, holiday etc. I doubt that I'll make it through week five in one week - it looks like a major jump up, and I'm on holiday for part of it - but I'm trying to be positive about taking longer. Week 5 does look like a major physical and mental hurdle - but I see there's another 'graduation' announcement on the board, so someone else has managed it. Woohooo.

Good luck to everyone and well done if you made it round the Parkrun course this weekend. Wow!

Still here but being rubbish. Only starting week 3 tonight and it must be week 4 now :( Life getting in the way. Blasted app seems to have cancelled week 2 so have to figure out whether to repeat it or make the big jump up...
On the upside, I have an invite from a friend to go to a gym class with her so fingers crossed this will be a good week and I can enjoy the BH weekend

Ah, yes, well, when I say uphill what I actually mean is a very slight upward incline! More a figure of speech than an accurate description of my running terrain IYKWIM Dotty. It just makes me feel better to think that I have a reason for why a 90 second jog feels like such hard work. Of course if it was completely flat, I'd be like a gazelle!

I agree Workate, it's really sad that we have comrades dropping like flies with injuries ATM as we run towards our joint goal - feels quite battlefieldish! :( Quite right to rest when needed though, especially if improving fitness in the long term is your actual goal!

I'm very surprised that I've not become injured yet and a bit embarrassed that my body isn't as delicate as I'd thought and so done no exercise Still think I'm best made for comfort not speed but can't use that old chestnut anymore as I drag my chunky body out on my wobbly trot every other day.