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?

Workate - are you starting week 5 now then?

Workate - I think a few of us have noticed the first bit of running each session is tougher than once we've warmed into it and found our rhythm. My DH who has run for years says the same. I keep that thought firmly in my head as I start out!

Well done for persevering Shotgun!

Lurking - what made your knee flare up in the first place do you know? Did you twist it or similar or was it just the running? Just thinking of how you could avoid it next time once all the treatment has done its job...

Don't write yourself off as a runner Ilove! You're doing great to have got so far! I found week 3 tough at times but I plan to push on with the plan until I am actually unable to complete a session and then repeat a session or two. If I trusted my feelings of what I felt capable of I'd have given up at week one so I'm just trusting the programme.

I was dreading week 4, it seemed a big jump from the requirements of week 3 but once I'd geared up mentally for a long slog the running parts actually ended quicker than I expected. Also I think I did kind of get into a rhythm on the longer runs. Still can't imagine doing a 20 minute run by the end of next week though!

(waves to Tinwe who is keeping us all trotting along!). I'd second what Tinwe says about week four - it wasn't as bad as I imagined, and I'm interested to see that feeling better in the final run after feeling heavy and sluggish in the first is entirely normal. Sorry to give you a fright. No, I'll not be finishing week 5 any time soon! In theory I should be on week five next week, but I know it is going to be a write-off because I'll not have the chance / location to run. It would be lovely to have done that 20 minute run by the end of the month, but it isn't going to happen. Hopefully sometime in the week ending Sept 7th maybe? You might be able to tell me what it is like
I've just eaten the most massive slice of cake. Now that's hardly going to help, is it? My legs will not be thanking me for my indulgence tomorrow. I do annoy myself sometimes

Well I did W2R2 and it wasn't too bad. I did try and run a bit slower and then walk a bit faster to compensate which I'm sure helped, but it wasn't actually that much slower - my overall pace was quicker than my last run! So maybe this does work and my stamina really is increasing - who'd have thought that would happen?!

And nobody remind me of that over-confidence when I step up to W3 on Monday and then die in the process...

I'm due to move on to week 3 so just had a little look at what the next few weeks have got in store and I am a bit scared!!!! I don't see myself being able to run for 5 mins without stopping anytime soon, let alone 20 mins! .

Had a dreadful W2R2 - everything just hurt from start to finish. Wasn't too puffed, but knees and hips and legs all hurt and ached. Not fun. Next run at crack of dawn tomorrow as have to be out early for the day. Fingers crossed that running with the dawn chorus will mean fresh legs

Strangely oscarwilde the 'easiest' and most enjoyable run I've had so far was done after we'd had a totally exhausting day out with the DCs and walked miles - I think warming up is the key to not aching etc, and being active all day meant I was fully warmed up IYSWIM.

Well done to all ploughing through the runs

I had a tough one today. At the end of the 3rd of 4 runs I was really close to stopping and then the voice over told me I only had X seconds left so I held out... I've only got 1 more week 4 run then onto week 5 though

Thinking about it, I had extended my run to allow for the extra distance of this week (last run I had to do a few laps of the local playground to pass time before I arrived home) and I ended up on an undulating road where my usual route is quite flat. Also, I'm def TOTM (when I feel rough and find exercise harder too for some reason) so I'm trying not to feel too worried about it.

Sympathy Oscar - did you stretch well too?

Wave to Workate

Workate - doing anything nice this week to mean you can't run? We're off on holiday tomorrow but I plan to try to run while away. Wish me luck!

PS was your cake nice?

I'm having to reluctantly step back for a week or two - I haven't managed to go out for a run since Sunday, (which was W2R2) because DH has just become very busy - harvest time - meaning that I don't get the time free to go out running. I'm hoping that when term starts I'll brave going out during the day.

oscarwilde When I used to run regularly (but I'm talking turn of the century here, yikes!) I found that running first thing, before breakfast, was much harder for me than running in the evening. Not so much fresh legs as unfuelled legs! I don't mean to put a downer on your early morning run, but equally didn't want you to feel deflated if W2R3 is hard to get through. I found W2R2 hard and haven't been out since!

Tinwe - I hope you have a lovely time

W2R3 done - went on the roads this time instead of the playing fields because it was too wet underfoot and actually preferred it even though it meant seeing more people. I think it's something about feeling like I'm heading home once I get partway through!

Still can't slow down though, I don't know what it is but I just keep going too fast. I'm hoping that moving up to W3 will force it slightly. On the plus side it's probably quite good for me - but I just can't see myself keeping it up for 3 minutes next week, let alone 20!

Hi everyone

I am still following this thread even though I haven't been out running for a couple of weeks now . What is really worrying me is that I am still motivated now and gagging to get out there, but how much longer can that last before not running just becomes the norm and I sink straight back into my sedentary ways. I am a bit scared about that happening. Hope you will all be sending me messages of the JFDI variety.

Going for my third deep-tissue massage tomorrow morning. My knee is better in so much as if I'm sitting around at home it feels fine and I don't need painkillers any more. As soon as I go out and walk for more then 10 mins, though, it starts to give me trouble again. If I don't have a big improvement after tomorrow, I'm going to make an appointment for an acupuncture session.

£135 so far, these massages will have cost me, and I'm still not fixed. Oh and the £15 for an ice pack thing to wrap round my knee. Feeling quite fed up about it all. If When I get out there again, I fear I'll have to start a new thread as I might have to go back to the beginning and do W1 all over again while you healthy lot will be on W7.

So glad things are going well for the rest of you . Well done to you all. I'm interested in the morning vs evening debate and wondering if going out first thing was not good for me in terms of not being properly warmed up. Hmmm.

Hey ladies I thought I'd join I'm on week five now. Really really enjoying it and finding I'm excited about the extra minute each week!! (How sad!!!) never thought I could feel like this about running!! Really hoping the enthusiasm stays!! How you all getting on? Anyone else in week 5? I've gone through them a bit quick so not actually been running for 5 weeks but already did exercise so finding I'm running more than 3 times a week and moving though the programme quicker as feel ready. Anyone else? Is that okay to do?? Many thanks and good luck!!

Finding this thread really motivating! I've just completed the wk 5 runs and can't believe I managed to run 20 mins without walking, and it was honestly fine, so just wanted to encourage others. I was dreading this week as sounded such a step up from previous week, but each run's been fine, so the programme really does seem to build stamina. Once I'd done the first 5 or 6 mins today I got into a rhythm and it didn't get any harder. Next I need to increase my speed!

Hello all! On my lovely holidays now but there's no official Internet here and very little reception so I've been dying to find out how everyone is doing. I'm sat on a wall in a field near the flat now to be able to connect! Sorry to hear the usual crowd are struggling with injuries and time issues but great to hear from the new (but more advanced) posters. I don't feel so bad about having skipped ahead a bit now.

I finished week 4 yesterday but found it very hard and not a 'proper run' as I don't know routes around the grounds and kept ending up on dead ends, going up hill (much to my horror) or having to tiptoe over ornamental bridges etc. Undeterred I decided to go straight into week 5 today (without the recommended break so against advice), using the gym treadmill here. It was a breeze! I can recommend a conversion to treadmill for all those struggling to keep going, for some reason it really takes the stress out if it! I'll hopefully complete week 5 while I'm away but I have no doubt moving back to "real" running when I get back will be tough

Tinwe, I can't believe you're keeping it up on holiday - that's dedication!

Completed W3R1 today and definitely felt the step up - the last run was a killer. Plus every time I change level I can never estimate my distance right so ended up with a route that was far too long so had a reasonable walk home. I'm almost okay with people seeing my running now, but it's still quite embarrassing when you're on a walk bit, bright red and gasping for breath - anyone seeing me then must think I'm really unfit to get that exhausted when I'm just walking!

Still not sure about how much the programme steps up next week but hopefully a week of 3 minute runs will get me in practice. And then we'll see!

Joining the mad people (tinwe!) checking in on holiday! Staying in an isolated spot up a farmtrack / hill and no running to be had but I woke up before the kids today and did a bit of running on the spot to try to keep the legs moving well done tinwe and the others on week 5 and good luck to those still aching. Planning to get back to it properly at the weekend.

My knee is better. Achilles tendon also nearly fixed. More or less.

Have one more deep tissue massage next week, have bought support bandage for knee, heel raise thingy for my Achilles tendon and I have my ice pack bandage (this is costing me a freaking fortune and I haven't actually run for two weeks).

Am scared to go back out in case I knacker everything again and end up back at square one. Any tips?

Hi Lurking- glad to hear you're feeling almost better. My ideas for getting back active again would be:

• Check you have the right gear, doesn't have to be expensive (my favourite outfit is from Aldi ATM) but you need decent trainers
• Make sure you warm up thoroughly
• Do thorough stretches after warm up before running and after cool down before stopping
• Start with a few brisk walks so that you build up to complete half an hour with bits at at almost jogging pace
• Use a treadmill to start off, I've recently learned they are much easier than outside running

Let us know how you get on and good luck!

Workate- well done for being so motivated as to run on the spot! I wouldn't have thought of that

Hope you're having a great holiday, ours is hard work with a 27 month old and a 15 month old in an unfamiliar place so I need to let off stress somehow! Also DH is a runner and so that helps keep me motivated. I saw a pic he took of me yesterday on the beach (fully dressed) though and its made me feel like all this hard work is achieving nothing