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?

Well sone slev! I think that first 20 minute run is a real mental and physical landmark. I remember feeling like I was walking on air afterwards - enjoy your 'I can really do this' moment and very definitely in order.

lurking that sounds okay all things considered. You got home, you were still breathing, and you kept running. What an expedition though!

tinwe your poor ankle. I second / third the advice from the others to slap something cold on it. Hopefully things will calm down over the next few hours or so. I hope you're able to go out again tomorrow, but an extra day off wouldn't hurt if you're not properly recovered I imagine. Better that than making it worse? Bad time for an injury though, just when you were riding the crest of the wave. But still, isn't it great that you did the run, kept the speed, and made it home. Would that have happened two months ago? If running after eating makes you feel ill can you maybe have a snack in the afternoon at work (cracker / flapjack / banana or something) so that you're not starving hungry and eating something fast at home and then heading out straight away? I can't run on a totally empty stomach, but I did feel pretty poor the day that I ran in the afternoon when I'd been out for lunch. These things are hard to balance when no food is bad, food at the wrong time is bad, and too much food is bad as well. Not that I spend my day eating and munching at the desk. No no no

Well done Lurking! Nothing worse than not being able to get into your stride properly as you're having to keep turning round/changing direction. I bet your speed will increase when you've got a route planned and can just crack on. Good distance though anyway

Workate - you going out today? Good luck if so. I'm still undecided. Had no chance to rest or ice my foot yesterday as I had the babies all day, their first dentist visit (that was an experience for all of us), a gp apt for me and shopping to do. Stupid dentists doesn't have a car park and has steps up to the building and 2 internal flights to the dentist. Managing those with a pram and a screaming 2 year old under my arm did nothing for my ankle

Stairs are the most aggravating to my ankle but I went to Pilates too yesterday though and was able to do all the exercises so although it's still tender to touch and a bit achy at times I might be able to go out on it today as long as I'm super careful not to twist it again. I'll eat carefully in case I can. I know I shouldn't rush but it feels like one of those niggly things that could drag on...

Anyone know whether I'd be better to eat protein or carb rich stuff at lunch so that by teatime it's not heavy on my stomach but still gives me energy?

Good luck to all out today! I love reading your posts even if I can't go out myself note to self: must not develop running by proxy habit

tinwe, that sounds a fraught day to say the least ... poor babies (and poorer you)

Does it feel like your Achilles is causing the trouble or is it actually the ligaments around your ankle? Do try to ice it today a few times if you can to get the inflammation down and put a support on it when you go out, whether that's today or not.

Definitely protein at lunchtime, I'd say. That will fill you up just as much as carbs but you shouldn't be left with the I-have-a-ton-weight-in-my-stomach thing a few hours later.

I am trying to eat fewer carbs, or at least better ones - porridge every morning, lots of brown rice, low-GI seeded bread if I have bread at all, things like parsnip and carrot mash instead of potatoes with dinner. It's amazing how full I can get just by eating a bit of proper protein for lunch.

I'm not going out today but am obsessively poring over google maps trying to plan a route that is around 4K and has not the merest whiff of an incline in preparation for tomorrow's run. I note that on my app all the runs on W5 are a little bit different so tomrrow's is Run 6, Walk 1, Run 4, Walk 1, Run 6 and is a bit shorter. Bit scary only to have a minute to get my breath back in between runs, though.

Let us know how you get on today, tinwe. Hope your ankle improves and you get more of a chance to rest it.

Well done Slev and workate, wow! More "proper" runners.

Tinwe, sorry to hear about your ankle. Hopefully it's short lived and you'll be back out there very soon. I love how you are getting your running fix by reading this thread.

Lurking, am so impressed that you have just picked yourself up and got on after your injury and you sound like you are enjoying it to boot.

I have struggled to keep up with the runs these past couple of weeks, a combination of an non sleeping toddler, a school run to fit in and not being as keen to get out of bed at 6am now the mornings are darker. I'm just not enjoying it and so I'm struggling to motivate myself and keep finding excuses. So, for now I am going to bow out not so gracefully from the plan.

Keep up the good work! I will be checking back though, I want to make sure you lot make it to the end

tinwe what a week you're having. I hope your ankle is feeling a bit better, and good enough to let you have a gentle try at another run. I know it is hard, but stop if it hurts. Better to lose a day or so off the schedule than completely wreck your leg and be off for weeks.

lurking you're doing brilliantly. It is so harsh that you got injured early on but you're an inspiration in terms of dedication to the cause. I'm hoping that I don't injure myself now the end is in sight, but if it happens, I know where I'll be looking for a model of how to deal with it!

I went out this morning despite being tired and felt awful! Really heavy legged, and although the weather was not too bad - heavy rain had just stopped - it was quite muggy and humid. I felt like I was running through custard, and got a really bad stitch.

Time and distance are up the spout though. I used Mapmyrun, and looking back at the stats I can see why I felt so awful to start with - apparently I was running at 8 minute 30 seconds per mile pace. I then lapsed back to my usual 9 mins 40 sec or thereabouts. I'd be quite pleased with that if I actually believed it. But although the map that shows up on mapmyrun shows the circuits I was doing (a few times around the edge of playing field) but it also seems to show a lead in 'straight' which I know I didn't do - I set the app going, and very clearly ran in a circle after that. Plus I would seriously question the fast time to start with because I had reached a predictable landmark at 5 minutes so can't have been progressing particularly rapidly.

I'm worrying now that the times / distances generated by the app are inaccurate altogether, but there's no point in dwelling on it. I wonder if I might change my route next week and try out the local Park Run course. Not when the Park Run is actually on though (!!). I'm aiming for 5K in 30 minutes as the ultimate goal, even if I don't get there on the C25k plan, so perhaps the best way of measuring progress would be to run on a 5K course and see if I can keep pushing closer to the finish line with each run. Of course the Park Run course is in a park, which will have people in it. Running for three more minutes while attempting to look composed might be a challenge

ilove I didn't read your post when I sent my last one. We'll be really sorry to see you go. You probably haven't lost much momentum in the two weeks off (I had a week off on holiday and ate like a pig, but managed to pick up okay) so you might be able to get back on the plan. But I can sympathise with the problem of finding time. The darker mornings and evenings, the weather, and the start of the school term have left me a bit grumpy about the whole thing as well, and to be honest I'm not enjoying it yet. One day I'll enjoy the run rather than the end of the run perhaps, but it hasn't happened yet.
If you do decide to hit the pause button, do keep chivvying us along from the spectator section. Anything helps!

I love - I understand your difficulties with motivation, especially at this time of year. Hopefully you'll feel keen to start again next spring (if not sooner). I admit I have the big motivation of a wedding coming up next month plus DH who runs regularly.

Workate - I feel for you having a lousy run. When it's hard to motivate yourself anyway its even more of a kicker when it doesn't go according to plan. In fact, I think its more likely to not go according to plan when you set off with the wrong mindset anyway. When I came back off my last 2 runs unhappy, DH (who's been running for over 10 years) just said "well, that's how it is... You'll mainly have average runs, some will be great and some will be horrible". Probably very true but I wanted sympathy!

Don't worry about the app. It does sound like a glitch but the speeds and distances otherwise have seemed quite likely. I suppose GPS isn't always reliable but if you check your route and it looks correct then I'd assume its worked ok on that run. Trying the Park run sounds a good idea. Mine is too far away to use regularly. You won't be far off the 5k in 30 mins now though anyway will you? Your next few runs should build you up to that easily

I'm thinking I'll go out tonight as I hope it'll help me de-stress but I haven't prepared for it as hoped.

Lurking - thanks for your opinions ideas, especially regarding diet. I ate a protein rich snack (missed dinner unfortunately) about 4.30 and will run at 7.30ish. Hopefully that will be a big enough time gap.

The pain/discomfort (it's not really pain now) is on the inside of my ankle, under my ankle bone and running down to my instep. Shouldn't make my ankle unstable I don't think if I run on it, just might become sore again especially if I twist it again. I'm planning to try the run as usual but be prepared to stop if it hurts no using it as an excuse otherwise !

W7R3 done. Went out earlier than planned to avoid running in the dark, so was a bit soon after I'd eaten. Felt a bit nauseous but not like I'd actually BE sick and my foot/ankle was a bit tender, like running on a bruise but no so bad. Took it very slowly i thought but stats aren't terrible.

Stats:
Overall distance 5.15km.
Speed: 6.4 mins/km or 10.3 mins/mile
Running speed: about 6.1 mins/km or 9.8 mins/mile

Looking good tinwe! Nearly there now (6 more runs?!) and great that your ankle held up.
i guess we all have a bad day sometimes. I will chalk it up to experience . And delude myself that I was running so fast that even a NASA satellite couldn't keep track of me

Well just got back from w5r2 (I'm so far behind!) and it was fine, wasn't very quick (first 8 min interval 10.59/mile pace and second 8 min interval 10.45/mile) but I did it! My dd was 3 months old on Friday and I did want to have run the 20 minuter by then but nevermind, i'd never have been able to run for 8 mins without stopping 7 weeks ago!

ilove sorry to see you go, but if you're not enjoying it and with a busy life sometimes you've just got to find some other exercise you enjoy doing more.

lurking congrats on the 20 min run!! You've done fab esp with all the injuries you had at the start

tinwe you're an inspiration as ever, hope your foot keeps on recovering nicely.

workate I've had the dodgy GPS thing too, its a one off thjbg I think - was it cloudy with you? That seems to make it harder for my phone to get GPS signal and maybe to keep it? I'm no scientist mind so that may be bunkum!

I think (?) I'm the last one to attempt the 20 minute...any chance of some words of encouragement for slowcoach over here for my run on Monday! Your posts are all so motivating, for you all!

Oops sorry just read back through, big cheers for slev on the 20 minutes! lurking what week are you on, not sure if you've done the 20 minuter?sorry!

So many new messages - this is the thread that keeps on giving . I'm sure we're all posting much more than they are on the other C25K threads so I'm happy I decided to start this when I did, otherwise I wouldn't have had all this fantastic support.

Ilove - so sorry to see you go, but yep, sometimes life just conspires against us to ensure that we have not a minute of free time and not an ounce of spare energy. Hope you feel ready to pick it up again at some point. And, yes, in the meantime, do check back in and watch us heave our weary bodies over the finishing line

tinwe - great stuff! really pleased that your ankle wasn't too painful. I am laughing at the fact that once again your "very slow" running is so much faster than what I'm doing.

Also, that was actually a helpful comment from your DH. I think because we're relatively new to this lark, it's easy for us to become focused on each individual run and really feel put off if we have a bad one. If you're a Proper Runner, though, I can see that you just take for granted the fact that sometimes it won't go so well but there is no need to get hung up about it as it's just one run of many. I am going to keep his wise words in my head. My marathon-running SIL was out for a run the other week and fell flat on her face in front of many many people, grazing her knees and elbows and losing all dignity. That would have really thrown me, but of course she was back out the next day, thinking nothing of it.

workate - great idea to run the Parkrun course, just to put your mind at rest, although I do think there is probably no point getting too worried about time and distance at this stage. The programme really does seem designed to build our stamina first and then get us to the point where we're running more or less 5K. My plan is the same as yours: get as near to 5K as I can with the programme, then make sure I am actually running 5K, then start improving my time until I can run it in 30 minutes. I'm going to start looking for an app that will get me there (I think we may need a new thread for that!)

Get us, eh? Talking about improving our 5K times, when less than two months ago we were feeling slightly daunted by the 90 second runs

I am just waiting for my porridge to go down, after which I'll go out for W5R2. The distance is meant to drop back down to 3.63K for this one. I'll report back later.

Oh hello dotty - cross-posts there! I too am just about to go out for W5R2 - I hadn't realised we were at the same stage, more or less (ie, so far behind the others ). slev, did I miss your 20-minuter? if I did.

I'm using a slightly different app from the rest of you so the joys of the 20-minuter don't come until W6R3. Today is 6/1/4/1/6, W5R3 is 7/2/5/2/7, then I have an 8/3/8, a 10/3/10 and then The Dreaded 20. I'll definitely be last to take it on and will expect you to be cheering me on and greeting me at the end with a tinfoil blanket and a medal on a ribbon

Lurking - how did it go?

Lurking- I agree about this thread being brilliant! I really, really appreciate the support, especially as I think I've bored everyone in real life to death with this, including DH who actually IS a runner I will really miss checking in to keep me focused once we've all finished

Dotty - nothing wrong with bringing up the rear, not giving up is the biggest thing. I'm that you're only 3 months post birth!!

Workate- love the NASA idea
Only 6 runs left Makes me feel a bit :(

Dotty - inspiration for the 20 minuter:

• It's not much further than you've been running so far (just pushed the time blocks together). Your body can handle it!
• Remember all you have to do is complete the run, don't worry about speed at all. You can bounce along at walking speed if necessary as long as you keep a running motion going for the duration
• A block of running allows you to get into a rhythm. Also, unlike run-stop-run patterns, your heart rate doesn't keep going up and down, it kind of levels off and you get used to it IYKWIM
• Everyone who's done it so far on this thread (and hundreds of other people) have made it so it IS achievable
• You never thought running for 12 minutes (or longest run so far according to your app) would be possible but you made it. Your body is ready, this is about conquering the mental side of things
• Imagine how you'll feel when you've graduated to "proper runner"
• This is the beginning of a running hobby which will keep you fit and healthy (if you have a weight loss target or a special event you want to tone up for think about that like the wedding I'm going to )
• If all else fails, a wise woman once said mentally chanting "legs, legs!" helps

Don't eat too soon before you run and try to run later in the day as early morning runs are tough.

Ahh thanks tinwe you've made me smile, I think ignoring speed and just chanting legs legs will be my tactic!

Off to cheer on friends at the Bristol half tomorrow which should also be v inspiring!

lurking I'll be there with pompoms!

dotty - what tinwe said! It really is possible, although you won't believe it until you've done it.

Did W6R1 this evening and not a good run. Think a combination of a busy day, not much food and general lack of enthusiasm for going out running meant I was never going to have a great run. No idea on speed as my GPS kept cutting out (either that or I've developed the ability to run through buildings according to my map) but I doubt it was too quick.

Still, it's done, that's the main thing and hopefully the next one will be better. Although DH is travelling for work next week and not back until Saturday so won't be able to run again until then. Which means I'm going to end up at about the same point as dotty and lurking so at least I'll have running buddies!

Can I join this thread?

I started C25K just over 2 weeks ago. I'm finding it really good, although I run very early in the morning and find it soooo hard to crawl out of bed.

I have a few questions. My main motivation is weightloss, but also fitness of course. How realistic is it to loose weight by following this program?
Also, I think I tend to favour one leg when running. This leg hurts the most and aches in lots of places. Is this normal? I have proper running shoes but they are fairly old.

Welcome Harry! I've lost weight with this plan. More so as the runs have increased in length. I'm week 7 now and the GPS map app says I'm burning just short of 600 calories a run (so every other day) but I also think my metabolism has speeded up and I've toned up. I've lost a couple of dress sizes but also been watching what I eat sometimes. My weight's plateaued now but I've been eating a lot of "treats"

Not sure about one leg hurting more than another. I've not had that problem but I have had a lot of aches and pains which have now started to pass more quickly the next day after a run than when I was starting out. My aches were inner thighs and hips particularly but I found that stretching thoroughly really helped. I'd advise running later in the day so you can loosen up first, stretching after and possibly before running, checking your shoes are right for you and seeing a Physio/some professional if it doesn't ease.