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?

AND a woman in the age 70-74 bracket ran the effing thing in 31:48. That's the same age as my mum and she's faster than me

Sorry. I really am going to stop now.

Hi lurking, yep, went out a couple of hours ago and had a reasonably good run for W8R1. Still didn't find it easy - was very tempted to stop and walk but managed to keep going and I think I may have cracked the 5k in 28 minutes! I say think because my GPS thought I did 2 miles in 5 minutes which seems highly unlikely so I ended up measuring it on the mapmyrun website when I got back and seems to good to be true. Still quite chuffed either way though!

And that's the mistake I made - looking at Parkrun results and depressing myself. I'd like to say ignore them but I've failed miserably so no advice I'm afraid!

tinwe welcome back! And yes, my app has that function - I've got it set to do speed and distance updates every 5 minutes - not sure it's always a good thing as it's quite depressing when you realise you've only been running for 5 minutes but definitely helps to know how fast you're going. It's the RunDouble app - think it's the same one as workate is using.

And congratulations to everyone for persevering with runs this week - isn't it mad to think we've nearly done it?!

Might cheer you up to know that coming in dead on 30 mins would have made you 89th overall and 24th woman out of 116 on the last Park Run at my local course. Seems you just have hardcore runners in your areas! I'll be aiming to come in under 100th if I ever do it

Oh yes! I've figured out how to get 5 min feedbacks on Map My Run too (could choose from a variety of times) so will be trying that tonight to help me pace myself

Well done Slev, another speedy run. Can't believe you're on week 8 too! You've quickly caught up with us, graduation soon for you too

Solid times Lurking! Don't worry about speed, you've got almost 2 weeks before the end of the programme and even then you can work on speed over time (with me)

Love the spread sheet idea, I do most stuff on my phone now as I can't be bothered turning the computer on. Maybe I should give it a go. I've changed how I measure my speed now and have only been measuring the running bit but now I've changed the Map my Run to record every 5 minutes I might measure the whole lot including warm up and cool down again.

Anyway, Graduation run tonight I hope, really nervous which is a bit silly. Shouldn't build it up or I'll fall over or get a stitch or similar and spoil it

No, I'm graduating tomorrow, tinwe. Yikes! Mine is the 8-week programme so last run is imminent. Yes, am a bit sad with my spreadsheet (colour coded and everything ), although a lot of it is probably displacement activity to avoid actually having to work...

I downloaded a 5k to 10k app last night. Still unsure what exactly to do over the next little while but I think I will have a week of just running 5k and trying to improve my times, maybe do the 5k improver programme for a bit and then embark on the 5k to 10K.

I worked out that if I started the 5k to 10k programme now, I'd be graduating at Christmas time. I don't trust myself not to finish the programme, take up residence on the sofa for two weeks of eating chocolates for breakfast and never go back out so I need to time things carefully so that I have a reason to keep going out over the festive season...

Good luck with graduation run. You will be fine, of course! Come back with stats as soon as you're done and we will be there with the virtual medal and tinfoil blanket .

Wow, an exciting couple of days ahead. Good luck tonight tinwe and tomorrow lurking. Great news from slev as well - you may have 'graduated' ahead of time.

Park Run stats always depress me too. A 'good' time for me would clearly be pretty poor for the local race, but not embarassing. I really doubt that all the other runners were able to leap out of bed one Saturday and sprint around the park without training, and maybe I'm asking too much from a nine week schedule. Sticking at it though. I might yet do a Park Run even if I'm slow, and I'll definitely sign up with tinwe and lurking for some autumn training. I still don't have a schedule / plan, although I did manage 4 miles this morning, albeit quite slowly at the end. But without stopping, so better than my last effort! That's probably the last chance I'll get to run before Monday, but I'll pop back here for news and spreadsheets in between

I think part of the lethargy yesterday and general can't be bothered feeling may have been hormonal - TOTM related. So that's another factor in the Park Run planning, although it may matter less once I get a bit fitter anyway.

GRADUATION!***

Yup, W9R3 done! Stats to follow but first I feel I need to indulge myself by giving you all the highlights

*It was lashing with rain and blowing a gale
*My pants got wet and kept falling down (they're 2 sizes too big now) so I had to run holding them up
*My trainers got wet inside and rubbed
*I had app malfunctions - it was hard to see/operate the screen in the rain to set all apps going simultaneously after the warm up so I wasted at least a minute or two plus I had a GPS problem at one point (the split pace said I was at crawling pace at one section but I'd turned around while running so think the GPS hadn't caught up)
And the best bit... I had to do a Paula as I finished (having run the last km with crossed legs ). The irony was that I had to go round the back of a public convenience in a wood to spend a penny as I didn't have a penny to spend. So much for making sure I was adequately hydrated! I'm glad I wasn't on Park Run and that you ladies were only metaphorically waiting with a tin foil blanket, not really there

Got to be most unglamorous graduation ever!

Anyway, stats:

30 mins run, at least exactly 5km (according to Map My Run)

About to celebrate with sweet potato wedges and garlic dip and a Magnum

Going to come back with some longer term stats for anyone interested later.

FANTASTIC!!! And just about the best running story we've had yet! In a way, falling down pants is good news I suppose Enjoy some well earned rewards..... You deserve it.

Wahey!! Very well done and what a memorable last run, tinwe . I have to say I am laughing out loud at your various erm, mishaps. Good for you for graduating in such trying circumstances... and with a really great time, too

Yes yes, do come back with more stats and your post-graduation plans. Fabulous!! Hope you enjoyed your celebratory Magnum. Actually that has just reminded me that I may have one lurking in the freezer ... must go and check.

I hope to be joining you tomorrow but if not, it will be a Saturday graduation ceremony for me...

Extra stats (everything I can think of put down for posterity):

Total days to complete plan - 62
Total number of runs - 27
Total number of repeat runs - 0
Total minutes run - 471.5
Personal best - 6 mins/km - today!
Can't do total miles covered or personal worst time as started measuring the right bits too late into the programme

Worst run - W8R3 when I thought I'd puke/wee or collapse and had to break the programme and walk a bit for the first time
Best run - W9R1 when I made my come back and "Enjoyed" a run!

Number of injuries - 1
Number of illnesses - 1
Weight loss - 6lb (maybe more if I weigh in the morning tomorrow)
Size - inch lost all over except my hips which is 2 inches

Top tips -
Eat carefully, try to have carbs (not protein heavy food) before a run and allow a decent gap before running
It's often harder to run first thing as you're not warmed up
Try to avoid inclines/hills until you're confident
STRETCH
It's a mental challenge more than physical so try to distract yourself while you're out rather than obsessing about how hard it is. Get good music and good helpful apps (they're a tiny investment in the long run). I liked listening to talking rather than music and podcasts are free!

I'd be interested to read anyone else's "stats story" if they'd like to share. I bet Lurking can give us all the info from her charts!

Good luck for today Lurking!

Congratulations tinwe! And what a way to end! And I agree with all your tips. Some of my own I'd add:
When you're struggling for motivation, go shopping - some nice new kit always helps.
You really can do it - don't stop and walk because once you've done it once, you've made it okay - you're probably not going to die so have faith in the programme and keep going.
Pick a circular route - I find running for an amount of time quite hard, but somehow knowing how much further I have to go distance-wise makes it easier (yes, I don't get that one either!)
And most importantly - get some good virtual running mates to keep you going and encourage you that you can do it - you've all been fab

So I did W8R2 last night and covered 4.95km in 28 minutes according to my GPS. So close! But I have to say, I'm finding it quite hard at the minute - really feel like I'm dragging myself round - not helped by the fact it's dark by the time I go out so I'm struggling to motivate myself when I could just stay on my nice cosy sofa!

lurking did you do it or is today the big day? Good luck if so - virtual medals and foil blankets at the ready!

Well done Speedy Slev! You've almost graduated through distance rather than time

I know what you mean about finding motivation hard in the evenings. I went out again today and tried morning instead just because of that. I actually found that harder - my legs were like lead! I ran for 30 mins but didn't knock myself out for the 5km this time. I even had a few seconds walk midway (true about "once you've broken it and walked once...") but still managed 4.8km so I'm ok with that.

BUT I went out to Debenhams to see their free personal shopper straight after my run. I've been worrying over a wedding guest outfit for a few weeks. I don't know if it was the residual adrenaline or being let loose in a shop to buy something NEW (not eBay/charity shop) or finally having my choice of outfits which looked good (now I've lost weight), but I spent a fortune on a dress!

Oh I completely agree tinwe - I can't do mornings at all for some reason, my body just isn't ready for it. The not stopping thing is more for me - I know how easily it'll become a temptation!

Congratulations on the dress buying tint

Oops! That's the problem with posting from a phone with fat fingers!

Anyway, as I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself, congratulations on the dress buying. What a nice way to celebrate graduating, buying something you wouldn't have bought if you hadn't lost weight. Maybe I should try and pay attention to what I'm eating - once I've had my slow roast pork dinner washed down with a nice red with some chocolates for after while we finish the bottle

Total graduation fail here ... aaargh! I am ill!

Had a sore throat yesterday but throught I'd go out and do the Big Graduation Run anyway. Got halfway and really started to feel ill - leaden legs, pounding head, sore bones, hot eyes. Had to stop after 15 mins and go home . Took to bed early with everything aching and slept until lunchtime today. Honestly. So near and yet so far ...

Feel better-ish now but still a bit lethargic and flu-y. Not sure whether to go for it again tomorrow or have another day of rest ... but what if I lose all motivation and never graduate?? The horror! Please keep nagging me until I get out there and do it.

Well done slev on another run done and tinwe for some superlative dress buying .

Aw Lurking! How disappointing for you :( Just get yourself better and then get back out there! This is a lifestyle choice now do one delayed run really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I worried the same as you when I was poorly with my tummy bug last week but I had much more energy after my rest. No point rushing and letting the bug take hold properly.

Thanks Slev for helping me feel less guilty ??

Poor you lurking. Get well soon - awful timing though; Really bad luck that it came on the final day
impressive shopping style tinwe. What did you buy?
i am a bit jealous on the weight thing. All my own fault for kidding myself that running justifies all sorts of treats. A mental note to self that more satisfaction is to be found in looking good and saving pennies too and then spending them of course!.

GRADUATION - HURRAH!

Yay! W8R3 complete. I was still feling a bit ropey but thought I'd give it a shot, mostly to try to get it done before the start of a new week (and partly because I was a little bit worried about losing my running mojo...).

It was really quite tough - about halfway round I was feeling a bit sweaty (as in feverish sweaty, not just my usual running sweaty) and I nearly gave up but ploughed on. Even with just 10 minutes to go I nearly gave up again but the thought of coming on here and announcing another failed run was just too awful so I pressed on until there was only 5 minutes left, at which point I knew I'd do it.

And weirdly, for the last 10 minutes I swear I was running more slowly than I would walk and yet the stats showed that it was my best speed ever :

total distance: 5.73 km
run pace: 6:26 minutes/km

So I could, in theory, run a 5k in 32 minutes 10 seconds. Not exactly record-shattering, and I'm not doing Parkrun yet until I can get that speed up a bit, but I am soooooo happy!

Have also just been watching the Great Scottish Run on TV and thinking I might just possibly do the 10K next year ... in the meantime, I have realised that I do need some kind of structure with specific goals to keep me going out, so on Tuesday I'm going to start the 5k improver thingy and will do that for a bit before embarking on 5k210k.

Back later with more detailed stats ... . In the meantime, I may just have a little lie down with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Congratulations lurking - and how satisfying to graduate with your fastest time! Hope you enjoyed the well-deserved cake!

workate good to see it's not just me that has no self-discipline when it comes to food. Still, on balance I think I like having the food and if running means I don't put weight on then I suppose it's worth it in that way!

So I just got back from W8R3 and I officially did 5k! 5.06k to be precise, in 28 minutes. Feeling pretty dead as a result (not helped by DS deciding to join me in my post-run shower instead of having his bath, which made the whole thing MOST un-relaxing - or something similar in much better English!).

Which makes next week a bit weird as I'm not sure what I'm running for now - other than finishing the programme, but I sort of feel like I've done that. Think I'll probably move on to the 10k programme after that - not sure if I'll be able to do it as I'm definitely struggling more now it's longer distances, but then I probably would have said that before starting this one so who knows?!

Congratulations Lurking! ?? Graduating when you're poorly deserves an extra piece of cake, here ?? ! Give yourself a decent rest now for a couple of days. Don't worry, we'll nag you if you look like you're relaxing too much and please do the same in reverse.

Well done too Slev! ?? You've caught us up as expected Have you got a Park Run booked now since you're already 5km in under 30 mins?

Hope you're both going to add your "stats story" on here for us. It'll be really interesting to compare our journeys to graduation.

2 graduations in 1 day and we're all over the line now (apologies to anyone whose still with us but not posted for a while so we think you've gone)! We should be having a virtual party but instead you're all looking to the next challenge... Very honourable and all that, to be fair so can someone link to the 5k improvers for me and suggest a date to start?

BTW I think I've only lost weight as I had quite a bit to lose rather than you slim ladies who're probably carrying less baggage than me. I've done more than my share of Ben and Jerry's along the way too

I'm having that debate about parkrun tinwe. In theory I've got 3 more runs left to finish the programme, which would usually be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - and there is a parkrun on Saturday which I could do. But I'm not going to be able to run Thursday evening as I have a work do until late. Which means either I get up ridiculously early to run Thursday morning (as in 5am - it feels unlikely) or I postpone that run until Friday evening, but then I'm hardly going to want to do another one Saturday morning.

Which is a rather longwinded way of saying that I'm talking myself out of parkrun for a while. All feels a bit too much like a Proper Proper Runner whereas I think I'm still a Pretend Proper Runner. Mad, isn't it? I merrily charge all round the neighbourhood now and have more or less stopped feeling self-conscious about it, yet put me in a park with about 400 people doing the same thing and no, that would make it embarrassing.

Maybe when I actually enjoy running I'll decide that I'm ready for it - at the moment it's still definitely something I do because I have to, rather than want to!