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Original poster

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

690 replies

workatemylife · 30/07/2013 10:39

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 Blush.

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 Hmm 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?

OP posts:
lurkingfromhome · 02/08/2013 10:37

Am back! W1R2 complete. It was so hot, though ... I was struggling a bit towards the end and trying to find shady bits of street to run along. I'm thinking it might actually be better to go out in the rain and not wait until the sun comes out.

W1R3 on Sunday then will be moving on to the scary prospect of running for 90 seconds at a time!

MrsReacher85 · 02/08/2013 20:04

Ah, was dressed and ready to head out for w1r2, and the heavens opened! Full on thunder storm, so there's no way I was running in that. Postponed until tomorrow unfortunately. Fingers crossed for better weather!

Tinwe · 03/08/2013 08:22

Hiya! Can I join? I've done W1R1 but am on a rest day today. Also very unfit and post baby (just over a year though). Have had knee trouble doing aerobics everyday so I'm trying to alternate my exercises, hence c25k and will try to get some Pilates or yoga or similar in between cos I want to tone my upper body too. At least, that's the plan mutters: "wonder how long that will last with a 2 yr old an a 1 yr old"

Tinwe · 03/08/2013 08:25

Plus, am slightly demotivated by seeing DH easily running 7K up the local huge hill route pushing the girls in our double buggy while I struggle to keep up on a BIKE! Hmm

Tinwe · 03/08/2013 08:30

Sorry, not read back much as the girls are grumbling but re: keeping up motivation since a 5k/10k run target seems to inspire you could you not sign up for other ones and try to beat your times?

alwaysinamuckingfuddle · 03/08/2013 17:24

I did W1R1 this morning... Grin

TallyGrenshall · 03/08/2013 19:59

w1r2 just done. A little further, a little quicker and no less sweaty Grin

I really need to move house. I live at the top of a frickin hill (in norfolk ffs) so the second half of my run is uphill and it frickin hurts Sad

TallyGrenshall · 03/08/2013 20:02

w1r2 just done. A little further, a little quicker and no less sweaty Grin

I really need to move house. I live at the top of a frickin hill (in norfolk ffs) so the second half of my run is uphill and it frickin hurts Sad

iloveaglassofwine · 04/08/2013 10:09

Just done w2r1 and pleased to report that I'm still alive! Anyone else running today? Tally, well done for heading up a hill. I would be crawling up - i live in flat Cheshire so few hills here, thank goodness.

Can we be classed as runners yet or do you think that'll be when we run for 8 mins or more?

dottypyjamas · 04/08/2013 10:58

Took a gamble on the rain easing off this morning...and lost spectacularly! Just got back from w1r3 looking like a drowned rat! And my GPS dropped out twice so the stats are wrong, grumble!

Still, It's got easier I think over the week - bit nervous about 90 seconds next week but onwards and upwards! How was it in comparison ilove?

Are there many starting out next week?if it helps I'm actually enjoying it Smile

Tinwe · 04/08/2013 13:02

Hi all! Well done especially to those just starting or completing week one and moving onto week 2. Basically well done everyone doing this! Grin

I completed W1R2 this morning. I'm pleased to say I started with a 5 min warm up walk up the local v steep hill so I could enjoy the views running along the relatively flat road at the top. I think I'm going to need a few different routes to stop me getting bored. I thought I'd avoid most people by being out early but of course I met a lot of dog walkers! I ran down hill for part of it but have learned my lesson as it was very hard on my knees so will just keep on the flat next time and slightly extend my cool down walk to cover all the downhill section. For the person who said her run ended with a big uphill bit Shock have you considered staying on the flat to run and walking back up to home as your cool down?

Quick question, does anyone know a c25k podcast which allows you to play your own music and then just fades in with instructions etc? I'm sure I heard of it somewhere. I like "Laura" from the NHS version but I hate the music!

Tinwe · 04/08/2013 13:03

V impressed you're enjoying it Dotty! Can't say I am but I'm enjoying the chuffed I've done it part Wink

Tinwe · 04/08/2013 13:04

Ilove- definitely runners... I have new trainers and everything! Wink

ImpulsePineapple · 04/08/2013 13:08

I think I'd like to join. I may bring the DDs too, as we all need the exercise...

Tinwe · 04/08/2013 13:40

Go for it Pineapple!

iloveaglassofwine · 04/08/2013 14:19

It was okay dotty. I expected it to be much harder running for those extra 30 seconds but it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. I wouldn't quite say i was enjoying it as such but I can see that i might until the dark, cold mornings in the winter.

Tinwe, lots of dog walkers here too, they prob wonder why I'm dressed in running gear but keep walking.

TallyGrenshall · 04/08/2013 15:00

It's me with the hill. It's a big hill so my warm up doesn't get me to the flat bit (or even close). The only way round it would be to drive to the park and run around that but that would mean more people to see me Shock and more faff so I'm just going to stick with the hill.

On the plus side, I suppose if I ever do a 5k or a parkrun then it will mainly be flat so it won't seem so bad Grin

Tinwe · 05/08/2013 07:04

Just about to give the NHS stretch and strength (or similar) podcast a go. It's supposed to help you be more flexible and tone muscle and can be done on c25k rest days. Anyone else tried it? Smile

iloveweetos · 05/08/2013 07:25

It's the 5th already!!! Will do a run later after work x

AnotherWorld · 05/08/2013 08:09

Hi all. Just to add a recommendation - I did c25k back in jan last year. Excellent program. Took me literally from the couch to actually running 5k with a few bumps along the way.

I also added Parkrun and run when I can. I am honestly say they are a lovely lovely group to run with. There will usually be a tail runner whose job it is to help the new runners round. I owe a lot to a chap called Aurelio who is our local tail runner. Even if you aren't actually last he's still shouting encouragement. My 5ks are around the 36-37 min mark.

Give Parkrun a try when you are towards the end of the program though as you may find it a bit de motivating before that.

Maggietess · 05/08/2013 08:19

W1r1 going to happen this evening.

Had planned on starting on Thurs then ds broke his legSad ... He's not even quite a toddler so I've been wallowing ("what a bad mother I just be Shock ").

But he's decided he can speed crawl in a cast kit makes some noise!) and still cruise the furniture so I've decided I can now leave him for half an hour with DH and actually go for it. Will report back!

Good luck to all starting today!!

lurkingfromhome · 05/08/2013 09:15

Well done everyone who went out over the weekend. I went out yesterday and did W1R3 so will be doing W2R1 tomorrow. Exciting! I feel ready to progress now, probably because I did an extra R1 before I decided on my app. Looking forward to pushing myself a little bit more tomorrow.

anotherworld, thanks for the Parkrun tips. My local one is far far too daunting at the moment (I mentioned upthread that there were about 370 runners in mine and the slowest one was faster than I can imagine ever being ...) but I'm going to get my courage together and join them in a few months' time.

tinwe - I hadn't heard of that app but sounds like something I'd really like to do as I am definitely very untoned of muscle as well as horribly unfit. I'm going to go and investigate.

maggietess - your poor DS Sad sounds like it's not stopping him from being a future runner in the making, though!

I was thinking this morning that we have done so well starting this new programme in summer as by the time the cold dark mornings come along, it should (hopefully) be second nature and we'll just get up and go out running without really thinking about it. Am I being too optimistic there?

Good luck today, everyone!

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 05/08/2013 11:06

Yay I went out yesterday! 45 mins in total, did 10 x 30 sec runs. It felt fine and easily manageable but I'm determined not to push too quickly (done that before and regretted it).

Been feeling achey and inflamed lately but the run hasn't made anything feel worse so that's good.

Original poster
workatemylife · 05/08/2013 11:57

What a great weekend you've all been having! I spent most of mine eating too much Blush but I knew that was going to be the case and pulled the trainers on this morning to get the week off to a better start. At least it isn't as hot this week, although my face is radiating a fair amount of heat across the neighbourhood!
I do feel slightly better already, although this may just be a delusion. I really appreciate the walking breaks, but I caught running with a bit of a bounce in the step today. It probably felt better than it looked though. I suspect I run like an 80-year old. Fingers crossed that we get to the end. Thank you to all those who are popping in to say that it works.

OP posts:
MyDaydream · 05/08/2013 12:56

I'm starting today, looking over Google maps to find a good route because I live in a seriously hilly area so trying to find the best route with a lovely downhill to the finish!
I told DP about Parkrun, with my plan being to start halfway through C25k but DP is quite into the idea of it so were both going this weekend. He can get the coffee in afterwards while I plod in 15 minutes later! I've looked at the results for my local one and the slowest people are around the 45 minute mark which I can do speed walking. How successful I'll be running with DS is still to be seen.