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?

I'm going to start at the weekend as baby had her jabs today and is miserable, plus I won't get the chance to buy a bra till then

I'm thinking however I'm going to run early in the morning while DH is in bed. I wake at 6 anyway to feed baby but she goes back down for an hour. I usually just lie there but I could get up, run and shower before we all have to get up.

I just did wk2r1 and it wasn't too bad. I really felt the extra 30 seconds on the last running interval but that could also be partly because I've run 2 days in a row.

I did have enough breath to give someone directions though, so it must be doing something good for me!

Can I join you? I did W1R1 this evening, the first time I've seriously attempted running since a half hearted attempt to get fit before I found out I was pregnant following 36 month ttc. (Way back in my early 30s, and pre children, I used to run regularly)

I found it quite hard going but not horrific, although by the end of my cool down walk my thighs had started to ache a bit. Just being out in the fresh air and the upbeat music made me smile, so I'm hoping that this will encourage me to keep going.

W2R2 done. I found it harder this time for some reason. I ran on the canal towpath and got freaked out by the mist on the canal at 6:30 this morning - this is because I spent a good hour the other night reading the spooky thread on here. I am a serious wuss!

Welcome Rosina.

Redwelly, I run in the mornings too before DH and DC are up - I find it easier to get out of the house and it's done for the day then.

Lurking, I agree that sentence is exactly what we all need to hear.

Welcome, all newcomers. MyDaydream, I wouldn't worry about not being able to finish first time round. I know from reading the other threads that loads of people have had to repeat weeks and do the same run several times before they can progress. Everyone seems to get there in the end, so as long as you're out there you're not on your couch and that has to be progress .

redwelly, if I was running in the evening, there wouold always be a reason not to (too tired, too much work, dinner to make blah blah blah). I go out more or less as soon as I get out of bed before I have time to think twice about it, and the that's it done for the day. There's somethng nice about the morning air anyway (even if it is on a busy road full of traffic...).

Another thing I'm doing is changing the music I listen to after every couple of runs so that there is always a new song to look forward to.

Ok habitual lurker here, that will spur me on.. I've reached week 6, the longest time I've ever given it, it does work..hope to do some later on

I love and hate this in equal measure! I went out this morning and really felt like jacking it in half way through, but persevered and noticed a bit of a spring in my stride in the final 'run' of the session. So glad I stuck with it because I'm now at home feeling pretty chuffed, instead of eating biscuits!

Instead of focusing on my huffing and puffing I started to look at my surroundings. Great distraction - I run round a playing field so I watched a bit of tennis, scared a few birds, and tried to avoid eye contact with the groundskeeper who was probably wondering what the flip I was doing. I noticed some blackberries growing in the hedges and resisted the temptation to scoff them but I might take a bag on my next run .

See - I said 'next run'. I WILL keep at this - loving the message from Tina. In my defence, my period started last night and I wonder if that was just making me feel a bit bleuch.

workatemylife, you have to keep going with this since you started the thread . Just think of all your disciples who you can't possibly let down now

It definitely helps if you look around you, I think. I am quite prone to just shuffling along thinking about stuff and only looking at the pavement a few yards ahead of me. When you raise your head and have a look at what's going on, it does make it all more enjoyable. Or less of a struggle, at least.

Anyone got any advice on the old joints (and I don't mean anything dodgy)?

I had planned to run Monday, Wednesday, Friday so did w1r1 on Monday, then took dcs out a massive walk with the buggy yesterday. Today I'm really aching and not just muscles but knees and hips (I'm only 33!). Don't want to do damage or really hurt them but also want to keep going. Worried that if I go out tonight and they really hurt during the run it will be very demotivating.
Can't decide if it's a grit your teeth thing you've to get through or if the wiser action is to make sure they get rest and go tomorrow so as I keep this up in the long run.
What do you think? Any physios out there?

I should say I'm pretty sure it's weight related. I'm sure they're hating the idea of carrying lardy me at pace!

I am no expert but it could just be your body needing time to recover. Or maybe your trainers - some have more cushioning than others, and lessen the impact of your footstrike. They are sometimes a bit bulkier or heavier but it might be worth looking at your shoes and if they are old, battered, unevenly worn or just not made for running you could consider replacing them. But get some have'proper' advice - I.E. Not from me

Thanks workatemylife, don't think it's the trainers as they are in good condition -

Sorry hit post a bit quick

They are in good condition mostly cus they never get used much they are asics ones who I think are a running brand. And I do get sore feet so I tend to invest in good supportive shoes and good socks.

I've decided to sit out tonight in case I am just needing to give the body a chance to catch up that we're on a fitness drive! And then I'll go out tomorrow regardless and see how it goes. Don't want to do something daft on rum two that means I don't go out again!

Been lurking on this thread for a couple of days. Tomorrow I will be doing w2r2 and am loving it, even though I am v unfit. I tried to do it a couple of months ago but when I did w2r1 my knee was hurting so much I had to stop. This time it's ok. I would suggest 2 rest days instead of 1 if you've got pain, give yourself a chance to recover. I've got a history of hip and back problems so am v cautious to try and reduce the risk of injury!! Ellie xXx

I started this on Monday I am ashamed to say I really struggled I only managed the first 2 runs after that I was only managing around 30 seconds then having to walk. I really struggled with my breathing my legs and everything weren't to bad but my breathing was the the thing that held me back. I wasn't much better on the second run today. I am actually disgusted with myself for not even being able to run for 60 seconds. Please tell me I'm not the only one who can't even do the first run.

Forty,I did the first run yesterday and couldn't do it. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't run it was a bit of a mess. I'm running again tomorrow and am going to push myself to at least finish, I can only get better from here and if I need to I can repeat week 1 next week if I need to.

Forty Honestly, stick with it. Can you think about a friday run where you push yourself to jog the first 3 jogs, and then maybe walk for the whole of the fourth run to allow you to recover properly before jogging again? Your doing seriously better than those still sat on the couch. The program is seriously good. I've just come out the other end, and 10 weeks ago I couldn't have run for a bus (and probably not chocolate)

The other thing to consider is to slow down your jogging.

Its my breathing that I struggle with the most as well. I find it best to lift shoulders and take in a massive breath just before starting to jog, and then trying not to think about the breaths. If I try and moderate them, it goes horribly wrong!

Thanks Ellie that's made me feel better in deciding to give it the extra day.

forty honestly I think don't read too much in to the word "run". I suspect mine didn't resemble anything like what was in your head as a run. It's was kind of a knees a bit higher than when walking jog and on the last two minute blasts definitely seemed like a slower pace than when I was walking briskly.
I think it's all part of the curve, or that's what I'm telling myself anyway!!

Forty, I'm still only doing 30 sec runs! I'm like Ellie (back/hip/shoulder problems) and am treading a balance between wanting to get fitter and stronger and avoiding causing worse pain/injury.

No shame in holding back, means it'll take longer than the nine weeks to get up to speed, but in three months' time I can either be the same as I am now (probably worse), or hopefully running for half an hour at a time.

Got to start somewhere; my starting point is just further back than most!

Hello all! It's only been a few days since I was on but this thread moves so fast!

Re: not being able to complete week ones runs- the cardio is the hardest bit of running so it's not surprising that it might be difficult at first. I believe that's the bit that improves most quickly too though (as opposed to developing muscles). FWIW- before I started this I did the 30 day Shred DVD and couldn't complete the minute of star jumps of level 1 at first, but she kept saying "I bet those of you on day 5 will have noticed a big difference in your endurance" and it was true! By day 20 star jumps were just the warm up and it didn't bother me. Keep up the good work and you'll notice an improvement in no time. Also, I found the more I worried about an exercise the more it affected my breathing (I tended to automatically puff and pant more) and the harder I found it. When I focused on staying calm and reminding myself I could do this it got easier. Also, I found it much easier and more of a "treat" running to my own funky upbeat music than that of the nhs podcast where I felt the time dragged. Hope some of these ideas help. Good luck!

Re: sore joints- I've had aches and pains all over this week (in unexpected places like inner thigh and chest) but I'm putting it down to healthy muscle aches. I've made more of an effort to stretch after each exercise session and I've looked at good running gaits as I felt my feet were slapping down each time like I was in flippers! A slight focus on a better gait and stretching has really helped.

Thanks for the advice re the own music c25k coaching app. I was trying a free version which was better than the NHS set music one but I've invested in the one suggested and it looks much better already.

W2R1 now, enough delay!

W2r2 done this morning, really enjoying the virtuous feeling of starting the day with a run - although it was a tricky run today, my legs were a bit leaden so my stats weren't as good as w2r1 (knew I'd get stat obsessed!)

Keep going everyone! [Smile] [pompom emoticon], loving reading everyone's posts, good to know others are limping around with red faces

dotty, I was just behind you there as have just got back home from W2R2. I too am completely stat obsessed, so imagine my horror when my phone lost its GPS signal (or something) and the app just froze. Of course I didn't realize it at the time - was on my final 90sec run and felt like I'd been running for a good 4 mins. Checked my phone to see that it had frozen with 1 minute to go and I couldn't get it back. No idea how far I ran or how long for, so will have to do that one again next time. Grrr!

Mine too was tricky today. I am wondering if I should go out later in the day after all. Even though I do my stretches before I go out and have the brisk 5min warm-up walk, because I'm going out just after I get up, I feel a bit stiff before, during and after, like I have never really warmed up properly. It's my age I wonder if I'd generally be a bit looser-limbed if I waited until lunchtime. I might try that next time, although psychologically I feel more inclined to get it out of the way first thing.

tinwe, very wise words to everyone struggling a litle bit. I think I might do 4 runs each week as I don't want to progress to the next stage until I feel like the current stage is quite easy. No shame whatsoiever in following the programme at your own pace.

Everyone, remember this: every time you are out there, puffing, panting, limping, shuffling, walking, crawling, on your hands and knees, whatever, that means you are NOT on the couch (like millions of other people are). And that counts as progress. Let's all have some .

Lurking
Might be worth looking at stretching after the 5 mins walk, rather than before. I seem to remember that someome ages ago (probably the previous thread) said not to stretch before you go out - you can't stretch cold muscles?

Baking your on. I've got more to go that you tho. Where we off to?

Ah, thanks for the tip, nextphase. That makes a lot of sense. Will try that next time, cheers!

Just got back from w2r2 as well! I did it on the treadmill at the gym with a slight incline. Was far less than impressed when a woman came on the treadmill next to me when nearly all the others were free! Completely put me off but I ploughed on and succeeded. Feeling good! Time for a quick shower and I've got to go out for a few hours so no time to collapse into a heap in the corner! Ellie xXx